Irish Ferries
Operates in: IE, GB, FR
Motorhome score: 4/5
Strong point
The clearest and most motorhome-specific size table of any ferry operator, with separate bands at 2.25 m in height and at 8 and 12 m in length, and the only major operator that expressly permits LPG, LNG and CNG propulsion. The Pet Den with its own walking area is unique.
Watch out for
Fares on the France routes are high, the Dublin Swift fast craft is not suitable for tall motorhomes, and the exact pet fares are not published.
Gas bottles
- Maximum number of bottles
- 3×
- Maximum weight
- 47 kg
- Valve closed during the crossing
- Overnight stays allowed
- Declare at
- state it when booking
- Fixed gas tank
- permitted; the gas tank must be shut off on board and properly secured, factory-approved installations only
- Particulars
- A maximum of 47 kg of gas per vehicle in no more than 3 butane or propane bottles. Reserve jerrycans of petrol or diesel are not allowed. On cruise ferries a maximum of 6 diving cylinders of size F or smaller is also permitted.
Pets
- Pets
- yes on certain Irish Sea sailings and on Dover–Calais, provided there is ventilation and fresh water; not on the long France route
- Kennels on board
- Overnight stays allowed
- Pet-friendly cabins
- yes on selected routes and ships; on Dublin–Cherbourg the Isle of Inisheer has 4-berth pet-friendly cabins with a private bathroom
- Price indication
- varies by route; on Holyhead–Dublin the animal usually travels free in the vehicle or for a small surcharge, exact 2026 fares are in the booking engine
- Walking deck
- Overnight stays allowed
- Particulars
- The Pet Den, where you can stay with your pet, is on the James Joyce (Dublin–Holyhead) and the Isle of Inisheer (Dublin–Cherbourg) and has its own outdoor walking area; on Ireland–France there are visiting slots at the kennels, maximum 5 animals per booking.
Dimensions & fares
- Height
- cars up to 1.90 m, up to 2.25 m and above 2.25 m; motorhomes up to 2.25 m high and above 2.25 m high; vans up to 2.25 m or up to 2.60 m at a maximum of 6 m
- Length
- motorhome or campervan under 8 m in two height bands, 8 to 12 m with its own motorhome fare, above 12 m freight
- Max
- 12 m, anything longer counts as freight
- Surcharges
- rear racks count towards the length
- Particulars
- yes, measured at check-in
Booking & flexibility
- Open ticket
- flexible fares available; on Dover–Calais moving to a later sailing is possible in practice
- Cancellation & changes
- depends on the fare type
- Early-booking discount
- the Ireland 2026 campaign opens in the autumn with the lowest fares
- When it gets busy
- Holyhead–Dublin peaks around Irish public holidays and in July and August; the Dublin Swift fast craft is mainly for cars
- Loyalty programme
- no motorhome-specific loyalty scheme known
Vehicle deck during the crossing
- Vehicle deck during the crossing
- closed during the crossing
- Power on the vehicle deck
- not available
- Accessibility & comfort
- Ulysses and W.B. Yeats have lifts from the vehicle deck and adapted cabins; the W.B. Yeats is a full cruise ferry with quiet cabin categories
Discounts
- No public motorhome package, but route-specific promotions and the Ireland 2026 campaign
- Pets travel free in the vehicle on various Irish Sea sailings