- Must visit
The Harris
Major city museum and library in a landmark building, known for art, history and regular exhibitions in the Harris Quarter.
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Belfast to Preston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Belfast to Preston will cost around £40 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £24.
On Tue 03 Nov, we found 3 ferries from Belfast to Preston, including 3 direct services.
On Tue 03 Nov the direct ferries cover the 228 km distance in an average of 8 h but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 8 h .
The slowest ferries will take 8 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.

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||
Ferries from Belfast to Preston run on average 2 times per day, taking around 8h 5m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at £37 but you can travel from only £28 by flight.
There are 2 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 01:45, the last at 22:45. The fastest ferry covers the 123 nautical miles (228 km) distance in 8h 0m. Ferries from Belfast to Preston are available to foot passengers.

Distance 123 nautical miles (228 km) |
Average sailing duration 8h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price £37 |
Ferries per day 2 |
Direct ferries Available |
Fastest ferry 8h 0m |
First ferry 1:45 |
Last ferry 22:45 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
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 Preston.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 22:30 | Arrival time 06:30 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days mon, tue |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 21:45 | Arrival time 06:00 | Duration 8h15 | Sailing Days mon |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 22:45 | Arrival time 07:00 | Duration 8h15 | Sailing Days wed, sun |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 10:30 | Arrival time 18:30 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days tue, wed, thu, fri |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 09:30 | Arrival time 17:30 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days tue, thu, fri, sat |
The table below shows live departures for Belfast to Preston ferries for today, Monday 2 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 22:30 Belfast | 8h00 | 6:30 Preston | 0 changesdirect | |
| Tuesday 3 November | |||||
![]() | 9:30 Belfast | 8h00 | 17:30 Preston | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:30 Belfast | 8h00 | 18:30 Preston | 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 Preston — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Preston trip today.
Major city museum and library in a landmark building, known for art, history and regular exhibitions in the Harris Quarter.
Museum on the University of Central Lancashire campus with Egyptology, archaeology and world cultures collections in a compact gallery.
Volunteer-run transport museum at Ribble Steam Railway, featuring Preston’s industrial and rail heritage with locomotives and exhibits.
Historic city park with terraces, paths and river views. A favourite for walks, photography and access to nearby Miller Park.
Landscaped Victorian park beside the River Ribble, appreciated for open lawns, flower displays and peaceful links to city-centre walks.
Regenerated docklands area with marina views, public art and waterside paths, popular for an easy modern contrast to the historic centre.
A buttery shortcrust pie filled with potatoes and onions. It is Preston and Lancashire’s best-known savoury bake, tied to local mill and farming traditions.
A rich fruit cake packed with currants and topped with almond paste. It is a classic Lancashire celebration cake still eaten across Preston.
A crumbly, mild white cheese from Lancashire often made in creamy, tasty and crumbly layers. It reflects the county’s long dairy heritage.
Stylish modern restaurant serving British and European plates with cocktails. Good for a polished dinner in central Preston.
Established local spot for Neapolitan-style pizza and Italian comfort food in a friendly, informal setting.
Traditional city-centre pub known for cask ales and hearty British dishes in a historic, relaxed setting.
Preston is moderate by UK standards, with cheaper stays and dining than Manchester or London, while local buses, rail and casual meals remain manageable for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafes do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Belfast to Preston 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 Preston, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Belfast to Preston ferries use the Port of Belfast to port pair. Use this guide to compare Belfast and Preston 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