Ferries to Ireland
Fishguard - Rosslare
The shortest ferry route from south Wales to Ireland - a relaxed crossing of the Irish Sea to the sunny southeast
- Up to 4 sailings a day - the fastest ferry link between Wales and Ireland
- Direct crossing in just 3.5 hours with Stena Line on the Stena Nordica
- Car package for vehicle and driver - no extra luggage fees when travelling by car
Fishguard – Rosslare
The fastest ferry from Wales to Ireland
The Fishguard–Rosslare route links the small port town on the Welsh Pembrokeshire coast with the southeast of Ireland - in just three and a half hours. That makes it the shortest ferry crossing between Wales and the Emerald Isle, and an ideal choice if you want to reach Ireland as quickly and simply as possible.
The route is operated year-round by Stena Line with the modern RoPax ferry Stena Nordica. On board you will find restaurants, comfortable lounges and, if you book ahead, private cabins - so the crossing passes quickly. Whether you are travelling by car, motorhome or on foot, Fishguard–Rosslare is one of the most popular routes for reaching Ireland.
- Crossing time
- 3 hrs 30 min
- Operator
- Stena Line
- Frequency
- 2-4x daily
Next departures
Current departure times for the Fishguard–Rosslare route. All details subject to change.
Route guide
Fishguard - Rosslare ferry at a glance
Everything about the Fishguard - Rosslare route with Stena Line: getting to Fishguard port, check-in times, facilities on board the Stena Nordica, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from Rosslare into Ireland's sunny southeast.
Getting to Fishguard terminal
The ferry terminal is at Fishguard Harbour, Goodwick (SA64 0BU), around 1.5 kilometres northwest of Fishguard town centre. By car, approach from the east via the M4 and then the A40, or from the north via the A487. Right at the terminal there is a long-stay car park with around 60 spaces roughly 150 metres from the terminal building, plus a short-stay car park opposite with disabled parking bays; payment is by machine, phone or online through Horizon Parking.
If you're travelling without a car, trains stop directly at Fishguard Harbour railway station, with timetables coordinated with Stena Nordica departures. From the town centre, the local Richards Bros bus also gets you to the port in around 8 minutes. Inside the terminal, foot passengers will find a waiting area, coffee shop, toilets and free Wi-Fi.
Check-in and departure
With a vehicle, check-in opens 3 hours before departure and closes 30 minutes beforehand - allow plenty of buffer, as late vehicles will not be allowed to board. Foot passengers, including those with a Rail and Sail ticket, can check in from 1.5 hours before departure, also closing 30 minutes before sailing.
Carry a valid travel document: for the crossing between Great Britain and Ireland you will need a passport, so have it ready before you get to the port.
On board the Stena Nordica
The route is served year-round by the Stena Nordica, a modern RoPax ferry. On board you'll find the Food City restaurant with hot meals, a bar and a duty-free shop. If you prefer somewhere quieter, book into the Stena Plus Lounge with table service and complimentary snacks and drinks, or the Hygge Recline Lounge with reclining seats. For longer or early crossings, 2- and 4-berth cabins with shower and WC are available; Wi-Fi is offered in the main lounges in both a free and a paid tier.
Payments on board can be made by card, charged in pounds sterling; Stena Line also accepts cash in euros on this route.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
You can bring a car, motorbike, motorhome or car with trailer; give the correct vehicle dimensions when booking, as the fare depends on length. Details on travelling with a motorhome are in our motorhome guide. For your pet, you have three options: it can stay in your vehicle during the crossing, travel in one of the free kennels, or be booked into a pet-friendly cabin in advance, for up to two animals. Assistance dogs travel free of charge and have access to all passenger areas. To enter Ireland, your pet needs a microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination - our pets and animals guide sets out everything else you need to know.
Arriving in Rosslare and onward travel
In Ireland, the ferry docks at Rosslare Europort, at the end of the N25 and well signposted. By car you can reach Wexford in around 20 minutes, Waterford in about 1 hour 20, Kilkenny in around 1 hour 45, Dublin in just over 2 hours 15, and Cork in about 3 hours. Without a car, the train from the railway station, around 15 minutes' walk from the terminal, gets you to Dublin; there are also hourly buses to Dublin and numerous connections to Waterford.
Ireland's sunny southeast around Rosslare is well worth a stopover in its own right: the Viking heritage of Wexford Town, one of the world's oldest lighthouses at Hook Head, medieval Kilkenny and Waterford as Ireland's oldest city are all within easy reach.
Tickets and fares
Stena Line offers the crossing in Economy, Flexi and Premium fares. The low-cost Economy fare is not very flexible: rebooking incurs a fee, and there's no refund if you cancel. With the Flexi fare you can rebook without a fee and cancel up to 24 hours before departure, with the fare refunded minus a small charge. Booking early gets you the best price - the booking window shows the current price for your travel date, and the prices overview gives a general idea.
FAQ Fishguard - Rosslare
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Fishguard - Rosslare ferry route
Which ferry company operates the Fishguard - Rosslare route?+
The Fishguard - Rosslare route is operated year-round by Stena Line. The ship in service is the Stena Nordica, a modern RoPax ferry with a restaurant, bar, duty-free shop, lounges and bookable cabins.
How long does the crossing from Fishguard to Rosslare take?+
The crossing usually takes around 3 hours 30 minutes. That makes Fishguard - Rosslare the shortest ferry link between Wales and Ireland.
How often does the Fishguard - Rosslare ferry run?+
Year-round there are usually 2 sailings per direction per day, and in peak season Stena Line increases frequency to up to 4 daily departures. You can find the current times for your travel date in the timetable.
How much does the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry cost?+
Prices depend on the season, vehicle type and booking time, and are significantly lower for foot passengers than for those travelling by car. Stena Line uses dynamic pricing, so it pays to book early. The booking window shows the current starting price for your travel date, and the prices overview gives a general idea.
Can I bring my car on the ferry?+
Yes, you can bring a car, motorbike, motorhome or car with trailer; travelling by car does not incur any extra luggage fees. Give the correct vehicle dimensions when booking, as the fare depends on length - details on travelling with a motorhome are in our motorhome guide.
Check-in with a vehicle opens 3 hours before departure and closes 30 minutes beforehand; foot passengers can check in from 1.5 hours before departure.
Can I bring my pet on the ferry?+
Yes. Your pet can travel during the crossing in your vehicle, in a free kennel, or in a bookable pet-friendly cabin (up to two animals). Assistance dogs travel free of charge and have access to all passenger areas.
To enter Ireland, your pet needs a microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination. Our pets and animals guide sets out everything else you need to know.
What facilities are on board?+
On board the Stena Nordica you will find a restaurant (Food City), a bar and a duty-free shop, as well as two lounges - the Stena Plus Lounge with table service and complimentary snacks and drinks, and the quieter Hygge Recline Lounge with reclining seats.
For longer crossings, 2- and 4-berth cabins with shower and WC are available; Wi-Fi is offered in the main lounges in both a free and a paid tier. On board you can pay by card (charged in pounds sterling) or in cash in euros.