Choose the arrival region before choosing the ferry. Holyhead reaches Dublin, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock reach Rosslare, and Liverpool/Birkenhead or Cairnryan reach Northern Ireland. Travellers starting in England should compare a direct Liverpool–Belfast sailing with the drive or train to a Welsh port for the Republic of Ireland.
Compare the routes
Use the live form to check current sailings, fares, passengers and vehicle options.
Check the selected route, passengers, vehicle details and travel date before completing the reservation.
The England route in this guide is Liverpool–Belfast, which uses Birkenhead’s 12 Quays terminal and arrives in Northern Ireland. For Dublin or southeast Ireland, compare Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock in Wales with the whole approach journey from England.
Holyhead–Dublin gives a choice of Stena Line and Irish Ferries. The operators use Dublin Terminals 2 and 1 respectively, so a foot passenger’s transfer depends on the booking. Compare the dated cruise-ferry sailing rather than assuming a seasonal high-speed departure is available.
Compare Stena’s Fishguard–Rosslare and Irish Ferries’ Pembroke–Rosslare. Fishguard Harbour has a station beside the terminal; Pembroke Dock has a different rail and road approach. Cabin, departure and arrival times can be more useful than a small fare difference.
Compare Cairnryan–Belfast with Cairnryan–Larne. Stena and P&O use separate Cairnryan terminals. For travellers farther south in Britain, include an overnight Liverpool/Birkenhead–Belfast option before committing to the long drive north.
Each port pair links to separate outbound and return guides. Crossing times are planning guidance, not a live timetable; use the dated sailing for the exact departure, arrival and availability.
| Crossing guides, both directions | Operator information | Crossing by departure direction | Passenger planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairnryan → Belfast Belfast → Cairnryan | Stena Line |
| Check dated sailing availability
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| Liverpool (Birkenhead) → Belfast Belfast → Liverpool (Birkenhead) | Stena Line |
| Check dated sailing availability
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| Cairnryan → Larne Larne → Cairnryan | P&O Ferries |
| Check dated sailing availability
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| Holyhead → Dublin Dublin → Holyhead | Stena Line, Irish Ferries |
| Check dated sailing availability
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| Fishguard → Rosslare Rosslare → Fishguard | Stena Line |
| Check dated sailing availability
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| Pembroke Dock → Rosslare Rosslare → Pembroke Dock | Irish Ferries |
| Check dated sailing availability
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Compare the same passengers, car or motorhome dimensions and travel dates. If you are considering Liverpool/Birkenhead–Belfast, add the cabin and compare the useful arrival hour with a drive to Scotland followed by a shorter crossing.
A Rail & Sail or other combined ticket is a different product from separately purchased ferry and train bookings. Check baggage, connection conditions and the city-to-terminal transfer before assuming a missed connection is protected.
Reserve pet accommodation and any accessibility assistance alongside the sailing. There may be several carriers on a corridor, but their kennels, pet cabins, lounges and foot-passenger rules are different. Confirm the vessel-specific arrangement before paying for the rest of the trip.
From 28 September 2026, Stena Line requires a valid passport or accepted Irish passport card for every passenger on Holyhead–Dublin and Fishguard–Rosslare. Irish Ferries applies the corresponding rule on Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke. It includes children and British or Irish citizens; ordinary photo ID is not a substitute.
That Stena passport change does not apply to Belfast–Cairnryan or Belfast–Liverpool, which are domestic UK journeys. Follow the operator’s identification policy. If continuing into the Republic of Ireland, check the requirements for that onward journey and for any pets.
Belfast’s Cairnryan route uses Victoria Terminal 4, while Liverpool uses Victoria Terminal 2. In Cairnryan, Stena’s Loch Ryan Port is separate from P&O’s Larne terminal. Put the operator and terminal into the journey plan.
Use the reporting time on the booking. Foot-passenger buses or long boarding walkways need time after arrival at the port. Where a route notice gives an earlier deadline than a general FAQ, plan around the earlier instruction and confirm with the operator.
These comparisons distinguish the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland. The Common Travel Area does not remove a carrier’s passport boarding condition. Visa, ETA or other requirements depend on nationality, residence and the particular journey; check them for every traveller before departure.
Travel guidance checked against published information from Stena Line, Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries, Dublin Port, Rosslare Europort. The selected sailing and operator confirmation determine availability, fare, vessel and reporting time.
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Official route and travel information:
Liverpool–Belfast is the direct England–Northern Ireland passenger route covered here, departing from Birkenhead. P&O’s Liverpool–Dublin passenger service ended in December 2023; current Liverpool–Dublin freight services are not ordinary holiday-passenger alternatives. For Dublin or Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland, compare the Welsh departures at Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock with the journey from your starting point in England.
Under the operators’ rules effective 28 September 2026, every Stena Line and Irish Ferries passenger on Holyhead–Dublin needs a valid passport or accepted Irish passport card, including British and Irish citizens and children.
Yes. Stena’s rule applies to Fishguard–Rosslare and Irish Ferries’ rule to Pembroke–Rosslare, in both directions. Prepare the passport or accepted Irish passport card for each passenger.
Stena says its September 2026 change does not apply to Belfast–Cairnryan or Belfast–Liverpool. These are domestic UK crossings. Carry the identification required by the operator and check any onward travel into the Republic of Ireland separately.
Stena’s Belfast service uses 12 Quays in Birkenhead on the Wirral side of the Mersey. Allow the cross-river connection if you are travelling from central Liverpool or a city railway station.
Irish Ferries uses Terminal 1 and Stena Line uses Terminal 2. The terminal depends on your operator, so arrange the correct city transfer and follow current port access instructions.
All six route pairs compared here have eligible foot-passenger services, but check the specific sailing, boarding deadline, luggage and terminal connection. Pet acceptance is a separate question and varies by carrier.
Carrier acceptance and government documents both matter. Book the required kennel, cabin, lounge or vehicle arrangement. The Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document does not authorise onward travel to the Republic of Ireland or elsewhere in the EU; obtain the documents required for the full itinerary.
