If you are coming from the USA, Australia, Italy, or anywhere other than Britain, northern Spain, or France, then the only reasonable way of getting to Ireland is by air.
But if you happen to be in Britain, France, or Spain, then why not take the ferry? It's slower, often cheaper, more relaxed and an adventure all rolled into one. The shortest crossing from Britain to Ireland is P&O via Cairnryan in Scotland to Larne in Northern Ireland, taking only an hour on the fastest vessel or two hours by conventional ferry — it really is a short journey.
The longest scheduled passenger journey is now Hibernia Line's overnight sailing from Cork to Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, taking around 21.5 hours (up to 24 hours on the Saturday-night sailing).
There are quite a few ports around the coast of Ireland but nearly all the crossings will take you into an east coast port — with the exception of Cork, on the south coast.
Ports — going clockwise around the island:
- Larne
- Belfast
- Dublin
- Dun Laoghaire
- Rosslare
- Cork
Larne
Situated in East Antrim, Larne is one of the most important ports on the island of Ireland and the shortest, quickest passenger crossing from Ireland to Britain operates from Larne Port to Cairnryan, Scotland, by P&O. Larne lies south of the famous Glens of Antrim and makes an ideal arrival port for northbound visitors heading into the Glens or on to the Giant's Causeway coast.
Getting to Larne
Located 22 miles north of Belfast, Larne is easily accessible sitting at the end of the A8(M), a dual carriageway under motorway regulations that links into the M2 to Belfast and on to Dublin. Trains also operate to Larne and Larne Harbour railway stations.
Sailing Routes from Larne
P&O Ferries run regular sailings between Larne and Cairnryan. The former P&O Larne–Troon route has been permanently closed (the operator cited unsustainable losses), so Cairnryan is now P&O's only sailing from Larne.
Larne also gained a brand-new connection in 2026: the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company launched a year-round Larne–Douglas service in April 2026, moving up to three sailings a week from July 2026, using the Ben-my-Chree. This is a genuine year-round timetable rather than a one-off event sailing, and it replaced the Steam Packet's former Belfast service (see below).
The website for Port of Larne is: http://www.portoflarne.co.uk/
Belfast
The second largest city on the island of Ireland and the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is no stranger to ships. Home to Harland & Wolff, Belfast was the building place of the Titanic, probably the most famous ship ever to have set sail on the ocean waves.
Getting to Belfast
It's hard to miss Belfast, as the chief city in Northern Ireland — most of the main roads will lead you to the home city of notables such as George Best, Alex Higgins, CS Lewis and the great Roy Walker.
Sailing Routes from Belfast
Stena Line operate from Belfast to Cairnryan in around 2 hours 15 minutes, with up to six sailings a day. They also run a service to Birkenhead (for Liverpool), though this is now primarily a freight-oriented route rather than the passenger service it once was.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company stopped serving Belfast Port as of December 2025. Passengers wanting the Isle of Man now sail from Larne instead (see above).
The website for Belfast Harbour is: http://www.belfast-harbour.co.uk
Dublin
Arriving in the largest city in Ireland is quite a thing, seeing the Wicklow Mountains appear on the horizon, closely followed by the 207m-high iconic twin towers of the Poolbeg Power Station. Over 1.7 million passengers come through Dublin Port annually.
Getting to Dublin Port
Ireland's motorways radiate out from Dublin like the spokes of a wheel, making Dublin Port very easy to get to. With easy access from the M50 and M1 via the Dublin Port Tunnel and from the south via the East Link (both tolled roads), the port lies at the east of Dublin City on reclaimed land where the Liffey meets the Irish Sea. Buses connect the city centre with the Port; there are no trains.
Sailing Routes from Dublin Port
Three operators now serve Dublin Port: Irish Ferries, Stena Line, and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Destinations are Holyhead in North Wales, and Douglas on the Isle of Man (Steam Packet, seasonal, April–September). Irish Ferries also operate a Dublin–Cherbourg service to France.
P&O Ferries no longer serves Dublin. Their Liverpool–Dublin route, historically the main passenger link from Merseyside, closed permanently at the end of 2023 after P&O was unable to secure a berth in Liverpool, and it was never replaced with an alternative Dublin service. The Liverpool–Dublin passenger crossing is now gone entirely — Stena's Birkenhead link (via Belfast) is the only remaining Merseyside connection, and it's freight-led.
The website for Dublin Port is: http://www.dublinport.ie/
Dun Laoghaire
Situated at the southern end of Dublin Bay, Dun Laoghaire was once the main gateway between London and Dublin — passengers transferred from the Irish Mail boat train at Holyhead onto ferries crossing the Irish Sea to Dun Laoghaire, connecting onward to Ireland's oldest railway.
Getting to Dun Laoghaire
Easily reached from the southern section of the M50 and via the N11 from Dublin. Regular DART commuter trains run to Dun Laoghaire from Dublin and other points on the east coast.
Sailing Routes from Dun Laoghaire
There are currently no passenger ferry sailings from Dun Laoghaire. Stena withdrew its seasonal HSS service some years ago and no operator has since returned to the port for passengers.
The website for Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is: http://dlharbour.ie/
Rosslare Europort
Rosslare Harbour was developed in 1906 to serve ferries between the southeast of Ireland and south Wales. It sits in the 'Sunny Southeast', which sees the longest recorded sunshine hours in Ireland, surrounded by sandy beaches and traditional villages.
Getting to Rosslare
Rosslare is situated in Ireland's southeast in Co. Wexford. The N11 connects the port with Dublin (around 2 hours 30 minutes), and the N24/N25 link Rosslare to Cork and the southwest.
Sailing Routes from Rosslare
Rosslare remains Ireland's most internationally connected port, with sailings to Wales, France, and Spain.
- Irish Ferries sail to Pembroke in Wales.
- Stena Line sail to Fishguard in south Wales. Stena's Rosslare–Cherbourg service, which the route once relied on for a direct France link, ended after the summer 2025 season and has not been replaced by Stena.
- Brittany Ferries now operate the fullest continental network from Rosslare: sailings to Bilbao and Santander in Spain, a Cherbourg service, and a newer Rosslare–Le Havre route (originally freight-only, opened to passengers from 2023).
The website for Rosslare Europort is: http://rosslareeuroport.irishrail.ie/home/
Cork
Cobh has a maritime history unlike any port in Ireland — it was the last port of call for Titanic before its transatlantic journey, and saw mass emigration across the Atlantic, particularly during and after the Famine. But today's passenger operations run from Ringaskiddy, across a narrow arm of the harbour.
Getting to Port of Cork
Located 22km southeast of Cork City in one of the world's largest natural harbours, on Ireland's south coast. The N28 will bring you to Ringaskiddy, across from the picturesque town of Cobh.
Sailing Routes from Cork
Cork now has two continental ferry routes, making it easily Ireland's most improved port for sea travel since this page was last updated:
- Brittany Ferries continue to run the long-standing seasonal service to Roscoff in Brittany, typically operating April to October with 2–3 sailings a week.
- Hibernia Line, a new Cork-headquartered operator, launched a year-round direct service to Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France in June 2026 — the first new Irish ferry company in decades, and Boulogne's first international ferry service in 15 years. It runs six sailings a week in each direction, departing Cork in the evening (around 21:00) for an overnight crossing of roughly 21.5 hours, carrying cars, campervans, caravans, motorbikes and foot passengers. It offers a direct route to mainland Europe without transiting the UK landbridge.
The former Swansea–Cork route remains closed (it ended in 2012 and has not been revived).
The website for Port of Cork is: http://www.portofcork.ie/