Dublin city centre, River Liffey and historic landmarks in Ireland

Ireland → United Kingdom

Dublin to Holyhead Ferry

Plan your Dublin to Holyhead ferry journey with departure-port guidance, operator information and onward travel from Holyhead. Compare sailings and fares for your travel dates.

Dublin → HolyheadCheck dated sailings

Compare Ferry Prices Plan Your Crossing

Checked 5 October 2026

Stena Line and Irish Ferries: passports required

Since 28 September 2026, Stena Line and Irish Ferries require every passenger on Holyhead–Dublin to present a valid passport, including children and British and Irish citizens. Irish passport cards are accepted. A driving licence or other ordinary photo ID is no longer sufficient.

Read the official operator update

FerryEU booking search

Check Dublin to Holyhead ferry prices & availability

Choose Ireland as your place of departure, then select Dublin - Holyhead. If the ports are grouped under an island or region, choose that place of departure or “Show all routes”. Enter your dates and confirm the direction shown before booking. Search all ferry routes.

Click Here to view all other available ferry routes and destinations

Route guide

Leave from the correct Dublin terminal for Holyhead

Irish Ferries and Stena Line offer direct passenger and vehicle crossings to Holyhead. The current cruise-ferry journey is roughly 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, depending on operator and sailing. Check the arrival time as well as the fare if you are connecting to rail.

Dublin Port is separate from the city’s main rail stations. Irish Ferries boards from Terminal 1 and Stena from Terminal 2, so allow for the correct bus, taxi or vehicle approach. Consult the current port access notice because Alexandra Road works have affected the usual route.

At Holyhead, railway services depart from the port complex, while drivers join the A55 across Anglesey and North Wales. Allow time for the ferry’s passenger transfer and any luggage collection before committing to a train. A through rail-and-ferry product may be worth comparing where available.

Travelling the other way? Read the Holyhead to Dublin ferry guide.

Check Ferry Fares Compare ferry operators

Make the right crossing choice

Dublin to Holyhead: practical ferry planning

Dublin to Holyhead links Ireland with North Wales for drivers and foot passengers. Choose the carrier before planning your transfer: Irish Ferries leaves from Terminal 1 and Stena Line from Terminal 2. Check the passport requirement, luggage process and arrival time before reserving an onward train from Holyhead.

Operators, passengers and sailing choices

Compare operators and sailing choices
Operator	Crossing or service	Passengers and vehicles	Planning detail
Stena Line	About 3h15	Foot passengers and vehicles	Use Terminal 2; foot passengers board by shuttle bus.
Irish Ferries	Current cruise timetable about 3h30	Foot passengers and vehicles	Use Terminal 1; larger foot-passenger bags are checked and collected in Holyhead.

Dublin to Holyhead ferry prices: what to compare

Compare each Dublin departure with the train or driving journey you actually need after Holyhead. Add the city-to-port transfer and any rail ticket to the ferry price before judging which itinerary gives the best value.

Use the correct vehicle height and length, including racks and roof loads, and compare the same flexibility and accommodation options. Foot passengers should check luggage handling and the cost of a through rail-and-ferry option where it is offered.

Search current ferry tickets

Dublin departure and Holyhead arrival

Dublin: before boarding

Go to Terminal 1 for Irish Ferries or Terminal 2 for Stena Line; check Dublin Port’s current Promenade Road access guidance before setting out.
Both operators close ordinary vehicle check-in 30 minutes before departure and foot-passenger check-in 40 minutes before. Irish Ferries pet check-in is 60 minutes before; use any earlier deadline on your ticket.
Have passports or accepted Irish passport cards ready for all passengers. Irish Ferries checks larger foot-passenger bags; Stena transfers foot passengers from the terminal by bus.

