Belfast Ferry Port is Ireland’s busiest ferry port and is the gateway to Northern Ireland. It continues to grow each year, with around 1.2 million passengers passing through its terminals and 0.5 million freight units annually. There’s a direct motorway link to the port making access really easy. Read on for more…
Belfast Ferry Port has a central location to accommodate both passenger and freight and is situated at the hub of the main road network system. 57% of Northern Ireland’s population lives within 30 kilometres of the ferry port and two-thirds of Northern Ireland’s industrial employers live within just 15 kilometres of the port.
The location is a huge factor in its ever increasing business. Belfast Port handles 60% of Northern Ireland’s sea borne trade and 20% of Ireland’s sea borne trade North and South.
Belfast Ferry Port offers an excellent standard of services from comfortable arrival and departure lounges, a new terminal, public toilets and changing facilities, a coffee bar, car parking, a covered check-in area for car passengers, an ATM service, and helpful and friendly staff to ensure you have a comfortable experience and onward journey.
Belfast Port dates back to 1613 when James 1 established a quay where the Rivers Lagan and Fearset meet. Over the years it continued to grow and the original quay was enlarged to accommodate the increasing customers and business.
Today Belfast Ferry Port offers an excellent standard of service catering for around 1.2 million people and 300,000 passenger cars. Ferry services include routes to Stranraer Ferry Port, Liverpool Ferry Port and The Isle of Man Ferry Port. There are currently a total of 16 passenger sailings operating a daily service from Belfast Ferry Port.
Listed are the ferry services available at Belfast Ferry Port:
Stena Line operates a service to Stranraer with 6 daily sailings on Mon, Tue, Thurs & Sun and 7 daily sailings on Wed, Fri & Sat.
Sea Cat operates a service to the Isle of Man with 2 sailings weekly during the summer season.
Norfolk Line operates a service to Liverpool with daily night sailings and 6 daytime services
Belfast Ferry Port also plays host to cruise ships and to some of the world’s finest liners on many occasions. Some famous and world acclaimed visitors to Belfast’s Port include: Jewel of the Sea, Grand Princess, Constellation and The World to name a few.
Directions:
By Public Transport - To avail of public transport to or from Belfast Ferry Port you can choose from Ulsterbus and Translink that operate a service to and from the Ferry Port from Belfast city and other locations throughout Northern Ireland.
By Car - The Norfolk Line Terminal is located very close to Stena Line’s New Terminal, you will find that this is clearly signposted, close to Junction 1 off the M2 motorway and the Fortwilliam Roundabout.
The Sea Cat Terminal / Steam Packet Terminal is accessible via the M1. At the Broadway Roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the Westlink or A12, continue to the M2/M3, and follow the A12 for 2.1 miles, now take the A2 and follow it for 0.7 miles, at this point you will see signs for Belfast Ferry Port and the Steam Packet Terminal.
By Taxi - You can avail of a ‘Taxi-Share’ service that operates from the terminal to the city centre, rates are very reasonable.
With such a close proximity to Belfast city centre, Belfast’s motorways, and with modern facilities and excellent ferry technology, it’s no wonder Belfast Port has developed into the great Ferry Port that it is today.
Belfast city centre is located just 5.1 miles from Belfast Ferry Port, about a 32-minute drive. Belfast city has so much to offer from excellent shopping streets and centres, an abundance of tourist attractions and activities, tasty restaurants and cafés and top class accommodation.
Why not continue your journey onwards in style and book car hire in Belfast securely online today at excellent rates.
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