- Must visit
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Birthplace museum dedicated to Robert Burns, with manuscripts, objects and family home interiors that bring the poet's life and work into focus.
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Belfast to Ayr is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Belfast to Ayr will cost around £41 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £41.
On Mon 02 Nov, we found 12 ferries from Belfast to Ayr, including 12 direct services.
On Mon 02 Nov the direct ferries cover the 128 km distance in an average of 2 h but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 2 h .
The slowest ferries will take 2 h and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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Ferries from Belfast to Ayr run on average 10 times per day, taking around 2h 10m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at £27 if you book in advance.
There are 10 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 00:30, the last at 23:30. The fastest ferry covers the 69 nautical miles (128 km) distance in 2h 0m. There are 11 sailings per week. Ferries from Belfast to Ayr are available to foot passengers.



Distance 69 nautical miles (128 km) |
Average sailing duration 2h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price £27 |
Ferries per day 10 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 11 |
Fastest ferry 2h 0m |
First ferry 0:30 |
Last ferry 23:30 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Belfast to Ayr.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 15:00 | Arrival time 17:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days fri |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 19:45 | Arrival time 22:07 | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 11:30 | Arrival time 13:52 | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days mon |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 08:00 | Arrival time 10:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days mon, wed, sat |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 20:00 | Arrival time 22:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days mon, wed, sat, sun |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 15:30 | Arrival time 17:52 | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days mon, wed, sat, sun |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 04:00 | Arrival time 06:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days mon, wed, sat |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 23:59 | Arrival time 02:00 | Duration 2h01 | Sailing Days mon, wed |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 11:15 | Arrival time 13:37 | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days mon, wed, sat, sun |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 11:00 | Arrival time 13:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days tue, thu, fri |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 07:00 | Arrival time 09:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days tue, thu, fri |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 07:30 | Arrival time 09:52 | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days mon |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 08:00 | Arrival time 10:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days tue, thu, fri |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 16:00 | Arrival time 18:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days mon, wed, sat, sun |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 03:00 | Arrival time 05:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days tue, thu, fri |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 04:00 | Arrival time 06:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days thu, fri |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 07:15 | Arrival time 09:37 | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days mon, wed, sat, sun |
Operator P&O Ferries | Departure Time 23:59 | Arrival time 02:00 | Duration 2h01 | Sailing Days thu, fri |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 19:30 | Arrival time 21:52 | Duration 2h22 | Sailing Days mon, wed, sun |
Operator P&O Irish Sea | Departure Time 12:00 | Arrival time 14:00 | Duration 2h00 | Sailing Days mon, wed, sat, sun |
The table below shows live departures for Belfast to Ayr ferries for today, Sunday 1 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stena Line | 7:15 Port of Belfast | 2h22 | 9:37 Port of Cairnryan (Stena Line) | 0 changesdirect | |
Stena Line | 11:15 Port of Belfast | 2h22 | 13:37 Port of Cairnryan (Stena Line) | 0 changesdirect | |
P&O Irish Sea | 12:00 Larne Port | 2h00 | 14:00 Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 0 changesdirect | |
Stena Line | 15:30 Port of Belfast | 2h22 | 17:52 Port of Cairnryan (Stena Line) | 0 changesdirect | |
P&O Irish Sea | 16:00 Larne Port | 2h00 | 18:00 Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 0 changesdirect | |
Stena Line | 19:30 Port of Belfast | 2h22 | 21:52 Port of Cairnryan (Stena Line) | 0 changesdirect | |
P&O Irish Sea | 20:00 Larne Port | 2h00 | 22:00 Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 0 changesdirect | |
| Monday 2 November | |||||
P&O Irish Sea | 4:00 Larne Port | 2h00 | 6:00 Port of Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Ayr — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ayr trip today.
Birthplace museum dedicated to Robert Burns, with manuscripts, objects and family home interiors that bring the poet's life and work into focus.
Purpose-built gallery and museum with changing exhibitions, local history displays and family-friendly interpretation in Ayr's cultural quarter.
Country house galleries within Culzean Country Park, showing art, furnished rooms and estate history in an impressive clifftop setting.
Long sandy beach and promenade popular for walks, sunsets and sea air. It is a classic Ayr outing close to the town centre.
Large public park with gardens, woodland paths, a café area and access to museums. It is ideal for a quieter stroll away from the seafront.
Broad riverside green space and harbour-side walking area where the River Ayr meets the sea. Good for local views, fresh air and a quieter stroll.
A rich beef mince stew topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden. A long-standing Ayrshire and Scottish comfort dish found in homes and pubs.
Smoked haddock poached in milk, often served with poached egg and buttery bread. A classic west coast breakfast dish tied to Scottish fishing traditions.
Oats mixed with suet, onion and seasoning, traditionally cooked in a sheep’s stomach. Scotland’s signature savoury dish with a strong Burns Night link in Ayrshire.
Well-known Indian restaurant in Ayr offering classic curries, tandoori dishes and warm service in a comfortable dining room.
Stylish seafront restaurant in the Marine Troon hotel, known for Scottish produce, seafood and grill dishes in a polished setting.
Established harbour-side venue in nearby Troon with seafood, steaks and Scottish dishes, plus marina views and a smart casual atmosphere.
Ayr is moderate by UK standards, with fairly priced hotels, casual dining, and local transport. Costs are usually lower than in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual for good service if not already added. Round up for taxis. Cafes do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Belfast to Ayr by ferry. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest ferry, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Ayr, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Belfast to Ayr ferries use the Port of Belfast to port pair. Use this guide to compare Belfast and Ayr ports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like port facilities and services.
Port of Belfast is 6 km from Belfast city centre. Public transport options include:
Port of Belfast has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Thyme Restaurant (0.7km), The Dock Cafe (0.8km), Cast & Crew (0.9km)
Free WiFi. ATMs are available in the terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Port of Belfast.
Available at Port of Belfast: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need