UK & Ireland
Ferries to Northern Ireland
Compare 18 ferry routes to Northern Ireland across 8 operators, from £11.05 one way.
- 18 routes
- 3 ports
- 8 operators
Most booked
Popular ferry routes to Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ferry timetable and prices
Every published route serving Northern Ireland, with real crossing times, weekly frequency and starting fares.
| Route | Operators | Duration | Sailings / week | From | Average | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairnryan – Belfast | P&O Ferries | 2h 15m | 8 | £13.60 | £35.82 | Foot only |
| Cairnryan – Larne | Irish Ferries | 2h | 22 | £27.74 | £89.39 | Foot only |
| Belfast – Cairnryan | Wightlink | 2h 15m | 38 | £44.26 | £173.10 | Yes |
| Larne – Cairnryan | DFDS Seaways | 2h | 9 | £15.46 | £41.91 | Foot only |
| Holyhead – Belfast | CalMac Ferries | 9h 35m | 55 | £61.16 | £282.25 | Yes |
| Stranraer – Belfast | NorthLink Ferries | 10h 10m | 59 | £64.50 | £306.65 | Yes |
| Liverpool Birkenhead – Belfast | CalMac Ferries | 9h 20m | 53 | £59.33 | £269.28 | Yes |
| Belfast – Holyhead | DFDS Seaways | 2h 5m | 10 | £16.13 | £44.18 | Foot only |
| Belfast – Stranraer | Red Funnel | 8h 25m | 48 | £53.82 | £231.92 | Yes |
| Belfast – Liverpool Birkenhead | Wightlink | 6h 50m | 39 | £44.65 | £175.35 | Yes |
| Belfast – Douglas | Condor Ferries | 6h 45m | 38 | £43.89 | £170.97 | Yes |
| Larne – Douglas | CalMac Ferries | 9h | 52 | £57.73 | £258.16 | Yes |
| Douglas – Larne | Red Funnel | 7h 55m | 45 | £50.94 | £213.39 | Yes |
| Fleetwood – Larne | Wightlink | 7h 25m | 42 | £48.09 | £195.74 | Yes |
| Larne – Fleetwood | Wightlink | 6h 55m | 39 | £44.91 | £176.86 | Yes |
| Larne – Troon | Condor Ferries | 6h 35m | 37 | £43.09 | £166.41 | Yes |
| Troon – Larne | Condor Ferries | 6h | 33 | £39.30 | £145.58 | Yes |
| Douglas – Belfast | P&O Ferries | 1h 15m | 5 | £11.05 | £27.92 | Foot only |
Sailing information for ferries to Northern Ireland
There are 18 ferry routes to and from Northern Ireland, connecting 3 ports and operated by P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, Wightlink, DFDS Seaways, CalMac Ferries and NorthLink Ferries. Fares start from £11.05 on the Douglas to Belfast crossing.
The quickest way to reach Northern Ireland by sea is Douglas to Belfast, which takes just 1h 15m. Longer overnight crossings usually work out cheaper per mile and save you a night's accommodation.
Compare every operator sailing to Northern Ireland in one search. We show the full price including your vehicle, so what you see is what you pay.
How long is the ferry to Northern Ireland?
Crossing times vary widely by route. The quickest is Douglas to Belfast at around 1h 15m. Longer overnight sailings take considerably more time but include a cabin, which often works out cheaper than a crossing plus a hotel.
Northern Ireland ferry operators
P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, Wightlink, DFDS Seaways, CalMac Ferries, NorthLink Ferries, Red Funnel and Condor Ferries serve Northern Ireland. Each sets its own fares and timetable, so comparing them side by side is the single most reliable way to cut the cost of the crossing.
- P&O Ferries
- Irish Ferries
- Wightlink
- DFDS Seaways
- CalMac Ferries
- NorthLink Ferries
- Red Funnel
- Condor Ferries
Northern Ireland ferry ports
There are 3 ferry ports in Northern Ireland. The busiest are listed below, each with a full guide to check-in, parking and onward travel.
- Ferry to Belfast, 10 routes
- Ferry to Larne, 8 routes
- Ferry to Stranraer, 2 routes
Can you take a car on the ferry to Northern Ireland?
Yes. 13 of the 18 routes serving Northern Ireland carry vehicles. Tick “taking a vehicle” when you search and every fare shown will already include your car, so the comparison is like for like.
When is the cheapest time to sail to Northern Ireland?
Fares track demand rather than a fixed price list. Midweek departures and the first sailing of the day are consistently cheaper, while July and August weekends carry the largest premium. Booking six or more weeks ahead typically saves 30–50% against the same sailing booked in the final week.
Ferries to Northern Ireland: common questions
How many ferry routes are there to Northern Ireland?
There are 18 ferry routes serving Northern Ireland across 8 operators.
What is the fastest ferry to Northern Ireland?
The fastest crossing is Douglas to Belfast at around 1h 15m.
What is the cheapest ferry to Northern Ireland?
The lowest fares are usually on Douglas to Belfast, from £11.05 one way. Booking early and travelling midweek keeps prices down.
Which is the busiest route to Northern Ireland?
Stranraer to Belfast is the most frequent, with about 59 sailings a week, roughly 8 times a day.
Can I take my car on a ferry to Northern Ireland?
Yes. 13 of the 18 routes to Northern Ireland carry vehicles. Add your car at the search stage and the prices shown will include it.
Do I need a passport to travel to Northern Ireland by ferry?
For international crossings, yes. Every passenger needs a valid passport, and you should check visa and biometric border requirements before travelling. Domestic routes normally require photo ID only.