Ferries from
Northern Ireland to England
Ferries from
Northern Ireland to England
The Belfast to Liverpool Birkenhead ferry is the main ferry route from Northern Ireland to England. Sailing frequency can change throughout the year and often sailings increase during peak season.
Ferries from Northern Ireland to England sail approximately 12 times per week and are available with Irish Ferries.
Ferries from Northern Ireland to England take approximately 8 hours to complete this crossing.
The fastest ferry from Northern Ireland to England is on the Belfast to Liverpool Birkenhead ferry with Irish Ferries in 4 hours 1 minute.
Yes, you can bring your car on the ferry from Northern Ireland to England with Irish Ferries.
There are approximately 103 miles (165km) and 89 nautical miles between Northern Ireland and England.
The price of a ferry from Northern Ireland to England can differ by route, operator, season, vehicle type and whether you are sailing on a high-speed ferry or conventional ferry.
The Belfast to Liverpool Birkenhead ferry ferry sails approximately 14 times weekly with a crossing time of 8 hours.
We suggest that you book in advance to ensure that you get the cheapest ferry prices and availability. Please check out our special offers page to take advantage of all the latest ferry discounts available.
The best way to travel from Ireland to England depends on your preference for speed or cost. The fastest option is a 1-hour flight from Dublin, Cork, or Shannon to various UK cities. For a scenic and budget-friendly trip, ferries operate from Dublin to Holyhead with Stena Line and Irish Ferries, Rosslare to Fishguard or Pembroke (4 hours), and Belfast to Liverpool or Cairnryan (8 hours). Ferries allow cars and offer cabins for overnight travel, with rail and bus connections available from ports to major UK cities.
Unfortunately, you can't take a day trip from Ireland to England by ferry due to the length of the sailing. We recommend that you stay overnight in England to make your ferry journey worthwhile.
A passport is not required for Irish and British citizens travelling between Ireland and England, as both countries are part of the Common Travel Area (CTA). However, airlines and ferry operators may require a valid photo ID (such as a passport or driving license) for check-in. Non-Irish and non-British citizens must carry a passport, and depending on nationality, a UK visa may be required.
Book and compare Northern Ireland England ferry tickets, operators, timetables and prices by using our Deal Finder.
| From | To | Average price | |
|---|---|---|---|
From BelfastNorthern Ireland |
To Liverpool BirkenheadEngland |
Average price$402.34 |
More routes than anyone else.
Compare fares, times & routes in one place.
Change plans easily with flexi tickets.
Book e-tickets & manage trips in-app.
Live ship tracking & real-time updates.
Top-rated customer support when you need it.
Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic, to the West of Great Britain. The island of Ireland is politically divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. The region has a rather diverse landscape with a ring of coastal mountains and low plains at the center of the island. With three World Heritage Sites, Ireland’s outstanding natural beauty is of great interest to many tourists. Ferry travel is a popular method of getting from Ireland to England, Wales and the Isle of Man across the Irish Sea. Crossings are year round, fast and operated by a variety of ferry company across a number of routes. Despite the relatively long crossing, France is also well connected by ferry from Ireland. The ships are reasonably well appointed and as with the crossings to the UK, there are a number of operators and routes to choose from.
England is the largest and most populous of the four 'home nations' that make up the United Kingdom. Geographically England is defined as the region in the central and southern parts of the United Kingdom with Scotland to the North, Wales to the West and North Ireland to the West across the Irish Sea. England can be divided into Northern England, the Midlands and Southern England with London in the South as the capital and center of finance and culture. Ferry travel is a very popular and well developed mode of reaching England, especially with visitors from Ireland and Northern Europe. It is an island after all. With a choice of numerous ferry ports on offer connecting the likes of Ireland across the Irish Sea, France across the channel and Holland across the North Sea, it is no surprise that crossings to England and its numerous world class ports are managed by some of the largest, luxurious and most well-known ferry companies in operation.
