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Strangford ferry timetable

The Strangford Lough ferry sails between Portaferry and Strangford in County Down every day of the year, except Christmas Day.

Ferry service updates

For information on disruptions to normal service, check the TrafficwatchNI website.

Off-schedule sailings

To accommodate school traffic an ‘off-schedule’ service will be in operation on weekday early mornings 7.30 am to 9.00 am and late afternoons 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm when required.

Note that a foot passenger-only service is in operation when required at 8.10 am from Portaferry and 4.00 pm from Strangford.

These sailings have been co-ordinated with designated school bus transport to and from Strangford.

From Strangford

The ferry departs on the hour and on the half hour.

Days First sailing Last sailing
Weekdays 7.30 am 10.30 pm
Saturday 8.00 am 11.00 pm
Sunday 9.30 am 10.30 pm

From Portaferry

The ferry departs on the quarter past and quarter to the hour.

Days First sailing Last sailing
Weekdays 7.45 am 10.45 pm
Saturday 8.15 am 11.15 pm
Sunday 9.45 am 10.45 pm

Days with different services:

  • Christmas Eve - last sailing from Strangford 9.30 pm; last sailing from Portaferry 9.45 pm
  • Christmas Day - no service
  • Boxing Day - Sunday service operates
  • New Year's Day - Sunday service operates

SMS text message alert service

Passengers can register to get SMS alerts about delays and service suspensions and so on. Simply:

  • Text 'FERRY' to 07984 406004 to register
  • Text 'STOP' to 07984 406004 to stop

Receiving SMS alerts is free when in the UK.

A registration/ stop text is charged at your network operator’s standard rate.

Queries

If you have any queries, you can send them by email to the address below:

  • email: Strangfordferry@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
  • Strangford ferry terminal phone: 0300 200 7898 (office hours only)
  • Contacting 08 and 03 telephone numbers

Where to buy tickets

You can find information about fares and where to buy tickets at this link:

  • Strangford ferry fares

Events, large group travel, and oversized loads

If you're aware of any events in the area, or intend to travel on the ferry as a large group (more than 10 vehicles), contact the Strangford ferry terminal in advance to prevent traffic congestion.

This includes:

  • sporting and show events
  • funerals
  • weddings

and

  • transporting of oversized loads

Who to contact

You should either contact the ferry manager at Strangford ferry terminal or the divisional manager at DfI Roads Southern Division.

Complaints

The Department for Infrastructure aims to investigate complaints thoroughly and it would be helpful if as much detail as possible about date and time of travel and circumstances is given.

Written complaints will be responded to within 15 working days. A written reply will not normally be sent to a verbal complaint.

You may also email your comments on the Strangford ferry operation directly to DfI Roads staff using the email address below.

If you would like to get a written response you will need to provide your name and postcode.

  • email: Strangfordferry@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

Conditions of carriage

You can find the full Strangford ferry service conditions of carriage at the following link:

  • Strangford ferry service conditions of carriage
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Ferry travel

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19): face coverings guidance
  • Ferry services
  • Ferry travel and disability
  • Rathlin Island ferry
  • Strangford ferry accessibility
  • Strangford ferry fares
  • Strangford ferry timetable

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Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

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Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
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Call 0800 587 2750 
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If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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