Ireland to UK

There are 4 main routes to the UK:

Pet Options:

1. Belfast to Cairnryan (Stena Line)

Stena Line allow pets to accompany their owners onto the passenger deck on their Belfast to Cairnryan route on routes operated by the Stena Superfast VII and the Stena Superfast VIII only. Pets must be in a carrier case (max. size: 80cm x 52cm x 52cm). On this route, there is a dedicated pet area. Owners can sit with their animals for the duration of the crossing. There are tea and coffee facilities in the dedicated pet area. Pets are not allowed out of their carrier and are not permitted in any other areas of the boat. Foot passengers can also travel in this section with a pet.

Pets can also be left in cars on this route or pre-booked into one of the kennels. The kennels are located on the car deck and owners will have no access to their pets throughout the sailing.

This sailing is approximately 2.5 hours.

2. Belfast to Liverpool (Stena Line)

Dog Lodges are available and booking one will allow you access to your pet throughout the sailing as they are located on the passenger deck. You can also exercise them on the pet deck. The size of the lodges are: 100cm (D) x 82.5cm (H) x 75cm (W). If you are travelling as a foot passenger, you must pre-book a dog lodge.

From February 2023, Stena Line are also introducing Pet Cabins on this route. This means you will be able to stay with your pet in a cabin for the duration of the sailing.

This sailing is approximately 8 hours.

3. Dublin to Holyhead (Stena Line)

There are two ships that operate the Dublin-Holyhead route. The first is the Stena Estrid and the second is the Stena Adventurer.

The Stena Adventurer offers pets in kennels (on the cark deck) or pets in a vehicle. Both options have no access to pets throughout the sailing. From February 2023, Stena Line are introducting a limited number of pet cabins on this route also so you can hang out in a cabin with your pet for the duration of the sailing!

The Stena Estrid has kennels on the passenger deck. This means you will have access to your pets whenever you wish throughout the sailing. It also means that you technically never have to leave them. We sat out on the deck with our dogs and enjoyed the sailing. You can see a video of our experience here. From February 2023, Stena Line are introducting a limited number of pet cabins on this route also so you can hang out in a cabin with your pet for the duration of the sailing!

This sailing is approximately 3 hours.

4. Rosslare to Fishguard (Stena Line)

This route offers pets in kennels (on the cark deck) or pets in a vehicle. Both options have no access to pets throughout the sailing.

From February 2023, Stena Line are introducting a limited number of pet cabins on this route also so you can hang out in a cabin with your pet for the duration of the sailing!

This sailing is approximately 3.5 hours.