Bolton to Belfast via Stena Line
September 2021 saw me taking a trip across the Irish Sea on Stena Line from Liverpool to Belfast. Stena Line charge £22 for the crossing as foot passenger – book here.
I started the day with an early start from Bolton on the 07.13 Northern service to Wigan North Western and then an onward connection to Liverpool Lime Street, arriving 08.31, and onwards to Birkenhead Hamilton Square on Merseyrail. The one way fare is £14.40 from Bolton to Birkenhead Hamilton Square, the station closest to the Stena Line ferry terminal.
- Bolton to Wigan Train
- Onboard Bolton to Wigan
- Arrived Wigan
The Merseyrail ride form Liverpool Lime Street to Birkenhead Hamilton Square is all underground and this may well be my last time riding the current trains which are being replaced soon.
- Liverpool Lime St
- Liverpool Lime St
- Down to Merseyrail
- Merseyrail Train
Walking from to the Stena Line Terminal took around 15 minutes and there are a few things to see en route. There is a taxi rank across from the station or order an Uber if you don’t want to walk. A taxi from Liverpool Lime Street under the Mersey to the Stena Line costs £20.
- Hamilton Square Station
- Hamilton Sq Taxi Rank
- Uber Price
- The walk to Stena Line
- The walk to Stena Line
- The walk to Stena Line
- The walk to Stena Line
Check in for the Stena Line ferry was smooth and as I just had a small case there was no need to check it in, hand baggage only on the Stena Line ferry. The next step was the transfer to the ship on a double deck bus! This is generally the weakest link of travelling as a foot passenger on ferries – they should run a shuttle service with a nicer bus in my opinion.
- Stena Line Check In
- Stena Line Check In
- Bus to the ferry
- Bus on the ferry
Once onboard the Stena Line ship I heading to the StenaPlus Lounge which is located at the bow of the ship, with fantastic views ahead and to both sides. Access to the lounge costs £20 and includes drinks and snacks and there is a table service if you wish to buy a meal.
- Stena Plus
- Stena Plus Breakfast Menu
- Stena Plus Lunch Menu
- Stena Plus Lunch
Crossing the Irish Sea on the Stena Line ferry takes 8 hours, departing at 10.30 and arriving 18.30. Travelling on the Stena Line overnight ferry it departs at 22.30 and arrives 06.30. Times are the same in the reverse direction.
The purser was at reception and I asked him for a tour of the cabins, which are very affordable on the daytime crossing. Only the regular 4 berth inside and outside berths on the Stena Line ferry were available to view as all other types were booked!
- To the cabins
- 4 berth outside
- 4 berth inside
- 4 berth bathroom
Luckily on my Stena Line ferry crossing I was blessed with fantastic weather with some great views leaving Liverpool, passing the Isle of Man and approaching Belfast.
- Liverpool from the Ferry
- Liverpool Skyline
- Cruising down the Mersey
- Isle of Man
- Isle of Man
- Belfast and the Queen Elizabeth
- The Cairnryan to Belfast Ferry
- Arriving Belfast
On arrival in Belfast I took the bus into the city center, £2.10 pay onboard.
Here is a YouTube video of my crossing:
To book this crossing click here.