Read the Dublin port guide

Holyhead: after arrival

Wait for the operator’s foot-passenger transfer and collect checked luggage before going to the railway platforms at Holyhead.
Reserve an onward train with enough time for disembarkation and delays; the station’s location within the complex does not make an immediate connection guaranteed.
Drivers leave the port for the A55 across North Wales. If the sailing arrives late, consider where you will stop before continuing a long drive.

Read the Holyhead port guide

Which option fits your trip?

Travelling to southwest Wales?

A Rosslare–Fishguard crossing may fit your destination better than arriving at Holyhead and driving south through Wales.

Compare Rosslare to Fishguard

Going to northwest England?

Belfast–Liverpool arrives at Birkenhead and offers day and overnight crossings. Compare the drive to Belfast with the onward journey from Holyhead.

Compare Belfast to Liverpool

Sources and service review

Travel guidance checked 19 October 2026 using published information from Stena Line, Irish Ferries, Dublin Port. This guide explains the journey; the dated booking result and operator confirmation determine your sailing, fare and reporting time.

How FerryEU checks its guides · Report a route-information correction

Official route and travel information:

Ferry companies

Ferry operators on the Dublin–Holyhead route

Compare the operators and departures offered for your dates. The sailing result confirms the carrier, vessel and travel options for that journey.

Stena Line

Stena Line is listed in FerryEU’s guide to this crossing. Search the Dublin to Holyhead direction to see which departures and ticket types are offered for your date.

Check the vessel, boarding arrangements at Dublin, baggage allowance and any vehicle or accommodation options in the selected sailing. The return leg can have a different schedule or ship.

Cars, motorcycles and leisure vehicles
Foot-passenger and Rail & Sail travel
Pet kennels and other pet options by sailing

Compare Ferry Prices Stena Line guide

Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries is listed in FerryEU’s guide to this crossing. Search the Dublin to Holyhead direction to see which departures and ticket types are offered for your date.

Check the vessel, boarding arrangements at Dublin, baggage allowance and any vehicle or accommodation options in the selected sailing. The return leg can have a different schedule or ship.

Cars, motorcycles and foot passengers
Fast-ferry and cruise-ferry choices on selected dates
Club Class, food, shopping and pet options

Compare Ferry Prices Irish Ferries guide

Departure and arrival ports

Departing Dublin and arriving in Holyhead

Departure · Ireland

Dublin Ferry Port

Dublin Ferryport is close to central Dublin and the Dublin Port Tunnel, giving direct road access towards the M50 and M1. Public transport links connect the terminal area with the city.

For your Dublin to Holyhead sailing, arrange your journey to Dublin around the check-in deadline. The ferry may use a different entrance or terminal from other services at the same harbour. Check the boarding instructions before booking a connecting train, bus or taxi.

Close to Dublin city centre
Port Tunnel links quickly to the M50 and M1
Allow time for terminal transfer arrangements when travelling on foot

Explore Dublin port and destination guide

Holyhead coastline, harbour and mountains on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales

Arrival · United Kingdom

Holyhead Ferry Port

Holyhead ferry port is on Holy Island at the western end of Anglesey. The A55 provides the main road approach across North Wales, while Holyhead railway station is integrated with the port complex for rail connections.

After the ferry reaches Holyhead, allow time for disembarkation before a collection or onward connection. Check where passengers leave the terminal and whether your next stop is within walking distance or requires a transfer.

A55 road connection across North Wales
Rail station beside the ferry terminal

Explore Holyhead port and destination guide

On board

Your Dublin–Holyhead crossing

Use the facilities listed for the ship on your departure. Vessel assignments and onboard services can change.

Food & drink

Both operators provide food and drink options, with the widest choice generally on the larger cruise ferries.

Lounges & seating

Standard lounges plus premium lounge upgrades are available on selected ships.

Pets

Pre-book the arrangement for the actual ship. Stena lists pet cabins on Adventurer and Estrid; Irish Ferries offers ship-specific Pet Den, kennel or pet-cabin choices.

