You wanna take a ferry to Ireland to visit the Emerald Isle, but a cursory look online shows you that there are loads of different routes, operated by loads of different companies, which leave from loads of different ports, in loads of different countries! It’s enough make anyone feel a bit green around the gills, so it is!
With so much information scattered around the web, wouldn’t it be great to have one definitive source of truth, helpfully collated in one comprehensive guide? Well, consider this your lucky charm, cos whether you’re interested in ferries to Ireland from England, Wales, Scotland, France, or Spain, this is a deep dive into all the available international ferry routes to and from Éire.
As an expert on green travel, my comprehensive guide gives you everything you need to start your next ferry holiday in the best possible way, including tips on how to secure the best value ferry tickets. So grab yourself a pint of Guinness and settle in, cos it’s time to craic on…
FERRIES TO IRELAND - THE BASICS
What countries can I take a ferry to Ireland from?
Ireland and Northern Ireland are connected to five European nations via 13 different ferry routes – I told you there was a lot to unpack here! These ferry crossings link Ireland to various ports in France, Wales, Scotland, England, and Spain. Full details of these ports are below.
The Irish ferry ports
Ireland’s international ferry network is served by five key ports, strategically located on the east and south coasts of the island for quicker access to the continent. Here’s an overview of these ferry hubs from north to south, including what makes each one unique:
Northern Irish ports
- Larne: Located on the northeast coast, Larne is a gateway to Scotland, with short and efficient crossings to Cairnryan via P&O Ferries. It’s obviously a great choice for anyone exploring both Northern Ireland and Scotland.
- Belfast: The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast offers connections to Scotland (Cairnryan) and England (Liverpool).
Republic of Ireland ports
- Dublin: Dublin is the busiest ferry port in Ireland, with multiple daily crossings to north Wales (Holyhead) and a longer route to France. The port is known for its quick access to the city center and fast boarding.
- Rosslare: Situated on Ireland’s southeastern most tip, Rosslare has the highest number of international ferry crossings, with five in total (two to both Wales and France and one to Spain). With routes that include Cherbourg, Dunkirk and Bilbao, it’s an ideal hub for slower European getaways.
- Cork: Cork offers just one route, which connects Ireland to Brittany, France. The port is considerably smaller than Dublin or Rosslare.
FERRY ROUTES TO IRELAND MAP
To simplify your travel planning, I’ve created a map of all ferry routes to and from Ireland. Because there are so many to make sense of, visualizing these can make it much easier to plan trips. It can also suggest options that you may not have previously considered. And besides, who doesn’t love a good map? Check it out…
WHICH COMPANY OPERATES EACH ROUTE?
In total there are five different ferry crossings between France and Ireland, encompassing ports in Normandy, Brittany, and Hauts de France:
Dublin to Cherbourg (Normandy) with Irish Ferries
Rosslare to Cherbourg with Brittany Ferries
Rosslare to Cherbourg with Stena Line
Due to its location right opposite Ireland on the other side of the Irish Sea, Wales is particularly well served by ferry. There are four different crossings:
Dublin to Holyhead with Irish Ferries
Dublin to Holyhead with Stena Line
There are no ferry routes linking Ireland and Scotland, but there are two crossings between Northern Ireland and Scotland:
There is just one ferry route from Ireland to Spain that operates year round, and that is the Rosslare to Bilbao ferry operated by Brittany Ferries. The journey takes around 32 hours and involves 2 nights on-board. In winter they also offer Rosslare to Santander service.
Rather surprisingly, there are no direct ferry routes between Ireland and England. Until 2023 P&O operated a Dublin to Liverpool route but that has since been discontinued. There are services that operate between Ireland and the Isle of Mann, and from there you could change ferries and connect to England.
If that sounds like too much hassle, then just take a direct ferry from Northern Ireland to England instead, on the Belfast to Liverpool route with Stena Line
Things to see and do around the ferry ports
I’ve written detailed guides on some of the ferry ports that you can reach from Ireland, so if you’re heading to Cherbourg then check out my guide on Normandy in northern France, and if you’re going to Bilbao in Spain, read my post on ferries to Spain or my guides on nearby Santander and San Sebastian.
HOW TO BOOK CHEAP FERRY TICKETS TO IRELAND
Once you’ve decided which ferry route to take, it’s time to book your tickets. To secure the best fares to and from Ireland, here’s what you need to know:
- Book direct with the ferry companies: I reckon it’s always better to book your tickets directly with the ferry company that operates the route. Booking direct with P&O Ferries, Stena Line, DFDS Seaways, Irish Ferries, or Brittany Ferries ensures you not only get competitive prices but also access to superior customer service in case you need to make any changes or adjustments to your travel plans.
- Use a ferry aggregator for comparison: While booking directly is usually best for service, checking ferry comparison websites like Direct Ferries can help you quickly compare prices across multiple ferry operators. They sometimes feature exclusive deals and promotions, which could also help you secure a better fare.
- Plan ahead for the best prices: Similar to booking flights, booking your ferry tickets early can save you money. Ferry companies release cheaper fares and cabins early, so the sooner you can finalize your travel plans, the better your chances of snagging a cheap ferry ticket.
- Check for special deals: Keep an eye out for promotions like early-bird discounts, Black Friday deals or family offers, which can further reduce your travel costs. Sign up for newsletters from the ferry companies or aggregators to get updates on upcoming sales and special offers.
FERRY ROUTES TO IRELAND: OUTRO
Taking a ferry not only suits slow travelers who prefer the scenic route, but also those who’d rather avoid using certain infamous low-cost Irish airlines. Fortunately, Ireland is truly blessed with a comprehensive international ferry network, which makes it one of the best-connected destinations in Europe.
I hope my guide has given you a little more clarity of your options now, but if you think I’ve missed anything, or if you have any questions about Ireland ferries, feel free to leave a comment below, as I’d love to help out and I’m always learning too.
Bon voyage and enjoy the craic!
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