Days Out NI
Boat trip Strangford

Strangford Lough Ferry

An 8-minute car-and-foot ferry across the Narrows, almost every day of the year.

5 photos
Runs all yearAll year, every day except Christmas Day;…
£8Per person
Strangford villag…Departs from
Get directionsOfficial website
8 minutesHow long
£8Cost
All yearSeason
All agesBest for
Strangford vill…Departs

Strangford Lough Ferry — An 8-minute car-and-foot ferry across the Narrows, almost every day of the year.

  • The trip: Scheduled public car & foot-passenger ferry (Department for Infrastructure).
  • Departs from: Strangford village slipway and Portaferry slipway, Co. Down.
  • You may see: The tidal Narrows; you may spot seals, porpoises or dolphins (never guaranteed).
  • Season: All year, every day except Christmas Day; sailings can be weather-affected.
  • Booking: Not needed for foot passengers or ordinary cars, turn up and pay on board.
  • Cost: Check current fares; car single from around £8, motorcycle around £4.90, foot passengers low-cost, SmartCard for frequent travel.
Plan your visit

A real ferry ride across the Narrows

This is the public crossing of the Strangford Narrows, the tidal channel where the lough meets the Irish Sea. Two modern roll-on roll-off vessels, MV Strangford II and MV Portaferry II, carry cars, motorcycles, cyclists and foot passengers the 0.6 nautical miles between the two terminals in roughly 8 minutes. It is a gentle, sheltered hop rather than a sea trip, which makes it easy for young children, and there is open deck and seating to enjoy the view. As you cross, the water can move fast on the tide, and you may see seals hauled out or bobbing nearby, with porpoises and dolphins passing through on occasion, though wildlife is never guaranteed. Both vessels are step-free for vehicles, but if you have specific access needs it is worth contacting the ferry terminal ahead.

Scheduled car & foot ferry Strangford to Portaferry About 8 minutes Every 30 mins, all year You may spot seals No booking, pay on board
Good to know before you go:

Timetables and fares are reviewed periodically and sailings are weather-dependent, with occasional service changes, suspensions or reduced holiday schedules (for example Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Day). Check the operator's own pages for the current timetable, fares and any live service alerts before travelling.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🧥Warm, windproof layersIt is always cooler and breezier out on the water — dress for it.
  • 🧢A waterproofA bit of sea spray is all part of the adventure.
  • 📷A cameraFor the wildlife, the coast and the castles seen from the sea.
  • 🎫Your bookingMost trips need booking ahead — have the confirmation ready.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Scheduled public car & foot-passenger ferry (Department for Infrastructure)
Departs from
Strangford village slipway and Portaferry slipway, Co. Down
Duration
About 8 minutes across the Narrows (0.6 nautical miles)
What you may see
The tidal Narrows; you may spot seals, porpoises or dolphins (never guaranteed)
Season
All year, every day except Christmas Day; sailings can be weather-affected
Booking
Not needed for foot passengers or ordinary cars, turn up and pay on board
Cost
Check current fares; car single from around £8, motorcycle around £4.90, foot passengers low-cost, SmartCard for frequent travel
Suitable for
All ages including young kids; step-free vehicle access, contact terminal for specific access needs
Parking
Parking near both terminals; harbour areas are restricted to authorised vehicles and the ferry queue
Address
Strangford Ferry Terminal, 1 The Slip, Strangford, Co. Down BT30 7NE
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
Not needed for foot passengers or ordinary cars, turn up and pay on board
How much is it?
Check current fares; car single from around £8, motorcycle around £4.90, foot passengers low-cost, SmartCard for frequent travel
How long is the trip?
About 8 minutes across the Narrows (0.6 nautical miles)
What might we see?
The tidal Narrows; you may spot seals, porpoises or dolphins (never guaranteed)
When does it run?
All year, every day except Christmas Day; sailings can be weather-affected
Getting there

Strangford Lough Ferry departs from Strangford village slipway and Portaferry slipway, Co. Down. Parking near both terminals; harbour areas are restricted to authorised vehicles and the ferry queue. Tap below for directions to the departure point.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around StrangfordSee what else is close by More boat trips across NISea, lough and river cruises
The story

About the trip

There has been a ferry across the Strangford Narrows for roughly four centuries, with land granted on either side of the lough in 1611 to maintain a ferry boat. The Lady of the Lake, launched in 1836, was the first steam ferry in Ireland to work the crossing.

Today the service is run by the Department for Infrastructure (Transport NI) and carries around half a million passengers a year, including school students who use it daily. Two modern vessels, MV Portaferry II and MV Strangford II, keep the half-hourly sailings running and save drivers the 47-mile road trip around the head of the lough.