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 you book — schedules, real costs, which terminal you actually need, and how to reach both ports without a car.
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, your luggage limits disappear, and you arrive in the centre of things rather than at an out-of-town airport. Two companies — Irish Ferries and Stena Line — run the route year-round, between them offering up to eight departures a day in each direction.
The single most useful thing to know before you travel is this: 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 on this route. The section on ports below explains exactly which terminal you need and how to reach it.
Sailing times and operators
Crossings run right through the day. The first departure from Dublin is usually around 01:15 and the last leaves Dublin Port at roughly 22:30, so it is possible to travel overnight, early morning or late evening depending on the operator.
| Operator | Terminal in Dublin | Crossing time | Sailings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Ferries | Terminal 1 Terminal Road South | From 2 h 15 m (average) | ~4 daily · 26 weekly |
| Stena Line | Terminal 2 | About 3 h 21 m (average) | ~4 daily · 26 weekly |
How much it costs
Fares on this route move a lot with season, day of the week and how far ahead you book. As a realistic planning baseline:
| Travelling as | Typical price | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Foot passenger | From around €27, averaging higher | Cheapest way across. Book early for the low fares — they disappear on peak sailings. |
| Car + passengers | Substantially more (often several hundred € return in peak season) | The price is for the vehicle plus occupants, so a full car is far better value per person than four foot passengers. |
| Cyclist | Close to foot-passenger fares | Bikes are carried on this route; check the operator’s bike policy when booking. |
The two ports — and the mistake to avoid
Dublin Port
Around 6 km (4 miles) east of Dublin city centre — close, but not walkable with luggage.
- Terminal 1 = Irish Ferries. Served by Dublin Bus route 53 from Talbot Street.
- Terminal 2 = Stena Line. Bus 53 does not stop here. Stena runs its own connecting bus, bookable with your ferry ticket.
- The walk between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 takes roughly 10–12 minutes.
- Both terminals have free Wi-Fi and EV charging; Terminal 1 also has fast-food outlets.
Holyhead Port
On Anglesey, north-west Wales — and unusually convenient for onward travel.
- The ferry terminal and the railway station are the same building. Follow the signs inside; it is about a two-minute walk to the platform.
- Direct trains to London Euston with Avanti West Coast take roughly 3 hours; Transport for Wales serves Chester, Crewe and the North Wales coast.
- Combined SailRail tickets cover the ferry and the train on one booking — usually cheaper than buying them separately.
- Ramp access throughout the terminal and station concourse.
Route map
The crossing runs almost due east from Dublin Bay across the Irish Sea to Anglesey — roughly 90 km (55 miles) of open water. Tap either port for details.
Getting to the ferry without a car
Plenty of people cross this route as foot passengers, and it works well — provided you plan the last mile at each end.
- From Dublin city centre to Terminal 1: bus route 53 runs from Talbot Street directly to Irish Ferries on Terminal Road South.
- From Dublin city centre to Terminal 2: use Stena Line’s own connecting coach, booked with the ticket — the public 53 will leave you a 10–12 minute walk away.
- Arriving into Dublin: the same connections work in reverse; if you land late at night, check the last departure before assuming a bus will be waiting.
- Onward from Holyhead: walk two minutes to the station inside the terminal and take the train — no transfer needed.
- Continuing across Ireland: Dublin is the hub for national coach and rail services — see all Dublin routes on TransitEmerald.
Which crossing should you pick?
Choose 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.
Choose the standard crossing if…
- Price is the priority — the 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 time.