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 would 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, while other days are cheaper, ideal if you're traveling 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 - whether you're island-hopping in Greece, commuting across Puget Sound, or crossing the English Channel.

The Best Time for Price

So, what's the cheapest day to travel on a ferry? It probably comes as no surprise that traveling on a weekday is usually a lot cheaper than traveling on a weekend. But we can narrow it down even further. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the cheapest days to travel, whether you're sailing the Baltic Sea, hopping between the Greek Cyclades, or crossing the Strait of Georgia in western Canada. These days are typically the quietest, so with less demand, prices tend to be lower. Thursdays are also quieter, but prices start to creep up as the weekend approaches.

If you're flexible with your timing, you can save even more by traveling at off-peak hours, such as late at night or early in the morning. Many ferry operators also run their own midweek deals - for example, Steam Packet on the Isle of Man route, along with operators like Washington State Ferries in the Pacific Northwest, BC Ferries in Canada, and Baleària in the Mediterranean, all offer reduced midweek or off-peak fares from time to time. You can also check out our Special Offers page to see if there's a deal on your 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? We'd also recommend sailing midweek. Because of work schedules, many people choose to travel on a Saturday or Sunday, which means these days are usually the busiest - a pattern that holds true from the Aegean to the Caribbean to the Puget Sound. Fridays also tend to be busy, with people heading off for a long weekend. As a result, Mondays can be busy too, with people making the return trip home.

So the quietest times to travel on a ferry are often Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Traveling during these days - especially at off-peak hours - is perfect if you're looking for a relaxed atmosphere. You'll be able to take in the scenery without the crowds, and you'll have plenty of choice when it comes to finding a comfortable spot to sit back and relax. Shorter lines also mean you'll be on board in no time at all.

Of course, there are exceptions, and it can depend on the route you choose. Commuter routes tend to follow their own rules rather than the general weekday/weekend pattern. For example, the Tallinn to Helsinki ferry or shorter UK hops like Portsmouth to Ryde and Southampton to Cowes, which may actually be quieter on a weekend. During school vacations, weekdays may also be busier than usual, though often still quieter than weekends.

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

The Best Time for Families

Traveling with the little ones too? The best day to travel on a ferry for families depends on what you're looking for. If there are several of you, cost may be a big consideration - in that case, we'd recommend traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

If you're looking for the most stress-free sailing, then traveling on quieter days from Tuesday to Thursday could be your best bet, whether it's the ferry from Wellington to Picton in New Zealand or the ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento. Not only will you avoid long lines, but kids' play areas will be quieter and there will be more space for everyone to sit together and relax on board.

Having said that, unless it's a school vacation, it can be difficult - if not impossible - to travel on a weekday. In that case, Saturdays can be the best day to travel on a ferry for families. There's no need to take time off work, and Saturdays are often 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, we'd recommend traveling on a ferry on a weekday. There are usually more sailings on weekdays, especially on popular commuter routes that serve business travelers. This means you'll have more flexibility with departure times, and with more sailings on offer, ferries are less likely to sell out, so you don't have to book as far in advance either.

Weekdays also tend to be more convenient thanks to shorter lines that allow for quicker boarding and unloading, plus a wider choice of seating and cabin options. Heavier traffic on weekends, especially on popular tourist routes, also means a greater 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 keep stress to a minimum. Choosing to travel on a ferry during quieter midweek days is best, since you'll avoid the crowds that can be overwhelming for some animals. We'd recommend traveling from Tuesday to Thursday, when there are fewer passengers, shorter check-in lines, and quieter decks - useful advice whether you're sailing a short domestic route or an international crossing where pet paperwork and quarantine rules can add extra steps. Weekends can be a lot busier, which can add to your pet's stress.  

If you're booking close to your travel date, it's also worth checking the weather forecast, since a calmer crossing may help your pet feel more relaxed on board. You can find out more about traveling with pets on a ferry.

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

The Best Time for a Lively Atmosphere

If you love a lively atmosphere, weekends are your best bet. Many people choose to start their vacations on a Saturday or Sunday, so ships can be busy - island hopping routes like the Mykonos to Santorini ferry in Greece, the Split to Hvar ferry in Croatia, and the Hong Kong to Macau ferry all see a livelier crowd on weekends. 

Fridays, especially after work hours, can also get busy with people heading off for a long weekend. It all depends on your route, but popular tourist crossings like Dover to Calais and Portsmouth to Caen are generally busier on weekends too, with an exciting buzz in the air.

Due to higher demand, if you're planning to travel on a ferry on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, we'd recommend booking ferry tickets as far in advance as possible. Weekend sailings can sell out, and they also tend to be more expensive, so it's best to lock in your plans as soon as you can.

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

Which Day of the Week Is Best to Travel on a Ferry?

There are pros and cons to traveling each day, but in general, we'd recommend traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the cheapest prices and the quietest crossings - no matter which coastline, sea, or strait you're sailing across. Not sure which day to choose? We've summarized everything below!

Pros and Cons of the Best Day to Travel on a Ferry:

Whichever day you choose, and wherever in the world you're sailing, travel by ferry is a great way to reach your destination. Check out our Deal Finder for available routes and book your ferry today.