catamaran ferry to ireland

• Ferries to Ireland 2023: a complete guide

Off to the Emerald Isle!

• Ferry Tickets

How many ferries to Ireland are there? Many! If you want to travel to the Emerald Isle by sea, it’s easy to catch a ferry to Ireland from the UK and the Isle of Man, from France and from Spain.

In this page, you can find all ferries that can get you to the ports of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Discover all available routes, compare ferry prices and operators, and book your tickets to Ireland on Ferryhopper with no hidden fees .

• Ferry routes to Ireland
• Ferry companies traveling to Ireland
• Planning a ferry trip to Ireland

The atmospheric scenery around the Rosslare lighthouse

What are the ferry routes to Ireland?

It is possible to reach Ireland by ferry both from the UK (Wales, Scotland and England) and the Isle of Man, and from France and Spain in mainland Europe . The ports that you can reach are located in eastern Ireland:

• Republic of Ireland : Dublin , Rosslare and Cork
• Northern Ireland : Belfast and Larne

Here you can find all ferry routes that you need to check if you want to travel to Ireland by ferry:

Ferries to Ireland from Wales

There are many daily ferries from the UK to Ireland departing from the ports of Wales. More specifically, you can get to Rosslare and Dublin from the ports of Fishguard , Holyhead and Pembroke.

The 2 ferry companies operating on routes from Wales in the UK to Ireland are Irish Ferries and Stena Line . Wales - Ireland ferry tickets normally start at a bit over €40 .

Ferry from Holyhead to Dublin

One of the most popular ferry routes to Ireland is the ferry to Dublin from Holyhead , on the Isle of Anglesey. There are normally up to 10 daily crossings all year round, with an average duration of 3 hours 15 minutes . The route is served by both Stena Line and Irish Ferries vessels.

Ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare

You usually catch a ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare 2 times a day all year round. The trip duration is around 3.5 hours . The route is served by Stena Line.

Ferry from Pembroke to Rosslare

The Pembroke - Rosslare ferry route is available with up to 14 weekly crossings . The ferry ride takes about 4 hours . The crossings are served by Irish Ferries.

Ferries to Ireland from England

You can ride a ferry from England to Ireland all year round , starting from the city of Liverpool . The English port on the Irish Sea is connected to the capital of Dublin , as well as Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The 2 ferry companies serving routes from Liverpool to Ireland are P&O Ferries and Stena Line . England - Ireland ferry tickets normally start at around €38 .

Ferry from Liverpool to Dublin

There are 1-2 daily   ferry crossings from Liverpool to Dublin  served by P&O Ferries . The ride takes about 8-9 hours and tickets start at approximately €113 .

Important : this route is not available for foot passengers and you can only travel with a vehicle (car, motorcycle, caravan, etc.). If you wish to travel as a foot passenger, you can opt for the Cairnryan - Larne ferry route instead.

Ferry from Liverpool to Belfast

Liverpool - Belfast crossings are among the most popular ferries to Northern Ireland from the UK. You can find up to 2 daily crossings operated by Stena Line , while the ferry duration is about 8 hours . Ferry ticket prices from Liverpool to Belfast start at around €38 .

UK ports connected to the ports in eastern Ireland

Ferries to Ireland from Scotland

If you plan to visit Ireland from Scotland in the UK, you can take a ferry to Northern Ireland from Cairnryan , a village in the county of Wigtownshire. More specifically, from the port of Cairnryan you can reach the ports of Belfast and Larne .

P&O Ferries and Stena Line are the 2 ferry companies serving Cairnryan - Ireland ferry crossings all year round.

Ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast

You can catch a ferry to Belfast from Cairnryan up to 6 times a day . The connection is operated by Stena Line vessels. The crossing takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes , while ferry tickets start at around €30 .

Ferry from Cairnryan to Larne

The Cairnryan - Larne ferry connection is usually served 3-4 times a day by P&O Ferries. The ferry ride normally takes 2 hours and a single ticket costs about €29 .

Ferries to Ireland from the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man stands right between Great Britain and Ireland, in the Irish Sea. From its capital, Douglas , you can easily travel to 2 large Irish ports: Dublin and Belfast . There are year-round ferry routes operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet ferry company. Ferry tickets to both Irish destinations start at about €26 .

Ferry from Douglas to Dublin

The Douglas - Dublin ferry route is normally available with 2 crossings per week . The ferry trip takes approximately 3 hours .

