A Stena Line-style ferry crossing the Irish Sea.

Stena Line

Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry companies, a Swedish operator running an extensive network across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and northern Europe. For British and Irish travellers, it's best known as the dominant operator on the Irish Sea.

Stena runs the main crossings between Great Britain and Ireland, plus a link to the Netherlands and an Ireland–France route. This guide focuses on the routes that matter for UK and Ireland travel.

Stena Line routes

Cairnryan–Belfast (Scotland–N. Ireland)
~2h 15m Check Prices »
Holyhead–Dublin (Wales–Ireland)
~3h 15m Check Prices »
Liverpool–Belfast (England–N. Ireland)
~8 hours Check Prices »
Fishguard–Rosslare (Wales–Ireland)
~3h 30m Check Prices »
Harwich–Hook of Holland (England–Netherlands)
~6–8 hours Check Prices »
Rosslare–Cherbourg (Ireland–France)
~17 hours Check Prices »

Stena's Irish Sea routes are its core UK business, alongside the Harwich crossing to the Netherlands and a direct Ireland–France link.

Table of Contents

    The Irish Sea routes

    Stena runs four main crossings between Great Britain and Ireland:

    • Cairnryan–Belfast: the main Scotland to Northern Ireland route, around 2h 15m, on the Stena Superfast VII and VIII
    • Holyhead–Dublin: the busiest Wales–Ireland crossing, around 3h 15m with several daily sailings, on ships including the Stena Estrid
    • Liverpool–Belfast: a longer crossing from north-west England, around 8 hours, on the Stena Edda and Stena Embla
    • Fishguard–Rosslare: the southern Wales–Ireland route, around 3h 30m, handy for south-west Ireland

    Harwich to Hook of Holland

    Stena's Harwich to Hook of Holland route links the east of England directly with the Netherlands, with both daytime and overnight sailings.

    It's a popular alternative to the Dover crossings for travellers heading to the Netherlands, Germany and beyond, avoiding the drive around to Kent. Cabins are available, and the overnight sailing lets you arrive rested.

    Onboard and booking

    What to expect and know when booking Stena:

    • Onboard: restaurants, cafés, bars and shops on most ships, with cabins on the longer sailings
    • Cabins: available on longer crossings and included or recommended on overnight sailings
    • Pets: welcome, with reserved pet areas, pet-friendly cabins or in-vehicle options depending on the route
    • Rail & Sail: combined train-and-ferry tickets available to and from Irish Sea ports
    • Children: under-4s travel free
    • Booking: online, with a low-fare calendar to find cheaper dates

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What routes does Stena Line run across the Irish Sea?

    Four — Cairnryan to Belfast, Holyhead to Dublin, Liverpool to Belfast, and Fishguard to Rosslare.

    How long is the Holyhead to Dublin ferry?

    Around 3 hours 15 minutes, with several sailings a day.

    What's the fastest Stena route to Northern Ireland?

    Cairnryan to Belfast, at around 2 hours 15 minutes, is the main Scotland to Northern Ireland crossing.

    Does Stena Line sail to the Netherlands?

    Yes — the Harwich to Hook of Holland route links eastern England with the Netherlands, with daytime and overnight sailings.

    Can I combine train and ferry with Stena Line?

    Yes — Rail & Sail tickets combine train travel and the ferry crossing to and from the Irish Sea ports in one fare.

    Ready to book?
    Check prices »