Set sail for Ireland and feel the sea breeze on your face! Hop on a ferry for a unique maritime adventure. Discover all the departure ports from France, the UK, and Spain right here.
Dreaming of exploring the dramatic cliffs of Connemara, the cozy pubs of Galway, or the wild roads of Donegal? Before you set foot on Irish soil, you’ll need to decide where to board your ferry! Taking the ferry is both practical and adventurous, but the question often comes up: where do ferries to Ireland depart from? France, the UK, Spain… Here’s a port-by-port guide to help you chart the right course!
Departure Ports for Ferries to Ireland
1. Ferries from France: Convenient and Direct
Great news for travelers from France: there are direct ferry routes between France and Ireland, so you can skip the UK entirely. This is the ideal option if you’re traveling with your vehicle and want to avoid post-Brexit formalities.
Cherbourg – Dublin or Rosslare
Operators: Irish Ferries / Stena Line
Duration: about 18 to 20 hours
Frequency: several departures per week
Highlight: overnight crossings with comfortable cabins available
Roscoff – Cork
Operator: Brittany Ferries
Duration: around 14 hours
Frequency: 2 to 3 times per week (mainly in high season)
No direct routes to Ireland at the moment, but you can travel via the UK.
💡 Tip: France–Ireland routes are ideal for campervans, cars, converted vans, or families with lots of luggage.
2. Ferries from the UK: More Frequent, Shorter Crossings
Historically, the UK–Ireland ferry connections are the most numerous and the fastest. This is the best option if you’re traveling from England, Wales, or Scotland.
Holyhead (Wales) – Dublin
Operators: Irish Ferries / Stena Line
Duration: about 3h15
Frequency: up to 8 crossings per day!
Highlight: perfect for quick round trips
Liverpool – Dublin
Operator: P&O Ferries
Duration: about 8 hours (often overnight)
Frequency: daily crossings
Atmosphere: mixed passenger/freight ferry, less touristy
Cairnryan (Scotland) – Belfast (Northern Ireland)
Operator: Stena Line
Duration: about 2h15
Frequency: very regular
Advantage: perfect for reaching Northern Ireland, with Giant’s Causeway in sight!
Fishguard (Wales) – Rosslare
Operator: Stena Line
Duration: 3h30 to 4h
Highlight: direct access to southeast Ireland
🧳 Due to Brexit: passport required if you travel via the UK, even if your final destination is the Republic of Ireland.
3. Ferries from Spain: A Rarer but Strategic Option
This is the least known route, but ferries from Spain do exist for travelers coming from southern Europe, or snowbirds returning from Portugal.
Bilbao – Rosslare
Operator: Brittany Ferries
Duration: about 28 hours (overnight crossing)
Frequency: 2 to 3 times per week
Highlight: ideal for long Europe–Ireland road trips
💡 This route is especially popular with campervantravelers and expats returning home!
