Ferry to UK

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Ferry to UK

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Ferry to the UK

You can reach the UK by ferry from a variety of destinations including routes within the UK such as those between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Wight. There are up to 3720 ferries running per week. Ferries to UK are provided by 17 ferry companies including P&O Irish Sea, Irish Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Brittany Ferries & Steam Packet. Book now with Direct Ferries and find a ferry to UK to suit you.


Sailing information: operators, timetables and routes

UK ferry timetable

The UK ferry timetable varies depending on the route you choose. If you're travelling from Scotland to Northern Ireland, the Cairnryan to Belfast ferry sails around 5 times a day and 39 times a week. The first ferry departs at 03:30 and the last ferry at 23:30. You can also get a ferry from Cairnryan to Larne. There are around 36 weekly sailings and 5 daily sailings on this route, with the first ferry departing at 04:00 and the last ferry leaving at 23:59.

Travelling from England to the Isle of Wight? Popular routes include the Southampton to Cowes ferry, which runs up to 15 times a day and 109 times a week. The first departure is at 03:00 and the last ferry leaves at 23:59. Portsmouth to Fishbourne is also popular, offering around 20 daily and 145 weekly sailings. The earliest ferry departs at 01:00 and the last at 23.59.

UK ferry operators

Ferries to UK are provided by 17 operators including P&O Irish Sea, Irish Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Brittany Ferries & Steam Packet. P&O Irish Sea and Irish Ferries are two of the most popular UK ferry operators.

UK ferry ports

There are 54 ferry ports in UK. Dover is the most popular port with 39 daily and 269 weekly sailings. From Dover, you can get ferries from the UK to France. Other popular UK ports include Holyhead, which serves routes to Ireland along with Harwich, Hull and Newcastle, which serve routes from the UK to the Netherlands.

How long is the ferry to the UK?

The duration of the ferry to the UK depends on the route you choose. Here are some popular UK ferry routes and their average durations:

Scotland to Northern Ireland

England to the Isle of Wight

Scotland to the Scottish Isles

England to Northern Ireland

Which is the fastest ferry to UK?

The fastest ferry to UK is Southsea to Ryde. This journey usually takes 10 minutes and costs around £78.04 on average.

Popular UK ferry routes

Popular UK ferry routes include those between Scotland and Northern Ireland such as Cairnryan to Belfast with 39 weekly sailings, and Cairnryan to Larne, with 36 sailings per week. Liverpool to Belfast is also popular for those travelling from England, with 13 sailings per week.

Ferries between England and the Isle of Wight are also popular, especially Southampton to Cowes, with 109 weekly sailings, and Portsmouth to Fishbourne with 145 sailings per week. 

From Scotland, many travellers also make the journey from the mainland to the Scottish Isles. The Oban to Craignure ferry is a popular choice to reach the Isle of Mull with 44 sailings per week. Meanwhile the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry is a popular route to reach the Isle of Arran with 33 weekly sailings, whilst many people travel on the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry to reach the Isle of Lewis, with 12 sailings per week.

Where do ferries from UK go to?

Ferries from the UK go to 62 ports including those within the UK, along with ports in France and Spain.


UK ferry prices

How much does the ferry to UK cost?

The price of the ferry to the UK all depends on the route you choose. For example, the Oban to Craignure ferry costs just £54 on average, whilst the ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast costs approximately £369. There are a number of factors that can affect the price of UK ferries, such as the time of year you're travelling and whether you're bringing a vehicle or not.

What is the cheapest way to get to UK?

The cheapest ferry to UK depends on the route, season, ferry company and how you are travelling. Prices are generally cheaper for foot passengers. We recommend booking your ferry tickets to UK in advance to get them at the cheapest price.

The cheapest UK ferry is Armadale to Mallaig with an average price of £27.37. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.


UK ferry travel with vehicles and pets

Can I travel as a foot passenger on the ferry to UK?

Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on UK ferries. UK foot operators include P&O Irish Sea, Irish Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Brittany Ferries & Steam Packet.

Can I take a car on the ferry to UK?

Yes, you can take your car on ferries to UK. Simply follow the signs at the port and staff will be on hand to guide you into the correct lane. UK car operators include P&O Irish Sea, Irish Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Brittany Ferries & Steam Packet.

Can I take my bike on the ferry to UK?

Yes, you can take your bike on ferries to UK. UK bicycle operators include P&O Irish Sea, Irish Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Brittany Ferries & Steam Packet.

Can I take my pet on the ferry to UK?

Yes, you can take your pet on ferries to UK. We recommend checking the ferry operator's pet policy before you travel. UK pet operators include P&O Irish Sea, Irish Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Brittany Ferries & P&O Ferries


Booking your UK ferry tickets

How to book ferry tickets to UK

It's easy to book ferry tickets to UK online at Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Enter your departure and arrival ports along the date you'd like to travel to see all available options. You can also compare alternative routes to find the best ferry to suit you. 

We'd recommend booking in advance to get your tickets at the best possible price. You can also check out our Special Offers page and sign up to our email for exclusive offers.

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