There are several different ferries to Ireland and back from its neighbouring European countries, but with so much information scattered around the web, wouldn’t it be great to have all that helpfully collated in one place for a quick read? Well, consider this your lucky charm, cos whether you’re interested in a ferry to Wales, Scotland, England, France, or Spain, or you’re coming the other way to visit the Emerald Isle, this is your guide to all the international ferry routes to and from Ireland, with additional guidance and tips on who operates each of the routes, and how to book your ferry tickets at the best price. 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 you reach by ferry from Ireland?
Ireland and Northern Ireland are connected to five European countries via 13 different ferry routes. These international ferry crossings link the Emerald Isle to France, Wales, Scotland, England, and Spain.
Which companies provide passenger ferries to and from Ireland?
All routes to these five European nations are operated by five major ferry companies:
- Stena Line: Offers four routes, including Scotland to Northern Ireland and Wales to Ireland.
- Brittany Ferries: Operates three routes connecting Ireland to France and Spain.
- Irish Ferries: Provides three key crossings, including Holyhead to Dublin.
- P&O Ferries: Runs one route between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
- DFDS Seaways: Offers one route to France.
Which Irish ferry ports can you arrive to/leave from?
Ireland’s international ferry network is served by five key ports, strategically located on the east and south coasts of the island. These ports provide connections to either Wales, Scotland, England, France, or Spain. Here’s an overview of these ferry hubs and 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. Its proximity to Belfast makes it a convenient choice for travelers exploring both Northern Ireland and Scotland.
- Belfast: The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast boasts excellent facilities and offers connections to Scotland and England. Routes operated by Stena Line include Cairnryan and Liverpool, providing both short and overnight options for your travels.
Republic of Ireland ports
- Dublin: Dublin is the busiest ferry port in Ireland, located on the east coast. It offers multiple daily crossings to north Wales (Holyhead) and a longer route to France. The port is known for its excellent amenities, quick access to the city center, and efficient boarding processes.
- Rosslare: Situated on Ireland’s southeastern 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 France. The port is considerably smaller than Dublin or Rosslare but it offers guests a relaxed departure point for longer-haul journeys to Brittany.
Ferries to Ireland Map
Actually seeing the ferry routes on a map makes it much easier to plan your journey by quickly identifying the closest ferry port to your starting point and your preferred destination. To simplify your travel planning, I’ve created an up-to-date map of ferry routes to and from Ireland. This helps you explore all available options for international ferry crossings, whether you’re traveling from France, Wales, Scotland, England, or Spain. And besides, who doesn’t love a good map? Check it out below…
Ferries to and from Ireland: who 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 from Ireland. There are four different crossings in total:
Dublin to Holyhead with Irish Ferries
Dublin to Holyhead with Stena Line
Rosslare to Pembroke with Irish Ferries
Rosslare to Fishguard with Stena Line
There are no ferry routes linking Ireland and Scotland, but there are two crossings between Northern Ireland and Scotland:
Larne to Cairnryan with P&O Ferries
Belfast to Cairnryan with Stena Line
There is just one ferry route from Ireland to Spain and that is the Rosslare to Bilbao ferry operated by Brittany Ferries. The journey takes around 32 hours and involves 2 nights on-board.
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, and also my guides on nearby Santander and things to do in San Sebastian.
Booking 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
Ireland is blessed with a comprehensive international ferry network, making it one of the best-connected destinations in Europe. Not only slow travelers who prefer the scenic route, but also those who’d rather avoid that not-so-popular famous Irish airline can benefit from this! So whether you want to connect to Ireland from the UK by ferry, or from further afield from France and Spain, this post has given you a comprehensive review of which ferries to Ireland exist, who operates each route, and how to book your ferry tickets at the best price.
If you think I’ve missed anything, or if you have questions about Ireland ferries, feel free to leave a comment below, as I’d love to help, and I’m always learning too. Bon voyage and enjoy the craic!
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