The best day to travel on a ferry

Planning your next adventure? Once you've decided on your destination, it's time to think about when you'd like to go. The day you travel can make all the difference to your experience - some days are quieter and perfect if you're looking for a more relaxed journey, whilst other days are cheaper, ideal if you're travelling on a budget.  

To help you find the best option and ensure your journey is just as enjoyable as the rest of your trip, we've put together a guide to the best day to travel on a ferry based on your circumstances.

The best time for price

So, what is the cheapest day to travel on a ferry? Well, it probably comes as no surprise that travelling on a weekday is usually a lot cheaper than travelling on a weekend. However, we can narrow it down even further than that. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are said to be the cheapest days to travel on a ferry. These days are usually the quietest, so with not as much demand, prices tend to be lower. Thursdays are also quieter, but prices start to creep up as it gets closer to the weekend.

If you're flexible with your timings, you can save even more money by travelling at off-peak times such as late at night or early in the morning. Another thing to note is that some ferry operators, such as Steam Packet, offer midweek deals so you can grab a bargain! You can also check out our Special Offers page to see if there are any offers on your desired route.

The best day to travel for the cheapest price: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

The best time for a quiet trip

Looking for a peaceful crossing? Then, we’d also recommend sailing midweek. Due to work, many people choose to travel on a Saturday or Sunday which means that these days are usually the busiest. Fridays also tend to be busy, with people heading off on a long weekend away. Consequently, Mondays can also be busy too, with people making the return journey home.

Therefore, the quietest times to travel on a ferry are often Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Travelling during these days (especially at off-peak times), is perfect if you're looking for a relaxing atmosphere - you can soak up the beautiful scenery without the crowds and you'll have plenty of choice when it comes to finding somewhere comfy to sit back and relax. Even better, shorter queues mean you'll be on board in no time at all.

Obviously, there are some exceptions, and it can depend on the route you choose as some commuter routes like Portsmouth to Ryde and Southampton to Cowes may actually be quieter on a weekend. During school holidays, weekdays may also be busier than usual although often still quieter than weekdays.

The best day to travel for a quiet crossing: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

The best time for families

Travelling with the little ones too? The best day to travel on a ferry for families all depends on what you’re looking for. If there's a few of you, then money may be a big consideration. In which case, we'd recommend travelling on a Tuesday or Wednesday. If you're looking for the most stress-free sailing time, then travelling on quieter days from Tuesday to Thursday could be your best bet. Not only will you avoid long queues, but kid's play areas will be quieter and they'll be more places for you all to sit together and relax on board too.

That being said, unless it's school holidays, it can be difficult if not impossible to travel on a weekday. In which case, Saturdays can be the best day to travel on a ferry for families. It means there’s no need to take time off work and often Saturdays can be a little quieter than Friday evenings or Sundays.

The best day to travel for families: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or Saturdays

The best time for convenience

If you're just looking for the most convenient option, then we'd recommend travelling on a ferry on a weekday. There are usually more sailings on a weekday, especially on popular commuter routes that serve business travellers. This means that you’ll have more flexibility when it comes to departure times. With more sailings on offer, ferries are less likely to sell out on these days so you can afford to not book as far in advance too.

Weekdays also tend to be more convenient thanks to shorter queues that allow for quicker embarking and disembarking, along with a wider choice of seating and cabin options. Due to heavier traffic on a weekend, especially on popular tourist routes, there are also more chance of delays.

The best day to travel for convenience: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

The best time for pets

Bringing your furry companion along too? Then it's important to cause the least amount of stress possible. Choosing to travel on a ferry during quieter midweek days is best, as you’ll avoid the crowds which can be daunting for some animals. We’d recommend travelling from Tuesday to Thursday when there are fewer passengers, shorter check-in queues and quieter decks. Weekends can be a lot busier which can cause stress for pets.  

If you’re booking near the time you’re travelling then we’d also recommend checking the weather forecast as a calmer journey may help your pet feel more relaxed on board. You can find out more about travelling with pets on a ferry on our blog.

The best day to travel for pets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

The best time for a lively atmosphere

If you love a lively atmosphere, then weekends are your best bet. Many people choose to head off on their holidays on a Saturday or Sunday so ships can be busy. Fridays, especially after work hours, can also get pretty busy with people heading away for a long weekend. Of course, it all depends on your route, but popular tourist routes like Dover to Calais and Portsmouth to Caen are generally busier at the weekend, with an exciting buzz in the air.

Due to higher demand, if you’re planning on travelling on a ferry on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, then we’d recommend booking your ferry as far in advance as possible. Not only can weekend ferries sell out, but they’re also more expensive, so it’s best to book as soon as you know your travel plans.

The best day to travel for a lively atmosphere: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Conclusion: which day of the week is best to travel on a ferry?

There are pros and cons to travelling each day but in general, we’d recommend travelling on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the cheapest prices and the quietest crossings. Not sure which day to choose? We’ve summarised everything below!

Pros and cons of the best day to travel on a ferry:

Whichever day you choose, travelling by ferry is a great way to reach your destination. Check out our Deal Finder for available routes and book your ferry today.