Your Guide to Booking and Boarding a Ferry
Your Guide to Booking and Boarding a Ferry
Booking and boarding a ferry is straightforward, but a little preparation can make the experience even smoother. From choosing the right route and ticket type to knowing what to expect at the port on departure day, planning ahead goes a long way.
This guide covers the essentials of ferry travel, including how to book, when to arrive, and what to expect during check-in and boarding, so you can travel with confidence from start to finish.
Booking and boarding a ferry with Direct Ferries is a simple, step-by-step process. Below is a clear overview of what to expect at each stage of your journey:
Start by entering your departure and arrival ports, travel dates, number of passengers, and any vehicle details on the Direct Ferries website or app.
Enter the required details for all passengers, including full names and ages. If you are travelling with a vehicle, include its registration number and dimensions if necessary.
Review the available sailings, including departure times, operators, and prices. Choose the option that best suits your schedule and budget.
Select any additional options, such as cabin accommodation or Cancellation Cover, then complete your booking using a secure payment method, such as card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Once your booking is complete, you will usually receive a confirmation email immediately. This will include your booking reference number (beginning with DFP), check-in instructions, and, in most cases, your boarding pass.
Check your confirmation email for the recommended check-in time. Then arrive at the correct terminal with your travel documents and booking confirmation.
Follow the check-in process for your chosen operator, which may involve online check-in, a self-service kiosk, or a ticket desk. Once complete, proceed to boarding as instructed.
Direct Ferries covers over 4,000 routes across more than 850 ports in over 200 countries. You can search by port, country, or region. To begin your search:
If no sailings appear for your desired date, this could be due to a few reasons such as:
If so, try adjusting your dates or checking alternative routes. Ferry schedules typically become available three to six months prior to departure, though this varies by operator and season.
Tip: If you cannot find your vehicle type listed in the search, contact Direct Ferries customer services as some vehicle types can only be booked manually.
Once your search results appear, you’ll be presented with a range of available sailings, including the ferry operator, departure and arrival times, journey duration, and price. As fare types may differ, make sure you review what’s included in each option before booking.
These are the most common ticket types. They are usually the most affordable option but may carry restrictions on amendments and cancellations. Always check the specific terms before booking.
Where available, Flexi fares allow you to change your travel date without paying the standard amendment fee. As a result, you will only be charged for any difference in the fare price. Flexi fares are generally more expensive upfront but provide peace of mind if your plans are likely to change.
When making your booking, you'll have the option to add Cancellation Cover for an additional fee. This can significantly reduce or waive cancellation fees if you need to cancel your trip. Remember that it must be selected at the time of booking.
You will be asked to enter details for all passengers and, if applicable, your vehicle during the checkout process. It is very important that the details you provide are accurate to prevent complications further down the line.
Enter the full name of each passenger exactly as it appears on their passport or ID card. Our booking conditions state that the name on the ticket must match the name on the passport. Any discrepancy may result in being refused boarding and could also invalidate travel insurance.
If you are traveling with a vehicle, you will need to provide:
Most ferry operators allow travel with rental cars, assuming you have permission from the rental company to bring the vehicle on a ferry. If you are unsure of the exact vehicle you will be driving, enter an approximate size at the time of booking. Some ferry companies may charge a fee at the port if you arrive with a different vehicle or registration.
All tickets must be paid in full at the time of booking. Direct Ferries does not take payment until your booking has been confirmed by the ferry operator. You may see a payment approval on your account before this, but the charge will only be applied once the booking is confirmed.
All major credit and debit cards are accepted, including Visa and Mastercard.
Pay securely via your PayPal account during checkout.
Available on compatible Apple devices through the website and app.
Available on compatible Android devices and through supported browsers.
Direct Ferries applies a service fee to bookings, which is calculated based on the total cost of your reservation. This fee is clearly displayed at the final checkout stage before you confirm payment, so it is important to review the full amount shown, as this is what you will be charged.
If your selected ferry operator uses a different currency, Direct Ferries will provide the relevant conversion and display the exact amount payable during the booking process prior to confirmation.
