Which Is Cheaper, Stena Line or Irish Ferries?

Which is cheaper, Stena Line or Irish Ferries? The answer depends on the crossing, travel date and what you're taking with you. Both operators compete on Holyhead to Dublin, but the cheapest advertised ticket isn't necessarily the cheapest booking once you've chosen your sailing, added passengers and checked the fare conditions. Tesco Clubcard, promotional codes and loyalty benefits can change the calculation too. We've looked at current published fares, the operators' charges and the savings that matter most. This guide focuses on price; for comfort, facilities and the onboard experience, see our separate comparison of Irish Ferries versus Stena Line.

Which Is Cheaper, Stena Line or Irish Ferries?

Neither company has a permanent price advantage on every route or sailing. However, there is now some useful published pricing information that helps establish where the comparison starts.

In its October 2026 Holyhead to Dublin route information, Direct Ferries advertises Irish Ferries fares from £91 and Stena Line fares from £96. That gives Irish Ferries a £5 advantage between the two advertised starting prices, but it does not mean that Irish Ferries will be £5 cheaper for your particular journey.

The two starting prices aren't confirmed as matching departures for the same date, vehicle and passengers. They are also quoted through a comparison website, where service fees may affect the amount payable.

On their own websites, Stena Line currently advertises Holyhead to Dublin from £155 single for a car and driver, while an Irish Ferries published Ireland fare promotion advertises car-and-driver travel from £154 one way. Again, the conditions and availability aren't established as identical, so the £1 difference isn't a meaningful verdict.

What this tells us is that both operators can offer competitive advertised starting prices. To identify the cheaper booking, you need to compare equivalent sailings and the actual amount payable.

Holyhead to Dublin Is the Best Route for a Fair Comparison

Holyhead to Dublin is the most useful starting point because both Stena Line and Irish Ferries operate direct services between the same ports.

Stena Line operates conventional ferries including Stena Adventurer and Stena Estrid. Irish Ferries also operates conventional services, while its Dublin Swift fast ferry operates when scheduled.

The type of ship can affect the journey time and fare. A faster crossing may be worth paying extra for if you're travelling with children or have a long drive ahead, but it shouldn't be compared blindly with a conventional ferry if your only priority is the lowest price.

For a sensible comparison, keep these details consistent:

• The same outward and return dates.
• Similar departure times, preferably daytime against daytime.
• The same number and ages of passengers.
• The same vehicle type, length and height.
• Comparable Economy fares, or comparable flexible fares.
• The same pets, cabins and other extras where required.

Only then do the prices begin to tell you which operator is genuinely cheaper for the journey you intend to make.

Stena Line vs Irish Ferries: Published Ferry Prices in October 2026

We checked the operators' published prices and the latest available route-level comparison data. The figures below are useful reference points, but they serve different purposes and shouldn't be treated as interchangeable quotations.

Price sources: Direct Ferries Holyhead to Dublin, Direct Ferries Dublin to Holyhead and Stena Line's official route page. Direct Ferries states that its averages are based on recent searches and were last updated on 2 October 2026. Prices may change.

Direct Ferries also reports a £336 average for bookings with a car travelling from Holyhead to Dublin, compared with £322 in the opposite direction. Those figures are more relevant to motorists than the all-booking averages, but still combine different travel dates and booking circumstances.

One other point is worth noting. A comparison website's price is not necessarily the same as the final price available directly from the operator. If you find a suitable sailing through an aggregator, check the equivalent booking on Stena Line or Irish Ferries before paying.

How Ferry Fare Types Affect the Price

One of the easiest ways to make a misleading ferry comparison is to put an Economy fare from one company against a flexible ticket from the other.

Stena Line offers Economy, Flexi and Premium fares. Irish Ferries offers Economy, promotional or Shortbreak fares, Flexi and Flexi+.

The cheaper Economy fares are generally intended for customers with fixed travel plans. The more flexible options may provide better amendment and cancellation conditions, while premium options can include additional facilities.

The Cost of Changing an Irish Ferries Economy Ticket

Irish Ferries' updated fare guidance, published in July 2026, lists an amendment fee of £20 per car journey change on Economy fares. A fare difference may also be payable.

That means changing both legs of an Economy return booking could involve £40 in amendment fees before allowing for any fare increases.

