Ferries from UK to Ireland: Routes, Tickets and Departures

Looking for ferries from UK to Ireland? Find out the main ferry routes from UK to Ireland and plan your next trip. In this article, we’ll share the best ferry routes, fares and available departures. Plus, we’ll give you more details on the vehicles and pets on board, discounts and how to book your next trip by ferry. Read on to get all the information for crossing the Irish sea.

• Main ferry routes from UK to Ireland
• Ferry companies for UK to Ireland
• Vehicles and pets on board
• Offers and discounts for UK – Ireland
• Why travel by ferry to Ireland?
• How to book ferry tickets?

Main ferry routes from UK to Ireland

Ferries from UK to Ireland are available from three UK ports – Holyhead, Pembroke and Fishguard. They’re connected to Irish ports in Dublin and Rosslare in County Wexford.

• Ferries from UK to Dublin
• Ferries from UK to Rosslare

Ferries from the UK to Dublin

As the Irish capital, Dublin is the most popular travel destination in the country. It’s also the main Irish port connecting Ireland to UK. From Dublin you can catch the ferry to Holyhead. Get details on ferry trip duration, prices and departures below.

Ferries Holyhead – Dublin

Taking ferries from the UK to Ireland is easy. The ferry route from Holyhead to Dublin is 3 and a half hours long. With more than five departures per day, you’ll have enough freedom with planning your trip. While the earliest ferry sails at 4:30 am, the latest departure is at 10:30 pm. Tickets for ferries from the UK to Ireland are inexpensive. You can get a ticket for the economy class 38€.

Prices mostly depend on the time you’re traveling. For instance, the earliest and the latest ferries are the cheapest.

The Ha’penny Bridge over the River Liffey in Dublin at sunset. Source: iStock

Ferries from the UK to Rosslare

Besides ferries from the UK to Dublin, you can also reach Ireland through Fishguard or Pembroke to Rosslare. On all the routes you can take your vehicle with you. With your car or camper, you’ll have more flexibility exploring Ireland.

Ferries Fishguard – Rosslare

Ferries between Fishguard and Rosslare mostly operate twice a day. Usually, the first departure is early in the morning, and the second one in the afternoon. This route is active all year round. Journey by ferries from the UK to Ireland on this route takes 3 and a half or 4 hours.

Prices vary depending on the day and time of your journey. However, the cheapest ferry tickets start at 38€. Keep in mind that the tickets are non-refundable and ensure to book only the tickets you need. Also, on most of the departures you can bring the vehicle with you.

Ferries Pembroke – Rosslare

If you’re traveling from Pembroke to Rosslare, you can choose from one or two departures every day. Similar like with the previous routes, the first departure is early in the morning and the next one is in the afternoon. The ferry trip takes around 4 hours, with the possibility of booking the cabin.

Prices depend on the departure day and time. The most affordable tickets for the economy class are 47,60€.

Ferry companies for UK to Ireland

Irish Ferries is the main ferry company based in Ireland. Except the ferries from UK to Ireland, it connects both countries with France. This company offers following ferries from Ireland to UK:

• Ferries Holyhead – Dublin
• Ferries Pembroke – Rosslare

Stena Line is one of the main ferry operators offering ferries from UK to Ireland. This ferry company is operating two ferry lines from UK to Ireland:

• Ferries Holyhead – Dublin
• Ferries Fishguard – Rosslare

Except ferries from UK to Ireland, they’re also offering other ferry routes. Stena Line links Netherlands and the UK, connects Sweden, Denmark and Germany, and has routes to Lativa, Poland and Finland.

Vehicles and pets on board

On Stena Line and Irish Ferries routes you can board your vehicles. While booking your ticket with Ferryscanner make sure to choose the correct vehicle and add all the information. We’ll ask you to add the type and size of your vehicle, along with other details to ensure smooth sailing.

Dog on a ferry trip. Source: iStock

Bring your pets along for the ride. Pets are welcome to ferries from UK to Ireland. Even though all the ferry companies allow you to take your pets, they might apply specific rules. For instance, with the Stena Line you can pre-book your pet into a kennel, keep them inside the car or get a pet friendly cabin.

Offers and discounts for UK – Ireland

Stena Line often offers discounts on early bookings which you can directly claim through booking with Ferryscanner. Bookmark our news on discounts to secure the best deals on ferry tickets. Other than special offers, Stena Line and Irish Ferries don’t offer any discount for students, families of other types of passengers.

St. Patrick’s Park in Dublin, Ireland. Source: iStock

Why travel by ferry to Ireland?

Taking ferries from UK to Ireland is more affordable than booking a plane ticket. You can get a ferry ticket at the starting price of 38€. Unlike the plane, with the ferry tickets in most cases you’re allowed to bring up to 22 kg of baggage free of charge. Traveling by ferry is more comfortable. You can walk around, use ferry facilities or sleep in your cabin. The best part is you can take your car and have more flexibility to explore Ireland.

How to book ferry tickets?

Book all the mentioned ferries from UK to Ireland on Ferryscanner website. Add your starting point and destination to find ferry tickets. We offer the same prices as the company operators. There’re no hidden costs and our customer support is always ready to help with your booking.

Want to book your tickets on the go? Download Ferryscanner app on your Apple or Android phone and book your ferry tickets anytime, anywhere.