How to travel from London to Dublin [All options included]

Are you planning to go from London to Dublin? Not sure of the best options or routes? Our guide contains everything you need to know.

Considering how to travel from London to Dublin? Our guide details all available transportation options between the two capitals. These include by car, train, ferry, or coach (or a combination) to help you choose the best option for you based on travel preference, budget, style, and needs.

Also included is the ferry route to Belfast in Northern Ireland (from England and Scotland) plus a link to booking a rail connection between Belfast and Dublin.

Read on and start planning your trip from London to Dublin.

What to consider when travelling from London to Dublin

When deciding which method of transportation to choose to travel between the two cities it is worth considering the following questions:

• Do you want to travel directly to Dublin by the quickest means?
• Do you want to stop off along the way?
• How many are there in the travelling group?
• Do you have a preferred mode of travel?
• Is the cost of travel a factor?
• When you plan to travel (day/month/season)
• How do you plan to get around when you arrive?
• Any onward travel?
• Will you be travelling one way from London to Dublin? If you will be returning to London do you wish to return via the same route or perhaps take a circular route?

This guide offers an overview of various travel options, taking all these factors into account. Additionally, we have provided a detailed breakdown considering:

• Particular travel mode preferences.
• Attractions and sites along the route best suited for specific modes of travel, such as castles and countryside areas best reached by car.
• Mobility restrictions of travel group members.
• Quantity of luggage to be transported.
• Budget of the group.
• Time limitations or preferences.

What are the available options to travel from London to Dublin?

Whichever travel option you find most suitable, you will need to cross the Irish Sea. This body of water separates mainland Britain from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Fast Facts

• Distance from London to Dublin (as the crow flies)
  • 289 Miles/465 Kilometres.

• 🛫 Flight time – 1 to 1.5 hours (excluding check-in time at the airport)

• 🛤 Train:
  • London to Holyhead –  Direct service 3 hrs 45 to 4hrs 45mins (with changes)
  • London to Liverpool – Direct Service 2 hrs
  • London to Fishguard Harbour (South Wales) – One train change at Carmarthen, Fastest service 4 hrs 38 mins. 
  • London to Cairnryan (Scotland)  – Train and bus, 9+ hours

• ⛴ Ferry:
  • Holyhead (North Wales) to Dublin – Approx 2 hours sailing time
  • Liverpool to Dublin – P&O Ferry – (Ceased operating –  December 2023)
  • Birkenhead (Liverpool) to Belfast – StenaLine Ferry – Approx 8 hours sailing time.
    • Click here for Irish Rail train times and tickets
  • Fishguard (South Wales) to Rosslare Europort – 3 hrs 44 min
  • Pembroke (South Wales) to Rosslare – Limited passenger numbers – 4 hrs – then train to Dublin
  • Cairnryan (Scotland) to Belfast (Larne) – 2 hrs
  • Cairnryan (Scotland) to Belfast – 2 hrs 15 mins

• 🚗 Car (Self Drive -Direct)
  • London to Holyhead – 5-6 hours *
  • London to Liverpool (StenaLine – Birkenhead) 4 to 5 hours *
  • London to Fishguard Harbour 5 to 6 hours *
  • London to Stranraer (Cairnryan) 8 hours *
    • * Depends on London starting points and traffic en route (excludes stop-offs)

• Coach
  • London to Dublin – National Express – 12 hours 30 mins
  • London to Dublin – Expressway (Euroline) – Around 12 hours 30 mins

London to Dublin by train and ferry

Holyhead (North Wales) to Dublin (Republic of Ireland)

If you wish to travel by train and ferry from London directly to Dublin, the only option available at present is to take the Holyhead (North Wales) route, as the Liverpool to Dublin route ceased operating in December 2023.

>> Train – London Euston to Holyhead

• The approximate cost of an adult single ticket is £45. Direct service operated by Avanti West Coast.
• Other local train operators, such as Transport For Wales train services, also serve Holyhead train station.
• We often use the National Rail Enquiries site for train times, live train departures etc. Other train ticket retailers available such as the Trainline.
• Holyhead train station and Port share a building.  

