- Must visit
Williamson Art Gallery and Museum
Local history museum and art gallery with paintings, social history displays and rotating exhibitions in a civic building near the town centre.
Cheapest price
£43
Average price
£49
Fastest journey
8 h
Average duration
8 h 8 m
Ferries per day
2
Distance
232 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Belfast to Birkenhead is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Belfast to Birkenhead will cost around £49 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £43.
Of the 2 ferries that leave Belfast for Birkenhead every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed 05 Aug the direct ferries cover the 232 km distance in an average of 8 h 8 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 8 h .
The slowest ferries will take 8 h 15 m 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.
Stena Line
Stena Line
Stena Line
Stena LineOmio recommends booking the ferry as it is the most popular option from Belfast to Birkenhead among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the ferry with prices starting from £24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 55m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the ferry is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of £24, and a flight costs an average of £18.
Distance: 125 nautical miles (232 km)
Most popular Ferry | Flight |
|---|---|
£50 Average Price Cheapest | £50 Average Price |
9h 2m Average total duration 8h 2m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 3h 55m Average total duration Fastest 55m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.7 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 22:30 | Arrival Time 06:30 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 22:45 | Arrival Time 07:00 | Duration 8h15 | Sailing Days Mon, Wed, Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 10:30 | Arrival Time 18:30 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days Everyday |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 09:30 | Arrival Time 17:30 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
The table below shows live departures for Belfast to Birkenhead ferries for tomorrow, Wednesday 5 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stena Line | 10:30 Port of Belfast | 8h00 | 18:30 Liverpool (Port of Birkenhead) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare flight and ferry prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Ferries from Belfast to Birkenhead run on average 2 times per day, taking around 8h 2m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at £24 but you can travel from only £18 by flight.
There are 2 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 02:30, the last at 22:45. The fastest ferry covers the 125 nautical miles (232 km) distance in 8h 0m. There are 6 sailings per week. Ferries from Belfast to Birkenhead are available to foot passengers.

Distance 125 nautical miles (232 km) |
Average sailing duration 8h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price £24 |
Ferries per day 2 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 6 |
Fastest ferry 8h 0m |
First ferry 2:30 |
Last ferry 22:45 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Birkenhead — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Birkenhead trip today.
Local history museum and art gallery with paintings, social history displays and rotating exhibitions in a civic building near the town centre.
Riverside museum set in Birkenhead Priory, interpreting monastic life, local maritime links and the area’s medieval past.
Volunteer-run transport museum with historic trams, buses and exhibits on local public transport, best for enthusiasts and family visits.
Historic public park with lakes, bridges and landscaped paths, ideal for walks and a key green space that inspired later park design.
Large civic square framed by fine terraces, well suited to architecture lovers, photography and a short heritage walk near the station.
Characterful quarter around the priory and waterfront, combining heritage buildings, river views and access to nearby maritime attractions.
A Liverpool staple: minced beef, potatoes and onions baked under a crust. Long tied to dockside home cooking across the Mersey, including Birkenhead.
A richer baked version of scouse with sliced potatoes on top. Traditional across Merseyside and familiar in pubs and homes around Birkenhead.
The classic chip-shop pairing of battered fish and chips. Deeply rooted in everyday seaside and dockland eating on both sides of the Mersey.
Smart neighbourhood bistro known for seasonal small plates, steaks and Sunday roasts in a relaxed but polished setting on Oxton’s high street.
Popular independent Italian restaurant serving pasta, pizza and grills in a lively, friendly dining room close to Hamilton Square.
Well-known pub and restaurant in Oxton village, serving British classics, roasts and cask ales in a traditional, comfortable setting.
Moderate for the UK. Birkenhead is usually cheaper than central Liverpool for stays and dining, while local buses, trains and casual meals stay fairly affordable.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add 5-10%. Cafes and pubs: tipping is optional, though small change is appreciated for table service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Belfast to Birkenhead 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 Birkenhead, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Belfast to Birkenhead ferries use the Port of Belfast to Liverpool (Birkenhead) port pair. Use this guide to compare Belfast and Birkenhead 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