Ferry Routes Ireland: Getting Into the Country

Around 7 million international tourists visit Ireland every year, and a large number of those arrive via its ferry ports. The UK is the most popular departure point, with close to two dozen ferries departing for Irish ports every week, but you can also take a ferry to Ireland from much further afield.

Some of the most popular ferry routes into Ireland include:

• Ferry from Holyhead to Dublin
• Ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare
• Ferry from Birmingham to Dublin
• Ferry from Liverpool to Dublin

You can also take a Dublin ferry to England that starts in the Irish capital and ends in Cardiff, Wales. In this case, however, you need to take the ferry from Dublin to Liverpool and then take a bus or train into Cardiff. This Dublin to Cardiff ferry gives you a chance to explore a little of England’s north-west, as well as the Welsh capital.

From there, there are a few options to get you back into Ireland, including UK to Ireland ferry routes departing from Liverpool and Fishguard.

Ferry Routes Ireland: Getting Out of the Country

If you’re starting your journey in Ireland, you can take a ferry to a number of destinations in the UK, with most journeys taking just a few hours. The Stena Line from Dublin to Holyhead is one of the most popular, for instance, and it traverses the Irish Sea in around 3.5 hours, with cheap Irish ferry tickets available right here on Omio.

Some other popular ferry routes out of Ireland include:

• Ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard
• Ferry from Dublin to Glasgow
• Dublin to Manchester ferry
• Ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg
• Ferry from Dublin to Liverpool

Some of these ferry routes are not direct and may involve other modes of transport, as there are only a few ferry ports serving Ireland and the UK.

For instance, some of the ferries from Dublin to Liverpool connect through Holyhead in Wales. If you want a Dublin to Scotland ferry, you will likely have to connect through Holyhead or head north into Northern Ireland, where P&O Ferries runs regular routes.

Ferry Companies Traveling to Ireland

If you’re taking the ferry to Dublin or booking your place on a Rosslare or Dublin ferry to England, Scotland, or Wales, you will likely encounter the following providers. All of these are available through the Omio platform:

Stena Line

Stena Line is one of the world’s biggest ferry operators. The Swedish company services numerous countries across Europe and has a history dating back to 1963. A large number of Stena Line’s ferry routes connect the United Kingdom with Ireland, with many connecting through to its ferry terminal in Dublin (including the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead and ferries from Holyhead to Dublin).

Passengers can take the ferry from Dublin to Wales via the Dublin to Holyhead ferry route or via Rosslare to Fishguard. There are no direct Stena Lines connections from Dublin to Scotland, but it does connect to Scotland via Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Irish Ferries

As the name suggests, Irish Ferries is an Irish ferry company with a large fleet connecting France and the UK with Ireland. It formed back in 1973 and is one of the biggest ferry operators in the region. Its ships include the Ulysses, a Dublin to Wales ferry that has space for nearly 2,000 passengers and over 1,300 cars.

Irish Ferries runs numerous ferries to and from Dublin. You can take the ferry from Dublin to the UK via Holyhead in Wales, and there’s also a ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke.

P&O Ferries

If you’re looking for something a little different on your UK to Ireland ferry, book with P&O Ferries through Omio. Founded in 2002, P&O Ferries operates routes across Ireland, including a ferry from Larne to Cairnryan, taking you from Northern Ireland to Scotland.

It’s a quick hop over the Irish Sea and an easy way to reach Scotland. Larne is a short trek from Belfast and a couple of hours away from Dublin by car.

Taking the Ferry to Ireland from Other Countries

There are a few ways you can take the Ferry to Ireland:

Take the Ferry to Ireland from England

P&O Ferries operates most of the routes between Ireland and England, with the ferry from Liverpool to Dublin available 1-2 times a day and taking about 7.5 hours. As noted already, you can also take the ferry from England to Ireland, with several departure and arrival options.

Take the Ferry to Ireland from Scotland

There are no direct ferries from Scotland to the Republic of Ireland, but as discussed already, you can take a short ferry from Cairnryan to Larne in Northern Ireland. This route is served by P&O Ferries. There are other UK to Ireland ferry routes, as well, if you’re willing to add a train or bus journey to your trip.

Take the Ferry to Ireland from Wales

Wales is by far the most common connection between Ireland and the UK, with ferries from both Holyhead and Fishguard running daily.

Take the Ferry to Ireland from France

The route from France takes about 20 hours, with ferries from Cherbourg to Rosslare and ferries from Roscoff to Cork both available through Irish Ferries.

Take the Ferry to Ireland from Spain

Although they are less common than the Irish ferry routes outlined above, there are connections between Ireland and Spain using overnight ferries.

Ferry Ports in Ireland

There are three main ferry ports in Ireland. Whether you’re arriving in the country or leaving via a Dublin to Wales ferry, a ferry from Dublin to the UK, or a destination further afield, you will pass through one of these ports:

• Dublin Port: The biggest seaport in the country, Dublin Port serves the most popular routes, including Dublin to Holyhead and the Dublin to Liverpool ferry. If you’re taking a Dublin Ferry to England or Wales, you will depart from here.
• Cork Port: Located on the southern tip of the country, Cork Port services destinations worldwide, primarily dealing with freight and cruise passengers.
• Rosslare Port: Located in County Wexford, Rosslare serves 36 direct routes to European ports every week.

Ferries in Ireland: FAQs

What's the Fastest Ferry to Ireland?

The fastest ferry to the Republic of Ireland is the route between Holyhead and Dublin. It takes between 3 and 3.5 hours on average. You can get to Northern Ireland in around 2 hours from Scotland but need to travel south for another couple of hours to cross into the Republic of Ireland. The ferry from England to Ireland takes a little longer, and some of these routes need additional bus or train tickets.

What is the Cheapest Ferry to Ireland?

As long as you book through Omio, you can get cheap Irish ferry tickets throughout the year. We work with a number of providers to offer you highly competitive rates on all ferry routes, including the Dublin ferry to England and several options for the ferry from England to Ireland.

Can I Bring my Car on the Ferry to Ireland?

Yes, you should be able to take your car on a ferry to Ireland. Most of the major operators that service Irish ferry routes use large boats capable of carrying hundreds of vehicles. There are limited spaces, though, so book well in advance to avoid missing out.

Can I Take a Ferry from Dublin to Glasgow?

There are no direct ferries from Dublin to Scotland, but you can cross from Northern Ireland to the west coast of Scotland.

What Facilities Are on Board Ferries to Ireland?

It depends on the ferry and the route, but all of them include toilets and rest areas, and many also have shops and cafes.