Irish Ferries Frequently Asked Questions

Booking with Irish Ferries is quick and straightforward. You have three convenient options:

• Online via our website — select your route, date, and passenger details to complete your booking instantly
• By phone — call us on +44 371 781 0700 and our reservations team will assist you
• In person — visit the ticket office at Eastern Docks, Dover during opening hours

We recommend booking online for the fastest confirmation and access to the best available fares.

While Irish Ferries accepts bookings up to 24 months in advance, we strongly recommend booking as early as possible — particularly if you are travelling with a vehicle, over peak holiday periods, or require a cabin.

Booking early typically secures the best available fares and guarantees your preferred sailing time. Popular summer routes can fill up several months ahead of departure.

Yes, changes and cancellations are permitted subject to the fare type and the terms of your ticket. Here is a general summary:

• Flexible fares: Changes and cancellations are permitted at any time, often with no amendment fee
• Value fares: Changes may incur an amendment fee; cancellations may be non-refundable
• Saver fares: Generally non-amendable and non-refundable

Please review the full terms at the time of booking. To request a change, contact us via our contact page or call our reservations team.

Irish Ferries accepts a wide range of payment methods to make booking convenient for all passengers:

• Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards
• American Express
• PayPal (available for online bookings)
• Bank transfer (for group and commercial bookings)

All online transactions are processed through a secure, encrypted payment gateway. A small card processing fee may apply depending on the card type used.

Irish Ferries operates a comprehensive network of routes connecting Ireland to Britain and mainland Europe:

• Dublin – Holyhead (Wales): up to 4 sailings daily, crossing time approx. 3h 30min by fast ferry or 3h 15min by cruise ferry
• Rosslare – Pembroke (Wales): twice daily, crossing time approx. 4 hours
• Rosslare – Cherbourg (France): regular sailings, approx. 18–19 hours
• Rosslare – Roscoff (France): seasonal sailings, approx. 18 hours

Schedules vary by season — check the latest timetables on our website or contact our team.

Yes. Cabins are available on our longer overnight routes, including Rosslare to Cherbourg and Rosslare to Roscoff. Options include:

• 4-berth inside cabins — ideal for families or groups travelling together
• 2-berth inside cabins — comfortable private space for couples or solo travellers
• 2-berth outside cabins — with a porthole for natural light and sea views
• Deluxe cabins — larger space with premium amenities

Cabins must be reserved at the time of booking as availability is limited. We recommend booking well in advance for summer sailings.

Irish Ferries offers a variety of dining experiences across our fleet, varying by vessel:

• Self-service restaurant — hot meals, salads, and snacks throughout the crossing
• À la carte restaurant — available on select vessels for a sit-down dining experience
• Café and bar — coffee, pastries, light bites, and beverages
• Grab & Go — sandwiches, drinks, and snacks for passengers in a hurry

Special dietary requirements can be catered for — please notify us at the time of booking where possible.

Recommended check-in times to ensure a smooth boarding experience:

• Foot passengers: Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure
• Passengers with a vehicle: Arrive at least 60 minutes before departure
• Passengers with a motorhome or caravan: Arrive at least 90 minutes before departure
• Commercial vehicle drivers: Arrive at least 2 hours before departure

Late arrivals may be refused boarding. During peak periods, we strongly recommend arriving earlier than the minimum times listed above.

Yes. Irish Ferries operates roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels that can accommodate a wide range of vehicles:

• Private cars and SUVs
• Motorcycles and scooters
• Caravans and campervans
• Motorhomes
• Commercial vehicles and trucks
• Coaches and buses

Vehicle dimensions and weight restrictions apply. Please declare your vehicle type and measurements accurately at the time of booking to ensure the correct space is reserved.

Unlike airlines, Irish Ferries does not impose strict weight limits on personal luggage for foot passengers. However, you are expected to be able to carry your own bags.

• Passengers travelling with a vehicle may store luggage in their vehicle on the car deck (access to the car deck is not permitted during the crossing)
• Foot passengers should bring only what they can manage on board — luggage storage areas are available on the passenger decks
• Large or bulky items such as bicycles may need to be declared in advance

For specific queries about oversized or special luggage, please contact our team directly.

Yes, electric vehicles are accepted on Irish Ferries sailings. Due to maritime safety regulations, however, there are some important requirements:

• EVs must have a battery charge of no more than 40% at the time of boarding
• EVs must be parked in designated areas on the vehicle deck
• EV charging on board is not currently available during the crossing
• You must declare your vehicle as an EV at the time of booking

Please contact our team if you have a specific EV model query or require more detailed guidance on safety requirements.

Yes, Irish Ferries welcomes pets on board, subject to the following conditions:

• Pets must remain in your vehicle on the car deck throughout the crossing
• Pet-friendly kennels are available on certain vessels — these must be booked in advance
• Pets entering Britain or Ireland from the EU must comply with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), which includes up-to-date vaccinations, microchipping, and a valid pet passport
• Guide dogs and registered assistance animals may be permitted on passenger decks — please notify us at the time of booking

It is the passenger's responsibility to ensure all pet documentation complies with the regulations of the destination country.

Travel document requirements depend on your route and nationality. As a general guide:

• Ireland to Britain: Irish and British citizens may use a valid passport or national ID card. Non-EEA citizens require a valid passport and may require a visa
• Ireland to France: All passengers require a valid passport. Non-EEA citizens may require a Schengen visa
• Children: Must have their own valid travel document or be included on a parent's passport (older passports only)

It is your responsibility to ensure all travel documentation is valid and up to date. Irish Ferries cannot be held liable for passengers refused entry to a destination country.

Irish Ferries offers a loyalty scheme that rewards frequent travellers. Key benefits include:

• Earn points on every qualifying booking made through the official irishferries website or app
• Redeem points against future crossings, cabin upgrades, and on-board purchases
• Access to member-exclusive fares and early booking windows
• Priority check-in at selected ports

Registration is free. Simply create an account and ensure you log in before booking to start accumulating rewards.

In the event of a delay or cancellation, Irish Ferries will act in accordance with EU Regulation 1177/2010 on passenger rights in sea and inland waterway transport:

• Delay over 90 minutes: Light refreshments or meals provided where practicable
• Delay over 3 hours (sailings over 24 hours): Overnight accommodation offered where practicable
• Cancelled sailing: Passengers are offered re-routing at the earliest opportunity, or a full refund of the ticket price
• Compensation: Where delays are within Irish Ferries' control, passengers may be entitled to compensation of up to 25–50% of the ticket price

Delays caused by adverse weather, force majeure, or other extraordinary circumstances are generally exempt from compensation. Contact our team for specific queries.