The ultimate guide to catching the ferry to Europe this summer

Set out from Portsmouth to St Malo, gateway to Brittany - Brittany Ferries

There is something hugely uplifting about setting sail on a ferry: the scent of the sea, the sight of land, the physicality of crossing water in much the same way our ancestors did.

Most ferry routes to the Continent from the UK start from southern England and venture to a cluster of ports in France, while longer excursions cross the Bay of Biscay to Spain. From the east and north of England, sailings to the Netherlands open up Germany and Scandinavia – increasingly popular destinations for those seeking cooler climes in summer.

Ferries have always been popular for families and people with pets, and passenger numbers, at 32.5 million in 2024, are steadily increasing.

While direct comparisons with flight prices can sometimes appear unfavourable, when extras such as luggage costs, parking fees and transfers are included, the savings can be considerable.

Here’s everything you need to know about booking a ferry to Europe this year, including the best routes, the costs, a place to stay when you disembark and the most frequently asked questions by passengers, from pets to duty-free allowance.

In this guide:

• Routes to France
• Routes to Spain
• Routes to the Netherlands
• FAQs

France

Dover to Calais

The Mauritshuis art museum is home to Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings - Mauritshuis Art Museum

The shortest crossing between England and France is the gateway to the Opal Coast, the Loire Valley, Dordogne, Paris, Champagne, Provence and the Côte d’Azur – also Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Crossing time: One hour 30 minutes

Where to stay: Le Touquet offers a glamorous take on the Pas de Calais region, nowhere more so than Hotel Barrière Le Westminster has doubles from £206.

Dover to Dunkirk

With its famous beaches, Dunkirk provides easy access to Bruges, Antwerp, Brussels and the Ardennes in Belgium – it’s also popular with onward journeys to Lille, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Scandinavia.

Crossing time: Two hours

Where to stay: Barely 70 miles’ drive from Dunkirk, canal-filled Ghent makes it very clear you’re on the continent. The Louis XIV-style townhouse Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof has doubles from £138.

Newhaven-Dieppe

Slightly further south in France, of all the sailings this historic route arrives the closest to Paris. Dieppe is also a good starting point for onward journeys to Normandy, the Loire Valley, Dordogne, Aquitaine and the Pyrenees.

Crossing time: Four hours

Where to stay: Ease into a trip with a night on northern France’s Alabaster Coast. Villa des Capucins has doubles from £75.

Portsmouth-Le Havre

Honfleur is a pretty medieval town in Normandy - Moment RF

Within touching distance of Honfleur and other Normandy hotspots, Le Havre is also a good starting point for the Loire Valley, eastern France and the Alps.

Crossing time: Five hours (day); nine hours, 45 minutes (night)

Where to stay: Overlooking the Seine estuary in the pretty port of Honfleur, Le Manoir des Impressionnistes has doubles from £275.

Portsmouth-Caen

Venturing even further into Normandy and William the Conqueror country, Caen is a good option for drivers heading to Paris, the Loire Valley, Dordogne, Aquitaine, the Pyrenees and the Alps.

Crossing time: Six hours (day); Eight hours (night)

Where to stay: Caen boasts a castle built by the great warrior and lots recalling the Battle of Normandy in 1944. Le Clos Saint-Martin a bijou B&B, has plenty of history too; doubles from £112.

Portsmouth-Cherbourg

Mont Saint-Michel is the most-visited tourist site in Normandy - Moment RF

It may not have the ring of the Côte d’Azur, but the Cotentin Peninsula has its share of maritime attractions and rugged stretches of coastline. Cherbourg is also convenient for onward journeys to Mont Saint Michel, the Loire Valley, Dordogne and Aquitaine.

Crossing time: Four hours, 45 minutes (day); eight hours (night)

Portsmouth-St Malo

Taking the ferry to Brittany offers easy access to the rest of France - Brittany Ferries

There’s nothing like a walled city dating back to the 12th century (even if much of St Malo was rebuilt after the Second World War). Breathe in the fresh air breezes of Brittany and drive on to the Dordogne, Atlantic Coast, Aquitaine and Pyrenees.

Crossing time: Eight hours, 45 minutes (day); 11 hours (night)

Where to stay: Get a flavour of Brittany at the Barrière Le Grand, a grande dame of a hotel in Dinard; doubles from £231.

Poole-Cherbourg

Impatient to hit the road and end the day deep in Cognac country? You could be there within eight hours from Cherbourg – a good starting point for Mont Saint Michel, the Loire Valley, Dordogne and Aquitaine.

Crossing time: Four hours, 45 minutes (day); 10 hours 30 minutes (night)

Poole-St Malo

Brittany is where you might spot a Frenchman wearing a striped shirt and beret and possibly even carrying onions. St Malo is also convenient for the Loire Valley, Dordogne, the Atlantic coast, Aquitaine and the Pyrenees.

Crossing time: Six hours (daytime only)

Where to stay: Set on the Loire itself, Nantes will soon get you into a Gallic state of mind. La Pérouse has doubles from £72.

Plymouth-Roscoff

Roscoff is a picturesque fishing village on the north coast of Brittany - iStockphoto

As well as providing access to all areas of Brittany, Roscoff – home of the onions so beloved of the beret-wearers – has fast road links to the Western Loire, Dordogne, the Atlantic coast, Aquitaine and the Pyrenees.

Crossing time: Six hours (day); nine hours (night)

Spain

Portsmouth-Bilbao

Playa de Ondarreta in San Sebastián - John Harper

If you haven’t visited Frank Gehry’s glittering Guggenheim Museum, a crossing to Bilbao provides the perfect opportunity to do so. Then explore further afield – San Sebastian and the Basque country, the Pyrenees, Catalonia and the Spanish Mediterranean.

