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 travelling to the UK for holidays or short trips up to 6 months, now need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). See full details on the ETA application here.
A visa may be required 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-UK / Non-Irish Citizens - Britain and Ireland:
If you are not a UK or Irish citizen and you are travelling between Britain and Ireland, you must travel with a valid passport. This applies in both directions (Ireland → Britain and Britain → Ireland). A visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) may also be required depending on your nationality and reason for travel – please check the latest UK and Irish government advice before you travel.
For sailings between the UK and Ireland, Irish Ferries is legally required to collect Advanced Passenger Information (API). This means your passport will be scanned at check‑in so that the required API can be transmitted to the relevant authorities. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a74cfe4ed915d3c7d528266/CarrierInformation.pdf
Children who are non‑UK / non‑Irish citizens must also travel on their own passport, and with a visa/ETA if required.
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.