Liverpool to Dublin Ferry 2025: Is It Still Running

If you’ve been searching for a ferry from Liverpool to Dublin, you’ve probably noticed the results are a bit confusing. The direct passenger service that once connected the two cities isn’t quite what it used to be — and in 2025, the picture is more complicated than a simple click-to-book.

Average crossing time: 7 hours 30 minutes ·
Operator: Stena Line (freight and passenger) ·
Daily departures: Up to 2 ·
Cheapest alternative route: Holyhead to Dublin (approx 3 hours)

Four key facts, one pattern: the Liverpool–Dublin route is in flux, while alternatives offer clearer pricing and schedules.

Is there a direct ferry from Liverpool to Dublin?

Current passenger service status

Stena Line is the main operator on the Liverpool–Dublin corridor, but its primary focus is freight. The company’s customer service page confirms that foot passengers can access the ferry via a shuttle bus from the passenger terminal (Stena Line travel support). However, multiple aggregators — including Direct Ferries and Ferryhopper — warn that passenger sailings may be limited or unavailable on certain dates. Ferryhopper explicitly states that P&O Ferries do not take foot passengers on this route.

What this means: The Liverpool–Dublin passenger ferry is not dead, but it’s unreliable. If you’re a foot passenger, you cannot assume a sailing exists without checking the operator’s official schedule.

Freight‑only route details

Stena Line’s freight service between Dublin and Liverpool (Birkenhead) runs regularly. The Stena Line FerryCheck tool shows a departure at 14:00 arriving at 23:00, but this is likely a freight‑only sailing. The Daily Line (a third‑party guide) claims Stena Line runs the only direct passenger ferry from Birkenhead to Dublin in 2025, with fares from €25 foot‑passenger — but this has not been independently verified from official sources.

The pattern: Freight is certain; passenger access is uncertain. Always verify with Stena Line directly before booking.

How long is the ferry from Liverpool to Dublin?

Average crossing time 7‑8 hours

According to Direct Ferries, the average duration is 7 hours 30 minutes, though it can vary by operator and season. Omio lists the earliest departure at 01:30 and the latest at 22:30, implying a range of sailing times. OpenFerry reports a much shorter average of 2 hours 15 minutes — a clear outlier that suggests data inconsistency across aggregators.

Why this matters: If you rely on a single aggregator, you might get a wildly different crossing time. Cross‑reference with at least two sources or go straight to Stena Line.

Comparison with other routes

Holyhead–Dublin takes about 3 hours (Direct Ferries). Liverpool–Belfast is 8 hours (Stena Line FerryCheck). Fishguard–Rosslare runs about 3h30m, and Pembroke Dock–Rosslare about 4 hours. The Liverpool–Dublin crossing is the longest of the western routes, but it’s the only one that departs from the city centre.

The trade‑off: You trade speed for convenience of a Liverpool city‑centre departure.

What is the cheapest ferry route from the UK to Ireland?

Holyhead to Dublin as cheapest option

Holyhead–Dublin consistently offers the lowest fares. Direct Ferries shows foot‑passenger prices from £30 to £50 one‑way off‑peak. Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries operate this route, keeping competition high.

Why this is the baseline: For any budget‑conscious traveller, Holyhead is the obvious first choice. The 3‑hour crossing and frequent departures make it the most reliable budget option.

Price ranges for Liverpool routes

For Liverpool–Dublin, Direct Ferries quotes a range of €29 to €774 depending on vehicle and season. The average foot‑passenger price is around €40, with a typical range of €29–€79. Omio shows fares from about €21, and OpenFerry lists €29–€258. Reddit user reports (from 2024) mention €110 one‑way for foot passengers, but that figure may be outdated.

The catch: Liverpool–Dublin prices are volatile and heavily dependent on availability. If you find a sub‑€30 fare, grab it — but don’t expect it to be the norm.

Which is the quickest ferry crossing to Ireland?

Holyhead to Dublin (3 hours)

Holyhead–Dublin is the undisputed fastest crossing at about 3 hours (Direct Ferries). Stena Line’s Stena Adventurer and Irish Ferries’ Dublin Swift both serve this route, with multiple daily departures. For foot passengers, it’s also the most straightforward: the terminal in Holyhead is a short walk from the train station.

What this means: If you’re coming from North Wales or the Midlands, Holyhead is the fastest and most reliable option.

Fastest alternatives from other UK ports

Fishguard–Rosslare (3h30m) and Pembroke Dock–Rosslare (4h) are options for those in South Wales. Liverpool–Belfast (8h) is the only overnight option from the north‑west. Ferryhopper also suggests Cairnryan–Larne as a foot‑passenger alternative for travellers heading to Northern Ireland.

The pattern: Holyhead is the speed king; Liverpool is the convenience king (if you live in the city). The trade‑off is time vs. location.

Can I get a ferry from Liverpool to Belfast?

Current operator and schedule

Yes — Stena Line operates the Liverpool–Belfast route. The Stena Line FerryCheck shows a single daily sailing, typically departing in the afternoon and arriving in the evening. The crossing takes about 8 hours. Overnight sailings are available with cabins (Stena Line travel site).

Why this matters: For travellers heading to Northern Ireland, this is a direct, reliable option — though it’s long.

Why the crossing is 8 hours

The distance from Liverpool to Belfast is about 140 nautical miles, similar to Dublin, but the route is less direct. The ship also has to navigate the Belfast Lough, which adds time. The 8‑hour duration is consistent across sources (Direct Ferries, Stena Line FerryCheck).

The trade‑off: You get a full‑service ship with cabins, restaurants, and entertainment — but you lose half a day. If you’re in a hurry, fly or take the Holyhead route.

Five routes, one pattern: no single crossing is best for everyone. The table below lays out the key differences.

“Foot passengers using Liverpool, Dublin, Holyhead, and Belfast (VT2 to Liverpool) ports are transferred from the Passenger Terminal to the ferry by shuttle bus.”

Stena Line travel support

“Liverpool–Dublin ferry prices can range from €29 to €774 depending on operator, season, and whether a vehicle is included. The average foot‑passenger price is about €40.”

Direct Ferries

“I paid €110 one‑way foot passenger from Liverpool to Dublin in 2024. The crossing was smooth but the schedule was unpredictable.”

Reddit user report (2024)

For the budget traveller, the choice is clear: Holyhead or fly. For the Liverpool local who values convenience, the Liverpool–Belfast route is a reliable fallback — but only if you have 8 hours to spare. The direct Liverpool–Dublin passenger ferry is a ghost service: it exists in theory, but in practice it’s a gamble. Book with Holyhead or check Stena Line’s live schedule, or risk arriving at the port with no sailing.

Frequently asked questions