Ferries to Ireland From Great Britain
There are plenty options to choose from for ferries to Ireland, sailing from Wales, England and Scotland. The first table below deals with ferries to the republic of Ireland. Here you will find four different options, which include three separate routes from two operators. These depart from three different Welsh ports and sailing to two different ports in Ireland.
Ferries to Republic of Ireland
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The Liverpool to Dublin ferry route closed in December 2023.
All of the ferries to Northern Ireland sail from Scotland. However there is the exception of the 8 hour sailing from Liverpool to Belfast. You will have noticed from the table above that Scotland has no ferries going to the Republic of Ireland.
There are three options to choose from for ferries to Northern Ireland. Three different routes from two operators (Stena & P&O) sailing from three ports in the UK to two ports in Northern Ireland.
Ferries to Northern Ireland
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Where ever you may be heading to in Ireland (Northern or Republic) we are sure you will agree you have plenty of options on sailing to Ireland.
Destination Guides
If you are looking for some inspiration for place to go and see in Ireland. Why not check out our Ireland Destination Guide for some hints and tips. We have lots of ideas of things to see and do in Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland.
Hotels
We here at Ferry To Europe have teamed up with the amazing Booking.com to help with your hotel and accommodation needs. So whether you just want to stop for one night before or after your ferry crossing, or whether you want to book your entire stays accommodation, We are here to help!
Booking.com allows you to find deals on hotels, homes and much more…
From cosy country homes to funky city flats, we (and Booking.com) have all your needs covered!
To make life even easier for you, we have already done the hard work and split up all the accommodation by ports, so all you have to decide is where you want to stay.
Hi Natasha
Good Evening
We are 3 passengers arrived from Dubai UAE on a UK Tourristvisa undergoing self isolation in Bradford UK with Day 2 & Day 8 PCR test. We are fully vaccinated with Pfizer administered in UAE.
We will complete 10 days quarantine after 3 days, what needs to be done to travel to Ireland and Scotland.
Hi Jeelani
Thank you for getting in touch! Firstly it sounds like a wonderful trip you have planned!! Check out our Destination Guides for any other ideas of places you might want to visit on your trip here to the UK.
Prior to arriving in the UK, I am assuming you have provided proof of vaccination status and filled in a passenger locator form, as well as completing your Tourist Visa Forms and any other forms you require to cover the UK and Ireland travel. After your isolation period has ended and you have shown the two negative PCR tests you can move freely across the UK.
Travel into Scotland, will require you to show your Visa (and passport), Proof of vaccination and passenger locator forms. You will not need PCR tests to enter Scotland as you are fully vaccinated.
Travel into Ireland, will require you to show your Visa (and passport), Proof of vaccination and passenger locator forms. You will not need PCR tests to enter Ireland as you are fully vaccinated.
Please note the rules in each country are slightly different with regards to mask wearing, so please bear this in mind when moving between countries. You will be expected to follow the rules of the country you are in. I hope this helps. Enjoy your holiday here!
Thanks Indeed Natasha.
From your response I understand we are allowed to enter both Scotland and Ireland without any additional PCR test, we are confident to receive negative results in Day8 as well.
Would you help in guiding the ferry booking pls by sending booking link.
Regards
We are travelling over to Dublin next week. Both my wife and myself are fully vaccinated (Pfizer) and will complete the PLF within 72 hours prior to departure.
My question is … is there anything we need to do when returning to the UK ?
Kindly advise, as I cannot find the answer on any website !
Many thanks
Hi Ian.
Thank you for getting in touch! I am making the assumption here that you and your wife are British Citizens, living in either England, Scotland or Wales (If this is not the case, get back in touch, as the rules may vary slightly).
Prior to travelling you will need to:
1) Check your passport is in date. Please see our handy Is Your Passport Valid guide for more details.
2) Fill in a Passenger Locator Form.
3) Provide proof of vaccination. No travel-related testing or quarantine will be necessary for travellers from Great Britain with valid proof of full vaccination.
Other optional extras, we would advise, but are not necessary:
1) take masks.
2) complete lateral flow tests during your trip.
