Cairnryan Ferry

Cairnryan Ferry

Cairnryan Ferry

Cairnryan ferry port connects Scotland with Northern Ireland. There are currently 66 weekly sailings operated by P&O Irish Sea & Stena Line. Popular ferry routes include Cairnryan to Belfast with a duration of around 2 hours 15 minutes. Bear in mind that sailing information can vary depending on the time of year. We recommend using our Deal Finder to see live sailing times, availability and prices for Cairnryan ferries.

Port Address

Stena Line - Stena Line, Belfast Way, Loch Ryan Port, Cairnryan, Wigtownshire, DG9 8RG, Scotland

P&O Irish Sea - P&O Ferries, The Port, Cairnryan, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, DG9 8RF, Scotland

Cairnryan Ferry Services

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Cairnryan ferry port guide

Cairnryan, a small village in the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland, is home to 2 ferry ports. Both ports act as an important gateway between Scotland and Northern Ireland, offering a combined total of 10 daily and 66 weekly sailings. 

P&O Ferries operate out of one port, offering services between Cairnryan and Larne whilst Stena Line operate out of the Loch Ryan port, providing ferries between Cairnryan and Belfast.


Where is Cairnryan port located?

Both the P&O Ferries port and the Stena Line port are located in Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, just north of Stranraer. The ports are located around a 5-minute drive from each other.


How to get to Cairnryan port from the UK

Arriving by car

From Scotland: 

  • If you’re travelling from Glasgow, take the M77 south towards Kilmarnock and then follow the A77 coast road, following the signs for Cairnryan. 
  • If you’re travelling from Edinburgh, take the M8 west towards Glasgow and then follow the same route as above. 

From England: 

  • If you’re coming from the north of England, take the M6 north towards Carlisle. Exit at junction 22 and take the A75 west until you reach Stranraer. From here, follow the signs for Cairnryan port. 
  • If you’re travelling from the south of England, take the M1/M40 north to the M6. Once you’ve reached Carlisle, take the A75 west to Stranraer/Cairnryan.

Arriving by train:

What is the nearest train station?

The nearest train station to Cairnryan is located in Stranraer which is around 10 minutes from the port

How to get to Cairnryan port from the train station

ScotRail operate trains to Stranraer from various destinations such as Glasgow. Once you’ve arrived, there are buses connecting Stranraer with Cairnryan. Alternatively, you can get a taxi.

Arriving by foot:

If you’re coming from the centre of Cairnryan, you can walk to Stena Line’s Loch Ryan port in around 15 minutes or you can get bus 360. The P&O Ferries’ terminal is around a 25-minute walk from the centre of Cairnryan village.

Arriving by bus:

Stagecoach operates services from both Ayr and Stranraer to Cairnryan.

Arriving by taxi:

You can get taxis to the port from Stranraer although we’d recommend booking these in advance.

Reaching Cairnryan port from the airport:

Glasgow Prestwick Airport 

  • Distance: 60 miles 
  • Approximate journey time: 1 hour 30 minutes 

Glasgow International Airport 

  • Distance: 95 miles 
  • Approximate journey time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Arriving at Cairnryan port

Ferries from Belfast will take you to the Loch Ryan port whilst ferries from Larne will disembark at the Cairnryan terminal. Whichever ferry port you’re arriving at, follow the instructions on where to go.

Arriving as a foot passenger

Foot passengers will either have to walk from the ferry to the terminal, or a shuttle service will be provided. You can walk from either port to the centre of Cairnryan. It takes around 15 minutes from Loch Ryan port or about 25 minutes from the P&O Ferries port.

Public transport

If you’re arriving at Loch Ryan port, you can get bus 360 to the centre of Cairnryan. Taxis are also available at both ferry terminals.

Nearest train station

The nearest train station is located in Stranraer, around a 10-minute drive away. You can either get a taxi from the port to the station or get a bus from Cairnryan to Stranraer. From the station, you can get trains to destinations including Glasgow Central and Ayr.

Disembarking by car

If you’re arriving with a vehicle, you can join the A77 straight away and continue your journey onwards.

Distance from major UK cities

  • Glasgow: 85 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes 
  • Edinburgh: 130 miles / 3 hours 15 minutes 
  • Aberdeen: 210 miles / 4 hours 45 minutes 
  • Carlisle: 100 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes 
  • Manchester: 230 miles / 4 hours 45 minutes 
  • Newcastle: 180 miles / 4 hours 15 minutes

Nearest airport

If you’re jetting off, Glasgow Prestwick Airport is the closest airport to Cairnryan ferry port. You can reach the airport in around 1 and a half hours.


Cairnryan port: services, amenities and more

Amenities

At both ferry terminals you’ll find a wide range of amenities such as passenger lounges, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, a café, free WiFi and parking.

Parking at Cairnryan port

At Loch Ryan port, you’ll find a large car park located in front of the terminal building. The first 30 minutes is free, allowing you to pick up and drop off passengers. After that, prices start from £1 and go up to £6 for a 24 hour stay. Parking is also available at the P&O Ferries terminal, with short-term stays of up to 30 minutes also free of charge. You can either pay via the machines at the terminal or via the app or QR code.

Accessibility

At Stena Line’s Loch Ryan port, there are accessible toilets. Disability assistance is also available. The P&O terminal also has accessible toilets. Wheelchairs can be requested from the terminal’s information desk. There is also a P&O Minibus with a wheelchair lift which can transport wheelchair passengers from the terminal to the ship.

Pets

Pets are allowed at the ferry ports.

Luggage

There is no luggage storage facility at either of the Cairnryan ports.

Important information:

Cairnryan port address:

Stena Line
Loch Ryan Port, 
Belfast Way, 
Cairnryan, 
DG9 8RG,
Scotland 

P&O Ferries
The Port 
Cairnryan 
Stranraer 
Wigtownshire 
DG9 8RF 
Scotland


Visiting Cairnryan

This small village in Scotland is located in Dumfries and Galloway in the south west of the country. It’s mainly known for its port, with most travellers using the town as a gateway to Northern Ireland rather than as a holiday destination. The village itself doesn’t really have much going on, with just a strip of white cottages nestled amidst Loch Ryan and lush green hills, making it a great place for a relaxing escape. Or, if you’d prefer to head somewhere with a little more to do and see, neighbouring Stranraer is just a short drive down the road. This bustling town is a lot livelier with a range of attractions including gardens, parks, museums, castles and plenty of shops and cafes.

Exploring the surrounding region

Cairnryan is a great starting point for your Scottish adventure. The region of Dumfries and Galloway and beyond is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts with beautiful landscapes made up of unspoiled beaches, forested hills and glistening lochs. It’s the perfect place for an outdoor adventure with hiking and cycling trails and water-based activities like sailing and kayaking. It’s also a great place for golf, with many courses dotted across the picture-perfect landscapes. If you want to continue further, you can reach Ayr in just over an hour and Glasgow in around 2 hours.

FAQs

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