Ferries from Ireland to Spain
From Ireland, you can sail directly from Rosslare to two ports in northern Spain: Bilbao and Santander. Rosslare to Bilbao is the main route, with an overnight crossing of about 27 hours and 30 minutes, up to two sailings a week, and year-round service. Rosslare to Santander is the more limited option, with overnight sailings on a more seasonal pattern.
These direct Spain ferries are not only useful if Spain is your final destination. They also work well if you are heading onwards to Portugal, the Pyrenees, southern Spain or even the Côte d’Azur. For most trips, Bilbao is usually the first route to consider, thanks to its frequent sailings and straightforward arrival point in northern Spain.
Ferries to Spain from Ireland
From Ireland, you can sail direct from Rosslare to Bilbao or Santander.
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On-board impression: Santona, one of the Brittany Ferries ships used on Rosslare-Spain sailings.
Why Rosslare – Bilbao makes the most sense for many trips
For many journeys from Ireland to Spain, Rosslare – Bilbao is simply the route to check first. It runs more frequently, sails all year round, and gives you a direct link from south-east Ireland into northern Spain without having to piece the trip together via Britain or France.
Rosslare is also a practical departure point for a large part of Ireland and Northern Ireland. From Dublin, it is a manageable drive, and even from Belfast, it is still a realistic first leg of a longer trip.
Bilbao works well for far more than just the north coast of Spain. San Sebastián is close by, but the route also makes a lot of sense if you are continuing inland, heading south, crossing into Portugal, or driving on towards the Pyrenees or the south of France. Porto, for example, is still within a very reasonable driving distance from northern Spain.
Why Bilbao is usually the first route to check:
- year-round sailings from Rosslare
- the most practical crossing pattern for many trips
- useful not just for Spain, but also for Portugal and southern France
- a very convenient option if you want to travel with your own car
A particularly good option for families
For families, especially, this is often a more relaxed way to travel than flying or driving all the way through France. You have your own car, your luggage is close at hand, and there is far more room to move around than on a plane or in a car for hour after hour.
That extra space makes a real difference on a long journey. You can settle in properly, keep the trip simpler, and avoid breaking it up with airports, transfers or an overnight stop on the road.
Rosslare to Santander
Rosslare to Santander is still worth considering, especially if the sailing dates suit your plans better or if you would rather arrive further west on Spain’s north coast. For journeys towards Asturias, Galicia or parts of western Spain, it can be a handy alternative. But compared with Bilbao, it is a more limited option, so Bilbao remains the default choice for most trips from Ireland.
Why choose the ferry to Spain instead of flying or driving via France?
For many people, the ferry is simply a more pleasant way to get south. Flying may be quicker on paper, but once you add airport queues, baggage limits, transfers and possibly car hire at the other end, it rarely feels especially relaxed. Driving all the way via France has its own appeal, but it often means a very long run south, plus fuel, tolls and usually a hotel somewhere in western or central France before you can continue the next day.
The ferry sits nicely in between. You cover a big distance while travelling in more comfort, and on board there is space to walk around, get a proper meal, sit in a lounge, enjoy the sea air on deck and make use of the onboard entertainment. With a cabin, you can also rest properly overnight, rather than arriving tired from a flight or a marathon drive. Especially for families or anyone bringing plenty of luggage, the ferry can be a very appealing alternative.
Summary
The ferries from Ireland to Spain are operated by Brittany Ferries, with Rosslare – Bilbao the main route for many trips. It is usually the option that makes most sense if you want a practical and comfortable start to the journey, especially when travelling with a car, extra luggage or children. As a rough peak-season guide, a return sailing for two people, a car and a cabin often comes in at around €550 – €600. Alternatives via France or the UK can still work well, but they usually involve more driving, more planning and a few more moving parts.
