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Irish Sea · Ireland ⇄ Wales
Dublin to Holyhead Ferry: Times, Prices & Port Guide
Two operators, up to eight sailings a day and a crossing from 2 h 15 m. Everything you need before booking — schedules, real costs, which terminal you actually need, and the exact bus routes that get you to each one.
2 h 15 m+Crossing time
Up to 8Sailings per day
From ~€27Foot passenger
2Operators
Route guide last reviewed: July 2026
The Dublin–Holyhead crossing is the busiest sea link between Ireland and Britain, and for most travellers it is the practical alternative to flying: you keep your car, luggage limits disappear, and you arrive in the centre of things rather than at an out-of-town airport. Irish Ferries and Stena Line both run the route year-round.
The single most useful thing to know before you travel: the two operators leave from different terminals in Dublin Port, and they are not next door to each other. Getting that wrong is the most common way people miss a sailing. Each terminal also has its own bus route — both covered below.
Sailings and operators
Departures run right through the day and night. The first sailing from Dublin leaves at around 01:15 and the last at roughly 22:30.
| Operator | Dublin terminal | Crossing | Frequency | Bus to the terminal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Ferries | Terminal 1 Terminal Road South |
from 2 h 15 m faster craft |
~4 daily 26 weekly |
Bus 53 to Dublin Ferryport |
| Stena Line | Terminal 2 | about 3 h 21 m | ~4 daily 26 weekly |
Bus 853 from Ferry Terminal 2 |
Frequencies are typical year-round patterns; individual sailings vary by season and day of the week.
| Time of day | What runs | Best for | Typical price level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight from ~01:15 | Conventional ships | Arriving in Wales early; treating the crossing as rest | Lowest |
| Morning | Both operators | Same-day onward trains from Holyhead | Medium–high |
| Afternoon | Both operators | Families; the most relaxed departure window | Highest |
| Evening last ~22:30 | Conventional ships | Full day in Dublin before travelling | Medium |
Exact departure times change with the season and are released by each operator — always confirm the specific sailing when booking.
Why the crossing times differ so much. Irish Ferries has historically run faster craft on this route alongside conventional ships, so its quickest crossings are about an hour shorter. The same company can run both fast and standard vessels on the same day — so check the duration shown for your departure, not just the operator name.
Prices: what you will actually pay
Fares on this route move a lot with season, day of the week and how far ahead you book. Use these as planning baselines.
| Travelling as | Typical fare | What it includes | How to pay less |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot passenger | from ~€27 one way | Your seat and access to all public decks | Book early and take an overnight sailing — the cheapest fares go first |
| Car + occupants | Substantially higher often several hundred € return in peak season |
The vehicle and everyone travelling in it | Fill the car — the price is per vehicle, so cost per person drops sharply |
| Cyclist | Close to foot-passenger fares | You and the bicycle | Check each operator’s bike policy; spaces can be limited |
| Foot passenger + train SailRail |
Single combined ticket | Ferry crossing plus the onward UK train leg | Usually cheaper than buying ferry and train separately |
The cheapest crossings are rarely the convenient ones. Overnight and very early sailings are consistently the least expensive, and mid-week beats weekends. If your dates are fixed but your time is not, changing the departure time rather than the date is what usually saves the money.
Route map
The crossing runs almost due east from Dublin Bay across the Irish Sea to Anglesey — roughly 90 km of open water. Tap either port for details.
The two ports — and the mistake to avoid
Dublin Port
About 6 km east of Dublin city centre — close, but not walkable with luggage.
- Terminal 1 = Irish Ferries. Reached by Dublin Bus route 53 from Talbot Street, which terminates right at the Ferryport.
- Terminal 2 = Stena Line. The 53 does not stop here — but route 853 links Ferry Terminal 2 with Parkgate Street. Stena also runs its own connecting coach, bookable with the ticket.
- Walking between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 takes roughly 10–12 minutes.
- Both terminals have free Wi-Fi and EV charging; Terminal 1 also has food outlets.
