Liverpool - Belfast
Direct 8h crossing to Belfast with Stena Line
From
€179
Route comparison
Ferries to Northern Ireland
Compare the three ferry routes to Belfast and Larne and pick the crossing that fits where you start
- Two short crossings from Cairnryan in Scotland, about 2 hours to Belfast or Larne
- One direct overnight ferry from England, Liverpool to Belfast in 8 hours with a cabin
- No passport control between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but own rules for pets
Popular routes
Ferries to Belfast and Larne
The three crossings to Northern Ireland with duration, operator and booking.
Prices per person, one way
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Route map
Northern Ireland ferry routes at a glance
All ferry routes to Northern Ireland - from Liverpool and from Cairnryan. Click a line for duration and operator.
- Stena Line
- P&O Ferries
Stena Line8 hours
Check prices →Stena Line2 hours 15 minutes
Check prices →P&O Ferries2 hours
Check prices →Ferries to Northern Ireland
Ferries to Northern Ireland
Three routes, one destination
All three ferries to Northern Ireland start in Great Britain: two short crossings from Cairnryan in south-west Scotland and one long crossing from Liverpool. There is no ferry to Northern Ireland from mainland Europe, so travellers from France, Belgium or the Netherlands first cross the Channel or the North Sea and then drive to Cairnryan or Birkenhead; the guide to ferries via England and Wales explains that first leg. Belfast is the destination for two of the routes, Larne, half an hour further north, for the third.
From Scotland: Cairnryan to Belfast or Larne
Both Scottish routes leave from Loch Ryan, but from two different terminals a short distance apart. Cairnryan - Belfast with Stena Line takes 2 hours 15 minutes on the Stena Superfast VII and VIII, up to six times a day, and lands at Victoria Terminal 4 beside the M2. Cairnryan - Larne with P&O Ferries takes about 2 hours on the European Causeway and European Highlander, also six times a day with the first sailing at 04:00 and the last at 23:59, and docks at Larne Harbour, from where the A8 and M2 reach Belfast in about half an hour. Choose by timetable and price rather than by port: for Belfast itself both work, for the Antrim coast Larne is the closer landing.
From England: Liverpool to Belfast
Liverpool - Belfast is the only direct ferry from England to Northern Ireland. Stena Line sails it from the Twelve Quays terminal in Birkenhead with the Stena Edda and Stena Embla, one daytime and one overnight crossing per direction, about 8 hours at sea. The overnight sailing with a cabin is the classic choice from the Midlands and the south: you save the long drive up the M6 and A75 and arrive in Belfast rested in the morning.
Which route for which trip
- Driving from Scotland or Cumbria: Cairnryan, whichever of the two crossings has the better departure; the drive to Loch Ryan is the slow part.
- Driving from the south or with a motorhome: Liverpool overnight; the eight hours in a cabin replace a day on the road.
- Without a car: Liverpool has a bus link to Hamilton Square station in Birkenhead; Cairnryan has no station, but Stena Line sells Rail & Sail tickets with a bus connection at Ayr, and Larne Harbour station is beside the P&O terminal.
- Most flexible timing: Larne, with sailings from 04:00 to 23:59.
Terminals in Belfast and Larne
Belfast has two Stena Line terminals on West Bank Road, both off junction 1 of the M2 at the Fortwilliam roundabout: Victoria Terminal 4 (BT3 9JL) for Cairnryan and Victoria Terminal 2 (BT3 9JN) for Liverpool, less than a mile apart. Translink's Metro 96 bus links them with Upper Queen Street near City Hall in around 22 minutes, and taxis wait outside. P&O's terminal is at Larne Harbour (BT40 1AW), reached from the M2 and A8.
Documents and pets
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, so these crossings involve no passport control; the operators can ask for photo ID at check-in, and the passport rule that Stena Line introduces on 28 September 2026 concerns its Republic of Ireland routes from Holyhead and Fishguard, not Belfast. Pets are a different matter: a dog, cat or ferret travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland needs a microchip and the free Northern Ireland pet travel document, and the chip is scanned at the port before departure; rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment are not required for this journey. The pets guide has the details.
Onward to Dublin and the Republic
Belfast is under two hours from Dublin on the M1, which makes the Northern Ireland ferries an alternative way into the Republic as well, especially when the Holyhead - Dublin sailings are full. Once you cross into the Republic, Ireland's entry and pet rules apply. The timetable shows the departures of all three routes for your date.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ - Ferries to Northern Ireland
The key questions about the ferry to Northern Ireland, answered briefly.
Is there a direct ferry from mainland Europe to Northern Ireland?+
No. All three ferries to Northern Ireland start in Great Britain: Liverpool - Belfast from England and Cairnryan - Belfast or Cairnryan - Larne from Scotland. From France, Belgium or the Netherlands you first cross the Channel or the North Sea and drive to Birkenhead or Cairnryan; the landbridge guide explains the first leg.
What is the fastest ferry to Northern Ireland?+
Cairnryan - Larne with P&O Ferries takes about 2 hours, Cairnryan - Belfast with Stena Line 2 hours 15 minutes. Both leave from Loch Ryan in south-west Scotland, from two separate terminals.
Is there a ferry from England to Belfast?+
Yes: Liverpool - Belfast with Stena Line, about 8 hours from the Twelve Quays terminal in Birkenhead, with a daytime and an overnight sailing in each direction. It is the only route that saves the drive to Scotland.
Do I need a passport for the ferry to Northern Ireland?+
No. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, so the crossings from Liverpool and Cairnryan involve no passport control; the operators can ask for photo ID at check-in. Stena Line's passport rule from 28 September 2026 applies to its Republic of Ireland routes, not to Belfast.
Can I take my dog to Northern Ireland on the ferry?+
Yes, with paperwork of its own: a dog, cat or ferret travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland needs a microchip and the free Northern Ireland pet travel document, and the chip is scanned at the port before departure. Rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment are not required for this journey. The pets guide has the details.
Found your route to Belfast?
Compare the three crossings and check departure, vehicle and cabin right in the booking.