How to travel to Ireland from UK?

There are several ferry options for travelling between the UK and the island of Ireland: you can choose a fast ferry or slow ferry, travel by foot or as a car passenger to Dublin, Cork and Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland, or Larne and Belfast in Northern Ireland.



Traveling from the UK to Ireland is exceptionally easy and offers multiple modes of transport depending on your budget and preference for speed. The fastest way is by air; dozens of daily flights connect major UK cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh to Dublin, Cork, Shannon, and Knock. For those who prefer a more scenic or "slow" journey, the "Sail & Rail" tickets are a popular choice. You can take a train to Holyhead or Fishguard in Wales, or Liverpool in England, and then board a high-speed ferry operated by Stena Line or Irish Ferries. The Holyhead-to-Dublin crossing is the most frequent, taking about 2 to 3 hours. From Scotland, you can take a ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Because of the Common Travel Area (CTA), British and Irish citizens do not usually need a passport for travel between the two countries, though they must carry a form of valid photo ID. For international visitors, a passport is mandatory. The connectivity is so high that it is common for business travelers to complete a round-trip from London to Dublin in a single day.

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Reciprocal visa arrangements This scheme allows visitors from these countries to travel freely within the Common Travel Area (excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), using either an Irish or UK visa. British Irish Visa Scheme visas are endorsed with 'BIVS'.

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You must have a valid passport to enter Ireland. U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. There is no minimum passport validity requirement for U.S. citizens entering Ireland.

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You must have a valid passport to enter Ireland. U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. There is no minimum passport validity requirement for U.S. citizens entering Ireland.

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If you are a British citizen, you do not need a passport to enter Ireland. However, some carriers and airlines might require identification. Irish immigration officers check the ID of all passengers arriving by air from the UK and might ask for proof of British nationality, particularly if you were born outside the UK.

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If you hold an NI/ UK driving licence you will not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the Republic of Ireland. You will, however, need to carry your NI/ UK driving licence.

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The countries you can visit if you have a valid UK visa are:
  • Albania.
  • Costa Rica.
  • Panama.
  • Antigua and Barbuda.
  • Cuba.
  • Qatar.
  • Aruba.
  • Dominican Republic.


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In place of a passport, you can use WHTI-compliant documents like passport cards, trusted traveler's cards, and NEXUS cards. While these allow you to travel to these regions by sea and road, they are not acceptable for international flights.

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If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, you can enter and remain in Ireland for 90 days without needing a visa. If you are a foreign national from a visa-required country, you must apply for a visa before leaving your country.

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If the registration of your permission to stay in Ireland is successful, an Immigration Officer may stamp your passport, depending on the circumstances of your registration. Please note that some permissions are granted without your passport being stamped.

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Flights between the UK and Ireland require a passport, a drivers licence is NOT accepted. And later: Driving licences are NOT acceptable for travel with Ryanair between the UK and Ireland.

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Identification needed for international flights All customers travelling on international flights must hold either a valid EU/EEA/Swiss National Identity card or Passport, and, where required, a valid Visa. Your passport needs to be in good condition and signed.

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Passport cards The Irish passport card is a travel document that you can use for travel in the European Union, the European Economic Area (which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland instead of the passport book. It is similar in size to a credit card.

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