Dublin Holyhead Ferry: Compare the Crossings

The Dublin Holyhead ferry is a short sea crossing between Ireland and North Wales, and two companies run it. This guide compares them on crossing time, sailings and the trip into the city.

Dublin Holyhead ferry crossing time: Irish Ferries vs Stena Line

Stena Line is slightly faster on its standard ship, and Irish Ferries is much faster on its fast ship. Stena Line's route page says its ferries cross in 3 hours 15 minutes. Irish Ferries says the voyage on Ulysses is 3 and a half hours. It says the Dublin Swift crosses in just over 2 hours.

The Dublin Swift is the catch. Irish Ferries calls it the only fast ferry on the route, but its timetable does not show which sailings use it. Its sailing updates for 24 to 27 October 2026 name only Ulysses and James Joyce. Check the update page for your date before you pick a time.

Ferry fares are harder to pin down. Irish Ferries' route page shows no fare amounts. Stena Line's route page shows a car-and-driver fare from £155 one way and gives no foot-passenger fare, so check the booking page for your date.

Planning to carry on by rail? a Dublin train from the city is easy once you land.

Key Takeaway Stena Line says 3 hours 15 minutes, while Irish Ferries only offers its just over 2 hour crossing on the Dublin Swift.

Sailings a day: Irish Ferries vs Stena Line

Stena Line sails more often, with 8 crossings a day against up to 4 for Irish Ferries. Stena Line runs the Stena Adventurer and the Stena Estrid on this route. Irish Ferries lists Ulysses and James Joyce, plus the Dublin Swift.

More sailings means more choice if you miss a boat. Weather can still change a crossing, so look at each operator's update page the day before.

A short crossing still needs a long day.

Check-in and the port: Irish Ferries vs Stena Line

Irish Ferries advertises a 30 minute check-in, and its Dublin Ferryport is 2 miles from the city centre. Its Holyhead terminal is closed between 3am and 5.45am, so plan any night crossing around that gap. The Stena Line page read for this guide shows a check-in column but gives no times, so check your booking for the cut-off.

The page does not say how foot passengers are handled. Irish Ferries' booking form has an option for people travelling on foot or by bike, so ask the operator if you have no car.

Into the city: bus 53 vs Nolan Coaches

Bus 53 is the cheap way into town, and the Nolan Coaches transfer is the quick one. Irish Ferries' port page says bus 53 runs between Talbot Street and Dublin Ferryport at standard fares. Free travel passes work on it.

The Nolan Coaches express transfer runs seven days a week and costs €3 each way. It is cashless, so pay online or by card with the driver. You cannot tap a bank card on Dublin Bus at the moment, so use the Nolan Coaches card payment, a Leap card or cash for bus 53.

The Luas is not a direct link. Irish Ferries says it connects with Busarus and Heuston Station, and the page gives no fare.

If you sail with Stena Line, its page does not describe the Dublin terminal onward trip. Ask Stena Line which bus or stop to use before you arrive. Without a car, the two options with published details are bus 53 and the Nolan Coaches transfer.

Pro Tip Download the Nolan Coaches timetable before you land, because the page points to it for departure times.

First day: big bus tour vs walking tour

A big bus tour is the easiest first afternoon after the ferry, and a short walking tour is the cheaper one. You can do Dublin on your own if you know the city or have only a few hours, because the centre is easy to walk. A tour helps if you want the sights and some history explained with no planning. In Things to Do in Dublin's count of GetYourGuide listings on 25 October 2026, 69 listings in Dublin last 2 hours or less, from €10 per person.

To see the main sights without planning, book a big bus tour Dublin ticket. The DoDublin hop-on hop-off bus is from €29 per person, rated 4.5 from 3,533 reviews, with free cancellation. It includes live commentary, a 24, 48 or 72 hour ticket and entry to the Little Museum of Dublin. Its meeting point may vary with the option you pick. The City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus is from €28 per person, rated 4.3 from 1,335 reviews, with free cancellation. It includes a 24, 48 or 72 hour ticket, audio commentary and a guided walking tour, and its meeting point is a map code, 8PVQ+MWR. Neither includes entry fees, food or tips, and no group size is published for either.

If you prefer to walk, the Highlights and Hidden Gems walking tour is run by Original Dublin. It lasts 2 hours, starts at 3 Crown Alley in Temple Bar, and costs from €24 per person. It is rated 4.8 from 4,085 reviews. It includes a local guide, does not include hotel pickup, food, drinks or tips, and has no free cancellation. No group size is published.

A bus ticket is not right for everyone. If you land late at night, a tour will not help, so go straight to your bed. For free things to see in Temple Bar, read about Temple Bar.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026.