Ferry to Northern Ireland
Cairnryan - Larne
The fast link from Scotland to Northern Ireland - from Loch Ryan in two hours to Larne, 30 minutes from Belfast
- Around 2 hours crossing with P&O Ferries on the European Causeway or European Highlander
- 6 departures daily each way, the first at 04:00, the last at 23:59
- Check-in at Cairnryan and Larne: up to 30 minutes by vehicle, up to 45 minutes on foot before departure
Route guide
Cairnryan - Larne ferry at a glance
Table of Contents
Everything about the Cairnryan-Larne route with P&O Ferries: getting to the terminal at Loch Ryan, check-in times, what's on board, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from Larne to Belfast and the Antrim Coast.
Getting to the Cairnryan terminal
The P&O Ferries terminal is on Stranraer Road in Cairnryan (sat nav: P&O Ferries Cairnryan Terminal, Cairnryan, Stranraer DG9 8RF) and can be reached via the A75 from Dumfries or the A77 from Glasgow and Ayr; signage leads all the way to the boarding lanes. Don't confuse the terminal with Stena Line's Loch Ryan Port, which is a little further north on the same shore and serves the Belfast route.
The terminal has short- and long-stay car parks run by Horizon Parking; pay at the machine in the terminal building, via the app or by QR code. Inside the building there are seats and toilets; Cairnryan is also reachable by bus and train.
Check-in and departure
By vehicle, check-in closes 30 minutes before departure; as a foot passenger, 45 minutes before. Vehicles arriving late will not be allowed to board. Travelling with a pet, be at the desk at least 45 minutes before departure so the microchip can be scanned before boarding.
Have photo ID ready: the details on the booking must match the document you present. Passenger and vehicle details can be changed with P&O Ferries right up to the day of travel.
On board
The sister ships European Causeway and European Highlander sail this route. On board there's a food court serving hot food from breakfast to fish and chips, a café with Costa coffee, the World Duty Free shop and a currency exchange. If you'd rather relax, book the Club Lounge with reserved seating, drinks and snacks included; there are activities for children too. Wi-Fi is free. Priority Boarding can be booked for an extra fee, letting you be among the first on and off.
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, and payment on board and ashore is in pounds sterling - card is accepted everywhere.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
Cars, motorbikes, caravans, motorhomes and vans are all carried; the fare depends on length and height, with roof boxes and bike racks counted in. Gas cylinders must be declared, shut off and secured. P&O Ferries also carries bicycles, and the Antrim Coastal Route is a popular destination for cyclists. Everything about travelling by camper is in the guide Motorhome.
Pets travel free on this route, up to five per booking, and stay in the vehicle for the whole crossing; there's no pet lounge on this route, and foot passengers may not bring pets except assistance dogs. The microchip is scanned before boarding. The documents your dog or cat needs for the crossing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are summarised in the overview Ferries from England to Ireland; the general rules are in the guide Dogs and pets.
Arrival in Larne and onward travel
You arrive at Larne Harbour (P&O Ferries Larne, Larne Harbour, County Antrim BT40 1AW). Via the A8 and M2 you're in Belfast in around 30 minutes; heading north, the A2 runs as the Causeway Coastal Route to the Antrim Coast and the Giant's Causeway. Without a car, continue by train: Larne Harbour station is right at the port, with Translink trains running to Belfast. The terminal has a café, toilets and two car parks with up to 250 spaces for short- and long-stay parking.
Tickets and fares
Prices are dynamic: travel date, time, vehicle and number of passengers determine the fare, and sailings booked early are usually cheaper. Passenger and number-plate details can be adjusted up to the day of travel; rebooking and cancellation rules depend on the fare chosen and are shown at the booking step. The booking screen shows the final total; see the prices page for an overview.
Cairnryan - Larne
From Scotland to Northern Ireland in two hours
The Cairnryan-Larne route links Loch Ryan in Dumfries and Galloway with the port of Larne in County Antrim. P&O Ferries sails the route six times daily each way, from 04:00 to 23:59, with the sister ships European Causeway and European Highlander; the crossing takes around two hours.
From Larne it's about 30 minutes via the A8 and M2 to Belfast, with the Antrim Coast and the Giant's Causeway right on the doorstep. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, and there's no border control on this crossing - though photo ID is still required for check-in.
- Crossing
- approx. 2 hr
- Ferry company
- P&O Ferries
- Frequency
- 6x daily
- From price
- €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? +
P&O Ferries quotes around 2 hours for the crossing. The sister ships European Causeway and European Highlander are deployed on the route. The exact time for your sailing is shown in your booking.
How often does the ferry run between Cairnryan and Larne? +
There are 6 departures daily each way, the first at 04:00, the last at 23:59. Departure times for your travel day are in the timetable.
When do I need to be checked in at Cairnryan or Larne? +
By vehicle, check-in closes 30 minutes before departure; as a foot passenger, 45 minutes before. If you're travelling with a dog or cat in the car, be at the desk at least 45 minutes before as well, since the microchip is scanned before boarding.
What does the ferry from Cairnryan to Larne cost? +
Prices are dynamic and depend on travel date, vehicle and number of passengers; the booking screen shows the final total. How to make offers comparable is explained on the prices page.
Can I bring a car, motorhome or bicycle? +
Yes. Cars, motorbikes, caravans, motorhomes and bicycles are carried; gas cylinders in campers must be declared, shut off and secured. Give the exact vehicle dimensions including roof box when booking - details in the guide Motorhome.
Can my dog travel on the ferry to Larne? +
Yes, on P&O Ferries pets travel free on this route, up to five per booking. They stay in the vehicle for the whole crossing; foot passengers may not bring pets, except assistance dogs. The documents your dog or cat needs for Northern Ireland are summarised in the overview Ferries from England to Ireland; the general rules for travelling with a pet are in the guide Dogs and pets.
Do I need a passport for the crossing to Northern Ireland? +
No, there's no border control. For check-in, however, P&O Ferries requires all travellers to carry photo ID; the name and date of birth on the booking must match the ID. Bring your passport or national ID card.