- Recommended
Castle of St John Museum
Main local museum in the historic castle, presenting Stranraer’s history, crime and punishment, and views over Loch Ryan.
Cheapest price on Oct 17
$49
Average ticket price on Oct 17
$50
Fastest journey on Oct 17
2 h
Average journey duration on Oct 17
2 h 9 m
Ferries on Oct 17
5
Distance
68 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Belfast to Stranraer is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Belfast to Stranraer will cost around $50 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $49.
On Sat, Oct 17, we found 5 ferries from Belfast to Stranraer, including 5 direct services.
On Sat, Oct 17 the direct ferries cover the 68 km distance in an average of 2 h 9 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 2 h .
On Sat, Oct 17 the slowest ferries will take 2 h 22 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Ferries from Belfast to Stranraer run on average 9 times per day, taking around 2h 10m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at $37 (€31) if you book in advance.
There are 9 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 00:30, the last at 23:30. The fastest ferry covers the 36 nautical miles (68 km) distance in 2h 0m. There are 6 sailings per week. Ferries from Belfast to Stranraer are available to foot passengers.



Distance 36 nautical miles (68 km) |
Average sailing duration 2h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $37 (€31) |
Ferries per day 9 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 6 |
Fastest ferry 2h 0m |
First ferry 12:30 AM |
Last ferry 11:30 PM |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Wed |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Sat |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Tue, Wed |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 01:37PM | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Sun |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Wed, Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 01:52PM | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 08:52PM | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days Sat |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Tue |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 2h01 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Sat |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Tue, Wed |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 01:52AM | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days Sun |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Tue |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 09:37AM | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 05:52PM | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 09:52PM | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 2h01 | Sailing Days Tue, Wed |
The table below shows live departures for Belfast to Stranraer ferries for today, Friday, October 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P&O Irish Sea | 12:00 PM Larne Port | 2h00 | 2:00 PM Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Stena Line | 3:30 PM Port of Belfast | 2h22 | 5:52 PM Port of Cairnryan (Stena Line) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P&O Irish Sea | 4:00 PM Larne Port | 2h00 | 6:00 PM Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Stena Line | 7:30 PM Port of Belfast | 2h22 | 9:52 PM Port of Cairnryan (Stena Line) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P&O Irish Sea | 8:00 PM Larne Port | 2h00 | 10:00 PM Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P&O Irish Sea | 11:59 PM Larne Port | 2h01 | 2:00 AM Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, October 17 | |||||
![]() | 3:00 AM Belfast | 2h00 | 5:00 AM Stranraer | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey

Discover the best of Stranraer — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Stranraer trip today.
Main local museum in the historic castle, presenting Stranraer’s history, crime and punishment, and views over Loch Ryan.
Museum on wartime flying boat operations at nearby Wig Bay, featuring aviation artifacts and a remarkable hidden history.
Volunteer-run heritage centre sharing local social history, archives, and displays about the Rhins and Stranraer communities.
Scenic waterfront promenade around Loch Ryan, ideal for walking, birdwatching, and enjoying some of the town’s best views.
Central public park with mature trees, flowerbeds, and event space, popular for relaxed walks close to the town centre.
Pleasant marina and harbour area offering boats, waterside views, and a strong sense of Stranraer’s maritime identity.
Cullen skink is a rich smoked haddock, potato and onion soup, a classic Scottish coastal dish loved for its warming flavor.
Scotch broth is a traditional soup of lamb, barley and root vegetables, long associated with home cooking across southwest Scotland.
Haggis is Scotland’s famous savory pudding of minced offal, oats and spices, often served with neeps and tatties.
Popular local Italian restaurant with pizzas, pasta and a friendly family atmosphere in central Stranraer.
Established harbourside restaurant known for fish and chips, seafood and relaxed casual dining near the waterfront.
Well-known town centre venue serving Scottish and British pub meals, steaks and drinks in a traditional setting.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels are often cheaper than major cities, while dining and local transport are fairly typical for small tourist towns.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common for good service if not already added. Round up taxi fares. Cafes usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Belfast to Stranraer by ferry. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest ferry, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Stranraer, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Belfast to Stranraer ferries use the Larne Port to Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) port pair. Use this guide to compare Belfast and Stranraer ports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like port facilities and services.
Port of Belfast is 6 km from Belfast city centre. Public transport options include:
Port of Belfast has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Thyme Restaurant (0.7km), The Dock Cafe (0.8km), Cast & Crew (0.9km)
Free WiFi. ATMs are available in the terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Port of Belfast.
Available at Port of Belfast: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need