From France directly to Ireland
The fastest and most convenient connection is provided by direct ferries from French ports to Ireland, which avoid the detour via Great Britain.
Cherbourg - Rosslare
Brittany Ferries operates up to five times a week all year round from Cherbourg in Normandy to Rosslare in the south-east of Ireland. The crossing takes around 17-18 hours. Stena Line also operated here at times, but will discontinue the service at the end of September 2025. This route is ideal for: Dublin (2 hours north), the east coast with Wexford and Wicklow, the southeast with Waterford and Kilkenny as well as Cork and the entire south of Ireland. The Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula are also easily accessible from here.
Cherbourg - Rosslare
2 Ferry CompaniesCherbourg - Dublin
The second connection from Cherbourg takes around 19 hours directly to Dublin and is offered several times a week by Irish Ferries. This route is perfect for: Dublin and the surrounding area, the east coast to Belfast, the northwest with Donegal and Sligo, the Midlands and as a starting point for round trips throughout Ireland. Ideal for anyone who wants to reach the Irish capital without a detour via Great Britain.
Cherbourg - Dublin
Roscoff - Cork
Brittany Ferries travels from Roscoff in Brittany to Cork in the south of Ireland up to twice a week. With a crossing time of around 14 hours, this is the shortest direct ferry connection between France and Ireland. This route is the best choice for: Cork City and the surrounding area, the spectacular southwest coast with the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, the Dingle Peninsula, Killarney and Killarney National Park as well as the Wild Atlantic Way highlights in Kerry and West Cork. The route is particularly popular in the summer months.
Roscoff - Cork
Dunkirk - Rosslare
From Dunkirk (near the Belgian border), the DFDS shipping company offers a newer ferry connection to Rosslare. This route takes around 24 hours and is operated several times a week as an overnight ferry with cabins and included meals. This connection is ideal for: Travelers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Benelux countries who prefer a direct sea route without a detour via Great Britain. From Rosslare you can reach Dublin (2 hours), the east coast, the southeast with Waterford and Kilkenny as well as Cork and the entire south of Ireland.
Dunkirk - Rosslare
Via Great Britain to Ireland
If you choose the classic route via Great Britain, you have several options from various Welsh and English ports.
Holyhead - Dublin
The most important ferry route between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland is the route from Holyhead in North Wales to Dublin. Both Irish Ferries and Stena Line operate on this short sea route (approx. 115 km) with numerous departures daily. The crossing takes around 3 to 3.5 hours depending on the ship (with a fast ferry in the summer season even just over 2 hours). This route offers the highest frequency and capacity and is suitable for: Dublin and the surrounding area, the entire east coast, the north with Belfast and Northern Ireland, the north-west and as a central starting point for round trips throughout Ireland.
Holyhead - Dublin
2 Ferry CompaniesFishguard - Rosslare
Stena Line operates a ferry connection from Fishguard in South Wales to Rosslare in the south-east of Ireland with a crossing time of around 3.5 hours. The connection is usually operated once or twice a day. This route is ideal for: the south-east with Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny, the south with Cork, the south-west with Kerry (Ring of Kerry, Dingle) and Dublin (2 hours north). Perfect for travelers arriving from England via South Wales and wanting to include the coastal landscapes of Wales.
Fishguard - Rosslare
Pembroke - Rosslare
Irish Ferries operates a service from Pembroke in South Wales to Rosslare with a crossing time of around 4 hours. The service usually operates once or twice daily. This route is suitable for: the south-east with Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny, the south with Cork, the south-west with Kerry and Dublin (2 hours north). Alternative to the Fishguard route for those traveling via the Pembrokeshire region.
Pembroke - Rosslare
Via Great Britain to Northern Ireland
For trips to Northern Ireland, there are several ferry connections from Scotland and England that offer particularly short crossing times.
Cairnryan - Belfast
Stena Line operates up to six daily services from Cairnryan in southwest Scotland to Belfast. The crossing takes around 2¼ hours. This short route is ideal for: Belfast and the surrounding area, the Northern Irish coast with the Giant's Causeway, the Glens of Antrim, Derry/Londonderry and as a starting point for tours to the Republic of Ireland (Dublin 2 hrs, Donegal). Perfect for travelers from Scotland or Northern England.