Ferry from Douglas to Belfast

You can normally travel to Belfast from Douglas by ferry up to 2 times a week , depending on the season. The sailing lasts around 3-5 hours , depending on the vessel that operates on the crossing.

The breathtaking cityscape of Belfast at sunset

Ferries to Ireland from France

Northern France is well connected to Ireland by sea. You can reach Dublin, Rosslare and Cork starting from 3 French ports : Cherbourg and Le Havre in Normandy, and Roscoff in Brittany.

Brittany Ferries, Stena Lines and Irish Ferries are the 3 ferry operators traveling between Ireland and France throughout the year.

Ferry from Cherbourg to Dublin

You can travel by ferry from Cherbourg to Dublin with up to 4-5 weekly crossings by Irish Ferries. The duration of the ferry ride is approximately 19 hours . Cherbourg - Dublin ferry tickets start at around €66 .

Ferry from Cherbourg to Rosslare

Τhe Cherbourg - Rosslare ferry route is usually operated with up to 4 weekly crossings served by Brittany Ferries and Stena Line. The ferry trip to the Irish port lasts around 16-19 hours and tickets start at about €72 .

Ferry from Le Havre to Rosslare

Brittany Ferries usually serves 1 weekly ferry crossing from Le Havre to Rosslare . The trip duration is around 20.5 hours and a single ticket costs about €75 .

Ferry from Roscoff to Cork

Ferries from Roscoff to Cork normally travel twice a week . The crossings are served by Brittany Ferries and last approximately 13 hours . Tickets usually start at €89 .

Ferries to Ireland from Spain

Did you know that it’s totally possible to travel from Spain to Ireland by ferry? The port of Bilbao in northern Spain is actually connected to Rosslare by Brittany Ferries vessels.

Ferry from Bilbao to Rosslare

The Bilbao - Rosslare ferry route is normally available 2 times a week , usually on Thursdays and Sundays. The sailing duration is around 28 hours and tickets start at €129 .

Laidback vibes in the city of Cork

Ferry companies operating routes to / from Ireland

There are 5 ferry operators traveling to Ireland from the UK, the Isle of Man, France and Spain:

• Irish Ferries
• P&O Ferries
• Brittany Ferries
• Steam Packet

FAQs for planning a ferry trip to Ireland

What about vehicles and amenities on ferries to Ireland? Can you travel by high-speed ferry to Ireland? Find answers to these and more questions below.

What's the fastest ferry to Ireland?

The fastest crossing to Northern Ireland is the ferry from Cairnryan (Scotland) to Larne (or Belfast), with the ferry ride lasting only 2 hours .

The fastest route to the Republic of Ireland is the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin , taking a bit over 3 hours , as well as the Douglas (Isle of Man) - Dublin ferry.

As for high-speed ferries to Ireland, most vessels traveling to the Emerald Isle are conventional. Stena Line and Irish Ferries offer some fast ferry crossings between the UK and Ireland that take around 3-3.5 hours .

Can I bring my car on the ferry to Ireland?

Yes, you can bring your vehicle on all ferries serving routes to Ireland, as most of them are conventional vessels with car decks.

Tip : if you are traveling with a vehicle, make sure to book your ferry tickets well in advance , as car-deck spaces usually sell out fast on popular routes.

What facilities are there on board ferries to Ireland?

Depending on the operator you book with, you can find a wide range of amenities on board ferries to Ireland. The majority of these ferries are large conventional ferries , equipped with restaurants, cafés, lounges with TV, children’s playgrounds and game rooms, and shops.

Moreover, there are cabins available on almost all ferries to Ireland. We strongly recommend booking a cabin, especially if you are traveling by ferry from England, France or Spain, as overnight ferries to Ireland are very common and have a long duration (up to 28 hours).

What is the cheapest ferry to Ireland?

The cheapest routes to Ireland are the ferries from Douglas (Isle of Man) to Dublin and Belfast, as well as the ferries departing from Cairnryan to Belfast and Larne, starting at €26-30 for foot passengers. Holyhead - Dublin ferries and ferries to Rosslare from Fishguard and Pembroke are also pretty cheap, starting from around €40 .