Holyhead Port
On Anglesey, north-west Wales — unusually convenient for onward travel.
- The ferry terminal and the railway station are the same building — about a two-minute walk to the platform.
- Avanti West Coast runs direct to London Euston in around 3 hours; Transport for Wales serves Chester, Crewe and the North Wales coast.
- Combined SailRail tickets cover ferry and train on one booking.
- Ramp access throughout the terminal and station concourse.
Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure — with both operators. That deadline is firm, so the real question is when you can arrive. With Stena Line, car check-in opens 2 hours before departure and foot-passenger check-in (including SailRail) opens 1 h 45 m before. With Irish Ferries, check in 30 minutes before departure whether you are driving, cycling or on foot. Dublin Port traffic at rush hour is the other variable — allow extra if you are coming off the M50.
Getting to the ferry without a car
Crossing as a foot passenger works well — provided you plan the last mile at each end.
- City centre → Terminal 1 (Irish Ferries): take the 53 from Talbot Street East to Dublin Ferryport — it runs directly into the port.
- Terminal 2 (Stena Line): the 853 connects Ferry Terminal 2 with Parkgate Street on the west side of the city.
- Arriving into Dublin late? Check the last departure of your connecting bus before assuming one will be waiting — the overnight sailings land outside normal service hours.
- Onward from Holyhead: walk two minutes to the station inside the terminal; no transfer needed.
- Continuing across Ireland: Dublin is the hub for national coach and rail — browse every Dublin bus and rail route to plan the next leg.
Which crossing should you pick?
Take the fast crossing if…
- You are travelling with children and want the sea time short.
- You have a connecting train from Holyhead the same day.
- You are prone to seasickness — less time afloat is the simplest remedy.
Take the standard crossing if…
- Price is the priority — longer sailings are usually cheaper.
- You want space to eat, work or sleep on board.
- You are travelling overnight and treating the crossing as rest.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Dublin to Holyhead ferry?
Between about 2 hours 15 minutes and 3 hours 30 minutes, depending on operator and ship. Irish Ferries averages around 2 h 15 m on its quicker sailings; Stena Line averages about 3 h 21 m. Check the duration shown for your specific departure.
Which terminal do I need in Dublin Port?
Terminal 1 for Irish Ferries, Terminal 2 for Stena Line. They are separate buildings roughly 10–12 minutes apart on foot. The 53 bus serves the Ferryport, while route 853 serves Ferry Terminal 2.
Can I get a train straight from the ferry at Holyhead?
Yes. The port and railway station occupy the same building, about a two-minute walk from the terminal to the platform. Avanti West Coast reaches London Euston in around 3 hours, and combined SailRail tickets cover both legs on one booking.
How early do I need to check in?
Roughly 30 minutes before departure with a vehicle and 30–40 minutes as a foot passenger; coaches may need up to an hour. Operators differ slightly, so confirm on your booking.
Is the ferry cheaper than flying?
As a foot passenger, fares start around €27, competitive with budget flights once baggage is added. The ferry wins clearly if you are taking a car, travelling as a family, or carrying luggage that would cost extra to fly.
Do ferries run all year?
Yes, with daily sailings year-round. Winter timetables can be lighter, and severe weather in the Irish Sea occasionally causes delays or cancellations — check the operator’s service status before setting out in a storm.
Connecting routes on TransitEmerald
Bus 53 · Dublin FerryportTalbot Street East to the port — the Terminal 1 connection
Bus 853 · Ferry Terminal 2Links Stena’s terminal with Parkgate Street
Rail · Dublin to Rosslare EuroportFor crossings to Wales, France and Spain
Please check before you travel. Sailing times, fares and terminal arrangements are set by the operators and change with season and demand. The figures here are typical planning guidance gathered in July 2026, not live availability. Always confirm the schedule and price with Irish Ferries or Stena Line directly before booking. TransitEmerald is an independent information service, is not affiliated with any operator, and does not sell tickets.