CalMac Ferries · 9h 35m
Holyhead to Belfast Ferry
Compare every Holyhead to Belfast sailing. From £61.16 one way, 8 times a day, crossing in about 9h 35m.
- 9h 35m crossing
- 55 sailings a week
- Cars carried
Holyhead to Belfast sailings on Saturday 31 October
8 departures found. Prices update live and are shown as a total.
★ Cheapest
Foot passenger
⚡ Fastest
Foot passenger
Foot passenger
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Foot passenger
About the Holyhead to Belfast ferry
CalMac Ferries operates the Holyhead – Belfast crossing 8 times a day. Expect to be at sea for about 9h 35m, with one-way tickets from £61.16. Book ahead and you will normally pay closer to the £61.16 end; last-minute summer sailings are where prices climb hardest.
Vehicles are carried on this route, so you can take a car, campervan or motorbike across and keep your luggage with you. Foot passengers are welcome on board.
Holyhead to Belfast ferry timetable
There are around 55 sailings a week on this route, 8 times a day. The table below shows how this crossing compares with the other services Holyhead and Belfast are connected to.
| Route | Operators | Duration | Sailings / week | From | Average | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holyhead – Belfast | CalMac Ferries | 9h 35m | 55 | £61.16 | £282.25 | Yes |
| Holyhead – Dublin | Irish Ferries and Stena Line | 3h 15m | 37 | £30.49 | £336.00 | Yes |
| Holyhead – Dun Laoghaire | NorthLink Ferries | 10h | 58 | £63.73 | £300.93 | Yes |
| Cairnryan – Belfast | P&O Ferries | 2h 15m | 8 | £13.60 | £35.82 | Foot only |
| 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 |
| Douglas – Belfast | P&O Ferries | 1h 15m | 5 | £11.05 | £27.92 | Foot only |
How much is the ferry from Holyhead to Belfast?
One-way fares start at £61.16. Across all booking types the average paid on this route is about £282.25. That figure includes vehicles, multiple passengers and peak-season departures, which is why it sits well above the headline price.
Which operators sail this route?
CalMac Ferries operates the Holyhead – Belfast crossing. As the sole operator, availability tightens quickly in peak season, so book early.
- CalMac Ferries, 22 routes across our network
Taking a vehicle
Cars, campervans, motorhomes and motorbikes are all carried on the Holyhead to Belfast ferry. Add your vehicle when you search and every price shown will include it, and no vehicle surcharge appears later in the booking.
Getting to Holyhead
Check in opens around 90 minutes before departure for vehicles and 45 minutes for foot passengers, and closes 30 to 60 minutes before sailing depending on the operator. Read our Holyhead port guide for terminal facilities, parking and directions, and the Belfast guide for the other end.
Holyhead to Belfast ferry: your questions answered
How long is the ferry from Holyhead to Belfast?
The Holyhead to Belfast ferry takes approximately 9h 35m. Actual crossing time varies a little by operator, vessel and sea conditions.
How much is the ferry from Holyhead to Belfast?
One-way fares start from £61.16. The average booking on this route comes to around £282.25 once vehicles, extra passengers and peak dates are taken into account.
Who sails from Holyhead to Belfast?
CalMac Ferries operates this crossing. We compare all of them in a single search.
How often does the Holyhead to Belfast ferry run?
There are around 55 sailings a week on this route, which works out at 8 times a day. Frequency is usually higher in summer and over school holidays.
Can I take a car on the Holyhead to Belfast ferry?
Yes. Cars, campervans and motorbikes are carried on this route. Add your vehicle at the search stage so the price you see includes it.
What is the cheapest day to sail from Holyhead to Belfast?
Midweek departures, particularly Tuesday and Wednesday, are typically the cheapest, along with the earliest sailing of the day. Friday and Saturday crossings in July and August are the most expensive.
How far in advance should I book?
Prices on this route rise as departure approaches. Booking more than six weeks ahead usually secures the lowest fare; inside a week you can expect to pay substantially more, especially in peak season.
Do I need a passport for the Holyhead to Belfast ferry?
Carry valid photo ID for every passenger. International crossings require a passport valid for the whole of your trip, and non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area are now subject to biometric registration at the border. Check the operator's requirements before you travel.
Alternative crossings
Other ways to make the same journey, and nearby routes worth comparing.
Holyhead to Dublin
from £30.49
Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire
from £63.73
Cairnryan to Belfast
from £13.60
Stranraer to Belfast
from £64.50
Liverpool Birkenhead to Belfast
from £59.33
Douglas to Belfast
from £11.05
Fishguard to Rosslare
from £37.40
Pembroke to Rosslare
from £42.00