Frequently Asked Questions

Yes of course you can! Most ferry companies allow you to take pets on their routes.

https://www.discoverferries.com/thinking-taking-dog-holiday/

Sometimes this is totally free of charge and other times there is a small cost. Check with the ferry company you are planning to travel with to get the exact amount.

It depends on the route you’re taking as to whether your pet can stay with you on the crossing, stay in your car or in kennels in a dedicated pet area. You’ll need to check with the ferry company you are planning to travel with for exact details.

Oui! You can take them to any mainland European country provided all their documentation is up to date. Some companies like Brittany Ferries now operate a Pet Travel Scheme. With travel schemes like this, it makes it easy for you to take your dog or cat on holiday to the continent. Check out your ferry company’s website for all the details.

Absolutely! Ferry travel is perfect for transporting all types of vehicles and trailers. However, ferries come in all shapes and sizes so it’s well worth checking the website of the ferry company that you intend to travel with for the exact requirements of that particular vessel.

It’s always best to be prepared when you’re driving in Europe. Vehicles travelling in Europe are now legally required to have certain breakdown and emergency equipment stored in the vehicle. Check the website of the ferry company you are booking with for a list of all the things you need to do and have with you to make your journey run smoothly.

The speed limit on motorways is generally 110, 120 or 130 km/h and the limit in built-up areas is 50 or 60 km/h. Keep an eye on the signs to make sure of the exact limits and any special conditions that apply.

The following items are compulsory to have in your car under French law: Original registration documentation, reflective jacket/waistcoat, warning triangle and headlamp adjustment kit. For more details, check the website of the ferry company you are travelling with or check our partner’s website – www.aa.com.

All sorts! The beauty of ferry travel is in its flexibility. The exact vehicle you can take depends on the individual requirements of the ship that you are planning to travel on, but you could travel in a car, motorhome, a car with a roof-box, on a bike, on a motorbike, a car with bikes on the roof, a car towing a caravan or trailer, on a coach, minibus and you can travel with your commercial vehicle too! Always check the individual requirements of the company you are travelling with before you book!

Short and long term secure parking is available at most ports. The cost of this will vary according to the particular port. For more information it is best to contact the port directly.

Yes, that’s what ferries are designed for! Please make sure that you enter your vehicle dimensions correctly, including any attached racks or roof-boxes. Failure to enter vehicle dimensions correctly may lead to problems at the port, such as additional charges or not enough space being available for you to board the ferry.

A large number of ferries now offer free Wi-Fi on board which is brilliant for keeping in touch when you’re travelling. It’s fantastic for sending those last minute emails, checking the traffic on your forward route, booking a restaurant or updating your social media status to ‘on an adventure!’

Of course! Modern ferries have been designed or adapted to suit the needs of disabled or passengers with reduced mobility, however some sailings have a restriction on the number of wheelchairs that can be taken. If you have specific requirements, check with the ferry company that you plan to sail with.

There are lots of places to eat and drink on the vast majority of vessels with only the smallest ships on the shortest routes not providing this service. One of the best things about ferry travel is that you can relax, eat and drink while you’re travelling. We think you’ll be surprised by the range and quality of the onboard dining options now available on ferries.

Yes. Cabins are available on many ferries, especially on longer routes. Ships have many different types of cabins and to see if cabins are available on the route that you want to travel, follow the links to your ferry company’s homepage. Cabins can typically be booked online, onboard or by calling your ferry operator.

Many of the larger ships will have nurses on board, for both daily and emergency care. In addition, the larger ships often have a dedicated sick bay to enable care and support to be provided. On ships that do not have dedicated medical staff on board, a number of staff will have been trained in first aid and will be able to help you on your journey. If you think that you may become ill while travelling on a ferry it is advisable to take medication prior to departure and keep it with you on board as it may not be available on the vessel.

Prices on board ferries are in Sterling or Euro depending on the route. On most routes ferries will accept both Euro and Sterling as payment. Bureau de Change facilities are available on board many ships that are serving routes to countries in the euro zone.

