To Germany from Ireland
Looking for a ferry to Germany from Ireland? There are no direct routes over the Irish Sea and the North Sea to Germany. What you can do is make the crossing from Ireland to France first and then travel to Germany by car or public transport from one of the French coastal cities.
Depending on where you need to be in Germany, the ferry to Dunkirk from Rosslare or the ferry from Dublin to Cherbourg are the best routes.
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Ferry to Germany from Ireland information
Getting to Germany by ferry is an excellent way of travelling to the European continent. As there are no direct routes between Ireland and Germany, the crossing that makes the most sense is the ferry from Ireland to France. From France you can travel further either by train, motorhome or car to Germany.
These ferries are probably the best routes to Germany.
From both Dublin and Cork, it might be worth the trip to Rosslare, and make the crossing from Rosslare to Dunkirk as this brings you the closest Germany with the slightest chance of traffic jams.
When you arrive in Germany you can travel north. In the North of Germany you can find ferries that bring you further across Europe. This is a great hub if you want to take a ferry to either Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark or even Lithuania. In the map blow you can find the different ferries travelling direct to and from Germany.
Best crossing to Germany from Ireland: Rosslare – Dunkirk
Rosslare-Dunkirk
Experience the Dunkirk-Rosslare ferry, connecting France and Ireland. Enjoy an 18-24 hour journey with an overnight crossing. Ideal for travelers who want to skip England and want to travel right away to Ireland from Europe.
Alternatives: Dublin-Cherbourg & Cork-Roscoff
The alternatives that you have are the ferries from Cork to Roscoff and the ferry from Dublin to Cherbourg. On these routes, you'll spend less time on the ferries but more on the roads. Cherbourg to Cologne is an 8-hour's drive, while Roscoff-Cologne is still a 10.5-hour drive.
Cherbourg-Dublin
Roscoff-Cork
The Roscoff-Cork ferry takes you from Ireland to French Bretagne (Roscoff) in 14 to 15 hours. This crossing is operated by Brittany Ferries and departs twice a week. It is a night crossing that is often sold out, so book well in advance.
Timetable, availability, and compare prices
Looking for a ferry crossing to the Germany? With our online booking module, finding and booking your desired route's never been easier. Simply enter your departure port, destination, and travel dates, and our system will display the best routes and possible alternatives. In the case of the ferry from Ireland to Germany you'll have to look into the ferries to France, and preferably the ferry to Dunkirk from Rosslare.
You can easily compare prices and schedules to choose the ferry that fits your needs and budget. With hassle-free booking and secure payment options, you can focus on planning your journey and enjoying your trip to Germany. Have a great journey!
Book your ferry ticket early to save money and secure your desired crossing
Booking your ferry tickets as soon as possible is the best way to save money and secure your desired crossing. As more passengers book their spots, the price of ferry tickets increases. By booking early, you can take advantage of lower prices and avoid the disappointment of a fully booked ferry.
Frequently Asked Questions: ferry to Germany from Ireland
There are no direct routes from Ireland to Germany. but the ferry from Rosslare in Ireland to Dunkirk in France is a great route to get to Germany. Cologne for example is only a 4-hour drive from Dunkirk.
This probably is the ferry to Dunkirk from Rosslare as well. However, the ferry lands in France there is only a 4-hour drive left to Cologne. If you need to be in the south of Germany the other ferries might work as well and probably Dublin – Cherbourg would be a great alternative.
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Ferry talk: Share your questions and opinions
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How does these routes with price compare to flights? I'm wondering to go by car/ferry or by plane and rent a car but I'm not sure what to do.
I was wondering if anyone has done this journey before? I can't seam to find how long the stop is in France and how frequent the ferries are.
There are many travelers each day traveling from Ireland to Germany by ferry, most however travel by Dover to Calais and from there drive to Germany. (which is still a far ride)