There are three ferry routes from Wales to Ireland, run by two operators. From Holyhead on Anglesey, Stena Line and Irish Ferries both sail to Dublin. In the south-west, Stena Line sails from Fishguard to Rosslare and Irish Ferries sails from Pembroke Dock to Rosslare.
The biggest change this year is ID: since 28 September 2026, both operators ask every passenger on these routes for a passport. I checked both operators' websites on 11 November 2026, and here's what each says about crossing times, sailings, check-in, foot passengers, pets, fares and offers.
Wales to Ireland ferries at a glance
| Route | Operator | Crossing time | Sailings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holyhead–Dublin | Stena Line | 3 hours 15 minutes | 8 a day |
| Holyhead–Dublin | Irish Ferries | 3 and a half hours | Up to 4 a day |
| Fishguard–Rosslare | Stena Line | – | 4 a day |
| Pembroke–Rosslare | Irish Ferries | Just over 4 hours | 2 a day |
Holyhead to Dublin
Stena Line says its Stena Adventurer and Stena Estrid sail "8 times daily between Dublin and Holyhead in only 3 hours 15 minutes".
Stena Estrid has a bar with an atrium, a Hygge Recline Lounge, the Stena Plus Lounge, en suite cabins, a Happy World play area, a Game Zone, free movies, a restaurant and a Duty Free Shop. Stena Adventurer has a Duty Free Shop, a restaurant, en suite cabins, the Stena Plus Lounge and a Hygge Lounge.
Irish Ferries says the Dublin–Holyhead route has up to 4 sailings each day. Its schedule showed cruise ferry departures from Holyhead at 01.30, 07.30, 13.15 and 19.30, arriving in Dublin at 05.00, 11.00, 16.45 and 23.00. Irish Ferries describes the Ulysses as having two cinema screens, bars, shopping and dining, with a voyage "only 3 and a half hours long". The Ulysses and the James Joyce are listed as the ships on the route.
What about the fast ferry? Irish Ferries' route page still says you can "Cross the Irish Sea in just over 2 hours on the "Dublin Swift", the only Fast Ferry on the route". But the sailing schedule on the same page listed only cruise ferry sailings when I checked, and the Dublin Swift wasn't in its list of ships on the route. So check when you book if you're counting on the faster crossing.
Fishguard to Rosslare and Pembroke to Rosslare
Stena Line, Fishguard–Rosslare. Stena calls this "the shortest, fastest crossing between South Wales and Ireland" and says there is "a choice of 4 sailings daily". Stena lists the Stena Plus Lounge and a Duty Free Shop on board. If you're driving, Stena also has Duty Free port shops in Holyhead and Fishguard.
Irish Ferries, Pembroke–Rosslare. Irish Ferries says the crossing is "Port-to-Port in just over 4 hours", with 2 crossings daily, on one ship, the Isle of Innisfree. The schedule showed departures from Pembroke at 02.45 and 14.45, arriving at 06.46 and 18.46. On board, Irish Ferries lists a Club Class lounge, a children's play area, a Pet Den Lounge, Duty Free shopping and O'Flaherty's Bar. Irish Ferries says Pembroke Dock is close to the M4, and that parking outside the terminal is free for a maximum of 2 weeks.
Passports: what's changed
Stena Line says that from Monday 28 September 2026, all passengers travelling from Dublin, Holyhead, Fishguard or Rosslare ports will be required to present a valid passport at check-in. That's everyone, regardless of age or nationality. You can't travel on a driving licence, birth certificate or other photo ID. Stena says Irish citizens can use a passport card, emergency passports are accepted, and no extra months of validity are needed. If you turn up without your passport, Stena says you will be unable to travel.
Irish Ferries says that from 28 September 2026, all passengers on its Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke routes, in both directions, must present a valid passport or Irish passport card before boarding. That includes Irish and UK citizens, and driving licences, national identity cards and other photo ID are no longer accepted.
Both operators say they've brought this in to meet UK Border Force requirements on passenger data.
GOV.UK says British nationals are not legally required to show a passport to enter Ireland, but it also says some airlines and ferry operators have introduced, or will be introducing, a passport-only identification requirement, and tells you to check your carrier's rules before departure and, where necessary, travel with a valid passport. On these routes, both operators have done exactly that.
Both operators say they've brought this in to meet UK Border Force requirements on passenger data.
Check-in times
- Stena Line, Holyhead–Dublin and Fishguard–Rosslare: Stena says check-in times for each route and ferry are shown on your e-ticket and Reservation Advice.
- Irish Ferries, all Britain–Ireland routes: 30 minutes before departure with a car, SUV, van or motorhome; 40 minutes on foot or cycling; 1 hour with pets.
Travelling as a foot passenger
Irish Ferries' check-in rules and Economy fare both cover foot passengers, and Stena's port pages set out the bus and rail links at each end. Holyhead's station is part of the ferry terminal, and Fishguard Harbour has its own station.
