Frequently Asked
Questions
Everything you need to know about Irish Ferries — from booking your journey to onboard services. Can't find an answer? Our team is always ready to help.
Everything You Need to
Know About Irish Ferries
Browse our comprehensive FAQ covering bookings, routes, onboard amenities, vehicles, and more for your irishferries journey.
Booking with Irish Ferries is quick and simple. You have several convenient options:
- Online through our website — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- By phone at +353 53 913 3158 during business hours
- In person at our port offices at Rosslare Europort, Co. Wexford
- Via email at [email protected] for group or specialist bookings
We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak summer months, bank holidays, and school break periods to secure your preferred sailing time.
Yes, amendments and cancellations are accepted, subject to our booking terms and conditions. The ability to change or cancel depends on the fare type you selected at the time of booking:
- Flexible fares — can be changed or cancelled with minimal charges
- Standard fares — amendments may incur an admin fee
- Sale/promotional fares — may be non-refundable or non-amendable
To amend or cancel, please contact our team or call +353 53 913 3158 as early as possible before your departure date.
Check-in times vary by route and travel type. As a general guide:
- Foot passengers: Arrive at the terminal at least 45 minutes before departure
- Passengers with vehicles: Arrive at least 60–90 minutes before your scheduled sailing
- Commercial vehicles: Check in at least 2 hours in advance
Check-in desks typically close 30 minutes before sailing. Arriving late may result in you missing your booked sailing without a refund. Always check your booking confirmation for route-specific check-in requirements.
Irish Ferries accepts a wide range of payment methods to make booking as convenient as possible:
- Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit and debit cards
- Apple Pay and Google Pay (online bookings)
- Bank transfers for group or freight bookings
- Cash at port ticket offices (subject to availability)
All online transactions are processed through secure, encrypted payment gateways. A booking fee may apply for certain payment methods.
Irish Ferries connects Ireland with Great Britain and continental Europe. Our primary routes include:
- Dublin — Holyhead: Multiple daily sailings; crossing time approximately 3 hours 15 minutes (fast ferry) or up to 3 hours 30 minutes
- Rosslare — Pembroke: Daily sailings; crossing time approximately 4 hours
- Rosslare — Cherbourg (France): Regular crossings; approximately 18–19 hours
- Rosslare — Bilbao (Spain): Seasonal service with select departures
View the full timetable and seasonal schedules on our Services page or contact our team for the latest departure information.
Crossing times vary depending on the route and vessel type:
- Dublin — Holyhead (Fast Ferry): Approx. 1 hour 49 minutes
- Dublin — Holyhead (Standard Ferry): Approx. 3 hours 15 minutes
- Rosslare — Pembroke: Approx. 4 hours
- Rosslare — Cherbourg: Approx. 18–19 hours
- Rosslare — Bilbao: Approx. 26–28 hours
Crossing times may be slightly affected by weather conditions, sea state, and port procedures. Precise times are always shown on your booking confirmation.
Yes, Irish Ferries operates year-round services on key routes. The Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke routes run daily throughout the year with reduced frequency during winter months.
The Rosslare–Cherbourg route typically runs from spring through autumn, while the Rosslare–Bilbao service is a seasonal offering. We recommend checking the current schedule on our website or contacting us directly for the most up-to-date timetable information for your preferred route.
Our fleet is designed for comfort and convenience. Onboard facilities typically include:
- Restaurant and café with full food and beverage service
- Duty-free shop and retail outlets
- Comfortable seating lounges and premium club lounges
- En-suite cabin accommodation (overnight crossings)
- Children's play areas and family-friendly spaces
- Wi-Fi connectivity (fees may apply)
- Accessible facilities for passengers with reduced mobility
Facilities vary by vessel and route. Long-haul sailings to France and Spain offer an enhanced selection of services.
