Ferries to Ireland

From Scotland and England to Northern Ireland

For Belfast and Northern Ireland, Cairnryan - Belfast and Cairnryan - Larne leave from south-west Scotland, and Liverpool - Belfast sails overnight from England. The guide to ferries from Britain to Ireland compares these three routes.

Direct sailings between Ireland, France and Spain

From Ireland, the direct ferries to mainland Europe leave from Rosslare, Dublin and Cork. Cherbourg - Rosslare links Normandy with Wexford, Waterford and the south-east, and Cherbourg - Dublin with the capital region, with no further drive. The seasonal Roscoff - Cork route connects Brittany with Cork, Kerry and the south-west.

From Rosslare, Dunkirk - Rosslare sails to Dunkirk in northern France. DFDS carries passengers with vehicles only on this route; a cabin and meals are included in the booking package. How often the ferry sails each week is shown on the route page and in the timetable.

Rosslare also has sailings to northern Spain: Bilbao - Rosslare has its own route page.

Offers and discounts on ferries to Ireland

Operators price their sailings dynamically: the fuller a ship gets, the more the crossing usually costs. You save most by booking early and travelling outside the summer months. These operator offers and discounts are worth knowing:

• Cheaper or flexible fare: Irish Ferries and Stena Line grade their fares by flexibility. Economy is the cheapest with both, but changes cost a fee and the fare is not refunded if you cancel. With Flexi, you can change your booking without an amendment fee but pay any difference in price. Stena Line lets you choose different fares for the outbound and return sailings; with Irish Ferries, you choose Flexi when you book.
• Promotions on the routes via Wales and Scotland: Stena Line regularly offers time-limited discounts on its Irish routes, for example for caravans and motorhomes or for short breaks by car. They apply to selected sailings only.
• Early booking fare: Brittany Ferries offers its cheapest fare, Early Bird, on Cherbourg - Rosslare, Roscoff - Cork and Bilbao - Rosslare. It can only be booked up to 60 days before the outbound sailing and suits you if your plans are fixed.
• Count what is included: On Dunkirk - Rosslare, DFDS includes a cabin and meals in the price. A higher ticket price can therefore work out cheaper than a route where you add a cabin and food.

The booking window on each route page shows the price for your date. Only compare offers with the same travel dates, vehicle dimensions and cabins; the prices page explains what matters.

How to compare the routes

• Destination in Ireland: For Dublin, sail Holyhead - Dublin from Britain or Cherbourg - Dublin from France. Rosslare is convenient for the south-east, and Cork for Cork and Kerry.
• Vehicle: For a motorhome, measure the length and height including a bike rack, roof box and trailer. Booking the wrong category can affect the fare and whether the vehicle is accepted.
• Dog: Whether your sailing offers a pet-friendly cabin, a kennel or another arrangement depends on the operator and ship. Entry requirements are covered in the guide to taking a dog to Ireland.
• Total cost: Use the prices page to compare the same dates and vehicle configuration. If you combine two ferries, include both crossings, fuel, tolls and any stopover.
• Departure: The timetable shows the planned departures by date.

From mainland Europe via Great Britain

From mainland Europe, you can also reach Ireland with two ferries: first across the English Channel or the North Sea, then from Wales. Common combinations use Calais - Dover or Calais - Folkestone; an overnight ferry from Hoek van Holland or Rotterdam reduces the drive through southern England.

Do not plan the two bookings as if they were a guaranteed connection. If the first ferry is delayed or road traffic is slow, the second operator will not normally wait. A generous buffer or an overnight stop before the Irish Sea makes the journey more reliable. The guide to ferries from Britain to Ireland covers the details.