Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead
Ferries to Wales
Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead
Ferries to Wales
Compare live pricing across ferry operators worldwide and find the sailing that fits your trip. Booking sooner rather than later is the simplest way to secure the best fares and the widest choice.
Direct Ferries runs discounts across the calendar year. If your route qualifies for a senior discount, it's applied for you automatically as soon as you choose the correct age bracket in the passenger options when you search.
Students and recent graduates qualify for a 5% saving on their ticket. Register with our partner Student Beans to confirm your eligibility, then apply the discount code you receive at checkout.
A resident discount is also on offer for a number of Spanish and Italian crossings — select the "Residents" option where available and the price will adjust automatically. Make sure you can show proof of address, such as a residency certificate or ID card, when you check in.
Document requirements differ by route, so check what you'll need well before departure. Travelling from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead generally calls for a valid passport, plus any visa or national ID your nationality requires. Since rules depend on both your citizenship and your destination's regulations, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is a good place to check the details and avoid delays at check-in.
Getting your tickets is simple — enter your departure port, arrival port, and preferred travel date to see every fare and sailing available. From there, you can compare alternative routes and departure times to land on the best option for your trip.
Watch for early-bird pricing and flexible ticket formats, such as upgrades or flexi-fares that allow later changes or cancellations. Enter your details accurately, including passenger count and vehicle information, to keep your booking process smooth.
A confirmation email lands in your inbox the moment your booking is finalised. How your boarding pass gets issued from there depends on the specific ferry operator.
Certain operators release your boarding pass right after booking; others want you to check in once you reach the port. Where available, the Direct Ferries app lets you check in online ahead of time.
Ticket desks sit near the ferry terminal in most cases. Give yourself extra time before departure to collect your tickets and complete check-in without stress.
You'll need to present your confirmation email plus valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — at check-in. Pet owners should bring vaccination and insurance paperwork, and anyone using a resident discount should have proof of address on hand.
A handful of reasons can explain the lack of departures from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead on your selected date — timetable adjustments, sold-out sailings, or a seasonal gap are the usual culprits. Try a different date or browse other routes through our Route & Port finder.
Booking your Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead ferry early usually pays off, both in terms of price and choice — earlier bookings tend to unlock better fares and more departure and cabin options.
A few weeks' notice is generally enough to catch the best deals, though fares can still move depending on the season and remaining availability.
More routes than anyone else.
Compare fares, times & routes in one place.
Change plans easily with flexi tickets.
Book e-tickets & manage trips in-app.
Live ship tracking & real-time updates.
Top-rated customer support when you need it.
Located in County Dublin in Ireland, Dun Laoghaire is around 12 km to the south of Dublin city centre. Dun Laoghaire is the county town of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown county and formerly a major port of entry from Britain. The town's harbour is one of the largest in Ireland and hosts limited ferry services to the United Kingdom. The harbour is noted for its two granite piers. Popular with walkers, the East Pier has featured in the 1996 movie Michael Collins.
Located at the eastern end of George's Street visitors will find the people's Park which is a traditional Victorian style park which features a lovely tearoom. Also in the town visitors will find a number of restaurants, cafes and pubs along with more than 100 other retail businesses.
The town has a seasonal (also Christmas & New Year) ferry connection to Holyhead in Anglesey, Wales, which is operated by Stena Line and the vessel is Stena Explorer.
The Welsh town of Holyhead is located on Holy Island in Anglesey. At one point Holy Island was connected to Anglesey by the Four Mile Bridge but was replaced by the construction of a causeway in the 19th century. The Cobb, as the causeway is named, now carries the main road and railway line that serves the town. The Church of St. Cybi is the heart of the town and was built inside one of Europe's few three-walled Roman Forts. Other Roman sites in the town include a watchtower on the top of Holyhead Mountain inside Mynydd y Twr which is a prehistoric hill fort. There are also signs that the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with circular huts, burial chambers and standing stones all being found in the area. The current lighthouse is on South Stack on the other side of Holyhead Mountain and is open to the public. The area is also popular with birdwatchers.
From the Port of Holyhead, ferries depart to Dublin and Dun Laoghaire in Ireland.