If you’re thinking of making the journey from Scotland to Belfast then ferries leaving from the Stranraer Cairnryan ferry port take around 2.5 hours to cross the North Sea. Cairnryan Harbour is located on Loch Ryan just North of the town of Stranraer. It was first developed during the Second World War as a backup facility in case enemy action took Liverpool or the Clyde ports out of commission. Although the town had been a point of departure since the mid-19th-century, developments in 1940’s considerably upgraded the harbour and its facilities.
The port lies in the South West of Scotland and enjoys good road links while the nearest mainline train station is at Stranraer itself. Book cheap hotels near both Cairnryan and Stranraer ferry port.
DG9 8QU, Cairnryan, Cairnryan,
Rhins of Galloway offers high-quality accommodation in a garden setting overlooking Loch Ryan. It is situated between the ports of Stranraer and Cairnryan, and offers free on-site parking. The guest house is just a 1-minute... read more
DG98QX, Cairnryan, Cairnryan Bed and Breakfast, Main Street, Cairnryan DG98QX
This 4 Star Visit Scotland bed and breakfast is a 2-minute drive from ferry ports with crossings to Belfast, Larne and Cairnryan. Free parking and complimentary Wi-Fi is available at this property. A full Scottish... read more
DG9 8QY, Cairnryan,
Little Laight is located in Cairnryan and offers barbecue facilities. Private parking is available on site. The holiday home features 3 bedrooms, a TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, a washing... read more
DG9 8QX, Cairnryan, Cairnryan Road
Situated in Cairnryan, Cairnryan Heights t-a Brae Holiday Homes features accommodation with a flat-screen TV. All units comprise a seating area with a sofa and a fully equipped kitchen with various cooking facilities, including an... read more
A shuttle service links the station and the harbour buildings. With over a dozen sailings a day starting your Northern Ireland holiday is a good option or why not split your holiday in two and enjoy the scenery of Scotland before enjoying city life in Belfast?
There are two terminals at the harbour, one operated by P & O Ferries and the other by the Stena Line. Both terminals offer check-in facilities, spacious waiting areas, children’s play areas and baby changing along with toilets, pay phones and snack bars. Wi-Fi is available throughout both areas. Both terminals have car parking, some free and some charged.
Before heading off for Belfast discover the area’s local history in the Stranraer Museum or enjoy lush exotic plants at Dunskey or Castle Kennedy Gardens. Charming old hotels and B&Bs are located near the ferry terminal or look out for cheap accommodation deals on self-catering cottages or guest houses with bed and breakfast in the Scottish countryside.
Cairnryan Ferry Port is Scotland’s gateway to Ireland. The terminal can be found approx. 5 miles north of Stranraer on the A77.
Cairnryan links Scotland with the port of Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland. Ferries to Larne ferry port are operated by P&O Irish Ferries, ferries to Belfast ferry port are operated by Stena Line Ferries. On November 20th 2011 the Stena Line Belfast-Stranraer route stopped operating. This route was replaced by Cairnryan-Belfast which is also run by Stena Line.
address StenaLine : Belfast Way, Loch Ryan Port, Cairnryan, Dumfries and Galloway, DG9 8RG
address P&O Ferries, The Port Cairnryan Stranraer, Wigtownshire DG9 8RF, Scotland
When driving from the South follow the M6/A74 past Carlisle to Gretna, then take the A75 west. Just before Stranraer, you can take a right onto A751 & follow the A77 to Cairnryan. From the North the terminals are reached by following the A77 Coast Road from Ayr.
Nearest railway station ?
The nearest train station is Stranraer Station, about 4 miles from ferries.
You will find no shortage of cheap accommodation in Belfast itself from budget backpacker hostels and B&Bs to chain hotels with guaranteed standards of cleanliness, room facilities and customer service. Some also offer discounted bed and breakfast packages and shuttle services to and from the port at Belfast.
If you want to be at the heart of Belfast’s tourist attractions and its vibrant nightlife look out for a self catering rental or boutique hotels in the city centre while other hotels offer architectural charms that are perfect for romantic breaks or honeymoons. A short drive from the city centre is the beautiful Glens of Antrim where hostel and self-catering accommodation along with bed and breakfast deals on hotels can also be found.
The attractions of Belfast range from its turn of the century architecture to the older cathedral along with tours around the shipyard where the ill-fated Titanic was built. Here you can also find out about some of the other boats built in Belfast that didn’t meet the Titanic’s fate. It is worth popping into the Ulster Museum where you can explore its eclectic collection of history, art and marine life while the young at heart whatever their age will always enjoy a visit to Belfast Zoo with its famous prairie dog tunnels.
Castle Kennedy Gardens (Stair Estates, Rephad, DG9 8BX Scotland): pretty gardens. The pond is lovely and the views of the surrounding area are glorious.
Castle of St John (Castle Street, Stranraer, Scotland): small interesting castle. Well worth the climb to the top for the view.
Glenluce Abbey (Newton Stewart, Scotland): tranquil and beautiful Abbey with gardens to wander in. The Chapter House is well worth a visit.
Dunskey Garden (Dunskey Estate, Portpatrick DG9 8TJ, Scotland): stunning walled gardens. The planting ranges from semi formal to woodland. Fantastic views of the harbour and golf course.
