Traveling by Ferry: What You Need to Know!

Traveling by ferry. Whether it's Southern Europe, Scandinavia, or Great Britain – many fantastic camping trips can be easily reached by ferry with your own motorhome or campervan. Here are the most important tips and routes for your next camping trip by ferry.

Traveling by Ferry: Contents

• What is traveling by ferry?
• Advantages of traveling by ferry
• Prices for traveling by ferry
• Trip planning
• Onboard procedures
• Disembarking the ferry
• Ferry connections
• Conclusion: Traveling by ferry

What is traveling by ferry?

Traveling by ferry with your own motorhome allows you to reach otherwise inaccessible destinations, such as islands like Sardinia, Corsica, or Corfu in the Mediterranean. Crossing the sea to Scandinavia is also much easier and faster. If you want to avoid hours of driving and cover thousands of kilometers overnight across the sea, traveling by ferry is ideal.

Advantages of traveling by ferry

There are numerous advantages to traveling by ferry: You can book a cabin if you're traveling overnight. Not only do you save valuable time, but you also save fuel and avoid annoying traffic jams on the highway. As soon as your motorhome or campervan is parked below deck, your vacation truly begins. Some ferries offer a wide range of amenities: cafes, restaurants, discos, bars, boutiques, evening shows, and even spa areas and swimming pools.

Prices for traveling by ferry

If you're already deep into your road trip planning and have reserved your campervan, you should book your ferry spot well in advance. Ideally, several months ahead. This can often lead to slightly cheaper prices, and you'll have a better chance of booking a comfortable cabin if needed. Popular routes, especially during peak season, sell out very quickly. Sometimes you can also save a bit by being flexible with your departure time. Prices can vary greatly depending on demand and ferry capacity. The dimensions of your motorhome or campervan are also a significant factor in the total price. Keep the correct vehicle dimensions handy when you're in the booking process. Remember that bike racks and roof racks might need to be declared for some ferries. Generally, the taller and longer your camper, the more expensive it will be.

Trip Planning: Before Traveling by Ferry

Booking

Research in advance which ferry companies serve your destination. Which ports are suitable as start and end points, and are there other, less crowded, and therefore cheaper destinations in the area? Once you've found a suitable route, compare prices from several providers covering that route. If you can be flexible, compare cheaper offers 2–3 days before or after your preferred dates. With a little luck and research, you might save some money.

Vehicle Dimensions

Once you've found a suitable ferry and want to reserve your spot, you should have your vehicle dimensions ready. The vehicle dimensions are determined by width, height, and length. Make sure to include roof racks, rear racks, or any other attachments. Even a few extra centimeters can make a significant price difference. Nevertheless, we strongly advise against entering incorrect vehicle dimensions. Space on ferries is limited. Vehicles of all sizes are parked closely together. Before the ferries are filled with vehicles, the parking attendants plan the arrangement of the vehicles. Incorrect vehicle dimensions could lead to major problems during boarding.

The Cabin

For journeys lasting several hours, it's advisable to book a cabin in advance. For long ferry trips, whether a cabin needs to be booked or not, and whether reclining seats are available, depends on the type of ship. Camping on board is allowed on a very few ferries in the south.

Being able to rest and sleep in a cabin on a long ferry journey is much more relaxing. Especially if you're traveling with children! Even if reclining seats are available, they aren't always very comfortable, and the noise level on ferries can be quite unpleasant. Therefore, we strongly recommend booking a cabin. Keep in mind that cabins without a sea view are generally cheaper than interior cabins.

Check-in Window

Plan your arrival at the ferry with an appropriate time window. Check your booking confirmation or the official website for the specific check-in window at the ferry port. We don't recommend arriving too early or five minutes before departure. If you're too early, you might wait for hours; if you're too late, you could miss the ferry. Be punctual and allow enough time.

Important Documents

When traveling by ferry – whether domestically or internationally – you'll need your travel and identification documents. Outside of Austria, Germany, or Switzerland, children also require a valid ID card. Inform yourself about the respective entry requirements well in advance of your trip.

Boarding the Ferry

Follow Instructions

When attendants guide you onto the ferry, pay close attention to their instructions. Fold in your side mirrors early, as parking spaces are very narrow. You might need to reverse into a spot. Don't worry, parking attendants and guides will assist you.