There are also ferry deals to Ireland offered by some ferry companies. For example, Irish Ferries οffers cheaper return tickets for short trips (up to 5 days) to Ireland on the Holyhead - Dublin and Pembroke - Rosslare ferry routes, until 30 June 2023. Moreover, Stena Line offers special discounts (up to 50%) for trips with a camper (caravan, trailer, etc.) on Irish Sea ferry crossings.

Bear in mind that any current offers on ferries to Ireland are automatically applied when booking your tickets on Ferryhopper.

Golden hour over river Liffey in the center of Dublin

Book ferries to Ireland on Ferryhopper

The Emerald Isle is waiting for you! Find the ferry that suits you best and get ready to explore the wild beauty of Ireland. Use our Map of ferries to check all available routes and schedules, visualize your trip, and book your tickets in no time !

Tip : download the Ferryhopper App for free, so you can keep your e-tickets (if available) on your phone and track your ferry in real time !

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In Dublin’s Fair City…

Dublin is a city with a big heart - the welcome is warm. We know Dublin well - we sail into it every day from Holyhead, past the iconic Poolbeg Chimneys and the red lighthouse perched out to sea on the Great South Wall.

Why not start your visit with a trip to one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions - The Guinness Storehouse where you’ll learn the incredible story of the world-famous porter beer. Take it all in and before you know it, you’ll find yourself seven stories up in the Gravity Bar with a panoramic view of Dublin and beyond whilst enjoying a complimentary pint of the “Black Stuff”.

When you travel to Dublin make sure to check out one of the city's newest and most popular museums  - EPIC by name and epic by nature. The Irish emigration museum has been named Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction by the World Travel Awards for three years in a row. Everyone is a little bit Irish (right?) and so there’s something to interest every visitor.

Spend time exploring Trinity College and its stunning Georgian Quarter campus. Student-led tours are available and here, in the Old Library building you’ll find the world’s holiest relic, The Book of Kells. It’s a must-see cultural artefact but as only one page gets turned a week, you’d need to hang around for seven years to see it all! Download a free audio tour for your pre-booked visit to find out all about this incredible manuscript in a fraction of the time. 

A little further south but still in the Georgian Quarter you’ll find Merrion Square – a little oasis in the busy city. Grab a coffee and find a spot to relax, taking your lead from the reclining Oscar Wilde statue. On Sundays, you can browse the incredible contemporary art hung around the park’s railings. 

One of Dublin’s two cathedrals, Christ Church has been a place of pilgrimage for nearly 1,000 years. It’s one of the city’s oldest buildings, home to a 12th century crypt and, if you time it right, you can even catch a concert here. 

If you’re visiting to get your city fix, you’ll find it on Grafton Street. One of the most visited streets in Ireland, it’s alive with street performers, sellers and, of course, the buskers! This is Dublin’s high street and where you’ll find all the big brands along with some local favourites – Bewley’s Café has been here for almost 100 years. We can heartily recommend the breakfast!

On the city’s northside is the Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest enclosed urban park and home to everything from the US Ambassador’s residence to regular polo matches. This is where you’ll also find Dublin Zoo, one of the world’s oldest and most popular zoos and Ireland’s most popular family attraction.

If you’ve got the car or like a scenic walk, you just can’t miss the Wicklow Mountains. They’re on Dublin’s doorstep and are your gateway to Wicklow, the garden of Ireland. It all makes for an incredible car-cation. 

Dublin is a city with a big heart - the welcome is warm. We know Dublin well - we sail into it every day from Holyhead, past the iconic Poolbeg Chimneys and the red lighthouse...

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Enjoy a trip to Ireland

From €169.00 single, car & driver

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Ferry to Rosslare and Fishguard

Travel by ferry to Rosslare and Fishguard and enjoy the many onboard facilities available on your short crossing. Grab a coffee and a tasty meal or enjoy some Duty Free shopping.

Sit back and relax as you sail from Rosslare to Fishguard on the shortest, fastest crossing between South Wales and Ireland with a choice of 4 sailings daily. Enjoy our exclusive Stena Plus Lounge, grab a coffee and take in the sea views or if you prefer, indulge in a little retail therapy in our Duty Free Shop – you’ll never be bored onboard! We also offer a choice of free and paid Wi-Fi options throughout the main passenger lounges onboard, so you can surf across the Irish Sea without leaving your seat.

