Direct transport vs the land bridge to Ireland

Knowledge base

Direct transport vs the land bridge to Ireland

Comparing two routes to Ireland: a direct ferry from the continent versus the land bridge through Great Britain - time, cost and formalities.

There are two routes to Ireland. The land bridge through Great Britain (a third country) requires transit across GB, that is a T2 declaration or a T2L/T2LF proof of Union status. A direct ferry from the continent bypasses the UK and the whole transit procedure. The choice depends on time, cost and the type of cargo.

What we compare

  • Formalities - the land bridge needs GB transit; a direct ferry avoids it.
  • Time and cost - they depend on the port, the schedule and the cargo, so we tailor the option.
  • Flexibility - a direct ferry reduces the number of borders on the route.
Land bridge is the overland passage through Great Britain between the continent and Ireland, combining ferry crossings with road transit across GB.

We help choose the option for your cargo. See destinations and customs clearance. General information, not legal advice.

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