>> Ferry – Holyhead to Port of Dublin 

• Stenaline (Estrid or Adventurer Service), takes around 3 hrs 15 mins and costs €42 for an Economy foot passenger ticket for 1 adult or €47 for a Flexi ticket.
• Irish Ferries takes around 3 hours 30 mins and costs £36 to £43 for a Flexi foot passenger ticket for 1 adult.

How to get from the Port of Dublin into the city?

There are buses and taxis available for the 2 mile journey into the city.

See the Port of Dublin Company for further details on buses and taxi links.

Fishguard or Pembroke (South Wales) to Rosslare (Republic of Ireland)

An alternative option is to take a ferry from either Fishguard or Pembroke to Rosslare Europort.

Once at Rosslare catch a train to Dublin. This takes around 3 hours on a direct train service and costs around €12  per adult ticket single way.

>> Ferry – Fishguard to Rosslare Europort

• Stena line (Nordica, Europe Service) takes 3 hrs 30 mins to 4 hrs and costs €42 for an Economy foot Passenger ticket for 1 adult or €47 for a Flexi ticket.

>> Ferry – Pembroke to Rosslare Europort

• Irish Ferries Economy Class service takes around 4 hours and has limited passenger numbers. Prices are quoted on the ferry comparison site Direct Ferries starting from £36 up to £526, depending on the vehicle type taken, the operator, and the season.
• Note:
  • These tickets appear to be sold out quickly, so book early!
  • There are NO LIFTS at the port and steep steps.  This route might be unsuitable for those with any mobility concerns or issues as well as pushchairs and prams.

Liverpool or Cairnryan (Scotland) to Belfast or Larne (Northern Ireland)

• There are also two ferry routes from Cairnryan (Scotland) to Belfast and Larne (Northern Ireland)

• Ensure to give yourself plenty of time to reach the ferry port if travelling by train!

• The direct train service to Dublin from Belfast takes around 2 hours and costs approximately €15 per adult ticket.

>> Ferry – Cairnryan to Larne (Northern Ireland)

• P & O Ferries. It takes 2 hours. The standard fare is £25. A Flexi single adult ticket costs £45 for foot passengers.

>> Ferry – Cairnryan to Belfast (Northern Ireland)

• Stena Line Ferries Takes 2 hours 15 mins. £36 Economy or £40 Flexi for a single adult ticket for foot passengers. Check car hire terms and conditions prior to booking if planning to take over to Ireland.
• Note: StenaLine Ferry Port and P&O Ferry Port are located 1.9 miles apart.
• Note: Prices are correct at the time of writing (May 2024) for a journey booking 6 weeks in advance.

>> How to get from the Port of Belfast into the city or to Belfast Train station

Translink bus service Number 96 runs from the Stenaline terminal to Donegall Place. Journey time is around 22 minutes. Allow 10 and 15 minutes to walk to the main train station Lanyon Place for the train to Dublin Connolly station. This takes just over 2 hours and costs around €15 for a Flexi Ticket from Irish Rail.

To catch the bus in the opposite direction depart from Upper Queens Street near Belfast City Hall. These bus services are coordinated to meet the ferry departure timetable.

Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast (Northern Ireland)

Take the ferry from Birkenhead (Liverpool) to Belfast (Northern Ireland) on the Stenaline ferry.

>> Train London to Liverpool (Birkenhead)

• London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street – The cost of an adult single ticket is approx £47. Direct service operated by Avanti West Coast.
• We often use the National Rail Enquiries site for train times, live train departures etc. Other train ticket retailers available such as the Trainline.
• Note
  • Trains to Liverpool, arrive at Liverpool Lime Street. 
  • Birkenhead is on the opposite side of the River Mersey from Liverpool, so when arriving by train or car, allow enough time to reach the port – especially at weekends and during holidays.
  • To cross to Birkenhead, options include:
    • Taxis from outside the station can cost £10 to £20, depending on the time of day and how busy the roads and Mersey Tunnel are.Train to Birkenhead Hamilton Square then a 15 min walk.Stenaline details to arrive at the port.

>> Ferry – Liverpool to Belfast

Stena Line from Liverpool to Belfast (Northern Ireland) only. Takes 6 hours. Costs from €40 for one adult foot passenger single journey.

Note:  P & O Ferries: Liverpool to Dublin ceased operating in December 2023. 

