Ferries to Cairnryan

The ferry port of Cairnryan is in Scotland in the United Kingdom, in the south of the Dumfries and Galloway region. From here you can reach Belfast and Larne, both in Northern Ireland. Together the services add up to as many as 24 departures a day. Crossings take between 2 and 2.25 hours. The port is served by P&O Ferries and Stena Line. Cairnryan is thus Scotland's gateway to Northern Ireland, and with up to 24 departures it has the densest service on this route.

Getting there and the terminal

Stena Line sails to Belfast from Loch Ryan Port, Belfast Way, Cairnryan, DG9 8RG. That address does not automatically apply to both operators: if you are crossing to Larne with P&O Ferries, check the terminal on your booking confirmation. Stena Line reckons on about one hour's drive from Loch Ryan Port to Ayr, two hours to Glasgow and three hours to Edinburgh. There is no railway station at the port. If you have booked a Rail and Sail ticket you take the bus from Ayr station, and there are long-distance coach connections for Glasgow and Edinburgh. The car park holds more than 300 vehicles, works with number plate recognition and needs no ticket. A covered walkway of at least 200 metres leads from the terminal building to the ship, and a shuttle bus also runs the route.

Check-in

On the route to Belfast, Stena Line opens check-in two hours before departure for vehicles and 1 hour 45 minutes before departure for foot passengers. It closes for both groups 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. For the sailings to Larne, P&O Ferries' deadlines apply; they are stated on your booking confirmation.