Ferries to Ireland

Cherbourg - Dublin

The second connection from Cherbourg goes direct to Dublin in around 19 hours and is operated several times a week by Irish Ferries. This route is perfect for: Dublin and its surroundings, the east coast up to Belfast, the north-west with Donegal and Sligo, the Midlands, and as a starting point for touring the whole island. Ideal if you want to reach the Irish capital without the detour via Great Britain.

Roscoff - Cork

Brittany Ferries sails from Roscoff in Brittany to Cork in the south of Ireland up to twice a week. At around 14 hours, this is the shortest direct ferry link between France and Ireland. This route is the best choice for: Cork city and its surroundings, the spectacular south-west coast with the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, the Dingle Peninsula, Killarney and Killarney National Park, and the Wild Atlantic Way highlights in Kerry and West Cork. The route is especially popular over the summer months.

Dunkirk - Rosslare

From Dunkirk, near the Belgian border, DFDS runs a newer ferry service to Rosslare. The crossing takes around 24 hours and operates several times a week as an overnight ferry with cabins and meals included. This route is ideal for travellers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Benelux countries who prefer a direct sea route without the detour through Great Britain. From Rosslare you can reach Dublin (2 hours), the east coast, the south-east with Waterford and Kilkenny, and Cork and the whole south of Ireland.

Via Great Britain to Ireland

Travellers taking the classic route via Great Britain have several options from various ports in Wales and England.

Holyhead - Dublin

The most important ferry link 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 this short sea crossing (around 115 km) with numerous daily departures. The crossing takes around 3 to 3.5 hours depending on the ship (a fast ferry in the summer season can take just over 2 hours). This route offers the highest frequency and capacity and suits: Dublin and its surroundings, the entire east coast, the north with Belfast and Northern Ireland, the north-west, and as a central starting point for touring the whole island.

Fishguard - Rosslare

Stena Line operates a ferry service from Fishguard in south-west Wales to Rosslare in south-east Ireland, with a crossing time of around 3.5 hours. The service typically runs once or twice daily. 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 travellers coming from England via south Wales who also want to take in the Welsh coastal scenery along the way.

Pembroke - Rosslare

Irish Ferries operates from Pembroke in south-west Wales to Rosslare, with a crossing time of around 4 hours. The service typically runs once or twice daily. This route suits: the south-east with Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny, the south with Cork, the south-west with Kerry, and Dublin (2 hours north). A good alternative to the Fishguard route for anyone travelling via the Pembrokeshire area.

Via Great Britain to Northern Ireland

For travel to Northern Ireland, several ferry connections from Scotland and England offer particularly short crossing times.

Cairnryan - Belfast

Stena Line sails from Cairnryan in south-west Scotland to Belfast up to six times a day. The crossing takes around 2 hours 15 minutes. This short route is ideal for: Belfast and its surroundings, the Northern Irish coast with the Giant's Causeway, the Glens of Antrim, Derry~Londonderry, and as a starting point for touring the Republic of Ireland (Dublin 2 hours, Donegal). Perfect for travellers coming from Scotland or the north of England.

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 suits: the Northern Irish east coast 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 gateway for touring Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Liverpool - Belfast

Stena Line offers a direct connection from Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast with a crossing time of around 8 hours. It usually runs as an overnight ferry with cabins (around two departures a day). This route is perfect for: travellers from central and southern England, as well as from mainland Europe, who prefer a direct route to Northern Ireland without driving through Scotland. From Belfast you can reach the whole of Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland (Dublin 2 hours).

Crossing to England

If you are travelling via Great Britain, there are several ways to get there first - across the English Channel (tunnel or ferry) or the North Sea.

Calais - Dover

The most heavily used route from mainland Europe to England is Calais - Dover. On this crossing (only around 90 minutes) ferries run continuously, up to once an hour, mainly operated by P&O Ferries and DFDS (Irish Ferries also runs a few sailings). From Dover you can then continue on to: Holyhead (5 hours, then ferry to Dublin), Fishguard/Pembroke (4.5 hours, then ferry to Rosslare), Liverpool (3.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast), or Cairnryan in Scotland (5.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast/Larne).

Eurotunnel

The fastest alternative to the ferry is the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, connecting Calais with Folkestone in just 35 minutes of driving time (around 1 hour in total including loading and unloading). Trains run up to four times an hour and carry vehicles of every kind, from cars to motorhomes. The big advantage: no waiting for tides or weather, spontaneous booking is possible, and you stay in your own vehicle throughout. From Folkestone you have the same onward options as from Dover: Holyhead (5 hours, then ferry to Dublin), Fishguard/Pembroke (4.5 hours, then ferry to Rosslare), Liverpool (3.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast), or Cairnryan in Scotland (5.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast/Larne). The Eurotunnel is especially popular with travellers who value speed and predictability.

Dunkirk - Dover

An alternative to Calais is the Dunkirk - Dover route (around 2 hours' driving time), operated by DFDS. This route is a good way to avoid the very busy port of Calais. From Dover you have the same onward options: Holyhead (5 hours, then ferry to Dublin), Fishguard/Pembroke (4.5 hours, then ferry to Rosslare), Liverpool (3.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast), or Cairnryan in Scotland (5.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast/Larne).

Hoek van Holland - Harwich

Stena Line runs the route from Hoek van Holland to Harwich with two daily departures (around 8 hours overnight, around 6.5 hours during the day). This longer ferry connection from the Netherlands to England is especially attractive for travellers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. From Harwich (north-east of London) you can continue on to: Holyhead (4 hours, then ferry to Dublin), Fishguard/Pembroke (4 hours, then ferry to Rosslare), or Liverpool (3 hours, then ferry to Belfast). The relaxed crossing with cabins makes for a well-rested start to the onward journey to Ireland.

Rotterdam - Hull

P&O Ferries runs an overnight ferry from Rotterdam (Europoort) to Hull (around 11–12 hours). This route is especially attractive for travellers from the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. From Hull in north-east England you can continue on to: Cairnryan in Scotland (2.5 hours, then ferry to Belfast/Larne - the shortest route to Northern Ireland), Liverpool (2 hours, then ferry to Belfast), or Holyhead (3 hours, then ferry to Dublin). The relaxed overnight crossing with cabins makes for a well-rested start to the onward journey to Ireland.