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Ferry Travel Tips ☰

Ferry Travel Tips and FAQ

What are ferries?

Ferries are vessels that transport cars, motorcycles, bicycles and other vehicles as well as passengers across a particular channel, river, sea, lake, or any other body of water.

Fast passenger catamaran ferry crossing a large body of water
Fast passenger catamaran ferry crossing a large body of water

How long do ferry trips last?

If you are travelling on a short distance, across a small lake or narrow channel your trip may last just 15 minutes. On longer ferry routes the travelling times can be 10 or even 15 hours which includes overnight crossing, which depends on the length of the trip as well as on the speed of the ferry. Some are slower while others are very fast (like the speedy catamaran-style ferries in the above photo).

Articles about ferry travel tips

How long before the ferry departure should I arrive?

It depends on the ferry company, crossing details and the size or type of the ferry. Once you buy your ticket it will be written on your booking confirmation when is exact check-in time.

Most of the large ferry companies that run longer ferry crossings expect you to arrive at least two hours before departure. Make sure to also double-check the minimum check-in time required especially for large car (vehicle) ferries.

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For small, passenger-only ferries that run short routes, check-in time is much shorter, sometimes just a few minutes prior to departure.

These types of ferries are considered a means of local public transport so passengers are treated as ones on local buses, metros or trams. Below photo shows one of them:

Small passenger ferry serving a very short crossings
Small passenger ferry serving very short crossings

Can I take a dog on a ferry?

That really depends on the ferry company’s pet policy and the facilities of the particular vessel.

Most of the ferry companies accept dogs on their ferries under certain conditions – these are either that dog is kept on a leash or in a separate cage, if that facility exists on the particular vessel. Some larger ferries are even equipped with dog-friendly cabins where you can accommodate your pet too.

If you plan to travel with any other pet (cat, squirrel, hamster, hedgehog, etc) the best option is to get in touch with a specific ferry company to get info about their policy for that type of animal.

Note: Car alarms are distressing for passengers & their pets. Alarms are triggered by ship movement & vibrations. Please consider disarming your alarm during your sailing.

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Island hopping, views from the deck of a local ferry
Island hopping, views from the deck of a local ferry

  • Traveling to Tuscany’s Island Escape – by Ferry to Elba Island

    Set in the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Elba is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago and one of Italy’s most accessible island destinations. Located just off the Tuscan coast, Elba sits between mainland Italy and the larger Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia, making it a natural stop

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  • Sailing to Pianosa: Ferry Routes to Tuscany’s Hidden Island

    Tucked away in the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Pianosa is one of the most unique and least-visited islands in Italy. Part of the protected Tuscan Archipelago, it lies south of Elba and west of the Italian mainland. Unlike many Mediterranean islands, Pianosa is almost completely flat, with low-lying coastline

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  • Corsica by Ferry: The Scenic Way to Reach the Island

    Ferries to Corsica: Routes, Geography and Travel Tips Located in the western Mediterranean between mainland France and Italy, Corsica is a rugged and beautiful island known for its dramatic coastline, mountain landscapes, and charming seaside towns. Its position makes it easily accessible by ferry, and for many travellers, arriving by

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  • Overnight Ferry Travel Tips

    Travelling by overnight ferry to your destination can be great fun if you get well-prepared in advance. Leaving things for the last minute is a not good choice as you may end up not enjoying your overnight crossing and the following day you will be too tired to focus on

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  • How to Travel to Sicily by Ferry

    Ferries to Sicily: Routes, Ports and What Travellers Should Know Located at the southern tip of Italy, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and one of the most fascinating destinations in Europe. Thanks to its strategic position between mainland Italy, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean, Sicily has

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  • Hvar Island Hopping

    Island Hopping from Hvar is a very good idea as the island is situated in the center of Central Dalmatian islands with good car and passenger ferry connections so it is indeed a good place to island-hop to local islands and to Split or Dubrovnik. There are direct and indirect ferry connections

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  • Zadar to Hvar by Ferry

    Getting by ferry from Zadar to Hvar could be an amazing sea crossing and an excellent opportunity to see the Croatian coast by slow or fast ferry. There is currently no ferry crossing that connects these two places. However, by carefully planning your journey, you can reach your destination while enjoying the views across

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  • Coastal Adventure Across the Adriatic – Venice to Zadar by Ferry

    Getting by ferry from Venice to Zadar can be a very nice sea crossing and an excellent option to include in your summer holiday. Summers on the Adriatic are pretty calm and sunny, so this travel option is also very relaxing. Although there is no direct ferry line connecting these

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  • What To Wear On A Ferry

    The answer to question what should I wear on the ferry depends on what type of ferry you take (slow car ferry or passenger fast ferry ), in what season you are travelling and whether you want or are allowed to be out on open decks or not. If you

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  • Ferry Cabins

    There is nothing better than arriving at your destination fully rested and refreshed for the journey ahead or for a day of sightseeing. Whether you need a cabin for an overnight journey or just to enjoy comfort and privacy during a longer daytime crossing, choosing a cabin on the ferry

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  • Brittany Ferries

    Brittany Ferries is a ferry company that operates ferry crossings between France, Spain, Ireland and the United Kingdom. A privately owned French company that was started by Breton farmers in 1972, runs a car ferry daytime and overnight service from eleven European ports, connecting four countries: the UK with France,

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  • Car Ferry Travel Tips

    Car or vehicle ferries are vessels that transport cars and other vehicles such as bicycles, vans or trucks between two or more landmasses across any body of water – lakes, sea, channel, ocean. They also transport foot passengers. Getting prepared for your car ferry trip If you never travelled on

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