Flexi and Flexi+ fares don't carry the same amendment fee, although fare differences can still apply and cancellation conditions depend on the fare terms.

This matters when the difference between Economy and Flexi is relatively small. If your holiday dates might change, the higher initial fare could prove better value than paying to amend a cheaper ticket later.

Stena Line's Flexi fares also allow online changes without an amendment fee, although any difference in the new sailing's fare remains payable. Its Economy tickets have more restrictive conditions.

Check the current Stena Line fare conditions and Irish Ferries fare conditions before comparing tickets with different flexibility.

Booking Fees and Administrative Dues: What Do They Add?

Irish Ferries and Stena Line can both apply charges that depend on the route, passenger details and booking method.

Irish Ferries publishes administrative dues for its Ireland to Britain services. Its sterling rates include £4 per adult and £2 per child aged 4 to 15 on relevant motorist bookings, charged in each direction.

For two adults and two children aged between four and 15, the passenger dues work out as follows:

• Two adults: 2 x £4 = £8 each way.
• Two children: 2 x £2 = £4 each way.
• Total: £12 each way, or £24 for a return crossing.

This is the passenger-dues component, not a full calculation of every applicable booking charge. Irish Ferries also lists vehicle charges in its wider Irish Sea booking guidance, so the actual quote needs checking.

Crucially, these charges may already be included in the price shown during the booking process. You should not add them again to a quoted final total.

Irish Ferries states that its administrative fees and dues are excluded from discounts and promotional offers. A voucher advertised as a percentage off a fare therefore may not reduce every part of the booking cost.

Stena Line also applies port and passenger-related fees, while certain booking or amendment methods can attract service charges. Booking online is generally preferable to paying an additional telephone or port booking fee where that can be avoided.

For reference, see the Irish Ferries administrative fees and Stena Line fees and dues.

Tesco Clubcard: Which Ferry Operator Gives Better Value?

Tesco Clubcard can make a considerable difference to the cash amount payable for an eligible ferry booking. However, it would be a mistake to assume that the company accepting the largest amount of Clubcard credit automatically offers the cheapest crossing.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have specific restrictions, and the schemes do not operate in exactly the same way.

Using Tesco Clubcard with Stena Line

Stena Line accepts Tesco Clubcard Reward Partner codes on selected routes, including Holyhead to Dublin and Fishguard to Rosslare.

For these two routes, Stena Line currently lists no maximum Clubcard code value against an eligible booking. On Cairnryan to Belfast and Harwich to Hook of Holland, it applies a maximum code value of £105 per single journey, or £210 return. Liverpool to Belfast is excluded.

There is one particularly important restriction: Stena Line uses a special Tesco fare for Clubcard bookings. This can differ from the standard fare displayed to customers booking without Clubcard.

You therefore need to compare the standard cash price with the special Tesco fare before deciding how much the reward code actually saves.

Stena Line permits only one Clubcard Reward Partner code per online booking, and Clubcard codes cannot be combined with sale fares, other discounts or promotions. The special fare also has limited availability.

Read Stena Line's Tesco Clubcard terms.

Using Tesco Clubcard with Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries also accepts Tesco Clubcard Reward Partner codes as full or part payment on eligible crossings.

Its UK-to-Ireland Clubcard information currently advertises twice the value of Clubcard vouchers when exchanged for eligible ferry travel, although the applicable reward terms should be confirmed with Tesco before converting points.

Irish Ferries allows Clubcard codes for eligible motorist, motorcycle and towed-vehicle bookings, subject to restrictions and availability. Certain booking types, including foot-passenger journeys, short-break fares, day trips, SailRail and inclusive holiday packages, are excluded.

Clubcard codes cannot generally be combined with other promotional schemes. Once a Clubcard voucher has been converted, the terms and potential loss of unused value matter, so it is sensible to check that the intended sailing qualifies before exchanging it.

Read Irish Ferries' Tesco Clubcard information.

The Clubcard Comparison Most People Miss

The key question is not how much Clubcard credit you can redeem. It is how much money remains to pay after the reward code is applied.

For Stena Line, compare the ordinary cash fare with the special Tesco fare. For Irish Ferries, check that the chosen fare is eligible and whether the use of Clubcard prevents an otherwise available promotion.