Upon return to the UK:
While most countries are classed as green, amber or red, Ireland is part of the common travel area. This means that those travelling from Ireland to the UK don’t have to quarantine on arrival in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Therefore nothing needs to be done upon arrival back into the UK. Just go back to the normal Covid rules for your home country. For peace of mind, you may wish to take lateral flow tests upon return. (This is not a legal requirement, just a personal choice).
We hope you have a lovely holiday!
I’m planning to go to Ireland in August for a week with my Mother and sister. All 3 of us have had both covid jabs. Do we need to show proof of this before travelling?
Hi Paul
Thank you for getting in touch. Yes, all three of you will have to provide proof of your vaccination status, as it will be checked upon arrival into Ireland. Please see our guide on NHS COVID Passport, which explains how to go about obtaining proof. I hope this helps.
Can I add a passenger to my car on a return journey and if so how much is it? Initially booked for 3 Cairnryan-Larne.
Hi Graeme
Of course you can add an extra passenger for your return journey. Unfortunately I cannot give you a quote for this, as this may incur a slight charge (depending on the ticket type booked). To amend this you would need to call P&O Service Team on 01304 44 88 88. As a note, get them to quote a price for the extra passenger just as a foot passenger, rather than in the car. Always best to see which price works out cheapest. I hope this helps.
Could you give me an idea of the price for one person +motorcycle return Holyhead/Ireland
Hi Chris
Thank you for getting in touch with us. Unfortunately we would need more information from you to complete this quote. For example. dates of travel, can you be flexible with dates? Are you flexible with ferry times? Please also be aware that in certain circumstances you would be required to isolate upon arrival in Ireland, so that would have to be factored into your journey as well. If you could provide us with more information I’d be happy to give you a quote. Thanks.
I am fully vaccinated ( Astra Seneca) Can I take my car to Dublin, without been quarantined ?
Hi Patrick
Unfortunately not. Regardless of vaccination status you would still be required to quarantine for 14 days. Here’s some more information from the UK Government website. I am sorry we cannot be of more help.
We cannot now take up a booked holiday in N Ireland as Sykes Holidays have cancelled the booking accommodation
We therefore wish to have our payment of £386.00 refunded. Our booking Reference Number is 22927823 made on 16 JAN 2020 and converted into an open booking until the end of 2021
Hi Raymond and Avril
Firstly let me say how sorry we here at Ferry To Europe are that your holiday accommodation has been cancelled. Unfortunately we are not able to refund ferry tickets, this would come from the operator directly (Stena Line, P&O Ferries or Irish Ferries). Without knowing who the operator was, I unfortunately cannot help you in getting your refund. If you could provide me with more details, I can will try to help as much as I can.
Can i get a ferry from Heysham to Ireland
Hi Trevor
Unfortunately you cannot get a ferry from Heysham to Ireland. Services have currently been suspended due to Government Guidelines. This route is used to transport freight, passengers are not allowed. I am sorry for the inconvenience.
Hi, I want to I travel with my dog to Hollyhead from Dublin, I understand that the dog should stay at all times in car or in the kennel. Can I stay with my dog in the car? Is that allowed?
Hi Raluca. Unfortunately you are not permitted to stay in your vehicle with your dog during the journey. If you wanted to check on your dog during the journey, you would have to speak to a staff member who would escort you to your vehicle to check on your dog. You would be expected to return to the main body of the ship for the rest of the journey.
Hope this helps!
Wish to travel from Fishguard to Rosslare with our 2 spaniels. Do not want to leave them in our car nor have them in a cage in a hold with fumes from vehicles, if for some unforeseen reason the ferry should sink, will the crew rescue the animals that are in the hold??????? Why can’t there be an allocated area for dogs on leads to stay with their owners, most dogs are more well behaved than children … I would welcome an in-depth answer & explanation…..
Hi Karen
Unfortunately this is not a question, we here at Ferry to Europe can answer. Policies regarding the safe storage of dogs, and what would happen in an emergency will be specific to each ferry operator. Our advice would be to contact them to get a more in-depth answer. I am sorry we cannot be of more help.
I live in Alford Lincolnshire we are thinking of going to Southern Ireland which would be the best ferry port to go from
Hi Thomas
So the best ferry port for you would be Liverpool. Travelling Liverpool to Dublin. From Alford it is 3 hours 24 minutes drive. I hope this helps.
