At it’s closest point, just 12 miles seperate Scotland & Northern Ireland, so it won’t be surprise that it is one of the busiest ferry routes anywhere in the UK.
Currently there are up fourteen daily sailings from Scotland to Northern Ireland. Unfortunately there are no direct ferries from Scotland to the Republic of Ireland. The closest ferry from Scotland is from Liverpool to Dublin
All Ferries from Scotland to Ireland
Car & 4 passengers from £199
6 sailings per day Sailing time: 2hr 15m
Car & 4 passengers from £217
6 sailings per day Sailing time: 2 hours
The village of Cairnryan in Scotland with it’s deep water port is now the only departure point for ferries to Northern Ireland. You can choose to sail to either Belfast with Stena Line or Larne with P&O Ferries. The Troon to Larne ferry that was operated by P&O Ferries closed in September 2015.
In 2012 sailings from Stranraer in Scotland to Northern Ireland ended. It was the end of an historical link that had lasted for around 150 years. The new larger ferries that were needed to make ferry travel more econimacal could not handle the shallow waters in and around the port of Stranraer.
The only other ferry to Northern Ireland from Mainlain Britain is the sailing from Liverpool to Belfast.
Other Ferries To Northern Ireland
Car & 4 passengers from £231
2 sailings per day Sailing time: 8 hours
Choosing your ferry
Choosing your ferry may come down to where you are traveling to in Ireland. If you are taking your car then both Belfast and Larne offer good access to the motorway network, so getting anywhere should not be a problem.
Ferries to Republic of Ireland
Car & 4 passengers from £253
2 sailings per day Sailing time: 3hr 30m
Car & 4 passengers from £253
4 sailings per day Sailing time: 3hr 15m
Car & 4 passengers from £255
4 sailings per day Sailing time: 3hr 15m
Car & 4 passengers from £255
2 sailings per day Sailing time: 4 hours
Ireland is full of inspirational locations, stunning landscapes and the friendliest of welcomes. Discover the unique stories from Saint Patrick to Titanic, from the Giant’s Causeway to the Mountains of Mourne and the Walled City of Derry. Plan your trip to Ireland today, take your car over on the ferry and go further in to this great country.
We were advised to travel from Scotland to Ireland and subsequently make a road trip along the west coast of Ireland. We will be travelling with two adults in a small campervan (Ford Nugget Plus). Which ferry crossing should we make reservations for? Thank you
Anja
Sound like a wonderful trip you are planning. There. are two routes which you can take. The first is the Stena Line Cairnryan to Belfast route. The second is the P&O Cairnryan to Larne route. It will come down to personal preference on where you want to start your onward journey from. Both Belfast and Larne have connections to the west coast.
Hi, hoping to visit Northern Ireland in may 2024. Monday to Friday, four nights. I’ll be driving a wheelchair accessible vehicle. 3 ambulant passengers and one wheelchair passenger . Could you give me any tips for an enjoyable trip please. How early should we book? Thank you from Catherine
Hi Catherine
Sounds like you are planning a wonderful trip! Dates for May 2024 are open now, so feel to book so soon as you want. The vessels used by both P&O and Stena Line are wheelchair accessible containing wheelchair accessible lifts and cabins. For each of them during the booking process you can state that you are a wheelchair user in advance. Whichever company you decide to go with, we’d recommend giving them a quick call two days prior to travelling, just to confirm in advance your parking spot will be wheelchair accessible and close to the lift.
Depending how flexible you are with sailing times, going for a slightly later sail time, often works out a little cheaper. Most people want to travel first thing or last thing in the day, so the price goes up. There is also the option of a few different ticket types (Flexi / non flexi), this could also help you save a little cash as well.
As for tips, for an enjoyable trip. Why not check out some of our Destination Guide for Ireland for ideas of places to go and see along the way. I hope this helps.
Looking to travel from scotland to northern ireland with my daughter for a couple of days what id do we both need to travel by ferry as we are awaiting our passports and supposed be their for her friends birthday party in the next couple of weeks
Hi Margaret
If you and your daughter are British or Irish citizens, then you do not need a valid passport. However you do need to bring a form of photographic ID with you (driving license, birth certificate for under 18s). If you are not a British or Irish citizen then you will need a passport.
Why not have a look at our Passports and Identification Guide to see whats other forms of ID are accepted. I hope this helps.
Are there any ferries from Scotland or England to Ireland where dog can stay with us not stay in motorhome or kennel please?
Hi Samantha
If you wish for your dog to remain with you during the crossing, your dog can be booked into the Superfast Pet Lounge. This is a Stena Line crossing and operates between Belfast and Cairnryan.
Alternatively, you can book a pet-friendly cabin. These are available on certain Stena Line crossings. Liverpool to Belfast (Stena Edda + Stena Embla) and Holyhead to Dublin (Stena Adventurer +Stena Estrid).
I hope this helps.
My family and I will be in Edinburgh on Sept 20 is there a transportation assistance if we travel to Belfast and back on the same day?
Hi Noel
Thank you for getting in touch. We would need a little more information to answer your question? What kind of transportation assistance are you requiring? But in general, all ferry operators are always happy to provide assistance when required.
Hello!
We are a 4 persons family with a dog and we are trying to find a way to go to Scotland from Irland without car. Is there a ferry company which allow foot passangers abord with pet and no cars?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Best regards,
Miriam Mazurek
Hi Miriam.
You would be able to do this journey with no car and a dog on the Cairnryan to Larne route (P&O Ferries). Your dog would have to be booked into the onboard kennels and would have to remain there for the duration of the crossing. I hope this helps.
How much for a car & 2 people ?….from scotland too ireland by ferry …cheapest price’s please …thanks !!
Hi Alfie
Exact prices would depend on your dates of travel. Typically sailing on a Tuesday or Wednesday gives the cheapest fares. Sorry I cannot be more exact at this moment in time for you.
I am so excited to be finally planning my trip to Scotland then ferry over to Ireland for a few days stay, we will be having a car to take over to Ireland so we can drive the countryside and hopefully find an Inn to stay at for a few nights.
Hi Tina
Sounds like a wonderful holiday! Why not have a look at our destinations guide page to get some ideas of places to visit whilst you are on holiday. Have fun!!