Cairnryan - Belfast
Cairnryan - Larne
P&O Ferries operates the route from Cairnryan to Larne several times a day. The crossing takes around 2 hours, making it the fastest connection to Northern Ireland. This route is suitable for: the east coast of Northern Ireland with the Glens of Antrim and the Giant's Causeway (30 minutes north), Belfast (40 minutes south), the Causeway Coastal Route and as a northern entry point for tours through Northern Ireland and into the Republic of Ireland.
Cairnryan - Larne
Liverpool - Belfast
Stena Line offers a direct connection from Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast with a crossing time of around 8 hours. The ferry is usually operated as an overnight ferry with cabins (approx. two departures per day). This route is perfect for: Travelers from central and southern England and mainland Europe who prefer a direct route to Northern Ireland without going through Scotland. From Belfast you can reach the whole of Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland (Dublin 2 hours).
Liverpool - Belfast
Ferry crossing to England
There are several alternatives when traveling via Great Britain: via the English Channel (tunnel or ferry) or the North Sea.
Calais - Dover
The most frequently used route from mainland Europe to England is Calais - Dover. Ferries operate continuously on this route (only about 90 minutes crossing time), up to once an hour, offered mainly by P&O Ferries and DFDS (Irish Ferries also operates individual ships). From Dover, the following onward journeys are possible: to Holyhead (5 hours, then ferry to Dublin), to Fishguard/Pembroke (4.5 hours, then ferry to Rosslare), to Liverpool (3.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast) or to Cairnryan in Scotland (5.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast/Larne).
Calais - Dover
3 Ferry CompaniesEurotunnel
As the fastest alternative to the ferry, the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle connects Calais with Folkestone in just 35 minutes pure travel time (a total of around 1 hour including entry and exit). The trains run up to four times an hour and transport vehicles of all kinds - from cars to motorhomes. The big advantage: no waiting time due to tides or weather, spontaneous booking possible, and you stay in your own vehicle. From Folkestone, the same onward journeys are possible as from Dover: to Holyhead (5 hours, then ferry to Dublin), to Fishguard/Pembroke (4.5 hours, then ferry to Rosslare), to Liverpool (3.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast) or to Cairnryan in Scotland (5.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast/Larne). The Eurotunnel is particularly popular with travelers who value time savings and predictability.
Calais - Folkestone
Dunkirk - Dover
An alternative to Calais is the Dunkirk - Dover route (approx. 2 hours sailing time), operated by DFDS. This route is ideal for avoiding the very busy port of Calais. From Dover, the following onward journeys are possible: to Holyhead (5 hours, then ferry to Dublin), to Fishguard/Pembroke (4.5 hours, then ferry to Rosslare), to Liverpool (3.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast) or to Cairnryan in Scotland (5.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast/Larne).
Dunkirk - Dover
Hoek van Holland - Harwich
Stena Line operates the route from Hoek van Holland to Harwich with two departures daily (overnight approx. 8 hours, during the day approx. 6.5 hours). This longer ferry connection from the Netherlands to England is particularly attractive for travelers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. From Harwich (north-east of London), the following onward journeys are possible: to Holyhead (4 hours, then ferry to Dublin), to Fishguard/Pembroke (4 hours, then ferry to Rosslare) or to Liverpool (3 hours, then ferry to Belfast). The relaxed crossing with cabins allows a relaxed start to the onward journey to Ireland.
Hook of Holland - Harwich
Rotterdam - Hull
P&O Ferries offers an overnight ferry from Rotterdam (Europoort) to Hull (approx. 11-12 hours). This route is particularly attractive for travelers from the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. From Hull in the north-east of England, the following onward journeys are possible: to Cairnryan in Scotland (2.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast/Larne - the shortest route to Northern Ireland), to Liverpool (2 hours, then ferry to Belfast) or to Holyhead (3 hours, then ferry to Dublin). The relaxed overnight crossing with cabins ensures a well-rested start to the onward journey to Ireland.