- Holyhead: Stena says Holyhead Railway Station can be accessed from Terminal 1 in Holyhead Port. Irish Ferries says the station is located within the ferry terminal complex.
- Dublin (Stena): there's no direct train link to Dublin Port. Stena says a bus between the city centre and its Terminal 2 runs for every sailing, takes around 30 to 35 minutes depending on traffic, and costs €3 / £3 to all stops except Heuston Station.
- Dublin (Irish Ferries): Irish Ferries says a public bus runs from its terminal to the main bus station in Dublin city centre.
- Fishguard: Stena says TfW serves Fishguard Harbour station, with connections into and out of the daytime sailing to and from Rosslare Harbour.
- Pembroke Dock: Irish Ferries says there is a railway station in Pembroke Dock but the frequency of the trains is very limited.
- Rosslare: Stena says there's a train to and from Dublin only, from a station 15 minutes' walk from the terminal, plus hourly buses to and from Dublin. Irish Ferries puts the station about 600m away, a 10-minute walk in the open air.
Irish Ferries sells Sail & Rail tickets between Ireland and Britain, but says the SailRail ticket covers mainline rail travel only.
Taking a pet
Stena Line says pets travel for free when they stay in your vehicle. Kennels can be pre-booked and are free on Holyhead–Dublin and Fishguard–Rosslare. On Stena Estrid, on the Holyhead route, you can visit your dog in the kennels during the crossing and exercise them under controlled conditions.
Irish Ferries takes pets for motorists, and for foot passengers and motorcyclists when they're booked into a kennel or the Pet Den, with a maximum of 5 pets per booking. There are Pet Dens on Ulysses, James Joyce and Isle of Innisfree, kennels on the car deck on Ulysses and Dublin Swift, and pet cabins on the James Joyce only. You must check in at least 60 minutes before departure with a pet.
On paperwork, Irish Ferries says your pet needs a valid EU pet passport or GB animal health certificate, a microchip and a current rabies vaccination, and that since April 2026 EU pet passports are no longer valid for Great Britain residents. Dogs need tapeworm treatment if travelling into Ireland, given 24 to 120 hours before arrival. Stena says pets travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the UK must have an EU pet passport or animal certificate.
Fares and offers
These were the prices and offers shown when I checked on 11 November 2026.
- Stena Line, Holyhead–Dublin: from £155 single, car and driver.
- Stena Line, Fishguard–Rosslare: from £155 single, car and driver.
- Irish Ferries: no "from" fare appeared on either route page when I looked. Its lowest fare type is Economy, which Irish Ferries says is non-refundable, with amendments costing €25/£20 per car journey change.
Offers running when I looked:
- Stena Line motorhome offer: take your motorhome for the same price as a car, with no motorhome supplements, on any Tuesday to Thursday sailing between Holyhead and Dublin or Fishguard and Rosslare.
- Stena Line caravan offer: save up to 50% on your caravan supplement on the same Tuesday to Thursday sailings.
Driving in Ireland
GOV.UK says you do not need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in Ireland, though if you're hiring a car you should check whether the hire company says you need one. If you're taking your own car, GOV.UK says to check you have the right vehicle insurance for the countries you're driving through and what proof you need to carry.
From Rosslare, Irish Ferries says the N25 gives access to the midlands, south and south-west of Ireland, and the N11 runs up the east coast to Dublin. In Dublin, Irish Ferries says the Dublin Port Tunnel gives quick access to the M50 and M1. Stena warns that the M50 is a barrier-free toll road, and that it's the driver's responsibility to pay before 8 p.m. the day after travelling.
For more crossings, see my Ireland ferry routes page.
Questions about the ferry from Wales to Ireland
Do I need a passport for the ferry from Holyhead or Fishguard?
Yes. Since 28 September 2026, Stena Line asks every passenger from Holyhead, Fishguard, Dublin or Rosslare for a valid passport, and Irish Ferries asks for a passport or Irish passport card on both its Wales routes. Driving licences are no longer accepted.
How long is the Holyhead ferry to Dublin?
Irish Ferries puts it at 3 and a half hours on the Ulysses. Stena says 3 hours 15 minutes.
Is the Dublin Swift fast ferry still running?
Irish Ferries' route page still mentions it at "just over 2 hours", but the schedule on that page listed only cruise ferry sailings when I checked on 11 November 2026, so check when booking.
How long is the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry?
Stena doesn't give a crossing time in its route text, but calls it "the shortest, fastest crossing between South Wales and Ireland". Irish Ferries' Pembroke–Rosslare crossing takes just over 4 hours, Irish Ferries says.
Can I get to the Holyhead ferry by train?
Yes. Both operators say Holyhead's railway station is part of the ferry terminal, so you can walk from the train to check-in.
Can I take my dog on the ferry from Wales to Ireland?
Yes. Stena's kennels are free on both its Wales routes and pets can stay in your car for free. Irish Ferries offers Pet Dens, kennels and pet cabins depending on the ship, and asks you to check in 60 minutes before with a pet.
