Search live Cairnryan to Belfast ferry prices
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Other ways to get from Cairnryan to Belfast
| Option | Journey time | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast ferry | 8h | 1 / day | Stena Line |
| Fly Glasgow → Belfast City (BHD) | — | — | For Belfast and Northern Ireland. The airport is about 1 km from Belfast ferry port. Compare flights → · Car hire at Belfast City → |
| Fly Glasgow → City of Derry (LDY) | — | — | For Derry and the north coast. Compare flights → · Car hire at City of Derry → |
Read more: Flights to Belfast from the UK — compareflights.co.uk (our sister site).
Flight times and fares are on the search page; we do not show them here.
The Cairnryan to Belfast ferry
Cairnryan to Belfast is Stena Line's fast Scotland to Northern Ireland route, sailing from the terminal on Loch Ryan in Galloway directly into Belfast Harbour in about two and a quarter hours. The Stena Superfast ferries run several times a day, carrying cars, motorhomes, coaches, freight and foot passengers, with lounges, a cafe and a shop on board. Landing right in Belfast rather than at Larne puts you straight into the city and onto the M2/M1 for the Causeway Coast, the Mournes or the road to Dublin. For travellers from Scotland and the North of England it is one of the quickest and most flexible ways across the North Channel, with frequent daytime departures. Cairnryan is reached via the A77 and A75.
- Lands right in Belfast, not Larne — straight into the city
- About two and a quarter hours on the Stena Superfast ships
- Several sailings a day for flexibility
- Easy onto the M2/M1 for the Causeway Coast and Dublin
Cairnryan to Belfast ferry fares we have seen
| Fare basket | Fare seen | Seen on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car + driver, single, from (route-page headline fare) | £155.00 | 18 October 2026 | Stena Line Cairnryan-Belfast route page, 'From £155.00 single, car and driver' |
| Adult foot passenger, single — Direct Ferries 'from' price | £108.00 | 18 October 2026 | Direct Ferries route page (figures from the last 30 days of searches, updated 16/10/2026, excluding booking fees) |
| Average paid for a crossing with a car — Direct Ferries, last 30 days | £382.00 | 18 October 2026 | Direct Ferries route page (figures from the last 30 days of searches, updated 16/10/2026, excluding booking fees) |
Fares change with date, demand and vehicle; these are figures we saw on the dates shown, not quotes. A booking fee may be added. Check live prices in the search above.
What to know about the Cairnryan to Belfast crossing
Check-in
Cairnryan and Belfast (VT4): cars open 2 hours before departure, close 30 minutes before. Foot passengers (including Rail & Sail) open 1 hour 45 minutes before, close 30 minutes before. (stenalinetravel.com)
Foot passengers
Covered walkway of at least 200m plus a shuttle bus from the passenger terminal directly to the ferry at both ports. Passengers needing help should tell staff at check-in and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Bus connections to Ayr station run on selected sailings for pre-booked Rail & Sail tickets. (stenaline.ie)
Pets
Pets must be pre-booked, by car or on foot. Pet Lounge on the Superfast vessels, kennels free, pet cabins up to 2 pets. (stenalinetravel.com)
Where the ferry leaves from and arrives
Cairnryan (Loch Ryan Port)
- Address
- Loch Ryan Port, Belfast Way, Cairnryan, DG9 8RG
- Getting there
- About 1 hour's drive from Ayr, 2 hours from Glasgow, 3 hours from Edinburgh.
- Parking
- Over 300 spaces; ticketless number-plate recognition;
- Facilities
- Tickets, toilets, passenger lounge, coffee shop, vending, Wi-Fi, EV chargers. Open 06:00-22:00.
- Onward travel
- Bus to Ayr station on selected sailings with pre-booked Rail & Sail; coach to Glasgow, Edinburgh and other places on selected sailings with pre-booked Express coach ticket.
Source: stenaline.co.uk, checked 2026-10-18.
Belfast (Victoria Terminal 4)
- Address
- Victoria Terminal 4, West Bank Road, Belfast, BT3 9JL
- Getting there
- Near Junction 1 of the M2 at Fortwilliam roundabout. No direct train.
- Parking
- Over 300 spaces;
- Facilities
- Tickets, toilets, passenger lounge, coffee shop, vending, Wi-Fi, rail tickets. Open 06:00-22:30.
- Onward travel
- Translink Metro 96 from Upper Queen Street near City Hall at 07:15, 11:15, 15:30, 19:30/19:45, about 22 minutes; taxi-share to city centre including Lanyon Place station; FonaCAB.
Source: stenaline.co.uk, checked 2026-10-18.
Arriving in Belfast? Book a car in Belfast →
Staying in or around Belfast
Translink Metro 96 from Upper Queen Street near City Hall at 07:15, 11:15, 15:30, 19:30/19:45, about 22 minutes; taxi-share to city centre including Lanyon Place station; FonaCAB.
Ports & operators on this route
Cairnryan to Belfast ferry — common questions
How long is Cairnryan to Belfast?
About two and a quarter hours on Stena Line's fast ferries.
What's the difference between Cairnryan-Belfast and Cairnryan-Larne?
Belfast (Stena Line) lands you in the city itself; Larne (P&O) is a little north and slightly shorter. Both cross from Cairnryan.
Who operates Cairnryan to Belfast?
Stena Line, with several sailings a day on its Superfast vessels.
How long is the Cairnryan to Belfast ferry?
Stena Line states about 2 hours 15 minutes, on Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII.
How many sailings a day between Cairnryan and Belfast?
Stena Line's route page says a choice of 12 daily sailings.
How do I get from Belfast ferry terminal to the city centre?
Stena Line lists Translink Metro 96 from the terminal area to Donegall Place (about 22 minutes) and a taxi-share scheme to the city centre including Lanyon Place station; there is no direct train.
When does check-in close at Cairnryan?
Stena Line closes check-in 30 minutes before departure for cars and foot passengers.
Related ferry routes
Other routes from Cairnryan
Other routes to Belfast
More Stena Line routes
Where these facts come from
Checked by the CheapFerries editorial team on 18 October 2026. Operators change timetables, fares and rules, so confirm details for your sailing when you book.
- stenaline.co.uk www.stenaline.co.uk/routes/cairnryan-belfast/
- stenaline.co.uk stenaline.co.uk/routes/cairnryan-belfast/cairnryan-port
- stenaline.co.uk stenaline.co.uk/routes/cairnryan-belfast/belfast-port
- directferries.co.uk www.directferries.co.uk/cairnryan_belfast_ferry.htm
- stenalinetravel.com www.stenalinetravel.com/customer-service/at-the-port/how-long-before-departure-do-i-need-to-check-in
- stenaline.ie www.stenaline.ie/customer-service/at-the-port/how-do-foot-passengers-access-the-ferry
- stenalinetravel.com www.stenalinetravel.com/customer-service/pre-travel/can-i-bring-my-pet/irish-sea