Tip: If your payment is unsuccessful, consider trying an alternative card or payment method. If the issue persists, it may be worth contacting your bank, as some providers may block or flag international transactions.
Once your booking has been confirmed, a confirmation email will be sent to the address provided at checkout. This email is your primary booking document and should be kept safe.
In most cases, booking confirmation is issued instantly, with the email arriving within minutes of payment. However, for certain ferry operators, Direct Ferries may need to confirm the booking directly with the provider, which can take up to 48 hours. In these situations, you will receive a provisional email with a reference number confirming that your booking is being processed.
Start by checking your junk or spam folder, as confirmation emails can occasionally be filtered. If it is not there, log in to My Account, confirm that your email address is correct, and request the confirmation email to be resent. If you entered an incorrect email address when booking, you will need to contact the Direct Ferries customer service team to have it updated.
It’s always best practice to take your confirmation email to the port. Whether it's saved to your phone or printed out, your booking confirmation is required at check-in for all crossings. Please do not depend solely on the app being available on the day of your departure.
There are several things worth checking and preparing in the days before your sailing. Sorting these in advance will help make your arrival at the port smoother and reduce the risk of any unexpected issues.
Your confirmation email contains important route-specific information about check-in times, boarding procedures and what documents to bring. Re-read it carefully a day or two before you travel, as different operators and routes have different requirements.
Ensure that all passengers have the necessary valid identification for the countries they are travelling to and from. Passport names must match the names on your booking. For more information, see our Travel Documents page.
Large ports can have multiple terminals served by different ferry companies at different addresses. Rather than heading to the general port area, use the port address provided in your confirmation email. Arriving at the wrong terminal can cause you to miss your sailing.
Ensure your vehicle's dimensions match the details you entered at booking. If your vehicle has changed, log into My Account to update the details in advance. Some ferry operators may charge a correction fee at the port if your vehicle does not match the booking.
The Direct Ferries app gives you access to a live ferry tracker, available from approximately one hour before departure. This allows you to monitor your vessel's exact location and check for any delays before you leave for the port.
The travel documents required for your crossing depend on your route, nationality and the countries you are visiting. It is your responsibility as the passenger to ensure you have the correct and valid documentation.
| Journey type | Documents typically required |
|---|---|
| Domestic UK crossings (e.g. mainland to island) | Photo ID is usually sufficient. A driving licence is commonly accepted. Check operator requirements. |
| UK to Ireland / Ireland to UK | Valid passport or accepted government-issued photo ID (UK and Irish nationals). Other nationalities should carry a valid passport. |
| UK / Ireland to mainland Europe | Valid passport required for all passengers. Some operators may also require vehicle registration documents. |
| International crossings (non-UK) | Valid passport required. Visa requirements vary by destination and nationality — check in advance. |
| Travelling with a vehicle | Driving license and vehicle registration documents. If using a hire car, written permission from the rental company to take it on a ferry. |
| Travelling with pets | Pet passport, microchip documentation and up-to-date vaccinations as required by the destination country. Pet must be pre-booked on the crossing. |
Passport name: Ensure the name on every passenger's passport matches exactly the name entered during booking. Any discrepancy may result in being refused boarding and could also invalidate your travel insurance.
To find out the latest entry requirements for specific destinations, it’s best to consult the UK government's official travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, or the relevant national border authority for your route.
The check-in deadline for your crossing will be stated in your confirmation email. This is the latest time by which you must present yourself at the check-in desk or lane. Missing the check-in deadline may result in you being denied boarding.
As a general rule of thumb, aim to arrive at the port at least the amount of time stated in your confirmation email before departure. For most crossings, this is between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the operator, route and whether you are travelling with a vehicle. Passengers travelling with pets or requiring special assistance should allow extra time for boarding procedures.
Ports like Dover, Portsmouth, Holyhead and Dublin are used by several ferry operators, each with a respective check-in lane or terminal building. Use the exact address and terminal information from your confirmation email, rather than general port navigation signs.
Be aware that not all ferry ports provide on-site parking. If parking is available, we usually include it on our port pages. Always do a quick search for parking options in and around your specific port before you travel, as arrangements can change.
