Cairnryan - Belfast

Getting to the Cairnryan terminal

Stena Line departs from Loch Ryan Port (Loch Ryan Port, Belfast Way, Cairnryan DG9 8RG), about an hour's drive from Ayr, two hours from Glasgow and three hours from Edinburgh. The terminal is open daily from 06:00 to 22:00. Note: P&O Ferries uses a separate terminal in Cairnryan a little further south - follow the signs for "Stena Line".

In front of the terminal building is a car park with over 300 spaces, number-plate recognition, no ticket needed; pay at the machine in the Travel Centre for stays of up to seven days, or via the Horizon Spaces app (location ID 51212) for longer stays. Motorhomes without a trailer can park as long as they fit in a bay. Foot passengers with a Rail & Sail ticket are met by a bus to and from Ayr station for selected departures, and express coaches to Glasgow and Edinburgh are also available with a pre-booked ticket; the Travel Centre can arrange taxis.

Check-in and departure

For vehicles, check-in opens 2 hours before departure and closes 30 minutes before, at both Cairnryan and Belfast. Foot passengers, including those with a Rail & Sail ticket, can check in from 1 hour 45 minutes before departure, also closing 30 minutes before. Arrive late and you risk losing your booking with no refund.

There's no border control between Scotland and Northern Ireland, but Stena Line requires all travellers to carry photo ID that matches the booking details exactly. Bring your passport or national ID card.

On board

The Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII offer a restaurant, café and bar, a free onboard cinema, the shop and Superior cabins for resting. For an extra fee you can travel in the Stena Plus Lounge with table service, drinks and snacks, or the Hygge Recline Lounge with reclining seats (both from age 8); the Pure Nordic Spa has a hot tub. Children have play areas and the Family Hub, and travellers with dogs have the pet lounge. Payment is by card or smartphone; on the Irish Sea ships you can also pay cash in pounds or euros.

Vehicles, bikes and pets

Cars, motorbikes, caravans and motorhomes are all carried; horse trailers up to 12 metres can be booked online. Bicycles, e-bikes and tandems travel too, one bike per person; the battery stays on the bike on the vehicle deck during the crossing. Everything about travelling by camper is in the guide Motorhome.

Pets travel free in your vehicle or in one of the heated onboard kennels, which are also free on this route; alternatively you can book the pet lounge, where up to two pets per booking stay with you in their carrier (max. 91 x 62 x 56 cm), or a pet-friendly cabin. Foot passengers must book a kennel or pet-friendly cabin in advance, and banned dog breeds must stay in the vehicle. Staff check documents and scan the microchip at the port. The documents needed to enter Northern Ireland are summarised in the overview Ferries from England to Ireland; the general rules are in the guide Dogs and pets.

Arrival in Belfast and onward travel

In Belfast you arrive at Victoria Terminal 4 (West Bank Road, Belfast BT3 9JL), right at Junction 1 of the M2 at the Fortwilliam roundabout. The city centre is ten minutes away by car, Dublin around two hours via the M1, and the Giant's Causeway under two hours along the coast road. Without a car, take Translink's Metro route 96, which runs between Upper Queen Street and the terminal for selected departures (around 22 minutes), or a taxi; shared taxis wait outside the terminal. The terminal has a car park with over 300 spaces, payable by cash, card or at the Guest Services desk on board.

Tickets and fares

Stena Line offers three fare types: Economy is the cheapest, with changes costing a fee plus any fare difference, and no refund on cancellation. Flexi can be changed with no rebooking fee and cancelled for a small fee up to 24 hours before departure, or for half the fare up to two hours before. Premium has the most generous terms and, depending on the route, extra benefits. Booking early pays off, as prices rise dynamically. The booking screen shows the final total; see the prices page for an overview.