I haven’t received an email confirmation of my booking with Irish Ferries.
Pembroke to Rossalre Tues 4th April. Bullen.
Please can you check and resend, thank you.
Hi Alan
Unfortunately we here at Ferry To Europe do not have access to booking confirmations, these come direct from the ferry operator. You will have to contact either Stena Line or Irish Ferries, depending on who you have booked with. Sorry we cannot be of more help.
Can we travel to the holland with my settlement visa if we can please let me know thank you
Hi Najaya
You will require a passport to travel on this route. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Is there a casino on board 😎
Hi Des
Unfortunately none of the Irish crossings offer casino’s onboard. Sorry to disappoint you.
Hi do we need any sort of paperwork for our dogs as I know some places do require what they call a pet passport
Hi Deborah
Yes, your dog will require a pet passport and appropriate vaccination papers fro travelling to Ireland. Please check out our Travelling with a dog – Passports and Vaccination Guide for more information. I hope this helps.
can I pay on the day I travel to Ireland and going for 2 weeks
Hi Ged
Unfortunately not. All tickets must be purchased prior to travel. I am sorry for the inconvenience.
Do caravans travel free on ferry
Hi Joyce
Unfortunately caravans do not travel free, this would incur a cost. I am sorry for the inconvenience.
You say dogs can go in on-board kennels or stay in car. Our dog would become very stressed if left on his own. Are we able to stay with him in the kennels?
Hi Suzie
You would not be able to remain with your dog in the kennels for the entire journey. At the discretion of the operator you would be able to visit them being accompanied by a member of staff. I am sorry for the inconvenience.
Do dogs require a passport to visit Ireland. ?
Hi Adrienne
Yes, your dog would require a passport and all relevant vaccinations to travel to Ireland. Please see our Travelling with a Dog – Passports and Vaccination Guide for more details. I hope this helps.
Do we need any paperwork regarding the dog if we take ie dog passport?
Hi Maureen
Yes, you will require paperwork for your dog to travel to Ireland. Your dog will need to be micro chipped, have a valid passport and have all relevant vaccination documents. Have a look at our Travelling with a Dog – Passport and Vaccination Guide for more details. I hope this helps.
We are awaiting consent to remain in Ireland. We would like to travel to UK by ferry. Would there be any problem returning to Ireland. We have passports from Canada
Hi Brandon
This is a complicated one. We would advise you contact your embassy to get clear direct.https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/entry-requirements-country.html I am sorry we cannot be of more help.
your prices say car and 4 people is there any reduction for only 2 passengers
The price for a car and 2 passengers is usually cheaper. Though the more passengers the better the value.
hi I am from Canada will be traveling from scotland to ireland is it better to purchase tickets ahead of time or day of??? thanks
Hi Tammy
All tickets from Scotland to Ireland must be purchased prior to travel. I hope this helps.
would a bus pass be ok to travel to Ireland, its the only form of photo id that I have ?.
Taking advice from Irish ferries website today they say “”Irish Ferries recommend all passengers bring a passport with them. Irish and British citizens do not strictly require a passport to travel between the two countries – some form of identification is however required. Please note that all nationalities except Irish or British require passports. Useful means of identification when travelling on these routes are: Passport, Driving Licence, European identity Card, Bank cards, Photo ID (school or college), Utility Bills or Birth Certificate.
Passengers who turn up at our ports without valid documentation may not be allowed to enter either Ireland or Britain.”
Can we take our dog across to Ireland? Would they need to stay in the car?
Yes you can take your dogs to Ireland. Your dogs can be booked into the onboard Kennels or remain in your car. They are not allowed on any of the passenger decks.
Hi, do you need a passport when travelling from Holyhead to Dublin?
StenaLine say – British or Irish citizens travelling on our Irish Sea routes do not need a passport to travel to Britain or Ireland but are advised to take a form of identity. A driving licence, citizenship card or utility bill will usually suffice. A birth certificate will provide adequate proof of identity for your child to travel on our sailings.
Irish Ferries recommend all passengers bring a passport with them. Irish and British citizens do not strictly require a passport to travel between the two countries – some form of identification is however required.
Please note that all nationalities except Irish or British require passports.