The cheapest and fastest ferries from Cairnryan to Belfast
Cheapest price
$39
Average price
$47
Fastest journey
2 h
Average duration
2 h 9 m
Ferries per day
5
Distance
73 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Cairnryan to Belfast is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cairnryan to Belfast will cost around $47 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $39.
Of the 5 ferries that leave Cairnryan for Belfast on Thu, Dec 25, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Dec 25 the direct ferries cover the 73 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 Thu, Dec 25 the slowest ferries will take 2 h 15 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.










Cairnryan - BelfastCompare Stena Line, P&O Ferries


Cairnryan to Belfast Ferry Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Fri, Sat |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Wed |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Wed |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Wed, Sat |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Wed, Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 2h15 | Sailing Days Wed, Fri, Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 01:45PM | Duration 2h15 | Sailing Days Wed, Fri |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 2h15 | Sailing Days Wed, Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 2h15 | Sailing Days Fri, Sat |
Live departures
Cairnryan to Belfast ferry times
The table below shows live departures for Cairnryan to Belfast ferries for today, Wednesday, December 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stena Line | 11:30 AM Port of Cairnryan (Stena Line) | 2h15 | 1:45 PM Port of Belfast | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 12:00 PM Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 2h00 | 2:00 PM Larne Port | 0 transfersDirect | |
Stena Line | 3:30 PM Port of Cairnryan (Stena Line) | 2h15 | 5:45 PM Port of Belfast | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:00 PM Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 2h00 | 6:00 PM Larne Port | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, December 25 | |||||
![]() | 6:30 AM Cairnryan | 2h15 | 8:45 AM Belfast | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:00 AM Cairnryan | 2h00 | 9:00 AM Belfast | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cairnryan to Belfast by ferry
Compare ferry prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
Dec 30
Dec 31
How far in advance should I book ferry tickets from Cairnryan to Belfast?
Offers and deals from Cairnryan to Belfast
Discover the offers available on trains covering the route from Cairnryan to Belfast and choose the solutions that best suit your needs. Below, you will find a selection of the most popular offers proposed by P&O Ferries

Journey information
Overview: Ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast
Ferries from Cairnryan to Belfast run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 8m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at $31 (€25) if you book in advance.
There are 8 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 00:30, the last at 23:30. The fastest ferry covers the 39 nautical miles (73 km) distance in 2h 0m. There are 54 sailings per week. Ferries from Cairnryan to Belfast are available to foot passengers.


Distance 39 nautical miles (73 km) |
Average sailing duration 2h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price $31 (€25) |
Ferries per day 8 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 54 |
Fastest ferry 2h 0m |
First ferry 00:30 |
Last ferry 23:30 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Ferry operators: Stena Line, P&O Ferries from Cairnryan to BelfastYou can travel by ferry between Cairnryan to Belfast with Stena Line, P&O Ferries for as low as $31 (€25). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey.
P&O Ferries
Stena Line
FAQs: Ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cairnryan to Belfast 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 Belfast, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Passengers board the ferry most frequently from Port of Cairnryan (P&O), which is located around 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the ferry at Port of Belfast, located 6.1 miles (9.9 km) away from the city centre.
popular ferry ports
Popular ports from Cairnryan to Belfast
- 08:00 - 18:00
- Saturday: 08:00 - 14:00
- Sunday: Closed
- Free WiFi
- Thyme Restaurant (0.7km)
- The Dock Cafe (0.8km)
- Cast & Crew (0.9km)
- Main companies are Value Cabs and Fonacab.
- Free
- Metro service 96, Stop: Donegall Quay
More options for your journey from Cairnryan to Belfast
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