Also remember that Tesco Clubcard vouchers have a value outside ferry travel. Spending £50 of vouchers to reduce a booking by £100 means you have used £50 of existing rewards, not received £100 of entirely free travel.

Where a promotional cash fare is particularly competitive, preserving your Clubcard value for another eligible purchase could make more sense.

Irish Ferries Club vs Stena MORE: Which Loyalty Scheme Is Worth More?

Both ferry companies operate loyalty programmes, but their benefits should be considered separately from the amount you pay for the booking in front of you.

Irish Ferries Club

Irish Ferries Club has three membership levels: Green, Silver and Gold.

Eligible bookings made directly with Irish Ferries earn points that can be redeemed against future ferry travel. The equivalent future-travel reward depends on the membership tier:

• Green: 5% of eligible spending in future-travel credit.
• Silver: 10% of eligible spending in future-travel credit.
• Gold: 15% of eligible spending in future-travel credit.

For example, on €200 of qualifying spending, a Green member would earn the equivalent of €10 towards future eligible ferry travel. That is a calculation from the programme's published earning rate, not a reduction on the original €200 booking.

The points become available after travel and are generally valid for 12 months from the date they are earned. Irish Ferries also excludes certain charges and bookings from points earning, including the portion paid using Tesco Clubcard.

Silver and Gold members can qualify for additional benefits, including complimentary Club Class places on eligible sailings and waived telephone service fees, subject to conditions.

See Irish Ferries Club benefits and membership levels.

Stena MORE

Stena Line's loyalty programme, Stena MORE, allows members to collect points on eligible ferry travel and selected onboard purchases.

Points can be redeemed towards future ferry travel and qualifying pre-booked products, including some cabins and food options. Membership benefits vary by level, and the programme includes Blue, Gold and Platinum tiers.

Stena MORE points generally remain valid until 31 December of the year following the journey, with extensions possible through continued qualifying activity.

An important difference involving Tesco Clubcard is that Stena Line permits points earning on the cash portion of eligible Clubcard bookings, but Stena MORE points cannot be redeemed against the Tesco booking itself.

Read about Stena MORE.

Which Programme Is Better for Saving Money?

Irish Ferries provides a particularly clear published percentage-equivalent earning structure. Stena MORE offers its own mix of points, future booking redemptions and membership benefits.

But these are not directly interchangeable currencies. Their earning rules, exclusions, expiry dates and redemption opportunities differ.

If you only take one ferry journey every few years, a cheaper cash fare may matter far more than either loyalty programme. Frequent travellers are better placed to benefit from rewards, provided they can use the points before they expire.

When Stena Line May Be Cheaper

Stena Line can offer the lower cost when its available fare is below the equivalent Irish Ferries sailing or when a qualifying Stena promotion reduces the total payable.

Its wider Irish Sea route network also matters. Stena Line operates Cairnryan to Belfast and Liverpool to Belfast, while Irish Ferries does not operate those equivalent direct services. In those circumstances, comparing the companies involves different routes and potentially different driving costs.

For Holyhead to Dublin, Stena may prove more economical when a suitable Economy sailing is available at a lower price, or when a valid Clubcard booking delivers a smaller cash balance than the Irish Ferries alternative.

The special Tesco fare needs checking carefully, however. A Stena Clubcard booking isn't automatically better than its ordinary promotional fare.

When Irish Ferries May Be Cheaper

Irish Ferries may provide the lower price when its standard or promotional fare is cheaper for the same Holyhead to Dublin journey. Its £91 starting price published by Direct Ferries in October 2026 is lower than the equivalent £96 Stena starting-price listing, although those advertised fares are not a verified like-for-like checkout comparison.

Eligible Tesco Clubcard payments can also make Irish Ferries competitive, particularly if a traveller has vouchers available and the chosen booking qualifies.

Regular Irish Ferries customers might also value Irish Ferries Club points towards a future trip. However, that future benefit should not be confused with an immediate fare reduction.

If the chosen crossing involves the Dublin Swift, compare the journey time and price against conventional sailings. Paying more for a shorter journey might be worthwhile, but it is a personal decision rather than evidence that the operator is cheaper.

How to Run a Fair Ferry Price Comparison

Rather than relying on starting prices, the most dependable approach is to price the same journey directly with both companies.

