Ferry Northern Ireland
Cairnryan - Larne
The fastest ferry to Northern Ireland - two hours from Cairnryan to Larne, then half an hour on the motorway to Belfast
- Six crossings a day per direction with P&O Ferries, first departure 04:00, last 23:59
- About 2 hours across the North Channel - the shortest sea crossing to Northern Ireland
- European Causeway and European Highlander with free Wi-Fi, restaurants and a lounge upgrade
Route guide
Cairnryan - Larne ferry at a glance
Table of Contents
Everything about the Cairnryan - Larne route with P&O Ferries: getting to the Cairnryan terminal, check-in deadlines, the European Causeway and European Highlander, vehicles and pets, and onward travel from Larne to Belfast and the Antrim coast.
Getting to the P&O terminal at Cairnryan
P&O's terminal lies on the A75 at the southern end of Cairnryan village: P&O Ferries Cairnryan Terminal, Stranraer Road, Cairnryan DG9 8RF. Do not follow the signs for Loch Ryan Port, which is Stena Line's terminal for Belfast a short way further up the loch. From Glasgow the A77 via Ayr and Girvan brings you to the port, from Carlisle and the M6 the A75 through Dumfries; both are single-carriageway roads for long stretches, so allow more time than the map suggests. The port is clearly signposted and staff direct cars and foot passengers to the lanes. Short-stay and long-stay parking is managed by Horizon Parking, payable at the machines in the terminal building or by app and QR code. Facilities at the terminal are basic, seating and toilets, so eat before you come or on board.
The nearest railway station is Stranraer; foot passengers should check the bus or taxi connection to the port before relying on it.
Check-in and departure
Six crossings a day per direction run between 04:00 and 23:59, so even a late arrival on the A75 still finds a sailing. Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure on this route, the deadline P&O states for motorbikes and bicycles at Cairnryan, and you should plan for the same with a car; with a motorhome or caravan P&O asks you to be at the port 90 minutes before departure. Passenger and vehicle registration details can be changed right up to the day of travel. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, so no passport control applies, but photo ID for everyone travelling is worth carrying.
On board the European Causeway and European Highlander
The two ships were built for this crossing and alternate through the day. On board you find restaurants and a bar, a shop and free Wi-Fi, and the Club Lounge as a paid upgrade for a quieter two hours. Pets stay in the vehicle throughout the crossing, so there is no need to plan for them on deck.
Vehicle, bike and pet
P&O books vehicles by category: a standard car up to 4.7 m long and 1.8 m high, motorhomes and minibuses up to 6 m and 2.3 m, caravans and trailers up to 4 m; anything longer is entered by exact length, and the height counts including roof boxes and bike racks. Motorbikes are strapped down by the crew on the vehicle deck; bicycles are carried and stored on the vehicle deck too, with check-in also closing 30 minutes before departure. Details on booking a camper are in the motorhome guide.
Pets travel free on this route, up to five per booking, and remain in the vehicle for the whole crossing. From Great Britain to Northern Ireland a dog, cat or ferret needs a microchip and the free Northern Ireland pet travel document, which is scanned at the port before you leave; Northern Ireland residents need no document for the return. The pets guide covers the paperwork.
Arrival in Larne and onward travel
The ferry docks at Larne Harbour, Larne, County Antrim BT40 1AW. The A8 leads from the harbour to the M2 and into Belfast, roughly half an hour away; northwards the Causeway Coastal Route starts right outside the port and reaches the Giant's Causeway in under two hours. Larne Harbour railway station sits beside the port, with Translink trains to Belfast for foot passengers. Dublin is around two and a half hours by road via Belfast and the M1.
Tickets and fares
P&O sells the crossing in three fares: Standard, where any change costs an amendment fee; Standard Flexi, where you change without a fee and pay only a price difference; and Fully Flexi, which lets you switch to another departure without paying more. Prices move with the sailing, the date and the vehicle, and booking early is the reliable way to the cheaper fares. The booking window shows the current price for your date; the price guide explains how the Larne, Belfast and Liverpool crossings compare.
Cairnryan - Larne
The shortest crossing to Northern Ireland
Cairnryan - Larne is the quickest sea crossing to Northern Ireland: about 2 hours from the P&O terminal on Loch Ryan to Larne Harbour in County Antrim, six times a day in each direction from four in the morning until midnight.
P&O Ferries operates the route with the European Causeway and European Highlander, two ships built for exactly this crossing. Larne sits at the start of the Causeway Coastal Route and about 30 minutes north of Belfast on the A8 and M2, which makes the route the natural choice for anyone heading for the Antrim coast or wanting the most departures to choose from.
- Crossing time
- about 2 hrs
- Operator
- P&O Ferries
- Frequency
- 6× daily
- From
- €27
Next departures
FAQ Cairnryan - Larne
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Cairnryan - Larne ferry route
How long does the ferry from Cairnryan to Larne take?+
About 2 hours on the European Causeway or European Highlander, which makes it the shortest sea crossing to Northern Ireland.
How many sailings a day does the Cairnryan to Larne route have?+
Six crossings a day in each direction, with the first ferry leaving at 04:00 and the last at 23:59. The departures for your date are in the timetable.
Where in Cairnryan does the Larne ferry leave from?+
From the P&O Ferries terminal on Stranraer Road at the southern end of the village (Cairnryan DG9 8RF), reached on the A75. Stena Line's Loch Ryan Port for the Belfast crossing is a separate terminal a short way further north, so follow the signs for P&O.
How far is Larne from Belfast?+
Larne Harbour lies about 30 minutes north of Belfast: the A8 leads from the port to the M2 and into the city. Larne Harbour railway station is beside the terminal for foot passengers, and the Causeway Coastal Route starts right outside the port.
Can I bring my dog on the Cairnryan to Larne ferry?+
Yes, and on this route pets travel free of charge, up to five per booking; they remain in the vehicle for the crossing. From Great Britain to Northern Ireland the animal needs a microchip and the free Northern Ireland pet travel document, which is scanned at the port. The pets guide has the details.
Can I take a motorhome or caravan on the Larne ferry?+
Yes. P&O books vehicles by size category: a standard car up to 4.7 m long and 1.8 m high, motorhomes and minibuses up to 6 m and 2.3 m, caravans and trailers up to 4 m; enter the exact length if yours is longer, and count roof boxes and bike racks in the height. With a motorhome or caravan P&O asks you to be at the port 90 minutes before departure. See the motorhome guide.
How much does the Cairnryan to Larne ferry cost?+
Prices move with the sailing, the date and the vehicle, and the three fares differ in flexibility: Standard, Standard Flexi and Fully Flexi. Booking early is the reliable way to the cheaper crossings; the booking window shows the current price for your date, and the price guide explains how the Larne, Belfast and Liverpool routes compare.
Ready for Larne?
Check the departures for your date and continue to the booking with your vehicle.