Ireland Ferry Ports

Ferries to Ireland sail from a handful of ports in Britain to a handful of ports in Ireland, and which pair you use depends on where you're starting and where you're headed. The British ports are spread down the west coast, from Cairnryan in Scotland to Fishguard and Pembroke in South Wales.

On the Irish side, Dublin and Belfast serve the east and north, while Rosslare covers the south-east. This guide runs through each port — which routes it serves, and how to get there.

In this guide

British ferry ports

Holyhead

Holyhead is the busiest British port for Ireland, the gateway for the frequent crossing to Dublin. Its biggest advantage for foot passengers is the railway station right inside the terminal, with direct trains from across Britain.

Fishguard

Fishguard, in south-west Wales, runs the Stena Line crossing to Rosslare. The terminal sits next to Fishguard Harbour railway station, with trains from Cardiff and Swansea timed around sailings.

Pembroke Dock

Pembroke Dock, a short way along the coast from Fishguard, runs the Irish Ferries crossing to Rosslare. It's a small terminal on the Milford Haven waterway, well placed for anyone coming from London or the south of England via the M4.

Cairnryan

Cairnryan, on Scotland's south-west coast, is the port for the short crossings to Northern Ireland — Stena Line to Belfast and P&O to Larne. It's the natural choice for anyone driving up through Scotland, around two hours from Glasgow.

Liverpool (Birkenhead)

The "Liverpool" ferry to Belfast actually sails from the 12 Quays terminal in Birkenhead, on the Wirral side of the Mersey — not from Liverpool city centre. It's the overnight option for anyone in north-west England.

Irish ferry ports

Dublin Port

Dublin Port is Ireland's busiest, just two miles from the city centre. There's no train station at the port, but an Express Bus Transfer and public buses run into town, and the Port Tunnel gives quick access to the motorway network north and south.

Rosslare Europort

Rosslare Europort is the gateway to Ireland's "Sunny South East" — Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny — and also runs direct ferries to France. Dublin is under two hours away and Cork under three, by good road and rail links.

Belfast

The Port of Belfast sits just north of the city, with quick access to the M2 for the Giant's Causeway and the north, and Belfast city centre only about ten minutes away by taxi or bus.

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