Take a car-cation from Fishguard to Rosslare

Taking the ferry to Rosslare is the best way to reach Ireland's Sunny South East. Escape the ordinary and embark on a tour of the nearby heartlands of Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny. You can easily travel further afield and reach Ireland’s capital city Dublin in under 2 hours and Cork in under 3 hours.

Enjoy all that South East Ireland has to offer

Wexford is famous for its golden sand beaches, garden lovers will enjoy discovering the beautiful Wexford Garden Trail and history enthusiasts will love exploring the many castles and attractions the county has to offer. Whilst there don’t forget to sample the strawberries – Wexford is famous for them!

Rosslare to Fishguard – the shortest, fastest crossing

Travel by ferry to Fishguard in the South West of Wales. This beautiful part of the world is renowned for its stunning beaches and wonderful scenery. Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol are all within easy reach of Fishguard and London is under 5 hours drive by car.

Exploring South Wales

South Wales is simply stunning. Explore Pembrokeshire with its distinctive landscape, stunning scenery, sandy beaches and dramatic sea cliffs. Go a little further afield and enjoy the lively nightlife scene in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. London is within easy reach too.

With no baggage charges pack it all in and enjoy a car-cation with Stena Line!

New! Duty Free shopping at the port

If you’re travelling by car, not only can you look forward to great savings onboard but you can also buy in bulk in our Duty Free port shops in Holyhead and Fishguard! Find special bulk deals only available in these shops – simply park your car, buy your Duty Free allowance and let your car do the heavy work. Happy shopping! 

Sit back and relax as you sail from...

Sail on the shortest crossing between South Wales & Ireland

Rosslare & Fishguard

From £145.00 single, car & driver

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The Fastest & Biggest Catamaran Ferries

Catamaran Ferries are faster than traditional ‘monohull' ferries. These ferries can achieve much higher speeds. In Europe, you have several of these fast catamaran connections that you can take.

Take for instance the ferry on the connection between Hirtshals and Kristiansand:

The Fastest Ferry

The Franciso ferry remains the fastest ferry, built by Incat:

HSC Francisco is a High-Speed Catamaran built by Incat in Hobart, Tasmania. Powered by liquefied natural gas, she is currently the fastest passenger ship in service, reaching a speed of 58 knots (107 km/h; 67 mph). The propulsion is by two GE LM2500 water jets. Connecting Buenos Aires with Montevideo .

A ferry connection is considered fast if more than 40 knots can be achieved. Only ferry catamarans make this. Boats that are often high and therefore have less friction with the water.

All fast Catamaran connections in Europe

Catamaran connections in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea

• Aarhus – Odden
• Rønne – Ystad (2 pieces)
• Gothenburg (Sweden) – Frederikshavn (Denmark)
• Gran Canaria – Fuerteventura ( Leonora Christina )
• Hirtshals (Denmark) and Kristiansand (Norway)
• Viking FSTR – Helsinki to Tallinn (Very fast!)

You also have these ferries in the British Isles, including from Stranraer to Belfast and ferries from England to the Channel Islands. Since these often change locations, it is difficult to pin them to one location or connection.

You also recently have more of these High-Speed ​​ferries available around Greece.

The Largest Catamaran Ferry

The largest diesel-powered catamaran ferry is the  HSC Express 1 and 2  between Aarhus and Odden (as well as Rønne and Ystad) in Denmark. More information about this catamaran can be found  here on Wikipedia  . The newer variants of this Ferry. For example, the HSC Express 3 is slightly smaller, so it may well be the case that these will remain the fastest and largest catamarans in the world for a very long time.

UPDATE: By the way, the  Express 5  will eventually become the largest.

Sometimes you hear that the Hodor pleasure yacht (  Astilleros Armon  ) is the largest catamaran with 60 meters, but this is incorrect. It is much smaller than the HSC Express at  112.6 meters .

Images of the highest-speed Catamarans in the world

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The Bajamar Express is a beauty, love to see more of these catamaran ferries in Europe!

The White Blue ferry is the Iris 6.1 Catamaran Passenger Ferry. I think the project failed:

” The philosophy underpinning the design concept was the need to achieve three important targets. Most importantly, it had to be able to transport passengers in comfort. In order to impose a mimimal environmental impact on ports, estuaries and banks, it had to generate a low wake at all operational speeds. Lastly, it had to meet these standards without negatively influencing the hull form, which was designed to maximise speed and economy.”

The ferry is still active somewhere in Croatia. When you spot it let us know 🙂

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