Ferry Northern Ireland
Liverpool - Belfast
The direct ferry from the north of England to Northern Ireland - cross overnight in a cabin and wake up in Belfast
- Stena Line sails all year with a daytime and an overnight crossing in each direction
- About 8 hours at sea from the Twelve Quays terminal in Birkenhead to Belfast
- Stena Edda and Stena Embla with en-suite cabins, Sky Bar, Stena Plus and Hygge lounges
Route guide
Liverpool - Belfast ferry at a glance
Table of Contents
Everything about the Liverpool - Belfast route with Stena Line: getting to the Twelve Quays terminal in Birkenhead, check-in, life on board the Stena Edda and Stena Embla, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from Belfast's Victoria Terminal 2.
Getting to the terminal in Birkenhead
The "Liverpool" ferry does not sail from Liverpool's docks but from the Twelve Quays terminal on the Birkenhead side of the Mersey. For the satnav use 12 Quays Terminal, Tower Road, Birkenhead CH41 1FE. By car you are about ten minutes from the M53 and roughly seven minutes from the Mersey tunnel into Liverpool city centre; the approach is signposted "Stena Line" on the surrounding roads. A large car park sits in front of the terminal building, run by Horizon Parking under the location name "Stena Line Birkenhead Belfast": pay at the machine, by phone or online before you sail.
Without a car, take a Merseyrail train to Hamilton Square station in Birkenhead, from where a bus connects to the terminal; taxis wait at the terminal around the clock. National Express coaches from the rest of Britain arrive at Liverpool One bus station on the Liverpool side of the river.
Check-in and departure
Stena Line runs up to two direct sailings a day per direction, one by day and one overnight, all year round. Foot passengers and vehicles have separate check-in deadlines, which Stena Line shows for each sailing in its live sailing status and on your booking; a vehicle that arrives after the cut-off is not loaded, so build in a buffer for the M53 and the tunnel. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, so there is no border control on this crossing, but keep photo ID for everyone travelling to hand: the operator can ask for it at check-in.
On board the Stena Edda and Stena Embla
The route is served by the Stena Edda and Stena Embla, the largest and most spacious ferries Stena Line has ever placed between Belfast and Liverpool. Both ships have en-suite cabins, restaurants, shops and the Sky Bar, and you can upgrade to the Stena Plus or Hygge lounge for a quieter crossing. On the overnight sailing a cabin is the sensible choice, booked together with the ticket; on the daytime crossing most travellers get by with a lounge seat.
Vehicle, bike and pet
Cars, motorhomes, caravans and motorbikes all travel on this route. The fare is based on the length and height of your vehicle, so measure it including roof box, bike rack or trailer before you book; Stena Line regularly discounts the caravan and motorhome supplement on selected sailings, which is worth checking before you fix your date. The motorhome guide covers measuring and booking in detail.
Dogs, cats and ferrets can cross, but Great Britain to Northern Ireland has its own rules: the animal needs a microchip and a Northern Ireland pet travel document, which is free and lasts for the pet's lifetime, and the chip is scanned at the port before departure. Residents of Northern Ireland travel without the document. Book the pet with your crossing and check the accommodation offered on your sailing; the pets guide explains the paperwork.
Arrival in Belfast and onward travel
In Belfast the ship docks at Victoria Terminal 2 (VT2), West Bank Road, BT3 9JN, right beside junction 1 of the M2 at the Fortwilliam roundabout. The city centre is about ten minutes by car; Translink's Metro 96 bus links West Bank Road with Upper Queen Street near City Hall in around 22 minutes, and taxis wait outside the terminal. From Belfast, Dublin is under two hours to the south on the motorway and the Causeway Coast less than two hours to the north. Short-term parking at VT2 is limited; more spaces are available at the Cairnryan terminal less than a mile away.
Tickets and fares
Stena Line prices the crossing dynamically: the earlier you book and the further from school holidays you travel, the lower the fare, and the vehicle supplement moves with the season. The Economy fare is the cheapest, the Flexi fare is easier to change if your plans move. The booking window shows the current price for your date, vehicle and cabin; the price guide explains what to compare across the routes to Ireland.
Liverpool - Belfast
The direct crossing from England to Northern Ireland
Liverpool - Belfast is the only ferry that links England directly with Northern Ireland: no drive to Scotland, no second crossing. The ship leaves from the Twelve Quays terminal in Birkenhead, on the far bank of the Mersey, and reaches Belfast in around 8 hours.
Stena Line operates the route with the Stena Edda and Stena Embla, the largest ferries ever placed on this crossing. Each direction has a daytime and an overnight sailing, so you can choose between a relaxed day at sea and a night in an en-suite cabin that lands you in Belfast in the morning with the whole day ahead. Cars, motorhomes, caravans and foot passengers are all carried.
- Crossing time
- about 8 hrs
- Operator
- Stena Line
- Frequency
- up to 2× daily
- From
- €179
Next departures
FAQ Liverpool - Belfast
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Liverpool - Belfast ferry route
How long does the ferry from Liverpool to Belfast take?+
Around 8 hours. Stena Line runs a daytime crossing and an overnight crossing in each direction; on the night sailing you book a cabin and arrive in Belfast in the morning.
Where does the Liverpool to Belfast ferry leave from?+
Not from Liverpool's own docks but from the Twelve Quays terminal in Birkenhead on the other side of the Mersey (12 Quays Terminal, Tower Road, Birkenhead CH41 1FE). By car it is about ten minutes from the M53 and seven minutes from the Mersey tunnel; foot passengers take the bus link from Hamilton Square railway station.
How often does the ferry run between Liverpool and Belfast?+
Up to two sailings a day per direction, all year round: one by day, one overnight. The exact departure times for your date are in the timetable.
Do I need a cabin on the Liverpool to Belfast ferry?+
On the overnight sailing a cabin is the sensible choice and is booked together with the ticket; the Stena Edda and Stena Embla have en-suite cabins. On the daytime crossing most travellers get by with a seat, or upgrade to the Stena Plus or Hygge lounge.
Can I take my car, motorhome or caravan?+
Yes. Cars, motorhomes, caravans and motorbikes all travel on the route; the fare follows the length and height of your vehicle, so measure it including roof box or bike rack. Stena Line regularly discounts the motorhome and caravan supplement on selected sailings. Details are in the motorhome guide.
Can I bring my dog to Northern Ireland on the ferry?+
Yes, but Great Britain to Northern Ireland has its own rules: your dog, cat or ferret needs a microchip and the free Northern Ireland pet travel document, and the chip is scanned at the port before departure. Book the animal with the crossing; the pets guide explains the paperwork and the accommodation on board.
How much does the Liverpool to Belfast ferry cost?+
Prices are dynamic and depend on the date, the sailing, your vehicle and whether you book a cabin; booking early and travelling outside school holidays gives the best fares. The booking window shows the current price for your date, and the price guide explains what to compare.
Ready for Belfast?
Check the departures for your date and continue to the booking with your vehicle and cabin.