South Stack Lighthouse
See one of Wales’s most dramatic lighthouse settings below towering cliffs on the western edge of Holy Island.
Anglesey · Wales
Holyhead Ferry &
Holyhead Ferry &
Destination Guide
Plan ferries to and from Holyhead in Wales, United Kingdom, with route choices, harbour guidance and ideas for the rest of your journey.
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Checked 5 October 2026
Irish Ferries: passport requirement now in force
Since 28 September 2026, Irish Ferries requires every passenger on Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke, in either direction, to carry a valid passport or Irish passport card. This includes British and Irish citizens and children. Other photo ID is no longer accepted on these Irish Ferries services. Check other operators’ requirements separately.
Discover Holyhead
A rugged Anglesey gateway with sea cliffs, coastal walks and one of the principal ferry links between Wales and Ireland
Holyhead occupies the western side of Holy Island, connected to the larger Isle of Anglesey by road and rail. For many travellers it is best known as Wales’s main passenger-ferry gateway to Dublin, but the surrounding coast is worth exploring in its own right.
South Stack is the area’s standout landscape, where a lighthouse sits beneath high sea cliffs that are also important for nesting seabirds. The clifftop viewpoints and walking routes are especially rewarding in clear weather.
Holyhead Mountain and Breakwater Country Park provide further walking options, combining heathland, old quarry landscapes and broad views over the harbour and Irish Sea.
In town, St Cybi’s Church occupies the site of a Roman fort, while the waterfront and long breakwater reflect Holyhead’s development as a strategic maritime link between Britain and Ireland.
Stena Line and Irish Ferries both operate the Holyhead–Dublin corridor. The ferry terminal is integrated closely with Holyhead railway station, making the route unusually convenient for passengers combining train and ferry travel.
City highlights
What to see while you are in Holyhead
Holyhead is at its best when the ferry journey is combined with the cliffs, walking routes and maritime landscapes of western Anglesey.
RSPB South Stack
Watch seabirds and follow clifftop paths through an internationally important coastal habitat.
Holyhead Mountain
Walk to elevated viewpoints over Holyhead, Anglesey and the Irish Sea.
Breakwater Country Park
Explore old quarry landscapes, walking trails and harbour views near the start of Holyhead’s long breakwater.
St Cybi’s Church
Visit the historic church set within the walls of the Roman fort of Caer Gybi.
Anglesey coast
Use Holyhead as a base for beaches, coastal paths and road trips around the wider island.
Tours & experiences
Things to Do in Holyhead
Browse Anglesey, North Wales and coastal experiences that can be combined with a ferry journey through Holyhead.
Tours and activities displayed in this section are supplied through Viator. Availability, descriptions and prices are provided by the activity supplier and can change.
Arriving or departing by ferry
Holyhead Ferry Terminal
Foot passengers, cars, motorcycles, bicycles and touring vehicles can be carried on eligible sailings. Always use the check-in deadline shown on the booking confirmation because fast-ferry and cruise-ferry procedures can differ.
The ferry port sits immediately beside Holyhead railway station at the end of the A55 and A5 road corridors. Stena Line lists its Holyhead port address at Station Street, Holyhead LL65 1DQ; follow the operator-specific terminal and check-in signs after entering the port complex.
Stena Line and Irish Ferries operate regular passenger and vehicle sailings between Holyhead and Dublin. Cruise-ferry crossings are typically around three to three and a half hours, while selected fast-ferry journeys can be shorter when scheduled.
Passenger port Holyhead Ferry Port, Holyhead, Anglesey; follow Stena Line or Irish Ferries check-in signs
Directions to the port Open Holyhead Ferry Port in Google Maps
Main route Direct Stena Line and Irish Ferries services connect Holyhead with Dublin
Rail connection Holyhead railway station is integrated with the ferry-port complex
Vehicle travel Cars, motorcycles, bicycles and leisure vehicles can be booked on eligible sailings
Crossing choice Compare cruise-ferry and any available fast-ferry options for your travel date
Plan your stay
Getting around Holyhead
Holyhead combines an integrated rail-and-ferry interchange with straightforward road access to the rest of Anglesey and North Wales.
