What is the fastest ferry from Dublin to Liverpool?

The fastest ferry from Dublin to Liverpool is with P&O Ferries in 7 hours and 30 minutes.



The fastest ferry route between the Dublin area and Liverpool is technically the service from Holyhead to Dublin, which takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes using the Stena Adventurer or Irish Ferries' fast craft. However, if you are looking for a direct "Dublin Port to Liverpool (Birkenhead)" crossing, the journey is significantly longer. The standard direct ferry service, operated primarily by Stena Line, takes approximately 8 hours. While there have been fast-ferry "catamaran" services on this route in the past, they are often discontinued due to the rough conditions of the Irish Sea. In 2026, travelers wanting the fastest possible sea connection from Liverpool generally drive 1.5 hours to Holyhead and take the 3-hour fast ferry from there, as the direct 8-hour Dublin-Liverpool crossing is mostly utilized by freight and overnight travelers.

People Also Ask

So there's not much difference really. We used both last year and I preferred Irish Ferries. I thought there was more to see and do. That said, they're more or less the same so I would go with the cheaper option/best sailing times...

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Fishguard to Rosslare is the quickest ferry crossing to Ireland from Great Britain. This route takes approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. Stena Line operates this route with 14 weekly sailings. The next quickest route is Pembroke to Rosslare, which takes approximately 3 hours, with 16 weekly sailings.

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Taking the ferry to Ireland You can also enjoy a good night's sleep in the privacy of your own cabin if you're travelling travelling from Ireland to the UK on one of our overnight Dublin ferry crossings.

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Ferry travel is a popular method of getting from Ireland to England, Wales and the Isle of Man across the Irish Sea. Crossings are year round, fast and operated by a variety of ferry company across a number of routes.

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Both are great companies, and fares are virtually the same, simply book to Dublin Port Stena for Stena Line or to Dublin Port (Irish Ferries) for Irish Ferries.

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Irish Ferries operate to the highest safety standards, as set down by the International Maritime Organisation and monitored by the regulatory authority in each country. We advise all passengers to be aware of the on board Assembly Stations and to listen carefully to all announcements by the crew.

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Check in opens 2.5 hours before departure. Passenger check-in at the ferry terminal ends 60 minutes before the ferry departs. Check-in for passengers travelling without a vehicle is not permitted on this route.

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Irish citizens have unrestricted residence rights in the UK As well as being able to travel freely to the UK, Irish citizens can take up long-term residence with no visa or work permit requirements, and are treated as though they have permanent immigration status or British citizenship.

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General Travel Advice Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter the UK.

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