Ferries to Ireland from Mainland Europe

Via France to Ireland

If you are willing to drive a little further to a French port, three direct ferries to Ireland are within reach. Crossings take 14–19 hours and sail overnight.

Cherbourg – Rosslare

For current sailing frequency and journey time, see Cherbourg - Rosslare and the timetable. Rosslare is a practical arrival port for the southeast, Waterford and onward travel towards Cork.

Cherbourg – Dublin

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

Roscoff – Cork

For the current seasonal operating period, frequency and crossing time, see Roscoff - Cork and the timetable. Arriving in Cork is convenient for the city, Kerry and the southwest.

Via England to Ireland

The classic route takes you by car via Belgium or the Netherlands to the English Channel, through England, and then by ferry from Britain's west coast to Ireland. It is the longer way round, but offers the shortest sea crossings and the greatest flexibility.

Crossing the English Channel

For the Channel crossing, you have several options:

• Calais – Dover (90 min, P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries – hourly departures)
• Eurotunnel Calais – Folkestone (35 min pure crossing time – the fastest option)
• Dünkirchen – Dover (2 hrs, DFDS – an alternative to busy Calais)
• Hoek van Holland – Harwich (6.5–8 hrs, Stena Line – a relaxed overnight ferry from the Netherlands)
• Rotterdam – Hull (11–12 hrs, P&O Ferries – overnight ferry, handy if you are coming from further north)

Continuing through England to Ireland

From the English coast, you continue to the ferry ports on the west coast:

• Holyhead – Dublin (3–3.5 hr crossing, Irish Ferries & Stena Line – the highest frequency)
• Fishguard – Rosslare (3.5 hrs, Stena Line)
• Pembroke – Rosslare (4 hrs, Irish Ferries)

Which route from mainland Europe is best?

The right route depends on where you are starting from and where in Ireland you are headed:

• Fastest overall journey to Dublin? → Eurotunnel + Holyhead–Dublin. From western Germany, around 14–15 hours is achievable including the ferry.
• Most relaxed journey? → Dünkirchen–Rosslare with DFDS. Just a short drive to the port, then straight on board - cabin and meals included. You wake up in Ireland.
• Heading to southwest Ireland (Cork, Kerry)? → Cherbourg–Rosslare or Roscoff–Cork. The longer overland leg through France is made up for once you are on Irish soil.
• Travelling from Belgium or the Netherlands? → Dunkirk is close by for the direct Rosslare ferry, or continue on to Hoek van Holland or Rotterdam for the route via England.
• Coming from further afield in mainland Europe (Germany, Switzerland, Austria)? → Head for Cherbourg via France, or for Dunkirk via Belgium, depending which fits your route better.
• Cheapest option? → Calais–Dover + Holyhead–Dublin is usually the most affordable combination, though it means the longest overland drive.