This Ferry Ticket Guide explains how to book sea crossings, compare schedules, and understand what each fare includes. The right choice depends on whether you are travelling as a foot passenger, taking a vehicle, choosing a seat or cabin, and paying for meals or other extras.
Ferry fares can look simple at first, but the cheapest headline price may not cover everything you need.
Check the complete booking conditions before you pay so you can compare the real cost and arrive prepared.
A ferry ticket is not one fixed product. It is a combination of decisions: passenger or vehicle, seat or cabin, standard or flexible booking, and peak or off-peak travel.
A basic fare may cover transport only. A higher fare could include a private cabin, a reserved seat, meals, luggage, or the option to change your sailing. Always read the fare rules rather than assuming that a more expensive ticket includes every onboard service.
For a short daytime crossing, paying for a cabin may add little value. On an overnight route, however, a cabin can replace a hotel night and make the higher fare worthwhile.
The Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk routes carry more than 11 million vehicles per year. DFDS serves Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk, while P&O Ferries serves Dover to Calais. Sailings are frequent, but availability and prices still change with demand.
The crossing takes about 90 minutes to Calais or roughly two hours to Dunkirk. These are day crossings, so cabins are not available. If you need to rest, look for a reserved seat or onboard lounge instead.
| Ticket | What it covers | Typical price range |
|---|---|---|
| Foot passenger | One person travelling without a vehicle | £15 to £35 |
| Car and driver | One vehicle and its driver | £30 to £90 |
| Car, driver, and passengers | Vehicle and up to nine people, depending on the fare rules | £45 to £115 |
| Car and cabin | Not offered on these short Channel routes | Not applicable |
For the lowest prices, compare several departure times and consider booking four to eight weeks ahead. Summer and school holiday sailings are usually more expensive than off-peak departures. Check the final total for every traveller and vehicle before comparing one operator with another.
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle carries vehicles through the Channel Tunnel in about 35 minutes. It is faster than a ferry and avoids weather-related delays, although it does not offer the same onboard space or sea journey.
Prices start from about £70 per car return, but the exact fare depends on the date, time, vehicle, and flexibility. Compare the full Eurotunnel price with ferry fares before booking, especially when the time saving matters.
Enter your departure port, destination port, and travel date to get a complete journey plan, including ferry schedules, onward connections, and total travel time. It works for cross-Channel, Scandinavian, Greek island, and Mediterranean routes.
Plan a Ferry JourneyCalculate a Ferry FareDFDS and Tallink Silja operate overnight routes connecting Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Germany. On these sailings, the ticket can combine transport and accommodation, making it useful for travellers who want to avoid a hotel and arrive in the morning.
| Cabin or seat | What it includes | Indicative Stockholm to Helsinki price |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | Reclining seat with no private cabin | €40 to €60 |
| Four-berth inside cabin | Shared basic cabin without a window | €70 to €110 per person |
| Two-berth outside cabin | Private space with a window and bathroom | €110 to €180 per person |
| Deluxe cabin | Larger room with a sea view and upgraded facilities | €180 to €280 per person |
The two-berth outside cabin is often a practical middle ground. It gives you privacy, a window, and a bathroom without the cost of a deluxe room. If you are travelling alone, check whether the operator charges for the whole cabin or lets you book an individual berth.
Cabin location also affects comfort. Rooms above the vehicle deck are often quieter, while cabins near the stern or engine spaces may have more vibration and noise. Compare the fare inclusions and deck plan at DFDS ferry services, Tallink Silja Line, or a comparison site before paying.
The Greek island network links Piraeus, Athens's main port, with more than 100 islands. Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, and Seajets are among the main operators, but routes and schedules vary by season.
| Class | What it includes | Indicative Piraeus to Santorini price |
|---|---|---|
| Deck class | Open deck or indoor seating with no berth | €35 to €45 |
| Aircraft seat | Reserved reclining seat inside the ship | €45 to €60 |
| Four-berth cabin | Shared cabin berth | €65 to €90 per person |
| Two-berth cabin | Private cabin, subject to the vessel's facilities | €90 to €140 per person |
For daytime trips under four hours, deck class may be enough and can save money. For a long or overnight sailing, a cabin offers a clearer comfort benefit. Piraeus to Rhodes can take 12 to 16 hours, so the extra space may be worth considering.
Use Greek island ferry schedules and prices on Ferryscanner or Ferryhopper route comparisons to compare operators. Then confirm the departure port, check-in instructions, and ticket collection rules with the operator.
Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines have extensive island ferry networks. Regular ferries generally offer more space and lower prices, while speed boats reduce travel time but can be less comfortable in rough seas.
Regular ferries between these islands take about 1.5 to three hours, depending on the route. Speed boats can take 45 to 90 minutes, but the quicker trip costs more and may feel bumpier.
| Option | Typical journey time | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Regular ferry | Two to three hours | THB 200 to 350 |
| Speed boat | 45 to 90 minutes | THB 500 to 800 |
Regular ferries suit day trippers with flexible plans. A speed boat may make sense when you have a tight connection to a train, coach, or flight, but leave a buffer because weather can still affect smaller vessels.
You can book through Thailand ferry and transport connections or at the pier. Tickets rarely sell out outside major Thai holidays, but advance booking is sensible during busy periods and when your onward travel is fixed.
As travel writer John A. Shedd is often credited with saying, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” The practical lesson for ferry travellers is simple: enjoy the crossing, but take safety instructions, weather notices, and boarding deadlines seriously.
Often, yes. On the English Channel, booking four to eight weeks ahead can help you find lower fares, while summer and school holidays usually cost more. Savings are not guaranteed, so compare the full price and the sailing time.
Not always. Some fares cover the driver and a stated number of passengers, while others price passengers separately. Check the passenger allowance before completing the booking.
A cabin is usually worth considering on a long overnight sailing because it gives you a place to sleep and store belongings.
For a short daytime crossing, a seat or open-deck fare may be enough.
Follow the operator's stated check-in deadline. As a general guide, vehicle check-in may close 30 to 45 minutes before departure, while foot passengers commonly need 20 to 30 minutes.
Late arrival can mean missing the sailing without a refund.