Family Ferry Travel: Everything You Need to Know
Family Ferry Travel: Everything You Need to Know
Travelling with the whole family? A ferry journey is one of the most relaxed ways to start your holiday. It's more than just transport, it’s part of the experience itself. With beautiful sea views and onboard entertainment, you can be making memories together before you even reach your destination. There are practical benefits too, including generous luggage allowances and the option to bring your car and pet along. Need more convincing? Read on to discover everything you need to know about family ferry travel.
Need some inspiration for your next getaway? Whether you fancy exploring historical towns or relaxing on sun-soaked beaches, these are just some of the destinations that are easily accessible by ferry:
France makes a great option for a family ferry holiday, with the fastest routes from England to France taking as little as 90 minutes.
Popular UK to France ferry routes include:
For inspiration:
Spain also makes a great choice for a family holiday, with direct routes from the south of England to northern Spain.
Popular UK to Spain ferry routes include:
For inspiration:
You can also get direct ferries to the Netherlands and explore cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, or even continue your journey to Belgium or Germany.
Popular UK to Netherlands routes include:
For inspiration:
If you fancy an island escape, Jersey and Guernsey are also easily accessible by ferry from UK ports of Poole and Portsmouth.
Popular UK to Channel Islands ferry routes:
For inspiration:
Here are some of the benefits of travelling by ferry:
Say goodbye to strict weight limits, costly excess baggage fees and long check-in queues. One of the biggest advantages of travelling by ferry is the generous luggage allowance. In many cases, there are no strict weight restrictions, especially when travelling with a vehicle, so you can pack everything you need without worrying about extra charges. This is especially beneficial for families, who often need to bring additional bags, pushchairs, toys and other essentials.
Travelling by ferry is more than just a way of getting from A to B – it's part of the holiday experience. With comfortable lounges, spacious cabins, onboard dining and entertainment, ferries allow you to sit back, relax and enjoy the journey. Unlike air travel, you're free to move around the ship, stretch your legs and take in the scenery along the way, making the journey an enjoyable part of your trip rather than simply a means of reaching your destination.
Ferries offer activities for every member of the family, from play areas and kids’ clubs for younger children, to Wi-Fi and scenic views for teenagers, and depending on the route, evening entertainment, fitness facilities and spas for adults. Ferry operators put real thought into the onboard experience, creating a relaxed and enjoyable experience from start to finish.
Facilities on board may include*:
During peak periods, when more families travel by ferry, there may also be entertainment such as magicians and live music.
*Please note that facilities may vary depending on the operator, route and ship.
Pets are part of the family, but they are often left at home during family holidays. On many ferry routes, however, it’s possible to bring them along too. The rules often vary depending on the company, route and vessel so make sure you check out our price finder for more details on your chosen crossing. Bear in mind that pets are not permitted on all routes.
You can also take your own vehicle with you on many routes. Whether it’s a car, a motorhome or a caravan, having your own set of wheels means you can explore your destination even better as a family – and you’ll also save on high car hire costs once you’re there.
You'll also have the option to add a number of extras during the booking process. These vary depending on the ferry company, route and vessel, but often include cabins, lounge access and meals.
Despite the short journey time on the Dover to Calais route, you can book exclusive lounge access and enjoy added comforts such as complimentary food and drink, sea views and a relaxed atmosphere.
On many longer routes such as Newcastle to Amsterdam, you can pre-book your meals on board:
On some routes, such as Plymouth to Santander, a reserved seat is included in the fare, with the option to upgrade to a cabin where available – ideal for overnight crossings. Cabins can be selected based on your group size and budget. On certain routes, such as Holyhead to Dublin, superior cabin options may also be available.
If you're travelling on a pet-friendly route like Plymouth to Roscoff, you may also have the option to book a pet-friendly cabin:
Other extras such as transfers can also be added during the booking process if available:
These are, of course, just a few examples – simply enter your details into our price finder and you’ll see all the available extras for your ferry journey!
For families, the ferry is an ideal way to travel – you arrive at your destination stress-free after a relaxing journey on board, all while reducing your environmental impact.
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