Landbridge to Ireland
Ferries from England to Ireland
Ferry routes from England and Wales to Ireland - fast crossings across the Irish Sea
- Two separate crossings, each with its own booking and check-in
- From Wales to Dublin or Rosslare; from Liverpool and Scotland to Belfast
- Allow for buffer time, border formalities and the drive through Great Britain
England-Ireland route map
Ferry routes from Britain to Ireland
All ferry routes from England, Wales and Scotland to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Click a route for details.
- Irish Ferries
- Stena Line
- P&O Ferries
Ferries from England to Ireland
Ferries from England to Ireland
How the landbridge works
From mainland Europe, take a first ferry to Great Britain, drive to a port on the west coast and board a second ferry to Ireland. Each leg has its own booking, check-in deadline and disruption risk. Do not plan a tight connection as if this were one through rail ticket.
Since Brexit, the currently applicable entry and vehicle documents are also part of the planning. Pets face separate checks on the British leg and on entry to Ireland. The guide to taking a dog to Ireland explains which documents to have ready.
From Wales to the Republic of Ireland
Holyhead - Dublin
Holyhead - Dublin is operated by Irish Ferries and Stena Line. It suits Dublin and the east coast. Compare the departure, vessel and fare, not only the nominal time at sea.
Fishguard or Pembroke - Rosslare
Fishguard - Rosslare with Stena Line and Pembroke - Rosslare with Irish Ferries both arrive in the south-east. The best choice often depends on which Welsh port fits your road route and which departure leaves a suitable buffer.
To Northern Ireland
Cairnryan - Belfast and Cairnryan - Larne suit journeys from Scotland or northern England. Liverpool - Belfast avoids the drive to south-west Scotland and moves a larger part of the journey onto an overnight ferry. Before booking, check that a cabin, your vehicle and any pet are available on the chosen sailing.
First crossing to Great Britain
Calais - Dover and Calais - Folkestone arrive in south-east England. From there, the drive to Holyhead or the South Wales ports is still a substantial travel leg. Overnight ferries from Hoek van Holland or Rotterdam can be an alternative for journeys from northern mainland Europe, but change the departure port, journey time and cabin requirement.
Plan the buffer and costs properly
- Do not book the second ferry against the earliest theoretical arrival of the first.
- Include holiday traffic, roadworks, breaks and the check-in deadline at the second port.
- Keep travel documents, vehicle paperwork and booking confirmations for both legs to hand.
- Compare the total of two crossings, fuel, tolls and an overnight stay with a direct route.
- Check both operators' notices on the day; the timetable is a planning tool, not a live disruption service.
The full cost method is in the price guide. For motorhomes and combinations, use the measurement and booking checklist in the motorhome guide.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ - Ferries via England to Ireland
The key questions about travelling via England and Wales, answered briefly.
Which ferry via England is fastest to Dublin?+
For Dublin, Holyhead - Dublin is usually the most obvious route. The true total time, however, starts at your point of origin and also includes the first crossing, the drive through Great Britain and both check-ins. For the south-east, sail on Fishguard - Rosslare or Pembroke - Rosslare.
How do I get to Northern Ireland via England?+
The shortest routes are from south-west Scotland - Cairnryan - Belfast and Cairnryan - Larne take only around two hours. If you'd rather skip driving through Scotland, take Liverpool - Belfast as an overnight ferry with a cabin. From Belfast you can reach all of Northern Ireland, and Dublin in around two hours too.
How much does the ferry via England to Ireland cost?+
Do not compare only the two ferry tickets. The landbridge also includes fuel, possible tolls, buffer time and perhaps an overnight stay. Compare that total with a direct route using the same vehicle, travel date and cabin requirements. The price guide shows the method.