Family Ferry Travel: Everything You Need to Know
Family Ferry Travel: Everything You Need to Know
Planning to travel with family? A ferry journey is one of the most relaxed ways to kick off a family vacation. 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.
Looking for vacation ideas for your next family trip? Whether you're after historical towns or sun-soaked beaches, these are some of the best family vacation spots that are easily accessible by ferry — no expensive vacation packages or flights required:
France is one of the best places to travel with kids, and one of the top travel destinations for family travel by ferry, with the fastest routes from England to France taking as little as 90 minutes.
Popular UK to France ferry routes include:
For inspiration:
Spain is another one of the best family vacation spots, with direct routes from the south of England to northern Spain. It's a fantastic travel destination for a family vacation in the sun, offering beaches, culture, and great food for all ages.
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 — both fantastic travel destinations for family travel — or continue your journey to Belgium or Germany.
Popular UK to Netherlands routes include:
For inspiration:
If you're looking for vacation ideas a little closer to home, Jersey and Guernsey are easily accessible by ferry from UK ports of Poole and Portsmouth, making them great vacation spots to go to for a quick family getaway.
Popular UK to Channel Islands ferry routes:
Here are some of the benefits of family travel by ferry — and why it beats most vacation packages for flexibility and value:
Say goodbye to strict weight limits, costly excess baggage fees, and long check-in lines. One of the biggest advantages of family travel by ferry is the generous luggage allowance. In many cases, there are no strict weight restrictions — especially when traveling with a vehicle — so you can pack everything you need without worrying about extra charges. This is especially helpful for families traveling with kids, who often need to bring additional bags, strollers, toys, and other essentials.
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 family trip rather than simply a means of reaching your destination.
Ferries offer activities for every member of the family, making them one of the best places to travel with kids of all ages. 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 family vacation 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 vacations. On many ferry routes, however, it's possible to bring them along too. The rules vary depending on the company, route, and vessel, so make sure you check our price finder for more details on your chosen crossing. Keep 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 camper, having your own set of wheels means you can explore your travel destination even better as a family — and you'll also save on high car rental costs once you're there. It's one of the reasons ferry travel makes for some of the best cheap travel packages around: no flights, no car rental, and no baggage fees.
You'll also have the option to add a number of extras during the booking process — think of them as add-ons to your travel packages. 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 — a great upgrade for any family trip.
On many longer routes such as Newcastle to Amsterdam, you can pre-book your meals on board — a convenient option when traveling with kids:
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 and longer family trips. 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 traveling on a pet-friendly route like Plymouth to Roscoff, you may also have the option to book a pet-friendly cabin — perfect for families traveling with animals:
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 family vacation!
For families, the ferry is one of the best travel packages around — you arrive at your destination stress-free after a relaxing journey on board, all while reducing your environmental impact. Whether you're searching for the best places to travel with kids, looking for affordable vacation ideas, or just want a hassle-free way to travel for family trips across Europe, ferry travel delivers on every front.
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