British / Irish Citizens - Passport / Visa:
For travel between Britain and Ireland, Irish and British citizens do not strictly require a passport to travel between the two countries, but some form of photo identification is however required (except for children under 18 - see note below). There is no requirement for a visa. Irish Ferries do recommend all passengers bring a passport with them, and if it is expired, it needs to be recent enough for it to be clear it is you. Accepted means of identification when travelling on this route include:
- Valid passport
- Photographic Driving Licence
- International Student Card
- Government issued photographic ID cards
- Health insurance/social security photographic ID
- Photographic bus/train pass
- Work photographic ID
Note: for British / Irish citizens under 18 with no photo ID, birth certificates are acceptable as a form of identification.
EU Citizens - Passport / Visa:
To enter Britain, EU Citizens need a passport, which should be valid for the whole time you are in the UK. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. You may need a visa for trips for other purposes - check the website for UK government visa advice.
You cannot use an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK, except in a very limited number of cases which are detailed on the UK government website.
Non-EU nationals:
Non-EU nationals should check requirements with the relevant embassy before travelling, as they may need a visa as well as a passport. A visa can take several weeks to obtain, so please make the necessary arrangements well ahead of your travel date. For further information on visas for travel to Ireland, check the advice on the Irish government website. For information on visas for travel to England, check the advice on the UK government website.