Crossing time: 28 hours, 30 minutes

Where to stay: The family-run Caravan Cinema guest house in Bilbao’s old quarter is a great place to get your bearings; doubles from £105.

Portsmouth-Santander

A far cry from the classic image of the Spanish costas, the northern Costa Verde (Green Coast) offers a stunning mixture of mountains, beaches and rustic charm with Santander serving as a gateway to Cantabria, the Picos de Europa, Asturias, Galicia and Portugal.

Crossing time: 29 to 34 hours

Where to stay: For those wanting the thrill of the ferry journey but not necessarily the driving, Byway (byway.travel) offers a seven-night trip including sailings and four nights in Santander from £1,171pp.

Plymouth-Santander

This (shorter) journey similarly opens up the Costa Verde and the chance to holiday along the more temperate Costa Verde, popular with Spaniards and gateway to Cantabria, the Picos de Europa, Asturias, Galicia and Portugal.

Crossing time: 20 hours

Where to stay. Brittany Ferries offers mini-breaks to Santander, including sailing from Plymouth and three nights’ accommodation, from £254pp.

Netherlands

Harwich-Hook of Holland

While lovers of modern architecture may love the Cube Houses of Rotterdam close to the Hook of Holland, those seeking the sublime art for which the Dutch are so famous should head to The Hague, home of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. This sailing also opens up Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Germany and Scandinavia.

Crossing time: Seven hours, 15 minutes to eight hours

Where to stay: The historic Hotel des Indes has entertained the likes of Winston Churchill and Tsar Nicholas II; doubles from £229.

Hull-Rotterdam

Wasserturm Hotel Cologne is in a converted historic water tower in the centre of Cologne’s Old Town

The kolsch beers of Cologne beckon. Rotterdam is also good for trips to Amsterdam, The Hague, Antwerp, Brussels, Germany and Scandinavia.

Crossing time: 11 hours, 15 minutes

Where to stay: Head for the Rhine and Cologne, home to one of the greatest cathedrals in the world. Rest up in Hotel im Wasserturm; doubles from £122.

Newcastle-Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a thrilling entry point to mainland Europe - Moment RF

Amsterdam’s canals never fail to thrill and by bike or car are a great way to start a trip to the Netherlands, Belgium, the North Sea, Germany and Scandinavia.

Crossing time: 15 hours, 45 minutes

Where to stay: The arty Volkshotel, located in a former newspaper office, bucks the city’s high prices; doubles from £212.

All prices based on June sailing dates and include car and a maximum of between four and nine passengers, unless otherwise stated; for the longer journeys, fares include cabin on overnight crossings. For further route information visit Discover Ferries

FAQs

Before you board

Can I book at the last minute?

Yes, but for departures during the busiest periods (summer school holidays and Christmas) book in advance to get the sailing time you want at the best prices.

What are the different ticket types?

There are usually standard and flexible tickets, which allow you to amend your ticket (date/timings) before departure. Check operator websites for Early Bird offers and special promotions.

What luggage can you take?

As much as will fit in your car/van and on any roof rack. If travelling as a foot passenger, you can bring up to two pieces of luggage weighing up to 20kg, plus hand luggage.

On the boat

When to arrive

Passengers are advised to arrive no more than two hours before sailing, with check-in closing 45 to 60 minutes before departure. If you need special assistance or are travelling with pets, you may need to factor in more time.

Is it worth getting a cabin?

For overnight sailings, a cabin is the most comfortable option. On some sailings, it’s mandatory (Harwich-Hook of Holland and Newcastle-Amsterdam). Cabins on day sailings are popular too, as a place to relax, freshen up, store belongings/shopping and take a nap or shower. Cabins are advisable if travelling with children and pets.

What’s on board for children and pets?

It varies, but many ships have children’s play areas, a family cinema, video games including PlayStations, shuffleboard, Wi-Fi and whale and dolphin deck watches. A recent trend has also seen the introduction of pet lounges and pet cabins.

Is there Wi-Fi?

Yes. Operators offer a limited service free of charge or an enhanced package for a fee.

Wi-Fi is usually provided by satellite, so it won’t be as fast as at home. If needed, download media in advance.

Is seasickness an issue?

Modern ferries, like cruise ships, are much more stable than they used to be. They have optimal hull forms to absorb waves, and fin stabilisers to smooth any rough sea rolling motion. That said, if in doubt or particularly susceptible, bring seasickness pills.

A P&O ferry approaches the White Cliffs of Dover - Alamy

Are ships becoming more sustainable?

While still not the greenest means of transport, they are moving in the right direction. Brittany Ferries’ latest vessels, the Saint Malo and Guillaume de Normandie, are LNG-electric hybrid ships utilising liquified natural gas. Other operators have also introduced more sustainable models.

Can you see dolphins from a ferry?

Yes. On Brittany Ferries sailings to Spain, it is common to see dolphins and fin whales – the company runs sea safari cruises complete with guides. Even in the English Channel and North Sea, you can find harbour porpoises, bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins.

Disembarking

What are the key things to consider if driving?

In most of the EU, they drive on the right-hand side of the road. Check the driving rules of the countries you are driving through, as well as your final destination.

What will I need to bring?

A a valid driving licence, vehicle insurance, vehicle registration document, UK sticker (in some countries, a UK identifier on the number plate is sufficient), warning triangle, reflective jacket, and authorisation if driving in areas covered by low-emission zones.

Are return trips flexible?

It depends on the ticket you purchased (see above). You may need to pay an amendment fee and the difference in price for a different sailing.

Can you bring back booze?

Yes, duty-free allowances are fairly generous – including up to 18 litres of wine and four litres of spirits. For the full allowance, visit the Government’s website.

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