Belfast Port in Northern Ireland is positioned on the north-east coast. The port has commercial facilities in addition to providing services to more than 1.2 million passengers each year. There are three ferry operators who provide ferry services from Belfast Port to destinations across the Irish Sea that include the Isle of Man, Stranraer and Liverpool.
Belfast Port has separate terminals for each ferry operator. All are easy to reach and well signposted from the regions motorways but there is no rail connection. A bus service operates to the Steam Packet terminal but the Norfolk Line and Stena Line terminals are not so well served. To compensate local taxi services run a taxi-share scheme operating between the terminal and the city centre.
Stena Line has a new passenger ferry terminal at Belfast Port and the Norfolk Line terminal is nearby. Facilities include a departure lounge, a coffee shop, ATM, a covered check-in area and a good sized car park. The Isle of Man Steam Packet terminal has two car parks and snacks and drinks are available in their departure lounge.
Stena Line has regular services Belfast to Stranraer; up to 4 daily fast ferry crossings taking 1 hour, 45 minutes and up to three daily standard crossings taking about 3 hours, 15 minutes. Onboard facilities include comfortable passenger lounges, children’s play area, Wi-Fi access, shops, bar, restaurant and cafe. Some ferries have movie watching facilities.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company service is seasonal and operates from the beginning of May to the end of September. Their fast ferry service to Douglas, Isle of Man runs three times a week taking 2 hours, 45 minutes. Onboard passengers have choice of hot meals, snacks and drinks in the restaurant and shopping facilities.
Norfolkline Irish Sea operates a ferry service from Belfast to Liverpool with daily crossings at 10.30am and 10.30pm. There is only one crossing on a Monday at 10pm. Onboard is a good range of facilities including a selection of cabins, a number of shops, food and drink in the bars and restaurants and a cinema.
Tags: Belfast Port Port, Douglas, Ireland, Isle of Man, Liverpool, Norfolkline Irish Sea, Stranraer