Ferries from
Northern Ireland to Scotland
Ferries from
Northern Ireland to Scotland
Ferries from Northern Ireland to Scotland sail approximately 78 times per week. 2 ferry companies provide the ferries to Scotland and there are 2 ferry routes to choose from. Ferries from Northern Ireland sail from Belfast and Larne and arrive at Cairnryan. Popular routes include the Belfast to Cairnryan ferry.
Timetables can differ depending on the ferry company, ship type and season you travel in. Check the latest ferry timetables between Northern Ireland and Scotland using our deal finder. Bear in mind, there are usually more sailings during the summer.
You can easily get a ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland. Ferries to Scotland from Northern Ireland sail approximately 78 times per week and are provided by 2 operators; P&O Irish Sea & Stena Line.
The duration of the ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland depends on a number of factors including the ferry company you're travelling with and the weather conditions at the time of sail. The duration of the Northern Ireland Scotland ferry also varies between routes, with the Belfast to Cairnryan ferry taking approximately 2 hours 22 minutes on average.
Fastest Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry time: 2 hours
Longest Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry time: 26 hours
The fastest ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland is the Larne - Cairnryan route. This ferry is provided by P&O Irish Sea and takes approximately 2 hours.
Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry times can differ depending on the route you choose and which ferry company you're travelling with. The season you travel in can also affect the times, with more options usually available in the peak summer months. If you're travelling from Northern Ireland to Scotland by boat, it's best to check the latest Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry timetable before you book.
There are 2 ferry companies providing this route. Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry operators include P&O Irish Sea & Stena Line
Popular Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry routes include:
Belfast to Cairnryan
Larne to Cairnryan
The most popular ferry is Belfast – Cairnryan with up to 6 daily and 39 weekly sailings. The journey usually takes about 2 hours 22 minutes.
Another popular route is the Larne – Cairnryan ferry with up to 6 daily and 39 weekly sailings. The Larne – Cairnryan ferry takes about 2 hours.
Yes, you can get from Northern Ireland to Scotland by car.
Car Operators: P&O Irish Sea & Stena Line
Check out our deal finder for more information on routes and to find Northern Ireland to Scotland car ferry prices.
The Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry price can vary depending on a number of factors including the route, ferry company, season and whether you are travelling with a vehicle or not.
We recommend booking your Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry tickets in advance to get them at the best price. The cheapest ferries from Northern Ireland to Scotland are usually out of season and at off-peak times. Visit our special offers page to take advantage of all the latest Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry discounts and to find the cheapest ferry to Scotland.
Scotland to Northern Ireland distance: 55 miles (88km) and 47 nautical miles.
You can book Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry tickets online at Direct Ferries. Compare Northern Ireland to Scotland ferry prices, timetables and ferry companies using our Deal Finder.
| From | To | Average price | |
|---|---|---|---|
From BelfastNorthern Ireland |
To CairnryanScotland |
Average price£376.07 | |
From LarneNorthern Ireland |
To CairnryanScotland |
Average price£361.00 |
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Yes, pets are allowed on certain routes, including Belfast - Cairnryan and Larne - Cairnryan. Operators that allow pets include P&O Irish Sea, Stena Line.
Pets are generally allowed, but will be kept in a designated pet-friendly area. Requirements may vary depending on the ferry operator. For travel from Northern Ireland to Scotland, you may need vaccinations, pet passports, and a carrier.
Foot passengers travelling on ferries from Northern Ireland to Scotland generally have no strict luggage limit but must handle their bags themselves. Vehicle passengers can usually pack belongings in their cars within reasonable limits.
Passengers can travel by direct ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland from popular ports like Belfast and Larne, with destinations including Cairnryan. View our Deal Finder for schedules and availability.
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, located in the North-east part of the island of Ireland, with the Republic of Ireland in the South-west. Northern Ireland has plenty of inspirational locations, stunning landscapes and friendly people. Each region in Northern Ireland is very distinctive with much to offer. Its capital and largest city Belfast was the birthplace of the Titanic and now has the world’s largest Titanic Belfast visitor experience to uncover the story of the Titanic. The ports of Northern Ireland provide the perfect gateway to the rest of the UK by ferry with regular and high speed crossings on offer to Scotland and the Isle of Man as well as a longer crossings travelling further south to England. Ireland features many ferry departures to the UK as well as some routes to the continent via France so you could also choose to drive to Ireland and sail from there.
Scotland is the Northernmost of the four countries that form the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean to the West and North, the North Sea to the East and across the border to the South you’ll find England. Scotland is a lively and friendly country, rich in history and heritage dating back thousands of years. People flock here to visit not only the beautiful mountains and valleys, rolling hills, forests and rocky coastlines but also for the experiences that Scotland has to offer. Whether you’re looking to play a game of golf at the very place it was invented or to visit one of the many distilleries for some whiskey tasting, Scotland has much to offer any visitor. In terms of arriving by ferry to Scotland, from Northern Ireland there’s a choice of year round services from and to numerous ports with sailings operated by modern and well-equipped ferries. There are no longer any direct ferries from continental Europe to Scotland however there are numerous crossings to England and Ireland that get you close enough.
