Belfast – Cairnryan
Ferries to Scotland
Belfast – Cairnryan
Ferries to Scotland
The Belfast to Cairnryan ferry route is provided by 1 operators and is available for booking all year round. The ferry crossing from Belfast to Cairnryan takes approximately 2 hours 22 minutes on ferries servicing this route. The ferry duration for the Belfast to Cairnryan ferry can range between 2 hours 22 minutes and 3 hours 22 minutes depending on the operator that you decide to travel with.
There are around 40 weekly sailings from Belfast to Cairnryan.
Stena Line provide 6 sailings daily, 39 sailings weekly. Please keep in mind that ferry timetables often increase during the high season.
The first ferry leaves Belfast Port at approximately 03:30 and the last ferry leaves at approximately 23:30. Ferry schedules can vary by operator and season.
The fastest ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan is with Stena Line in 2 hours 22 minutes.
The fastest ferries from Belfast to Cairnryan usually cost around $495.84.
There are overnight ferries from Belfast to Cairnryan. The first overnight ferry leaves Belfast at 03:30 and arrives in Cairnryan at 05:52.
There are cabins available on ferries from Belfast to Cairnryan with Stena Line.
Pets are allowed on ferries travelling from Belfast to Cairnryan with Stena Line.
Yes, you can bring your car on the Belfast to Cairnryan ferry with Stena Line.
Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on the Belfast Cairnryan ferry with Stena Line.
Foot passengers sailing with Stena Line can bring up to 1 piece of hand luggage measuring no more than 60 × 50 × 40 cm. Passengers with vehicles can bring as much luggage as they like.
The price of a ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan can vary between $134.92 and $610.61 depending on the operator, season and whether you are travelling with a vehicle. The average price of a foot passenger is $108.29, with prices ranging from $50 and $275. The average price with a car is $509.51. Car prices can range from $199 to $640. All ferry prices can change from season to season. Please be aware that prices do not include booking fees. 1 August 2025
Find cheap ferry tickets using our deal finder. It is highly recommended that you book in advance to ensure yourself the best possible prices and availability on the Cairnryan ferry.
First class is available on ferries from Belfast to Cairnryan with Stena Line.
The best way to travel from Belfast to Cairnryan is by ferry. With 6 sailings per day, you are bound to find a suitable ferry crossing to suit your needs. However, there are alternative routes to explore if you require additional flexibility.
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| Belfast - Cairnryan Ferry Route Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Country | Northern Ireland | |
| Destination Country | Scotland | |
| No. of Operators | 1 | |
| Operators | Stena Line | |
| Average Price | $496 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 6 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 40 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 2 h 22 m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 2 h 22 m | |
| First Ferry | 03:30 | |
| Last Ferry | 23:30 | |
| Distance | 58 Nautical Miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2025.
Belfast Harbour is a main hub in the importation and exportation of goods and for passenger ferry services. Operated by Stena Line, Belfast ferry port provides regular passenger ferry crossings to Cairnryan in Scotland and Liverpool Birkenhead in England. Run by Steam Packet, there are also seasonal services to Douglas on the Isle of Man, across the Irish Sea.
The city of Belfast, in Northern Ireland, is the capital city located in County Antrim, although parts of the city spread over to County Down. The city has a long tradition in the production of Irish linen, tobacco, rope and shipbuilding. In fact, the city's main shipbuilder, Harland and Wolf, is known for building the RMS Titanic in the early 20th Century. Today, Belfast is an important centre for commerce, the arts, higher education, law, business and of course, tourism.
Cairnryan is a small Scottish port village sitting on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan in Dumfries and Galloway. The harbour has two ferry terminals providing services to and from Larne and Belfast: the Larne terminal, opened in 1973 and now operated by P&O Ferries, and the second is run by Stena Line, taking ferries from Belfast.
The village can trace its origins back to 1701 when it was established to house the workers on the Lochryan Estate, which has a deer park and bowling green. The village has a long and important seafaring history and today is home to one of the most popular ferry routes in the United Kingdom.
There isn't a great deal of things to do and see in the village and its facilities include a hotel, some bed and breakfast guest houses, a caravan site which has been built on the site of an old war camp area, a village shop and the Merchant's House Restaurant.
