The only way to get to Rathlin Island is to take the Rathlin Island Ferry from Ballycastle. There are no flights to Rathlin Island, and there is no bridge.
Rathlin Island Ferry:
Rathlin Ferry operates two ferries between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island:
- Spirit of Rathlin. This is a 105T cargo and passenger ferry which can take 141 passengers. The Spirit of Rathlin takes 40 minutes.
- Kintra II: This is a modern high-speed catamaran built in 2020 and can carry 82 passengers. The Kintra II takes 30 minutes.
I visited Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island, in May 2023 in glorious weather. In this part of the world, the conditions can and do change in the blink of an eye.
Rathlin Island Ferry Timetable
Rathlin Ferry operates two separate schedules:
- The Winter Schedule runs from the end of September until mid-April
The first ferry departs from Rathlin Island at 7.45 am and from Ballycastle at 8.30 am. The last ferry departs from Rathlin Island at 4.30 pm and from Ballycastle at 5.30 pm.
- The 2025 Summer Schedule runs from mid-April until the end of September, with slightly later departures in the evening.
Always check the official website for the latest schedule.
Ferries can and do get cancelled in bad weather. Plan accordingly!
How much is the ferry to Rathlin Island?
I paid £6 each way, but the ticket in 2025 is now £8.
Bookings are very much recommended. Many visit Rathlin Island as a day trip, so the first ferry to Rathlin Island and the last ferry back are often booked out.
I just bought my ticket at the ferry office in Ballycastle but pre-booked online for the trip back. I advise you to do the same!
Good deal on enjoying a brilliant weather day there. People are not kidding when they claim one can experience four seasons in a single day. We saw this in Scotland. Sunny and relatively warm with no wind. Then the gale set in. Then heavy snow.Then a torrential downpour. Light rain and a steady gale after that. All within 2 hours.
I miss the raw beauty of the 4 seasons in 30 minutes… and the bracing sea air… plenty of places like that in UK. Mostly the west coast and the hilly areas (Brecon Beacons National Park – training ground of the SAS)