Start with Holyhead to Dublin and enter identical passenger and vehicle details on both websites. Match the travel dates, then choose departures that are as close in time as reasonably possible.

Compare the lowest suitable Economy fares first. If your plans could change, repeat the comparison with Flexi fares. A cheaper ticket that is non-refundable or expensive to amend may not be better value for a traveller who needs flexibility.

Next, examine the extras:

• Are passenger and vehicle-related charges included in the displayed total?
• Do you need a pet cabin, kennel or other accommodation?
• Is lounge access necessary, or is it an optional upgrade?
• Does a promotional code actually apply to the selected sailing?
• Would a Tesco Clubcard booking change the underlying fare?
• Is there a service fee or other charge associated with the booking method?

Finally, record the amount payable for each booking. If the prices are close, consider whether your preferred sailing time, departure port and fare conditions justify the difference.

A New Travel Requirement for September 2026 Onwards

There is one recent change that travellers should know about before choosing a fare.

Stena Line states that from 28 September 2026, passengers travelling through Dublin, Holyhead, Fishguard and Rosslare must present a valid passport at check-in on its affected services.

This is relevant to the Holyhead to Dublin price comparison because an inexpensive ticket has little value if the passenger cannot satisfy the operator's boarding requirements.

Check the current identification requirements directly with the ferry operator before paying, particularly if you're travelling under British or Irish Common Travel Area arrangements.

See Stena Line's current travel notice.

So, Which Is Cheaper for Most Travellers?

On Holyhead to Dublin, neither Stena Line nor Irish Ferries can be declared the consistently cheaper operator from published starting fares alone.

Irish Ferries currently has the lower advertised starting price in Direct Ferries' October 2026 operator listings, at £91 compared with £96 for Stena Line. That is useful context, but it isn't proof that Irish Ferries is cheaper on your preferred date or once the full booking details are entered.

The most useful differences uncovered by this comparison are in the fare conditions and savings schemes. Irish Ferries publishes a £20 amendment charge for changes to eligible Economy motorist journeys. Stena Line uses special fares for Tesco Clubcard bookings. Irish Ferries Club provides clearly defined future-travel rewards, while Stena MORE operates a separate points system.

These details can change the true value of a crossing, especially for a family, somebody with flexible travel plans or a regular ferry traveller.

For the latest available promotions, check our Stena Line voucher codes and Irish Ferries voucher codes before booking. Compare the resulting prices with the operators' direct fares, rather than assuming a discount code always produces the lowest total.

Stena Line vs Irish Ferries Price FAQs

Is Irish Ferries always cheaper than Stena Line?

No. Irish Ferries has a slightly lower advertised starting price on the October 2026 Direct Ferries Holyhead to Dublin listing, but the cheapest operator for a particular journey depends on the dates, vehicle, passengers, fare conditions and applicable offers.

Is it cheaper to book Stena Line or Irish Ferries directly?

It can be. Comparison websites provide a convenient way to find sailings, but their displayed prices may exclude service fees. Check the equivalent itinerary directly on the ferry operator's website before making a booking decision.

Can I use Tesco Clubcard vouchers with both ferry companies?

Yes, on eligible bookings. Stena Line has route-specific restrictions and uses a special Tesco fare. Irish Ferries has separate qualifying-booking rules. Both companies restrict combinations with other promotions, so compare the remaining cash balance rather than the voucher value alone.

Which company is cheaper for a family travelling by car?

There is no permanent winner. Family fares depend on the children's ages, travel dates, sailing times and vehicle. Irish Ferries' published administrative passenger dues for two adults and two children aged 4 to 15 total £12 each way where applicable, but other charges and the base fares must also be included in the comparison.

Are Stena Line and Irish Ferries loyalty points worth considering?

Yes, particularly if you travel regularly. However, loyalty points usually provide value on future bookings rather than reducing the price of the journey on which they are earned. For an occasional traveller, the lower cash fare may be the better choice.

Research and published-price information checked on 8 October 2026. Fares and promotions are subject to availability, and published starting prices should not be treated as confirmed quotes for a particular journey.

By Julian House, My Favourite Voucher Codes. When qualifying purchases made through My Favourite Voucher Codes generate commission, they contribute to our business profits, of which 20% is donated to charity each month at no extra cost to shoppers.