Yes, cabin accommodation is available on our overnight and longer crossings, including the Rosslare–Cherbourg and Rosslare–Bilbao routes. Cabin options include:
- Interior cabins: Comfortable en-suite cabins without portholes, ideal for those who simply need a rest
- Sea-view cabins: En-suite cabins with ocean views
- Commodore Club cabins: Premium accommodation with enhanced amenities and lounge access
- Pet-friendly cabins: Specifically designated cabins for passengers travelling with pets
Cabins must be pre-booked. We recommend reserving early as availability is limited on popular sailings. Contact us to add a cabin to your booking.
Standard ferry tickets do not include meals. Food and beverage services are available for purchase onboard at our restaurants, cafés, and self-service areas. We offer a wide range of options from hot meals and snacks to barista coffee and light refreshments.
Some premium cabin and package bookings may include a meal credit or breakfast. Check your booking confirmation for details of any included extras. We also offer meal deal packages that can be added during the booking process.
Pets are welcome on Irish Ferries on certain routes and vessels, subject to specific conditions. Pets must remain in your vehicle or in designated pet kennels for the duration of the crossing on most routes. Pet-friendly cabins are available on selected overnight sailings.
Important requirements for travelling with pets:
- Pets must be declared at the time of booking (additional fee applies)
- EU pet passports and valid rabies vaccinations are required for travel between Ireland and continental Europe
- Dogs must be microchipped and treated for tapeworm before re-entering Ireland from the UK
- Pets must not be left unattended in vehicles during crossings
Please contact us before travelling with your pet to confirm all current regulations applicable to your specific route.
Yes, all Irish Ferries vessels on car ferry routes are equipped to carry private vehicles. When booking, you will be asked to provide your vehicle's registration, make, model, and overall dimensions. Pricing is calculated based on vehicle length.
We accommodate a full range of vehicles including:
- Standard cars and SUVs
- Campervans and motorhomes
- Caravans and towed trailers
- Motorcycles (with sidecar if applicable)
- Overheight vehicles (pre-notification required)
Please note that vehicle access is not permitted during the crossing for safety reasons. You are welcome to return to your vehicle once the vessel has docked and permission to disembark has been granted by the crew.
Absolutely. Irish Ferries provides comprehensive freight and commercial vehicle transport across our key routes. We handle a wide range of cargo including:
- HGVs, articulated trucks, and tractor units
- Unaccompanied trailers and containers
- Refrigerated and temperature-controlled units
- Hazardous goods (IMDG-classified, subject to approval)
- Oversized and abnormal loads
Our freight team can assist with all customs documentation requirements, including post-Brexit procedures. For freight enquiries and volume rates, please get in touch with our commercial team directly.
Required travel documents vary depending on your nationality and destination. As a general guide:
- Ireland to UK: Irish and UK citizens may use a valid passport or national identity card. Other nationalities require a passport and may need a UK visa.
- Ireland to France/Spain: EU/EEA citizens need a valid passport or national ID card. Non-EU citizens need a valid passport and may require a Schengen visa.
- All passengers: Must present a valid booking confirmation (printed or on mobile device)
We strongly recommend checking the latest travel requirements with the relevant embassy or government website before your journey, as regulations can change. Irish Ferries is not responsible for passengers who are refused travel due to incomplete documentation.
In the event of a cancellation or significant delay, Irish Ferries will notify affected passengers as promptly as possible via email and/or SMS using the contact details provided at the time of booking. We will offer one or more of the following remedies:
- Re-routing on the next available sailing at no additional cost
- Full refund of the unused ticket value
- Travel vouchers for future bookings in certain circumstances
In cases of extreme weather, industrial action, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control, our liability may be limited. We recommend purchasing appropriate travel insurance for your journey. For assistance, contact our team or call +353 53 913 3158.
Get In Touch With Us
Choose the most convenient way to reach our customer support team.
Call Us
Speak directly with our customer service team Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00 and Saturday 10:00–16:00.
+353 53 913 3158Email Us
Send us a detailed enquiry and our team will respond within one business day with a thorough answer.
[email protected]Visit Us
Come to our port offices at Rosslare Europort for in-person assistance with bookings and enquiries.
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