Tip: The Direct Ferries app includes a port finder feature to help you locate the correct terminal. Combine this with your confirmation email's Google Maps link for best results.
Check-in procedures vary depending on your ferry operator and route. Your confirmation email will inform you exactly what you need to do. There are typically three ways to check in:
On many crossings, your Direct Ferries confirmation email serves directly as your boarding pass. You can either present it on your phone or as a printout at the boarding gate or to port staff when directed to board.
A few ferry operators provide online check-in before you travel. If this is the case, your confirmation email will either include a boarding pass attachment or provide a link to check in via the operator's own website. Completing online check-in in advance allows you to proceed directly to the boarding lane without visiting the ticket desk.
On certain crossings, you will need to exchange your confirmation email for a physical boarding pass or ticket at the operator's ticket desk at the port. Your confirmation email will specify if this is the case. Bring your confirmation email and all necessary passenger identification. Always check your confirmation email carefully for instructions as each crossing is different.
If you are travelling with a vehicle, you will usually be guided to a vehicle check-in lane. Please have your confirmation email, driving license and vehicle registration documents ready to present upon arrival. Carefully follow the instructions of port staff for lane allocation and queuing.
Foot passengers typically check in at a counter or gate separate from vehicle lanes. Follow the signage for foot passenger check-in at your port, and proceed to the passenger waiting area once checked in.
After you have completed check-in, you will be given instructions on where and when to board. Depending on the size of the vessel and the volume of passengers and vehicles, boarding often takes place in the final 30 to 60 minutes before departure.
Passengers travelling with vehicles will be guided by port marshals to a holding lane or marshalling area, where you will be asked to drive aboard in turn. Once you are on the car deck, park as instructed and secure your vehicle. You will then be asked to leave your vehicle and proceed to the passenger decks for the duration of the crossing.
Foot passengers will be asked to board via a passenger gangway, usually from within the terminal building. Keep your boarding pass and identification accessible. Depending on your route, you might be required to pass through security or passport control prior to boarding.
Routine security checks of passengers, luggage and vehicles are carried out at every port. Make sure you allow enough time for this, especially during bank holidays and peak travel periods.
If you believe you may not arrive at the port in time, we urge you to contact Direct Ferries customer services team at the earliest opportunity. Whether you can be transferred to another sailing will all depend on the operator's terms, ticket type and availability. However, there is no guarantee of an alternative sailing if you miss your scheduled departure.
No, Direct Ferries does not send physical tickets. When your booking is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email which acts as your booking document. For most crossings, this email is used directly as your boarding pass. For some routes, you may need to exchange it for a boarding pass at the port — your confirmation email will specify if this is the case.
Your Direct Ferries booking reference begins with the letters DFP and appears at the top of your confirmation email. You will need it to log into My Account, make any amendments, or contact customer services. If you have a freight booking, your reference will begin with DFF instead.
Yes, when entering passenger numbers during your search, the driver must be included in the total count. "Passengers" refers to all individuals travelling on the ferry, not just those additional to the driver.
In most cases, yes. Most ferry operators permit rental cars provided you have written permission from the rental company to take the vehicle on a ferry. When booking, select vehicle type as 'Other', enter the approximate dimensions you expect, and enter 'unknown' as the registration if you don't yet have the vehicle details. Some ferry companies may charge a small fee at the port to update the registration to the actual vehicle.
Start by checking your junk or spam folder. If you cannot find it there, log into My Account and use the option to resend your confirmation email. If the email address on your account is incorrect, contact Direct Ferries customer services via the messenger or contact form to have it updated before the email is resent.
This is possible for some ferry companies but not all. If the option to enter different passenger details for each direction is not available during the booking process, the easiest solution is to book two separate one-way tickets.
Certain ferry operators allow this, although you will need to enter the different vehicle details for each leg during checkout. If this option is not available for your chosen route, booking two separate one-way tickets is the best option.
More routes than anyone else.
Compare fares, times & routes in one place.
Change plans easily with flexi tickets.
Book e-tickets & manage trips in-app.
Live ship tracking & real-time updates.
Top-rated customer support when you need it.
