Dublin Ferry — Crossing to Wales, Britain, and Beyond

Dublin Port: Your Gateway to Britain and Europe by Sea

Dublin has two ferry operators running daily sailings to Wales, and one of them continues overnight all the way to France. Ferries are slower than planes, but meaningfully better in other ways: no airport security queues, a generous luggage allowance, the option to walk around on deck, and a short taxi ride to the port instead of an hour-long airport transfer. For a weekend in London or a summer trip to Paris, the ferry is often the most relaxed — and surprisingly affordable — option.

The Two Operators — Irish Ferries and Stena Line

Both Irish Ferries (irishferries.com) and Stena Line (stenaline.ie) operate daily sailings between Dublin Port and Holyhead, Wales. From Holyhead, a direct train reaches London Euston in roughly 2.5–3 hours.

• Irish Ferries — W.B. Yeats (cruise ferry): 3 hours 15 minutes. Restaurants, bar, cinema, duty-free shop, reclining seats, and private cabins available. From €39 one way as a foot passenger.
• Irish Ferries — Dublin Swift (fast ferry): 1 hour 59 minutes. A catamaran — quick, no frills, seated only. Seasonal service (spring through autumn). From €39 one way. Best if you want the shortest crossing.
• Stena Line — Stena Estrid or Adventurer: 3 hours 15 minutes. Comfortable cruise ferry with restaurants and cabin options. From €39 foot passenger. Departs from the north side of Dublin Port.

The Overnight to France — Dublin to Cherbourg

Irish Ferries operates a Dublin to Cherbourg (France) route 2–3 times a week, taking roughly 18–19 hours. You board in the evening and wake up in Normandy. The ship has real cabins — book one. An inside cabin costs €15–25 extra and is worth every cent for sleeping properly. There are restaurants, a bar, and a promenade deck. This is how you get to Paris on a budget without setting foot in an airport: ferry overnight + TGV from Cherbourg to Paris, and you're there by afternoon the next day. Return fares including a cabin typically run €120–180 — often competitive with a budget flight once you factor in airport transfers and luggage fees.

Getting to Dublin Port

Dublin Port is about 2.5 km east of the city centre. The easiest options:

• Dublin Bus route 53: Departs from Talbot Street (beside Connolly Station). About 20 minutes. Costs €2.90 with a Leap Card.
• Taxi or Free Now: From the city centre costs roughly €12–18 depending on traffic and time of day.
• Irish Ferries shuttle coach: Available from Busáras (Store Street) on sailing days — add it when you buy your ferry ticket.

Allow at least 60 minutes before departure for check-in, especially for the cruise ferry. Foot passengers can arrive 45 minutes before, but don't cut it close.

Booking — Prices and What to Watch For

Book at irishferries.com or stenaline.ie. Both release promotional fares that can drop to €25–30 each way for foot passengers booked weeks in advance. Practical tips:

• Tuesday and Wednesday sailings are consistently cheaper than weekend dates
• Compare both operators for your travel date — prices can differ by €20 on the same day
• Add a cabin on the W.B. Yeats or on the France sailing — seats are fine for a day crossing, but not for 18 hours overnight
• No luggage weight limit as a foot passenger — bring your full suitcase without paying extra, unlike every budget airline
• A return booked at the same time is often only €10–20 more than a single

What Happens When You Land in Holyhead

Holyhead is a small port town in north Wales. The ferry terminal connects directly to the train station — you walk off the ship and onto the platform. Trains to London Euston depart regularly and take 2.5–3 hours (book at trainline.com or the Avanti app; advance tickets from £20). For Birmingham, Manchester, or Edinburgh you can connect at Crewe or London. Most Brazilian (and other Latin American) students don't need a visa to enter either Ireland or the UK for a short stay — but since 8 January 2025, the UK requires an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for any entry, including by train or ferry from Ireland. It isn't a visa — it's a simple online authorisation you apply for in minutes — but it must be approved BEFORE you travel. With your ETA sorted, immigration at Holyhead typically clears in 5-10 minutes.

How Departi Can Help

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