Travel guides
Explore Europe by ferry
Practical advice for choosing a crossing and travelling with confidence.
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FranceUK to France by Ferry: Routes, Costs & Travel GuideCompare FerrySearch routes to France and plan the vehicle, passenger and onward-travel details that affect your crossing.Read guide VehiclesTaking Your Car to France by FerryA practical guide to choosing a route, entering vehicle details and preparing for check-in.Read guide Ferry TravelWhat Happens at a Ferry Port?Understand the steps from arrival and check-in through boarding and disembarkation.Read guide All guides
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Stories, practical tips and ideas for making the journey part of the holiday.
Ferry Travel
What Happens at a Ferry Port?Keep the booking reference and travel documents ready, follow the operator's signs, and do not assume vehicle-deck access after boarding.Ferry Cabins ExplainedCompare cabin availability, occupancy and price alongside the timetable. Choose the option that gives you a workable arrival day.Overnight Ferry Crossings ExplainedCompare the arrival time, cabin options and first driving leg. A cheaper overnight sailing is poor value if you arrive exhausted before a long drive.Day Ferry vs Overnight FerryTake a daytime sailing when its timing fits your plan; choose overnight when rest and the arrival time genuinely reduce the journey's effort.France
UK to France by Ferry: Routes, Costs & Travel GuideFor northern France choose Dover–Calais; for Normandy consider Portsmouth–Caen; for Brittany and the west, compare Plymouth–Roscoff.Best Ferry Routes from the UK to FranceUse Dover–Calais for northern France, Portsmouth–Caen for Normandy, and Plymouth–Roscoff for Brittany or western France.Driving in France After Arriving by FerryUse Calais for northern France, Caen for Normandy and Roscoff for Brittany or western France; keep documents handy and the first stop flexible.Ireland
Road Trips
UK to France Road Trip by FerryChoose Calais for northern France, Caen for Normandy or Roscoff for Brittany and the west; then compare sailings around your first overnight stop.UK to Ireland Road Trip by FerryChoose the port nearest your first stop, book with accurate vehicle details and leave time after disembarkation before anything fixed.Driving to Spain by FerryCompare the sailing length, accommodation and arrival time with the driving you would otherwise do through France.Planning
How Early Should I Arrive for a Ferry?Work backwards from the check-in closing time on your booking, then allow extra time for queues, border checks and an unfamiliar port.What to Take on a FerryKeep documents, medication, phone power, a layer and immediate family or pet essentials in one small onboard bag.Ferry Luggage RulesCheck your operator's current allowance and restricted-items guidance, then carry documents, medication and anything needed onboard with you.Vehicles
Taking Your Car to France by FerryEnter the real vehicle type and dimensions, choose the arrival region before the fare, and keep documents and medication out of the car deck.Taking a Car on the Dover to Calais FerryBook the car accurately, use the check-in deadline on your confirmation and take essentials with you when leaving the vehicle deck.Motorhome Ferry TravelMeasure length and height including fitted equipment, choose a practical arrival time, and keep overnight essentials accessible.Taking a Campervan to EuropeBook the campervan with its true dimensions, pick the arrival region before the fare, and pack a small bag for the crossing.Taking Bicycles on FerriesCheck that the sailing accepts bicycles, add the bike during booking and confirm how and when cyclists check in.