Belfast Cairnryan Ferry

The Belfast Cairnryan ferry route connects Northern Ireland with Scotland. Currently there is just the 1 ferry company operating this ferry service, Stena Line. The crossing operates up to 42 times each week with sailing durations from around 2 hours 22 minutes.

Belfast Cairnryan sailing durations and frequency may vary from season to season so we’d advise doing a live check to get the most up to date information.

Belfast to Cairnryan Ferry Alternatives

For more information, please visit our Ferries from Northern Ireland to Scotland page.

Why use Direct Ferries?

Ferries from 4412 routes and 901 ports worldwide

Trusted by over 2.5 million customers

We arrange over 1.2 million ferry crossings / year

We check up to 1 million prices for our customers daily

Belfast - Cairnryan Route summary
Departure Country	UK
Destination Country	UK
No. of Operators	1
Operators	Stena Line
Average Price	$450*
Average Daily Sailings	5
Average Weekly Sailings	37
Average Sailing Duration	2h 22m
First Ferry	03:30
Last Ferry	23:30
Distance	57 nautical miles

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2024-11-05.

How long is the ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan?

The typical crossing time for ferries from Belfast to Cairnryan is approximately 2h 22m. However, please keep in mind that sailing duration might change depending on what season you choose to travel.

How much is the ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan?

The average price of a ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan is approximately $390. However, please remember that the price of a ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan can differ depending on the season. Price exclusive of booking fees.

Which ferry companies operate between Belfast to Cairnryan?

There is 1 ferry operator for Belfast to Cairnryan and this is

Stena Line

How can I book ferry tickets from Belfast to Cairnryan?

Ferries from Belfast to Cairnryan are available for booking through our deal finder. Please also visit our offers page to stay updated with all the latest ferry offers on this route.

Can you travel as a foot passenger on the ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan?

Yes, you can currently travel as a foot passenger onboard the ferries from Belfast to Cairnryan with

Stena Line

Can you take your car on the ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan?

Yes, you can travel with a vehicle from Belfast to Cairnryan with the following operators

Stena Line

Can you bring pets on the ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan?

Yes, passengers are allowed to bring their pets onboard this ferry service. However, you may require a pet passport and other documentation to take your furry companion with you. The following operators currently allow pets on their ferries

Stena Line

How far is Cairnryan from Belfast?

Belfast to Cairnryan is approximately 57 nautical miles distance apart.

Belfast Guide

Belfast Harbour is a main hub in the importation and exportation of goods and for passenger ferry services. Operated by Stena Line, Belfast ferry port provides regular passenger ferry crossings to Cairnryan in Scotland and Liverpool Birkenhead in England. Run by Steam Packet, there are also seasonal services to Douglas on the Isle of Man, across the Irish Sea.

The city of Belfast, in Northern Ireland, is the capital city located in County Antrim, although parts of the city spread over to County Down. The city has a long tradition in the production of Irish linen, tobacco, rope and shipbuilding. In fact, the city's main shipbuilder, Harland and Wolf, is known for building the RMS Titanic in the early 20th Century. Today, Belfast is an important centre for commerce, the arts, higher education, law, business and of course, tourism.

Cairnryan Guide

Cairnryan is a small Scottish port village sitting on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan in Dumfries and Galloway. The harbour has two ferry terminals providing services to and from Larne and Belfast: the Larne terminal, opened in 1973 and now operated by P&O Ferries, and the second is run by Stena Line, taking ferries from Belfast.

The village can trace its origins back to 1701 when it was established to house the workers on the Lochryan Estate, which has a deer park and bowling green. The village has a long and important seafaring history and today is home to one of the most popular ferry routes in the United Kingdom.

There isn't a great deal of things to do and see in the village and its facilities include a hotel, some bed and breakfast guest houses, a caravan site which has been built on the site of an old war camp area, a village shop and the Merchant's House Restaurant.

Belfast to Cairnryan Ferry Timetables

Timetables between 12/16/2024 and 12/22/2024

Operator	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Duration	Sailing Days
Stena Line	03:30	05:52	2 hours 22 minutes	Everyday
Stena Line	07:30	09:52	2 hours 22 minutes	Everyday
Stena Line	11:30	13:52	2 hours 22 minutes	Everyday
Stena Line	15:30	17:52	2 hours 22 minutes	Everyday
Stena Line	19:30	21:52	2 hours 22 minutes	Everyday
Stena Line	23:30	01:52	2 hours 22 minutes	Everyday