Cairnryan to Larne Ferry
P&O Ferries' fast Scotland-Northern Ireland crossing — about two hours from Cairnryan in Galloway to Larne north of Belfast. The shortest sea route between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Search live Cairnryan to Larne ferry prices
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Other ways to get from Cairnryan to Larne
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Fly Glasgow → Belfast City (BHD) | For Belfast and Northern Ireland. The airport is about 26 km from Larne 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 Larne ferry
Cairnryan to Larne is the shortest sea crossing between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and P&O Ferries' fast link across the North Channel. From the terminal at Cairnryan in Galloway, south-west Scotland, the ships reach Larne, just north of Belfast, in about two hours, with up to seven sailings a day. It is the route of choice for drivers from Scotland, the North of England and beyond who want the quickest hop to Northern Ireland, and Larne puts you straight onto the A8 for Belfast and the Antrim coast. P&O carries cars, motorhomes, coaches and foot passengers on modern ferries with lounges, a cafe and a shop. With frequent daytime departures and short crossing times, it is an easy, flexible way to reach Northern Ireland.
- The shortest GB-Northern Ireland sea crossing at about two hours
- Up to seven sailings a day for flexibility
- Larne feeds straight onto the A8 for Belfast
- Ideal for travellers from Scotland and the North
Cairnryan to Larne ferry fares we have seen
| Fare basket | Fare seen | Seen on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult foot passenger, single — Direct Ferries 'from' price | £89.00 | 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 | £372.00 | 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 Larne crossing
Check-in
Search summary of P&O's passenger page gives latest check-in as 30 minutes before departure for vehicles and motorcycles, 45 minutes for foot passengers, pets and bicycles, 60 minutes for special assistance. Other P&O pages gave 90 and 60 minutes; confirm on the booking confirmation. Page itself not readable (HTTP 403). (poferries.com)
Where the ferry leaves from and arrives
Arriving in Larne? Book a car at Belfast City (BHD), about 26 km from the port →
Staying in or around Larne
Ports & operators on this route
Cairnryan to Larne ferry — common questions
How long is Cairnryan to Larne?
About two hours, the shortest crossing between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Who operates Cairnryan to Larne?
P&O Ferries, with up to seven sailings a day.
Where is Cairnryan?
On Loch Ryan in Galloway, south-west Scotland, reached via the A77 and A75 — about an hour south of Ayr.
How long is the Cairnryan to Larne ferry?
P&O Ferries' pages, as summarised by a web search, give about two hours.
Related ferry routes
Other routes from Cairnryan
More P&O Ferries 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.
- poferries.com www.poferries.com/en/routes/cairnryan-to-larne/timetables
- directferries.co.uk www.directferries.co.uk/cairnryan_larne_ferry.htm
- poferries.com www.poferries.com/en/routes/cairnryan-to-larne/travel-information-25/passenger-travel-information