Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast Ferry
Stena Line's overnight Liverpool-Belfast service from Twelve Quays — about eight hours, cabin included. The relaxed alternative to flying or the long drive via Cairnryan.
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Other ways to get from Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast
| Option | Journey time | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairnryan to Belfast ferry | 2h 15 | 6 / day | Stena Line |
| Fly Manchester → 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 Manchester → 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 Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast ferry
Liverpool to Belfast is Stena Line's overnight Irish Sea crossing between Merseyside and Northern Ireland. Although branded Liverpool, the terminal is across the Mersey at Twelve Quays in Birkenhead, easily reached from the M53. The ships sail in about eight hours, usually overnight, with cabins, a bar, lounges and a restaurant, so you can sleep through the crossing and drive off in Belfast in the morning. It is the relaxed alternative to flying or to the long drive up to Cairnryan, and it lands you right in Belfast for the Antrim coast, the Giant's Causeway, the city itself or the road south to Dublin. The route carries cars, motorhomes, freight and foot passengers, and an overnight cabin is well worth booking.
- Overnight crossing with cabins — sleep and arrive ready to drive
- Lands right in Belfast for the city, the coast and the road to Dublin
- Avoids the long drive up to Cairnryan in Scotland
- Terminal at Twelve Quays, Birkenhead, off the M53
Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast ferry fares we have seen
| Fare basket | Fare seen | Seen on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car + driver, single, from (route-page headline fare) | £149.00 | 18 October 2026 | Stena Line Liverpool-Belfast route page, 'From £149.00 single, car and driver' |
| Car + driver, return, from (Short Stay by Car offer) | £177.00 | 18 October 2026 | Stena Line Liverpool-Belfast route page, 'Short Stay by Car from £177 return, car and driver' |
| Adult foot passenger, single — Direct Ferries 'from' price | £94.00 | 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 | £395.00 | 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.
Who sails Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast
| Operator | Ships | Crossing | Sailings | Foot passengers | Pets | Cabins / seating | Check-in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Stena Line | Stena Edda, Stena Embla | about 8 hours | up to 4 daily direct sailings (day and night crossings) | Yes - shuttle bus from passenger terminal to ferry at Liverpool (Birkenhead) and Belfast VT2 | All pets pre-booked. Pets in cars travel free, but Stena recommends a pet-friendly cabin or kennel on this long crossing. Kennels charged per kennel, each way. | En suite cabins, Sky Bar, upgrades to Stena Plus or Hygge Lounges | Time-specific: Belfast 10:30 sailing opens 08:00, closes 09:30; 22:30 sailing opens 19:30, closes 21:30; Monday 22:00 sailing closes 21:00 |
Rules differ by operator and ship; confirm when you book. Sources: stenaline.co.uk. Checked 2026-10-18.
What to know about the Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast crossing
Check-in
Stena's page gives times for the Belfast side: 10:30 sailing opens 08:00 and closes 09:30; 22:30 sailing opens 19:30 and closes 21:30; Monday 22:00 sailing closes 21:00. Birkenhead terminal opening hours are 07:30-10:30 and 19:30-22:30. (stenalinetravel.com)
Foot passengers
Foot passengers are transferred from the passenger terminal to the ferry by shuttle bus. A bus connects the Birkenhead terminal to Hamilton Square railway station. (stenaline.ie)
Pets
Pets must be pre-booked. Pets in cars travel free; kennels carry a fee per kennel each way and can be visited during the crossing; Stena recommends a pet-friendly cabin or kennel because of the length of the crossing. (stenalinetravel.com)
Where the ferry leaves from and arrives
Birkenhead Twelve Quays terminal (Stena Line 'Liverpool Port')
- Address
- 12 Quays Terminal, Tower Road, Birkenhead, CH41 1FE
- Getting there
- Within 10 minutes of the M53 and about 7 minutes from the Mersey Tunnel; signposted 'Stena Line'.
- Facilities
- Tickets, toilets, baby change, passenger lounge, coffee shop, vending, Wi-Fi, disability assistance. Open 07:30-10:30 and 19:30-22:30.
- Onward travel
- Bus from terminal to Hamilton Square railway station; National Express coaches from Liverpool One Bus Station; Argyll Satellite Taxis 01512011111.
Source: stenaline.co.uk, checked 2026-10-18.
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Staying in or around Belfast
Ports & operators on this route
Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast ferry — common questions
How long is the Liverpool to Belfast ferry?
About eight hours, usually overnight, with cabins available.
Where does the Liverpool-Belfast ferry leave from?
From Stena Line's Twelve Quays terminal at Birkenhead, across the Mersey from Liverpool city centre.
Is there a daytime Liverpool-Belfast sailing?
Most sailings are overnight, though daytime departures run on some days; check the timetable for your date.
Which port does the Liverpool to Belfast ferry leave from?
Stena Line's 'Liverpool Port' is the 12 Quays Terminal, Tower Road, Birkenhead, CH41 1FE, on the Wirral side of the Mersey.
Can I get from Birkenhead ferry terminal by train?
Stena Line says a bus connects the terminal to Hamilton Square railway station.
Can I take a dog on the Liverpool to Belfast ferry?
Yes, pre-booked. Stena Line says pets in cars travel free but recommends a pet-friendly cabin or a kennel (fee per kennel each way) on this long crossing.
Related ferry routes
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/liverpool-belfast/
- stenaline.co.uk stenaline.co.uk/routes/liverpool-belfast/liverpool-port
- directferries.co.uk www.directferries.co.uk/liverpool_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