Plan the crossing from Holyhead to Dublin, with departure-port details, Irish Ferries, Stena Line and onward travel after arrival.
Choose your route, travel dates, passengers and vehicle to compare current sailings and fares. Route selected: Holyhead to Dublin. Search all ferry routes.
Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.
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.
Holyhead to Dublin is one of the main ferry corridors between Great Britain and Ireland, with Stena Line and Irish Ferries both operating direct passenger and vehicle services. The competition gives travellers useful choice over departure time, ship style and fare conditions.
Stena Line publishes a standard crossing of about 3 hours 15 minutes. Irish Ferries combines conventional cruise ferries with selected Dublin Swift fast-ferry sailings, so the quickest bookable journeys can be around 2 hours 15 minutes while cruise-ferry timings are longer.
Both operators carry cars, motorcycles and larger leisure vehicles, and both support foot-passenger travel. When comparing prices, include the whole party, vehicle dimensions and any pet, lounge or accommodation options rather than comparing only the headline fare.
Holyhead is directly connected to the A55 across North Wales, while Dublin Port sits close to the city centre and Ireland’s M50/M1 road network. This makes the route useful both for city breaks and for motorists continuing elsewhere in Ireland.
If your journey begins farther south in Wales, Fishguard–Rosslare or Pembroke–Rosslare may reduce the drive to the departure port. Travellers heading to Northern Ireland can also compare Liverpool–Belfast or the Cairnryan routes.
Travelling the other way? Read the Dublin to Holyhead ferry guide.
Compare the direct operators for crossing time, ship facilities, passenger rules and fare flexibility before booking.
Stena Line
Crossing time: about 3 hours 15 minutes
Stena Line operates Holyhead–Dublin with large passenger and vehicle ferries including Stena Adventurer and Stena Estrid. The route supports motorists, foot passengers and Rail & Sail travel.
Irish Ferries
Crossing time: from about 2 hours 15 minutes on selected fast-ferry sailings
Irish Ferries operates conventional cruise ferries and selected Dublin Swift fast-ferry services. The fastest option is attractive when timing matters, while the larger cruise ferries offer more space and facilities.
Use the operator confirmation for the correct check-in area, terminal instructions and arrival deadline. Port procedures can vary by passenger type and sailing.
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.
Dublin Ferryport is close to central Dublin and the Dublin Port Tunnel, giving direct road access towards the M50 and M1. Public transport links connect the terminal area with the city.
Holyhead–Dublin has enough operator and ship choice to make onboard facilities part of the comparison. The fastest sailing is not always the best value once lounges, meals, pets and flexibility are considered.
Both operators provide food and drink options, with the widest choice generally on the larger cruise ferries.
Standard lounges plus premium lounge upgrades are available on selected ships.
Pet arrangements vary by operator and ship, including kennels and other pre-booked options.
Duty-free shopping and connectivity options vary by vessel and sailing.
The assigned ship can change. Treat the live booking result and operator information as definitive for facilities, accessibility, seating, cabins and pet accommodation.
British and Irish citizens benefit from the Common Travel Area, but ferry companies still have identification rules and other nationalities remain subject to immigration requirements. Check the carrier requirements for every passenger before departure.
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.
Carry the driving licence and vehicle documents appropriate to your journey. If the vehicle is hired or leased, make sure you have permission to take it across the Irish Sea.
The Common Travel Area gives specific rights to British and Irish citizens. Other passengers should check the Irish and UK entry or visa rules that apply to their nationality and residence status.
Dublin works equally well as a city-break arrival and as a gateway to the rest of Ireland. The M50 orbital route connects quickly with motorways towards Belfast, Galway, Cork and the south-east.
For journeys to Wexford or Waterford, the Rosslare routes may reduce driving after arrival. For Northern Ireland, compare Belfast and Larne services from Scotland or Liverpool.
Compare Ferry RoutesThe shortest sea crossing is not always the best overall journey. Compare departure port, sailing length, operator and onward travel after arrival.
Stena Line publishes about 3 hours 15 minutes. Irish Ferries also operates selected faster Dublin Swift sailings, while its cruise-ferry crossings take longer.
Stena Line and Irish Ferries both currently operate direct passenger and vehicle ferries between Holyhead and Dublin.
Yes. Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries accept foot passengers on the route, subject to the selected sailing and booking availability.
Yes. Both operators carry vehicles. Enter the correct total length and height when comparing fares.
Irish Ferries operates Dublin Swift on selected sailings. Fast-ferry availability is seasonal and date-dependent, so check the live booking result.
Yes, with advance booking. Pet accommodation and access rules differ by operator and assigned ship.
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.
If your destination is Wexford, Waterford or the south-east, compare Fishguard–Rosslare and Pembroke–Rosslare as well as Holyhead–Dublin.
Holyhead–Dublin is the main North Wales connection to Ireland’s capital. The A55 approach can suit travellers from northern and central England as well as Wales, while Holyhead’s railway connection makes foot-passenger planning possible.
Stena Line and Irish Ferries offer distinct ships and fare products. Irish Ferries’ selected fast-ferry sailings should be compared with the cruise-ferry options on the actual travel date, including weather resilience, vehicle dimensions and the transfer after arrival.
Dublin to Holyhead ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.
Use the terminal or pier named on your operator confirmation. The published departure is the sailing time; check-in and vehicle acceptance close earlier. If reaching Holyhead by train or bus, allow for the transfer from the station to the harbour and for luggage handling.
Start your onward itinerary at the actual landing point in Dublin. Leave time to unload before a timed collection, train or island bus. If the ferry arrives late in the day, check the final public-transport departure or arrange a transfer in advance.
The Republic of Ireland is outside the Schengen Area. Common Travel Area rights do not replace the ferry company’s check-in rules. From 28 September 2026 Irish Ferries and Stena Line require valid passports on their Britain–Republic of Ireland routes; Irish Ferries also specifies its accepted Irish passport-card option. Check the policy for every passenger, including children, and for your nationality.
Compare the arrival port with the part of Ireland you intend to visit. Dublin, Rosslare, Cork, Belfast and Larne are separate gateways, and local island ferries are additional journeys with their own tickets.
Select the correct passenger category before comparing Holyhead to Dublin fares. A passenger-only boat cannot take a car, and a vehicle ferry may still have limited bicycle or foot-passenger availability. The travel modes shown in the facts panel should be checked against the specific sailing.
For a vehicle booking, give the full height and length including a roof box, rear rack or trailer. Where accommodation is offered, check whether a cabin or seat is required and whether meals are included. Request mobility assistance and any pet space before completing the booking, because these can have separate capacity limits.
Prices depend on the date, passenger mix, vehicle and ticket conditions. Compare the complete return cost and the amendment or cancellation terms. No fixed fare on this guide should replace a dated quote.
Car and motorhome planning · Travelling without a car · Taking a pet
Compare current sailings, passenger fares, vehicle prices and accommodation, then choose the crossing that works best for your journey.
From about 2h 15m
2 ferry operators
Cars & motorhomes
Foot passengers