Open Doors Slowly

Especially when traveling with children, make sure they don't open vehicle doors too quickly. The parking deck fills up very fast, and someone might already be standing next to your motorhome or campervan. Avoid scratches and accidents by consciously checking behind you before opening a door.

Remember Your Deck & Turn Off Gas

Before leaving the deck, remember where your campervan is parked and turn off the gas. We recommend taking a quick photo of the signage or noting down the deck numbers. On some ferries, this is checked or explicitly stated: You absolutely must turn off your gas! It's best to write yourself a note.

Checklist: Onboard Stay

On most ferries, you must leave your motorhome or campervan during the journey. Therefore, we recommend packing a small bag for your time on the ferry before driving on.

• Tickets for the journey
• Valid passports
• Port access plan
• Cash, credit card
• Valuables
• Snacks and drinks
• Change of clothes
• Warm clothes
• Sleeping bag
• Toiletries

Disembarking the Ferry

Back to the Parking Deck

Don't worry, you won't oversleep the ferry's arrival. Loud loudspeaker announcements will wake you up. Don't waste time getting to your motorhome, but don't rush either. Listen carefully to the announcement; they'll give you the exact times. Lost your way? Don't worry, there are many staff members on the ferry who can help you.

Follow Instructions

Pay attention to the instructions from the parking attendants. Vehicles will be guided out one by one. It's quite possible that you'll have to reverse off the ferry. Don't worry, even with a larger motorhome, the parking attendants will assist you.

Random Checks

If you're traveling internationally, there may be random checks in the destination country. Keep all identification and important documents handy. Make sure you don't exceed the maximum import quantities for certain items like alcohol and tobacco. If you're planning an international ferry trip, you might be subject to random checks upon entry. There are also some food items that are not allowed to be imported into other countries.

Connections: Traveling by Ferry

The Greek islands, Corsica, Sardinia, and Mallorca are within easy reach by ferry! For inspiration for your next ferry trip, we've listed a few travel connections. Travel times and ferry companies are for orientation only.

Traveling by Ferry to Southern Europe

• Livorno – Bastia, Corsica (Moby Lines, travel time 4h 15m)
• Livorno – Olbia, Sardinia (Moby Lines, travel time 6h 30m)
• Genoa – Porto Torres, Sardinia (GNV, Moby Lines, travel time 12h)
• Genoa – Palermo, Sicily (GNV, travel time 21h)
• Venice – Corfu or Igoumenitsa (Anek Lines Superfast, travel time 25h 30m)
• Ancona – Igoumenitsa (Minoan Lines, travel time 15h 30m)
• Barcelona – Palma (Balearia, travel time 7h 30m)

Ferry Connections Scandinavia

• Kiel – Oslo (Color Line, travel time 20h)
• Hirtshals (DK) – Kristiansand (Fjordline, travel time 2h 15m)
• Travemünde or Rostock – Trelleborg (TT-Line, travel time 8h 15m)
• Sassnitz – Trelleborg (Stena Line, travel time 4h)
• Frederikshavn (DK) – Gothenburg (Stena Line, travel time 3h 15m)
• Travemünde – Helsinki (Finnlines, travel time 29h)
• Hirtshals (DK) – Seyðisfjörður (IS) (Smyril Line, travel time 45h)

Ferry Connections Great Britain & Baltics

• Dunkirk (F) – Dover (DFDS, travel time 2h)
• Amsterdam (NL) – Newcastle (DFDS, travel time 16h 45m)
• Calais (F) – Dover (DFDS, travel time 1h 30m)
• Rotterdam (NL) – Hull (P&O Ferries, travel time 12h)
• Travemünde – Liepaja (LV) (Stena Line, travel time 26h)
• Kiel – Klaipeda (LT) (DFDS, travel time 19h 30m)

Conclusion: Traveling by Ferry

Traveling by ferry is an excellent way to get around if you want to avoid wasting your precious vacation time on hours of driving. The advantages of traveling by water are numerous and often overlooked. You can cover long distances across the sea without getting stuck in traffic or staring at your phone for hours while waiting for roadworks to clear. Consider the many benefits of taking a ferry when planning your next motorhome trip. We hope we've given you some insight into traveling by ferry and look forward to hearing about your camping adventures!