Yes, bicycles are usually carried free of charge when the rider buys a foot passenger ticket. Please note that space for bicycles can be limited on some fast ferry services and it’s always best to check with the ferry company you plan to travel with. If you’re planning to travel with bikes on the back or top of your car, that’s fine too but again, it’s best to check the exact dimensions permitted on the ship that you intend to travel on.

Duty Free shopping was abolished for internal EU trips in 1999. In its place is the very similar ‘duty paid’ shopping, which means the duty that you pay is in fact much lower than in the UK. So, while it can no longer be called Duty Free, you are still receiving huge discounts on the products that are sold onboard. The shops onboard larger ferries sell an impressive range of products and brands, many exclusive to travel retail and offering savings of up to 20% on high street prices.

This is pretty simple, if you hold a British passport and you’re travelling on a ferry route within the British Isles, you do not need a passport to travel but are required to take a form of photo identity.

This all depends on how you made your booking. Typically you’ll need your booking reference number and a form of photo identification at check-in. Check-in is a straightforward process on ferries and if you have any detailed questions, check out the website of the ferry company you are planning to travel with or give them a call, they’ll be happy to help.

Yes, a passport is required for all passengers, including children and infants, valid beyond the date of return for all trips to mainland Europe. You will not be permitted to travel on routes to mainland Europe without a valid passport.

Brexit will not affect the ability of ferries to sail between the UK and the rest of Europe.

Both the UK and the EU have clearly stated that they wish to preserve the existing arrangements for passport-free travel between the UK and the Republic of Ireland, so ferry travel across the Irish Sea should not be affected by Brexit.

The Government has also set out in its recent Brexit White Paper, published in July 2018, that it wants to make no changes to passport controls for travel between the UK and the Continent.  The EU has yet to declare its intentions in relation to passport controls on passengers travelling across the English Channel or the North Sea.

Additional point:

The Government made clear last year (in its Customs Bill White Paper) that passengers would continue to be able to transport goods such as food, drink and gifts from abroad for their personal use without needing to pay additional taxes.

The recent Brexit white paper sets out the government’s ambitions for the EHIC scheme to continue to be valid for UK residents travelling to the EU.

We would always advise individuals travelling abroad, however, to ensure they have adequate private travel insurance, as the EHIC scheme does not cover all medical treatment and associated costs.

Here is a link for further details on what is covered by the EHIC scheme: https://www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card

The UK government has stated that it wants to explore reciprocal arrangements for private motoring, but, in the unlikely event that you will no longer be able to use your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence in Europe, you can obtain an international driving permit for around £5.50 from the AA (https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe/country-by-country) or from the Post Office.  This will be valid for 12 months and will allow you to drive throughout Europe.

The UK Government has proposed that no visa should be needed for UK citizens to visit the EU and EU citizens to visit the UK for leisure or short-term business trips.  The EU, however, has yet to declare its intentions.

Yes; the current EU Pet Travel Scheme is not limited to EU countries and we believe it is likely that UK will remain in it, meaning that the current pet passport arrangements would continue.

If the UK is excluded from the scheme, however, you will still be able to take your pet away with you, but they may need a different certificate for travel.

Click here for further information on the current PET Travel Scheme: http://apha.defra.gov.uk/external-operations-admin/library/documents/exports/ET159.pdf

Click here for advice on travelling safely with your dog: https://www.discoverferries.com/thinking-taking-dog-holiday/

You should not experience any additional checks or longer waiting periods at border controls than are currently in place if the Government’s preference for visa-free travel for leisure and short-term business trips set out in its recent Brexit White Paper is agreed.

Port and ferry operators work hard to ensure that passengers have a quick and painless journey through their ports. It is worth noting, however, that Ferry ports are always busier during the holiday season and we recommend that you check with your ferry operator for advice on how early you should arrive for your sailing.

There has been some discussion around the reintroduction of duty free shopping once the UK has exited the EU, but nothing has yet been announced on this by the government or by the EU. We do expect, however, for all passengers to continue to be able to transport food, drink and other goods for their personal use across the border with the EU without the need to pay any additional tax.

You will need to check with your insurance provider to see what is included in your policy.

This is not yet clear, although the Government has set out its ambition for a joint commitment to an open and liberalised approach to public telecoms services and networks.