Larne harbour, coastline and town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland
County Antrim · Northern Ireland

Larne Ferry &
Destination Guide

Plan ferries to and from Larne in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, with route choices, harbour guidance and ideas for the rest of your journey.

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Discover Larne

A practical Irish Sea gateway at the start of the Causeway Coastal Route

Larne is one of Northern Ireland’s principal ferry gateways, set on the east coast of County Antrim where the town opens onto Larne Lough and the North Channel. It is especially useful for travellers arriving with a vehicle and heading towards Belfast or the coast.

The harbour gives quick access to the Causeway Coastal Route, with dramatic sea views beginning almost immediately north of town. Glenarm, Carnlough, Cushendall and the Glens of Antrim can all be worked into an onward road trip.

Within Larne, the Chaine Memorial Tower is the town’s best-known maritime landmark, while Olderfleet Castle and the waterfront reflect the area’s long seafaring history.

Carnfunnock Country Park sits just north of town and combines gardens, woodland, coast views and family facilities. Farther along the coast, attractions such as The Gobbins and Glenarm Castle add good day-trip options.

P&O Ferries operates the direct Larne–Cairnryan route across the Irish Sea. In August 2026 the published timetable shows several sailings per day, with a normal crossing time of about two hours, making Larne one of the quickest sea gateways between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Larne landmarks and visitor highlights
City highlights

What to see while you are in Larne

Larne works best as a gateway destination: spend time around the harbour and coast, then use it as the starting point for Antrim, Belfast or a wider Northern Ireland road trip.

Chaine Memorial Tower

See Larne’s distinctive harbour landmark, built in memory of James Chaine and closely associated with the town’s maritime history.

Causeway Coastal Route

Start one of Northern Ireland’s great scenic drives directly from Larne and follow the coast north through the Glens of Antrim.

Carnfunnock Country Park

Enjoy gardens, woodland walks, coast views and family facilities just north of the town.

Olderfleet Castle

Visit the atmospheric ruins beside Larne Lough, a reminder of the harbour’s long strategic importance.

Glenarm & the Antrim Glens

Continue north for coastal villages, castle gardens and the landscapes of the nine Glens of Antrim.

The Gobbins

Combine Larne with the dramatic cliff-path attraction on Islandmagee, reached by a short drive south along the coast.

Tours & experiences

Things to Do in Larne

Browse Belfast, Antrim Coast, Giant’s Causeway and Northern Ireland experiences that can be combined with a ferry arrival through Larne.

Tours and activities displayed in this section are supplied through Viator. Availability, descriptions and prices are provided by the activity supplier and can change.

P&O Ferries passenger and vehicle terminal at Larne Harbour, Northern Ireland
Arriving or departing by ferry

Larne Ferry Terminal

The harbour is well placed for onward road travel: Belfast is reached via the A8/M2 corridor, while the Causeway Coastal Route begins immediately north of Larne. Rail services also connect the harbour area with Larne Town and Belfast.

The crossing is normally around two hours, and the 2026 timetable provides multiple daily departures in each direction. Cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and foot passengers can travel, subject to the conditions of the booked sailing.

Larne Harbour is the Northern Ireland terminal for P&O Ferries’ direct route to Cairnryan in south-west Scotland. The operator lists the port as Larne Harbour, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 1AW.

Terminal address P&O Ferries Larne, Larne Harbour, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 1AW
Directions to Larne Harbour Open Larne Ferry Terminal in Google Maps
Main route Direct Larne–Cairnryan passenger and vehicle ferry
Crossing time Around 2 hours on the normal scheduled service
Vehicle travel Cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and touring vehicles are accepted subject to booking conditions
Onward travel Belfast, the Antrim Glens and Causeway Coastal Route are straightforward by road
Plan your stay

Getting around Larne

Larne is compact around the harbour, while rail, buses and the A8 make onward travel to Belfast and the Antrim coast straightforward.

Walk the harbour and town centre

The waterfront, town centre and Chaine Memorial area are close enough to combine on foot if you have time between journeys.

Drive the coast

A car is the best way to explore Glenarm, the Glens of Antrim, The Gobbins and the full Causeway Coastal Route.

Stay in Larne

Stay in Larne or along the Antrim coast

Larne is convenient for an early or late ferry; coastal villages north of town suit travellers who want scenery and a quieter base.

Find Larne Accommodation
Common planning questions

Larne ferry & destination FAQs

Where is Larne Ferry Terminal?

P&O Ferries lists the terminal at Larne Harbour, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 1AW.

Where does the ferry from Larne go?

The principal scheduled route is the direct P&O Ferries service from Larne to Cairnryan in Scotland.

How long is the Larne to Cairnryan ferry?

The normal crossing takes about two hours.

Can I take a car on the Larne ferry?

Yes. The Larne–Cairnryan route carries cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and other booked vehicles as well as passengers.

Can I travel as a foot passenger from Larne?

Yes on normal passenger sailings, subject to the operator’s current check-in and booking conditions.

Is Larne a good starting point for the Causeway Coastal Route?

Yes. The scenic coastal route begins at Larne and continues north through the Glens of Antrim.

Can I reach Belfast by train from Larne?

Yes. Rail services connect Larne with Belfast; check current schedules before travelling.

How early should I arrive at Larne Ferry Terminal?

Follow the check-in time shown on your P&O Ferries booking, allowing extra time if travelling with a vehicle, pet or during busy periods.

Where can you travel from Larne?

The route catalogue includes departures towards Cairnryan, Douglas. 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.

Larne harbour, coastline and town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland
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Larne to Douglas

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company · Check the selected departure

Ferries arriving in Larne

Reaching the harbour and checking in

Larne Harbour is on the east coast of County Antrim. The A8 dual carriageway connects towards Belfast, while the coastal road leads north towards the Glens of Antrim and Causeway Coast.

Pin the precise ferry terminal before travelling to Larne. 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 Larne into a wider journey

Belfast’s passenger terminals are in the port area rather than at an arbitrary city-centre waterfront point. Larne is a separate port north of Belfast. Match your taxi, coach or car navigation to the carrier’s terminal instructions, especially for an early departure or a late arrival.

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.

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