How long before departure do I need to check-in?

Check-in times vary depending on which ferry and port you are travelling from and can be found in your E-ticket booking confirmation. 

Checking in with a vehicle:

• Follow the signs for the vehicle check-in booths. 
• Present your e-ticket and any other relevant documentation to our check-in staff who will be happy to check you in for your crossing. 
• Once complete, they will direct you to the relevant car lane in preparation for boarding. 

Checking in without a vehicle: 

• Foot passengers can check-in at Passenger Terminal at one of our desks or, where they are available, at one of our self-service kiosks.
• If you are checking in via a kiosk, please scan the barcode on your e-ticket and a boarding pass will then be printed for you. 
• If you need any assistance at any time, a member of staff will be happy to help. 

Rail & Sail Passengers:

• If you have booked a Rail & Sail ticket, please note that some Rail & Sail services may have trains scheduled to arrive after the latest check-in time. Passengers can rest assured that they will still be allowed to board. Should train services be delayed, sailings may wait to accommodate these foot passengers, subject to the Captain's discretion.

Please note:

• Failure to arrive on time for check-in may result in the cancellation of your booking and no refund.
• Ensure you have the necessary travel identification and documentation available (such as passports and visas) prior to arriving at the port. Stena Line is not liable in the event of a passenger being unable to obtain the relevant permits required for any cross border travel.   

Belfast Port (to Cairnryan) and Cairnryan Port

Check-in for cars opens 2 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before departure..

Check-in for foot passengers, including rail & sail passengers, opens 1 hour 45 minutes before departure and closes 30 minutes before departure.

Belfast Port (to Liverpool) and Liverpool Port

Check-in for the 10:30 sailing opens for vehicles and foot passengers from 08:00 and closes at 09:30.

Check-in for the 22:30 sailing opens for vehicles and foot passengers from 19:30 and closes at 21:30. For the 22:00 sailing on Mondays, check-in closes at 21:00.

Dublin Port and Holyhead Port

Check-in for cars closes 30 minutes before departure. Check-in for foot passengers closes 40 minutes before departure.

Rosslare Port

Check in for vehicles opens 3 hours before departure. Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure when travelling to FIshguard and 45 minutes before departure when travelling to Cherbourg.

Check-in for foot passengers, including rail and sail passengers, opens 1 hour 30 minutes before departure and closes 30 minutes before departure.

Cherbourg Port

Check in for vehicles closes 60 minutes before departure. Foot passengers may collect their tickets from noon on Wednesdays and Fridays and from 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. Check-in for foot passengers closes 60 minutes before departure.

Fishguard Port

Check in for vehicles opens 3 hours before departure. Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure.

Check-in for foot passengers, including rail and sail passengers, opens 1 hour 30 minutes before departure and closes 30 minutes before departure.

Harwich Port

For the 0900 departure, check-in for vehicles and foot passengers opens at 07:45 and closes at 08:15.

For the 23:00 departure check-in for vehicles and foot passengers opens at 20:30 and closes at 22:15. From mid-May to September on busy sailings, check-in for vehicles opens at 19:30, foot passengers from 20:30.

Because you are travelling from a country outside the EU/Schengen, different entry rules apply. Border checks may take longer because customs can check your luggage and travel documents.

Hoek van Holland Port

For the 14:15 departure (Mon-Sat), check-in for vehicles and foot passengers opens at 12:30 and closes at 13:30. From mid-May to September, check-in starts at 11:30 for vehicles and 12:30 for foot passengers.

For the 13:45 departure (Sun), check-in for vehicles and foot passengers opens at 12:15 and closes at 13:00.

For the 22:00 departure, check-in for vehicles and foot passengers opens at 18:45 and closes at 21:15. From mid-May to September, check-in for vehicles starts at 18:15 and for foot passengers at 18:45.

Because you are travelling to a country outside the EU/Schengen, different entry rules apply. Border checks may take longer because customs can check your luggage and travel documents.

Gothenburg (to Denmark) and Frederikshavn Ports

Check in opens 60 minutes before departure when travelling with a vehicle and 45 minutes before departure for foot passengers. Check in closes 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. 

Gothenburg Port (to Kiel)

Check-in opens from 16.00 from Monday - Friday and from 15:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and closes 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time for foot passengers. Boarding starts at 17:00 from Monday - Friday and at 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday for foot passengers.

Cruise passengers can board from 14:00. 

Kiel Port

Check-in opens from 14.00 from Monday - Sunday and closes 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time for vehicles and foot passengers. Boarding starts at 17:00 from Monday - Friday and at 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Swedish cruise passengers can board from 13:15 via the gangway.

Halmstad and Grenaa Ports

You cannot travel as a foot passenger from Halmstad or Grenaa Ports.

Individuals may travel at any time with a bicycle but adults and children must have their own road-going bicycle; infants may travel in a secure cycle seat or trailer attached to an adult's bicycle. Tandem cycles and trailers for younger children are also permitted but each individual must have their own seat. 

Vehicles travelling from Halmstad or Granaa Ports: Check-in opens 90 minutes before departure and closes 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.  

Rostock Port

Check-in for vehicles closes 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Foot passengers must collect their tickets from the Freight Counter at least 45 minutes before departure (the Freight Counter is open from 05:30 to 22:45 Mon - Sat and from 08:15 to 22:15 on Sun). Check-in for foot passengers closes 30 minutes before departure. The transfer bus leaves 30 minutes before departure after which there is no available transport to the vessel.

Trelleborg Port

Check-in closes 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Foot passengers and passengers with bicycles should check-in at Hamngatan 9, 231 42, Trelleborg.

Karlskrona and Gdynia Ports

Check-in closes 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Groups of more than 20 people must check in at least 90 minutes before departure. 

Passengers are obliged to read the passport and visa regulations prior to arrival at the port  Stena Line is not liable in the event of a passenger being unable to obtaining a permit to cross the border. More information can be found at www.msz.gov.pl 

Travemünde and Liepāja Ports

Check in opens 2.5 hours before departure in Travemünde and 5 hours before departure in Liepāja. Check-in for passengers travelling without a vehicle closes 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time and 90 minutes for passengers travelling with a vehicle.

Nynäshamn and Ventspils Ports

Check in opens 2.5 hours before departure in Nynäshamn and 3 hours before departure in Ventspils. Check-in for passengers travelling without a vehicle closes 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time and 60 minutes for passengers travelling with a vehicle.