There's a busy network of ferry routes across the Irish Sea, linking ports in Wales, Scotland and England with Dublin, Rosslare and Belfast. Which route works best depends on where you're starting and whether you're headed for the Republic or Northern Ireland.
This guide lists every main route by region, with operators and crossing times, so you can find the crossing that fits your journey. Remember: routes to the Republic sail from Wales, while Scotland and England connect to Northern Ireland.
Routes to the Republic of Ireland (from Wales)
Holyhead–Dublin
- OperatorsStena Line, Irish Ferries
- Duration~3h 15m
Fishguard–Rosslare
- OperatorsStena Line
- Duration~3h 30m
Pembroke–Rosslare
- OperatorsIrish Ferries
- Duration~4 hours
| Route | Operators | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holyhead–Dublin | Stena Line, Irish Ferries | ~3h 15m | View route » |
| Fishguard–Rosslare | Stena Line | ~3h 30m | View route » |
| Pembroke–Rosslare | Irish Ferries | ~4 hours | View route » |
The Republic is reached from Wales — Holyhead for Dublin, and Fishguard or Pembroke for Rosslare in the south-east.
Routes to Northern Ireland (from Scotland and England)
Cairnryan–Belfast
- OperatorsStena Line
- Duration~2h 15m
Cairnryan–Larne
- OperatorsP&O Ferries
- Duration~2 hours
Liverpool–Belfast
- OperatorsStena Line
- Duration~8 hours
| Route | Operators | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairnryan–Belfast | Stena Line | ~2h 15m | View route » |
| Cairnryan–Larne | P&O Ferries | ~2 hours | View route » |
| Liverpool–Belfast | Stena Line | ~8 hours | View route » |
Northern Ireland connects to Great Britain — the short Cairnryan crossings from Scotland, and the overnight Liverpool route from England. See our Northern Ireland ferry guide for more.
Ireland to France and Spain
Rosslare–Cherbourg
- OperatorsStena Line, Irish Ferries
- Duration~17–19 hours
Rosslare–Dunkirk
- OperatorsDFDS
- Duration~24 hours
Cork–Roscoff
- OperatorsBrittany Ferries
- Duration~14 hours
Rosslare–Bilbao (Spain)
- OperatorsBrittany Ferries
- Durationseasonal
| Route | Operators | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosslare–Cherbourg | Stena Line, Irish Ferries | ~17–19 hours | View » |
| Rosslare–Dunkirk | DFDS | ~24 hours | View » |
| Cork–Roscoff | Brittany Ferries | ~14 hours | View » |
| Rosslare–Bilbao (Spain) | Brittany Ferries | seasonal | View » |
Ireland also has direct links to mainland Europe, useful for avoiding the drive through Britain. These are long crossings, generally overnight or longer, with cabins.
Which route is right for you?
A quick way to narrow it down:
- •
Dublin and the east: Holyhead–Dublin, the fastest and most frequent
- •
Cork and the south: Fishguard–Rosslare or Pembroke–Rosslare
- •
Belfast from Scotland: Cairnryan–Belfast or Cairnryan–Larne, the shortest crossings
- •
Northern Ireland from northern England: Liverpool–Belfast, often overnight
- •
Skipping Britain entirely: sail from Rosslare or Cork direct to France
Booking Ireland ferry routes
A few things worth knowing across the network:
- •
Book ahead: vehicle space and cabins sell out in summer, especially on the busy Dublin route
- •
Foot passengers: welcome on most routes, often with more flexibility
- •
No baggage charges: travelling with a car means you can pack freely
- •
Documents: bring a valid passport or accepted travel document
- •
Operators: see our operator guides for Stena Line, Irish Ferries and P&O
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ferry routes are there between Britain and Ireland?
Six main passenger routes — three to the Republic from Wales, and three to Northern Ireland from Scotland and England — plus direct links from Ireland to France and Spain.
What's the fastest ferry route to Ireland?
To the Republic, Holyhead to Dublin at around 3h 15m; to Northern Ireland, the Cairnryan crossings at around two hours.
Can I sail from Ireland to France?
Yes — Rosslare and Cork have direct ferries to Cherbourg, Roscoff and Dunkirk, avoiding the drive through Britain.
Which routes go to the Republic of Ireland?
Holyhead to Dublin, and Fishguard and Pembroke to Rosslare — all from Wales.
Which routes go to Northern Ireland?
Cairnryan to Belfast and Larne from Scotland, and Liverpool to Belfast from England.