Ireland Ferries

Ireland’s ferry network links the island to Great Britain and continental Europe across the Irish Sea and Bay of Biscay; main access points include Dublin, Rosslare Europort, and Cork on the Irish side and ports in Wales and France on the other side.

Frequent services connect Dublin–Holyhead, seasonal and year‑round sailings link Rosslare Europort to Wales and France, and longer freight/passenger options run from Cork and southern ports to continental ports like Cherbourg and Roscoff.

Passenger terminals vary: Dublin Port has a busy passenger terminal close to the city, Rosslare Europort is geared for mixed traffic and transfers, and Ringaskiddy serves freight and some passenger flows from Cork. Facilities and onward transport differ by port—check specific terminal maps.

Major operators include Irish Ferries, Stena Line, P&O Ferries, and seasonal carriers like Brittany Ferries. Each has different vessel types (fast ferries, cruise‑style ships, freight ferries) and varying onboard offerings.

Crossing times range from ~3h (short sea) up to overnight for continental services; fares fluctuate by season, demand, and vehicle size. Book early for best rates; midweek and shoulder seasons save money and reduce queues.

Use operator sites for combos (vehicle + cabin) and price alerts; check aggregator sites for comparisons but book direct for flexible changes. Consider refundable tickets if travel plans may shift.

Larger ships offer cabins, restaurants, lounges, duty‑free shopping, and pet kennels; smaller fast craft have limited seating and no cabins. For overnight crossings prioritize a cabin for sleep and secure storage.

Expect vehicle lanes by size—motorbikes, cars, campervans, lorries—with extra charges for oversized vehicles. Pet policies vary: many require advance booking for kennels; check rules for pets in cabins and documentation for international travel.

Ports link to local bus and rail: Dublin Port is near central rail and bus hubs, Rosslare Europort has bus links to Waterford and regional coach services. Account for luggage and transfer time when planning mixed‑mode journeys.

Irish Sea weather can force delays or cancellations—monitor forecasts, check operator alerts, and have flexible plans. For vehicles secure loose items; on-board follow crew briefings and seek cabins if seasick.

Arrive 60–90 minutes early for vehicle check‑in, 30–45 minutes for foot passengers; keep printed or offline copies of bookings, passports, vehicle documents; bring chargers, earplugs, and a small day bag for essentials during boarding.

Ferries are often the most relaxed and scenic way to reach Ireland—pick routes and operators that match time, budget, and vehicle needs, book early, double‑check pet and vehicle rules, and allow buffer time for weather or transit delays. Safe travels.