FerryEU
EN
FerryEU · UK travel planning

Ferries to Ireland from Great Britain

Choose Dublin, Rosslare, Belfast or Larne and plan the correct documents, vehicle and onward route.

Choose the part of Ireland you need

Holyhead–Dublin serves the Irish capital and the east of the Republic. Fishguard–Rosslare and Pembroke–Rosslare suit south Wales and south-east Ireland. Cairnryan–Belfast and Cairnryan–Larne connect Scotland with Northern Ireland, while Liverpool–Belfast gives a longer option from England. Cork and Rosslare also offer direct continental crossings for an itinerary continuing beyond the Irish Sea.

Wales or Scotland

Compare the road journey to the British port with the Irish road journey after arrival. A short crossing from Cairnryan can still involve a substantial drive through south-west Scotland. Holyhead has a terminal beside the railway station, but foot-passenger travel still depends on the carrier and sailing. Fishguard and Pembroke are separate ports and cannot be substituted on the day.

Identification changed in September 2026

Since 28 September 2026, Irish Ferries and Stena Line require valid passports on their routes between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Irish Ferries also specifies an accepted Irish passport-card option. Read the carrier’s rules for every passenger, including children. British and Irish citizens’ Common Travel Area rights do not remove a ferry operator’s identification requirements.

Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is a separate country and is not in the Schengen Area. Northern Ireland is part of the UK. A domestic Great Britain–Northern Ireland ferry and a crossing into the Republic therefore have different entry contexts. If you plan to cross the land border as part of the trip, check your nationality’s requirements for both jurisdictions.

A car, bicycle or foot ticket

Enter the complete vehicle dimensions, including a trailer or rear bike rack. If travelling by bicycle, use the correct booking category rather than a generic foot-passenger ticket. For rail connections, compare the operator’s available through-ticket products with separate tickets and read the missed-connection protection. Arrange a terminal transfer at the arrival port where necessary.

Local ferries and offshore islands

The Aran Islands, Arranmore and Scotland’s Arran are different places. Galway city’s direct Aran service is to Inishmore; products for the other Aran islands can involve a transfer to Rossaveel. Coastal ferries at the Shannon, Passage East, Carlingford and Lough Foyle have their own seasonal and vehicle arrangements. Plan the last return and a road alternative.

Official information

Continue planning