Ferry Ireland
Holyhead - Dublin
The fastest ferry route from Britain to Ireland - under 3.5 hours from Wales straight into the heart of Dublin
- Up to 8 departures a day with Stena Line and Irish Ferries - from early morning until late at night
- Direct crossing in 3 hrs 15 min by cruise ferry, or just over 2 hours on the fast ferry
- For car, motorhome or on foot - cabins and pet spaces can be booked on board
Holyhead - Dublin
The most popular ferry between Wales and Ireland
Holyhead - Dublin is the busiest ferry route between Wales and Ireland - and for good reason: in just over three hours it links the port on the Welsh island of Anglesey directly with the Irish capital, right in the heart of the country. If you want to get there even faster, the high-speed option has you in Dublin in a little over two hours.
Two well-known operators run the route, with up to four departures a day per direction and operator: Stena Line uses its modern superferries Stena Estrid and Stena Adventurer - with restaurants, lounges, a duty-free shop and cabins on board. Irish Ferries completes the picture with the imposing Ulysses, the James Joyce and the fast ferry Dublin Swift. Whether you are travelling by car, motorhome or as a foot passenger, Holyhead - Dublin is the classic way to cross to Ireland.
- Crossing time
- 2 hrs 15 min - 3 hrs 25 min
- Operator
- Irish Ferries & Stena Line
- Frequency
- up to 8x daily
Next departures
Route guide
Holyhead - Dublin ferry at a glance
Everything about the Holyhead - Dublin route with Stena Line and Irish Ferries - getting to the terminal on Anglesey, check-in times, facilities on board, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from Dublin's ferry terminal.
Getting to the terminal in Holyhead
Holyhead ferry port sits on the island of Anglesey in North Wales, right at the end of the A55 expressway. For satnav, use Stena House, Station St, Holyhead LL65 1DQ. By car, the terminal is about 1 hr 40 min from Chester, around 2 hours from Liverpool, and just over 2 hrs 20 min from Manchester.
There are several long-stay car parks right by the port; payment is cashless at the machine, by phone or online via Horizon Parking, and the short drop-off area in front of the terminal is free of charge. Electric vehicles get two hours of free charging. Foot passengers arrive directly at Holyhead railway station via Terminal 1 - the platform sits right next to the ferry terminal.
Check-in and departure
With Stena Line, vehicle check-in closes 30 minutes before departure; foot passengers should be at the desk at least 40 minutes beforehand, and Stena Plus lounge guests 45 minutes beforehand. Irish Ferries advertises a straightforward 30-minute check-in. Build in a buffer regardless, since late vehicles won't be allowed on board.
Bring a valid photo ID: both operators require official photo identification, and checks can take place at the UK-Ireland border.
On board
Stena Line runs the modern superferries Stena Adventurer and Stena Estrid, with restaurants and bars, a duty-free shop, the Stena Plus lounge, quiet recliner areas, cabins for overnight crossings and free Wi-Fi. Irish Ferries operates the Ulysses and the James Joyce - both with a Club Class lounge, onboard restaurants, shops and a children's area, with the Ulysses also featuring cinemas - as well as the fast ferry Dublin Swift on selected departures, with Trinity Club Class and free Wi-Fi.
A cabin is worth booking for the early overnight and morning departures; during the day, a seat in the lounges is plenty.
Vehicle, bike and pet
Cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and caravans can all travel on this route; since the fare is based on vehicle length, make sure you enter the correct dimensions when booking - details on the vehicle package are in our motorhome guide.
Pets are welcome with both operators, but must be booked in advance and need valid vaccinations and travel documents. Stena Line offers dedicated pet-friendly cabins, and Irish Ferries has a Pet Den lounge on the James Joyce; more on this in the pets guide.
Arrival in Dublin and onward travel
In Dublin, ferries dock at Dublin Ferryport, around 6 km east of the city centre (Stena Line: Terminal 2, Alexandra Rd, D01 WD28). A shuttle bus meets every arrival and takes around 30 to 35 minutes into the centre, serving Heuston and Connolly stations as well as George's Quay, among others. There's no direct rail link; the nearest Luas stop (The Point, Red Line) is a good 3 km away, and taxis and ride-hail services wait at the terminal. Due to roadworks, traffic around Alexandra Road is being diverted via Promenade Road until autumn 2026.
Tickets and fares
Both operators use dynamic pricing - the earlier you book, the cheaper your crossing generally is. Stena Line offers a low-cost Economy fare and a flexible Flexi fare that makes changes easier to manage. Irish Ferries tiers its fares into Economy, Flexi and Flexi+, with the higher tiers offering more flexibility for changes and cancellations. The booking window shows current prices for your travel date, and the price overview gives you a general sense of costs.
FAQ Holyhead - Dublin
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Holyhead - Dublin ferry route
Which ferry companies and ships sail the Holyhead - Dublin route?+
The route is served by two operators: Stena Line runs the superferries Stena Adventurer and Stena Estrid, while Irish Ferries operates the Ulysses and the James Joyce, plus the fast ferry Dublin Swift on selected departures.
How long does the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin take?+
On the cruise ferries the crossing takes around 3 hours 15 minutes (Stena Line) to about 3 hours 25 minutes (Irish Ferries), depending on the operator. The Dublin Swift fast ferry from Irish Ferries covers the route in just over 2 hours.
How often does the ferry run from Holyhead to Dublin?+
There are up to 8 departures a day per direction: Stena Line and Irish Ferries each offer up to four crossings daily. Ferries run from the early morning until late at night, and frequency can increase further during peak season.
How much does the Holyhead to Dublin ferry cost?+
Prices are dynamic and depend on the season, how far in advance you book, your vehicle and the fare type. Foot passengers travel considerably cheaper than those bringing a car, and booking early usually secures the best rates. The booking window shows current prices for your travel date, and you'll find a general overview in our price overview.
Can I bring my pet on the ferry?+
Yes, pets are welcome with both operators and must be booked in advance; your pet needs valid vaccinations and the correct travel documents. Stena Line has dedicated pet-friendly cabins, while Irish Ferries offers a Pet Den lounge on the James Joyce. In the rest of the public indoor areas, only assistance dogs are generally permitted.
What facilities do the ferries offer on board?+
On board you'll find restaurants, bars, a duty-free shop, lounges and cabins. Stena Line's Stena Adventurer and Stena Estrid also have the Stena Plus lounge, quiet recliner seating areas and free Wi-Fi. The Irish Ferries ships offer a Club Class lounge and children's areas, with the Ulysses also featuring a cinema. A cabin can be booked for overnight and early-morning departures.
How do I get to Holyhead ferry port, and when do I need to check in?+
Holyhead Port sits on the island of Anglesey in North Wales, right at the end of the A55 expressway (Stena House, Station St, Holyhead LL65 1DQ). From Chester the port is about 1 hr 40 min away, from Liverpool around 2 hours, and from Manchester just over 2 hrs 20 min. Holyhead railway station is right next to Terminal 1. Vehicle check-in closes 30 minutes before departure, and Stena Line foot passengers should be at the desk at least 40 minutes beforehand.