Shopping & Wi-Fi

Duty-free shopping and connectivity options vary by vessel and sailing.

Before departure

Prepare for check-in at Dublin

The Dublin to Holyhead journey crosses between Ireland and United Kingdom. Check the current entry and travel-document requirements for your nationality and itinerary, together with the operator’s boarding instructions.

Your departure terminal

Use the terminal named on the Dublin booking confirmation. Plan the route to check-in, including any parking or drop-off arrangements, before departure.

Passenger and vehicle details

Check names and travel details before you arrive. If taking a vehicle, enter its full dimensions and include trailers, roof loads or rear-mounted equipment where required.

Travel documents

After arriving

Continue your journey from Holyhead

Holyhead combines an integrated rail-and-ferry interchange with straightforward road access to the rest of Anglesey and North Wales.

The town centre, St Cybi’s Church and the rail/ferry interchange are close enough to combine on foot.

Holyhead station is part of the port complex and has direct services east across North Wales towards Chester and major British rail connections.

Driving is the easiest way to reach South Stack, beaches, castles and smaller communities around the island.

For an onward connection from Holyhead, include time to leave the ship and terminal. Check local transport for the actual arrival day, especially if the ferry arrives early in the morning or late at night. A nearby hotel or a later connection may give more flexibility if the crossing is delayed.

Explore Holyhead

Other ferry options

Compare routes for your Dublin to Holyhead journey

Search nearby dates and compare the complete journey when considering another crossing. Different ports can change your transfer time, onward drive or overnight plans.

Dublin → CherbourgAnother departure from Dublin. Compare the port access and sailing dates.View route Dublin → DouglasAnother departure from Dublin. Compare the port access and sailing dates.View route

Return journey: Holyhead to Dublin · Browse all ferry routes

Common planning questions

Dublin to Holyhead ferry FAQs

Which terminal does the Dublin to Holyhead ferry use?

Irish Ferries uses Dublin Terminal 1 and Stena Line Terminal 2. Plan your city transfer for the operator you booked. Check the latest Dublin Port access notice, as roadworks can change the approach even when the terminal’s postal address is unchanged.

How long is the Dublin to Holyhead ferry?

Plan around 3 hours 15 minutes with Stena Line or about 3 hours 30 minutes on the current Irish Ferries cruise schedule. The booking gives the exact duration and arrival time. Check separately for any seasonal fast-ferry option.

Is a passport required for Dublin to Holyhead?

Can I take the ferry from Dublin without a car?

Yes. Both operators accept foot passengers and their published check-in closes 40 minutes before departure. Allow additional time to travel from central Dublin to the right terminal and to complete the operator’s luggage or boarding-transfer process.

How do I connect to a train at Holyhead?

Holyhead railway station is in the ferry-terminal complex. First complete the operator’s disembarkation transfer and collect any checked luggage. Compare the actual train timetable with the ferry arrival, leaving a buffer for delay, or consider a through rail-and-ferry ticket where available.

Can a foot passenger bring a pet to Holyhead?

Pet travel must be booked in advance. Irish Ferries accepts foot passengers with pets in an appropriate kennel or Pet Den; Stena offers route- and ship-specific arrangements. Confirm the accommodation and entry documents before buying the passenger ticket.

What changes the total Dublin to Holyhead fare?

Passenger numbers, vehicle dimensions, departure date and fare flexibility affect the quote. Lounges, cabins where offered and pet accommodation may add to it. Include the Dublin terminal transfer and onward rail fare when comparing a journey without a car.

Are all departures suitable for a same-day onward journey?

No single connection works for every sailing. Early and late arrivals have different rail options, and a long onward drive may need a rest stop. Check the exact Holyhead arrival and current train timetable before booking an inflexible onward ticket.

Ready to plan your crossing?

Find Dublin to Holyhead ferry tickets

Check the sailing from Dublin, arrival in Holyhead and travel options before confirming your reservation.

Compare Prices & Book