>> How to get from the Port of Belfast into the city or to Belfast Train station

Translink bus service Number 96 runs from the Stenaline terminal to Donegall Place. This takes around 22 minutes. Allow 10 and 15 minutes to walk to the main train station Lanyon Place for the train to Dublin Connolly station. This takes just over 2 hours and costs around €15 for a Flexi Ticket from Irish Rail.

To catch the bus in the opposite direction depart from Upper Queens Street near Belfast City Hall. These bus services are coordinated to meet the ferry departure timetable.

London to Dublin by car and ferry

Holyhead (North Wales), Liverpool (Birkenhead) or Cairnryan route options by private vehicle.

Arrive at the ferry port in good time.

Note ferry check-in requirements and factor into driving time.

• We use the AA Route Planner to plan our car driving routes, you can choose a departure time and route preferences, such as motorways or non primary roads. 
• London to Holyhead road trip – Variety of route options.
• London to Liverpool road trip – Variety of route options.
• London to Liverpool by coach – National Express Coach to Liverpool One bus station takes around 6 hours and costs approx £12 per adult. Bus to Liverpool One bus station and transfer to ferry port.

London to Dublin flight options

Frequent services from London’s airports.

• Ryanair – From Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton Airports. It costs around £30 for an adult single or around £50 return. The flight time is around 1 hour and 25 minutes.
• Aer Lingus – From Gatwick and Heathrow Airports. It costs around £30 – £50 for an adult single or around £80 return. The flight time is around 1 hour 30 minutes.
• British Airways – This service operates from Heathrow and London City Airports. It costs around £70 return and takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes.
• There are bus transfers availble from the airport into Dublin City Centre.
• Note:
  • Prices fluctuate during different seasons and as per demand.
  • Check for baggage weight and size restrictions.
  • Check for typical flight prices.
  • All airports have good connecting rail links.
  • TOP TIP:  Where possible look to be flexible with travel days to find the best prices.

London to Dublin by coach and ferry

Options for taking the coach to Dublin are amongst the cheapest available means to reach Dublin from London. Particularly if you are in no great hurry to reach your destination.

• Two available options are National Express Coaches and Expressway (Euroline) who operate as a partnership.
  • For Booking with National Express Coaches 
  • For booking with Expressway (Eurolines) 
  • Number 871 service departs from London Victoria coach station at 1745 on Saturdays for Expressway (Eurolines) and Fridays and Sundays for National Express and travels via Birmingham (Digbeth Coach station) to Holyhead for the Ferry to Dublin.
    • The coach stops at the Dublin Ferryport and then at Dublin Busaras, arriving between 06:30 and 07:30. The cost is €60 (£52) per single adult fare for Expressway and £69 for National Express.
  • Dublin to London – This is the reverse journey covering the same route, departing Dublin Busaras on Fridays for Expressway (Eurolines) and Thursdays/Saturdays for National Express at 1900 hrs and arriving in London Victoria Coaches Station at 0800. 
  • Note:
    • Check for baggage weight and size restrictions.
    • Additional bags may include additional charges.
    • TOP TIP – Compare both sites for prices for similar journeys in both directions.
    • Check coach travel days as may be amended during the season or public holidays.
    • Compare prices for the flight option, as the prices may be similar depending on preferences, time of the year, etc.

London to Dublin with a tour

If you prefer to have all the planning done for you, one option is to book a tour, such as this independent 4-day London to Dublin option.

UK Transportation Tips

Rail/Sail Combined Tickets

Rail and Sail combined ferry and train tickets are advertised on the Trainline, Irish Ferries, and Stena line.

UK Train Ticket & Passes

• Look at Advance ticket options for potential best train ticket prices.
• If you are planning multiple train journeys consider purchasing a UK National Rail Card for up to ⅓ off the purchased rail ticket price or a BritRail or Global Eurail Pass.
• Travel the UK Rail network with ease with our Guide to UK Train Travel ebook.

How will you travel from London to Dublin?

There are mutiple journey options available to suit all budgets and travel preferences and scope to enjoy many different places along the way. 

Whether you prefer direct travel or a more leisurely pace, the perfect London to Dublin itinerary is waiting for you. 

If this article has got you thinking, but you require a little more in-depth information or an individually tailored itinerary, our Itinerary Consultation service is exactly what you need.