Walk central Holyhead
The town centre, St Cybi’s Church and the rail/ferry interchange are close enough to combine on foot.
Use the railway station
Holyhead station is part of the port complex and has direct services east across North Wales towards Chester and major British rail connections.
Find Holyhead rail tickets here...Use a car for Anglesey
Driving is the easiest way to reach South Stack, beaches, castles and smaller communities around the island.
Stay in Holyhead
Find Holyhead Accommodation
Stay in Holyhead or elsewhere on Anglesey
Holyhead is practical for early or late ferries; elsewhere on Anglesey you can choose quieter coastal villages, beaches and countryside while remaining within easy driving distance.
Common planning questions
Holyhead ferry & destination FAQs
Where is Holyhead Ferry Terminal?
Holyhead Ferry Port is beside Holyhead railway station at the western end of Anglesey, reached directly from the A55/A5 road corridor.
Where can I sail from Holyhead?
Stena Line and Irish Ferries operate direct passenger and vehicle services between Holyhead and Dublin.
How long is the Holyhead to Dublin ferry?
Cruise-ferry sailings are generally around three to three and a half hours; some fast-ferry journeys can be shorter when they are operating.
Can I travel as a foot passenger from Holyhead?
Yes. Foot passengers are accepted on eligible sailings and the railway station is integrated with the port.
Can I take a car on the Holyhead ferry?
Yes. Cars, motorcycles and other correctly booked vehicles are carried subject to the selected sailing and deck capacity.
What are the best things to do near Holyhead?
South Stack Lighthouse, RSPB South Stack, Holyhead Mountain and Breakwater Country Park are major local highlights.
Can I reach Holyhead Ferry Port by train?
Yes. Holyhead railway station is within the ferry-port complex, making train-to-ferry transfers particularly convenient.
How long should I spend around Holyhead?
One day covers the main local sights; two or three days allows a broader Anglesey coastal trip.
Where can you travel from Holyhead?
The route catalogue includes departures towards Dublin. Each direction has its own guide so that you can check the correct starting pier and arrival arrangements. A listed connection may be seasonal, a multi-stop itinerary or a former service; read its service status before making plans.
active
Holyhead to Dublin
Irish Ferries, Stena Line · About 2h 15m fast ferry; around 3h 15m+ cruise ferry
No matches. Try a different place name or clear the filters.
Ferries arriving in Holyhead
Dublin to Holyhead
Irish Ferries, Stena Line
Reaching the harbour and checking in
Holyhead ferry port is on Holy Island at the western end of Anglesey. The A55 provides the main road approach across North Wales, while Holyhead railway station is integrated with the port complex for rail connections.
Pin the precise ferry terminal before travelling to Holyhead. Some towns have separate passenger quays, vehicle terminals and excursion-boat landings. The operator’s address on your confirmation is more useful than a town-centre map pin.
For a car journey, leave a margin for the final approach, queueing and check-in. Without a car, confirm the last part of the journey from the railway station or bus stop. A short map distance may involve port roads or areas closed to pedestrians; use a confirmed transfer or walking route.
Keep your booking reference and required documents accessible. If you need step-free boarding, help with luggage or space for a bicycle, arrange it before the day of travel. Small piers and large vehicle terminals can offer very different facilities.
Building Holyhead into a wider journey
Holyhead is convenient for the A55 North Wales corridor and for rail journeys connecting with the ferry terminal. Fishguard and Pembroke suit south Wales and travellers continuing through Wexford towards Cork or Waterford. A return through a different Welsh port can make sense on a touring holiday, but compare separate tickets and the extra road mileage.
Check your arrival time against accommodation check-in and the next transport service. If this is an island stay, organise the return ferry before fixing a mainland flight or a long-distance train. The outward and return ports do not have to be the same, but separate tickets can have different conditions.
Official sailing information
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