Larne Cairnryan timetable
Larne to Cairnryan Ferry Timetable
Check the live ferry timetable for the Larne to Cairnryan crossing between Northern Ireland and Scotland. The route is operated by P&O Ferries and usually takes around 2 hours.
The timetable below is interactive and uses API connections to show departure and arrival times where available. The standard view shows the next 3 days, so you can quickly compare today’s crossings with the first upcoming sailing options.
Live Larne Cairnryan ferry timetable
Use the live timetable to compare upcoming sailings in both directions. The standard view shows 3 days, which makes it easier to check today, tomorrow and the next available travel day in one place.
The timetable uses API connections where available to show departure and arrival times. Ferry times can change by date, season, weather, port conditions and operator planning.
Cairnryan to Larne
Larne to Cairnryan
Always check your booking confirmation and the latest operator updates before travelling to Larne Port or Cairnryan Port.
Crossing time
The Larne Cairnryan ferry usually takes around 2 hours. Add time for check-in, boarding, unloading and the drive to or from the port.
Check-in
Arrive early enough for check-in, especially when travelling with a car, van, trailer, pet or luggage. Rules can differ by ticket and passenger type.
Operator
P&O Ferries operates the Larne to Cairnryan route. It is one of the main ferry links between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Timetable directions
The ferry timetable works both ways. Choose Larne to Cairnryan if you are travelling from Northern Ireland to Scotland. Choose Cairnryan to Larne if you are travelling from Scotland to Northern Ireland.
| Direction | Best for | Typical sailing time |
|---|---|---|
| Larne to Cairnryan | Northern Ireland to Scotland | About 2 hours |
| Cairnryan to Larne | Scotland to Northern Ireland | About 2 hours |
Alternative crossings
Larne to Cairnryan is the direct P&O Ferries route between Northern Ireland and south-west Scotland. If the sailing time, price or port location does not fit your trip, the main nearby alternative is Cairnryan to Belfast with Stena Line.
Cairnryan to Belfast
The closest real alternative on the Scotland to Northern Ireland corridor. This route can be useful if Belfast is closer than Larne, or if the available sailing times work better for your journey.
Liverpool to Belfast
A longer alternative if you are travelling from England instead of Scotland. It is not a direct replacement for Larne Cairnryan, but it can make sense for some UK travel plans.
Compare the full route, not only the ferry crossing. The better option depends on your drive to the port, check-in time, sailing frequency, ticket price, weather and onward route after arrival.
Before travelling to the port
- Check the live timetable before leaving for Larne or Cairnryan.
- Arrive early enough for check-in and boarding.
- Allow extra time during weekends, school holidays and bad weather.
- Check both Larne and Belfast if your route through Northern Ireland is flexible.
- Use your booking confirmation as the final source for your sailing time.
Useful pages for this crossing
Planning this crossing is easier when you also check the ports, weather and webcams. These pages give more context around the route and the conditions before departure.
Larne Port
Information about the Northern Ireland departure port, access roads, check-in and port location.
Cairnryan Port
Information about the Scottish ferry port, location, onward roads and arrival side of the route.
Weather and webcams
Check the route weather forecast and webcams before travelling, especially in windy conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a live Larne Cairnryan timetable?
Yes. This page is built around an interactive live timetable. We use API connections to show departure and arrival times where available, instead of only publishing a fixed timetable table that can become outdated.
What does the live timetable show?
The timetable is intended to show the sailing direction, departure time, arrival time and route details for the Larne to Cairnryan ferry. The standard view shows 3 days, which helps you compare today’s sailings with the next available crossing days.
How are departure and arrival times collected?
We connect ferry timetable data through APIs where available. This allows the page to work with live or regularly updated departure and arrival information, rather than relying only on manually written schedule text.
Does the timetable replace my booking confirmation?
No. Use the timetable as a planning tool. Your booking confirmation and the latest operator updates remain the final source for check-in time, sailing time, vehicle rules and any disruption.
How long does the Larne to Cairnryan ferry take?
The crossing usually takes around 2 hours. The full journey takes longer once you include check-in, boarding, unloading and the drive to or from the port.
How early should I arrive at the port?
Arrive early enough for check-in and boarding. If you travel with a vehicle, pet, trailer or special luggage, leave more time. You can also read more about both ports on the Larne Port and Cairnryan Port pages.
Can weather affect the Larne Cairnryan ferry timetable?
Yes. Strong wind and poor sea conditions can affect ferry travel on the Irish Sea and North Channel. Before travelling, check the weather forecast and the latest sailing information.
Can I check the ports before travelling?
Yes. The webcams page can help you check current conditions around the route and ports before you travel.
What is the main alternative to Larne Cairnryan?
The main nearby alternative is Cairnryan to Belfast with Stena Line. It is worth checking if Belfast is closer to your start or end point, or if the departure times work better.
Is Liverpool to Belfast an alternative?
It can be, but only for some journeys. Liverpool to Belfast is a longer crossing from England to Northern Ireland. It is not the same type of short Scotland to Northern Ireland route as Larne to Cairnryan or Belfast to Cairnryan.
Where can I find other timetables?
On FerryDepartures.com you can find all up-to-date timetables of all ferry operators in the world.
