Cairnryan - Larne
Ferry to Northern Ireland
Cairnryan - Larne
Ferry to Northern Ireland
Last Updated: 25/09/2026
Fares for the Cairnryan to Larne crossing usually range somewhere between $64* and $1008*. Most travellers pay around $799* for a Cairnryan Larne ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $64*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $250* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $861*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Cairnryan Larne route generally kick off from Cairnryan at around 04:00, and the last departure of the day is usually around 23:59.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Cairnryan and Larne is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, P&O Irish Sea carries vehicles on the Cairnryan to Larne route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Cairnryan to Larne ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Yes, P&O Irish Sea takes bicycles on the Cairnryan to Larne crossing. Most operators are happy to carry bikes, but it's always worth confirming their exact policy before you turn up at the terminal.
Yes, P&O Irish Sea carries foot passengers between Cairnryan and Larne.
Pet owners are in luck — P&O Irish Sea allows pets on board between Cairnryan and Larne. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $771.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Cairnryan to Larne route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Cairnryan to Larne crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Cairnryan to Larne on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Cairnryan to Larne ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Cairnryan - Larne Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $250 | |
| Average Price with Car | $861 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $215 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $700 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $756 | |
| Cairnryan - Larne Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Scotland |
| Destination | Northern Ireland |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | P&O Irish Sea |
| Average Price | $799 |
| Average Pet Price | $771 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 5 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 37 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 2 h |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 1 h 59 m |
| First Ferry | 04:00 |
| Last Ferry | 23:59 |
| Distance | 47 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 25 September 2026.
Cairnryan is a Scottish port village located in Dumfries and Galloway, lying on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan. Important in maritime history, Cairnryan has two ferry terminals connecting Scotland to Northern Ireland. The first opened in 1973, originally operated by Townsend Thoresen and now by P&O Ferries, links Scotland with the port of Larne. The second Cairnryan ferry terminal is located at Old House Point, operated by Stena Line, linking to the Port of Belfast.
The village can trace its origins back to 1701 when it was established for workers employed on the Lochryan Estate which features a deer park and bowling green. Facilities in Cairnryan include the Lochryan Hotel, a few guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments, a caravan site built on the site of an old war campsite, a village shop and The Merchant's House Restaurant.
Larne is a town and seaport located in Country Antrim in Northern Ireland and lies on the western side of a narrow inlet linking Larne Lough to the sea. The port of Larne regular receives ferries from Cairnryan of Scotland, operated by P&O Irish Sea.
The area around the town has been inhabited for over a thousand years and is believed to have been one of the earliest inhabited areas in Ireland, with the settlers thought to have arrived from Scotland via the North Channel.
In Larne’s slightly more recent history, the Scots-Irish Bissett family built Olderfleet Castle at Curran Point in the 13th century and in 1315 Edward the Bruce of Scotland, who was Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland's brother, arrived in Larne with his army on his way to conquering Ireland.
