Ferry vehicle fares are built from the deck space your car occupies plus a charge for each passenger. Most operators price a standard car under 5 metres long and 1.8 metres high at the base rate, then step the price up for roof boxes, towbars, campervans and trailers.
How Do Ferries Price Vehicles?
Operators sell deck space by length and height band. A car under 5 metres and 1.8 metres sits in the base band, and every band above adds cost because the vehicle occupies more of a fixed deck.
Deck space is the constraint. A ship has a set number of lane metres, and a campervan that takes the space of two cars is priced accordingly.
Declare the vehicle accurately. Arriving in something taller or longer than you booked means paying the difference at the port, at the walk-up rate rather than the rate you booked.
| Vehicle | Typical band | Effect on fare |
|---|---|---|
| Car under 5m, under 1.8m | Base | Standard vehicle rate |
| Car with roof box or bikes | Height band up | Often the next band |
| Estate or 4x4 over 5m | Length band up | Higher rate |
| Campervan or motorhome | Length and height | Substantially higher |
| Car plus caravan or trailer | Combined length | Priced on total length |
Is a Ferry Cheaper Than Flying With a Family?
For a family with luggage, usually yes. There are no baggage fees, no hire car at the other end, and no weight limit beyond what fits safely in the vehicle, which removes the costs that make flying expensive for four people.
The comparison people get wrong is fare against fare. A flight looks cheaper until you add four hold bags, airport parking, transfers and a hire car with its own insurance.
Crossing time matters less than it looks on short routes. Dover to Calais takes about 90 minutes at sea, and the drive either side dominates the day regardless of how you cross.
Which Routes Carry Vehicles?
279 of our 380 published routes carry vehicles. Fast passenger craft, hydrofoils and many short island hops are foot-passenger only, so check before planning a driving route around them.
Vehicle capability is the first thing to confirm when you are building a road trip, because a foot-passenger-only route can force a long detour.
Every route page states whether cars are carried. You can also browse the full list of ferry routes that take vehicles if the route matters more than the destination.
How Do You Reduce the Cost of Taking a Car?
Book early, travel midweek, and take the first or last sailing of the day. Removing a roof box can drop you a height band, and comparing nearby ports sometimes saves more than the extra fuel costs.
- Book early. Fares climb steeply in the final fortnight on every route we track.
- Travel midweek. Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the cheapest days.
- Take the awkward sailing. The first departure of the day is routinely the cheapest slot.
- Drop the roof box if the luggage fits inside. It can move you a whole band.
- Compare nearby ports. A longer drive to a cheaper crossing sometimes wins.
The pricing mechanics behind all of this, including how far ahead the cheap inventory actually sells out, are set out in the guide to paying less for a ferry crossing.
What Are the Rules on Fuel, Gas and Roof Loads?
Petrol and diesel in the vehicle tank are fine. Spare fuel cans are banned on most operators. Gas cylinders in campervans must be turned off at the valve and are usually limited by number and size.
Declare gas at booking rather than at the booth. Operators carry it routinely, but an undeclared cylinder found during loading can stop you boarding.
Electric vehicles are carried on all major routes. Charging on board is rare, and some operators ask that the battery is not near empty on long crossings, so plan the charge either side rather than expecting to top up at sea.
Common questions
Does the ferry price include the driver?
On most car ferries the vehicle fare includes the driver, with additional passengers charged separately. Prices on Ferrymatch.com always show the full total for your party, so what you see is what you pay.
What happens if my car is bigger than I declared?
You pay the difference at the port, at the walk-up rate. On a busy sailing there is also a risk the space is not available, so measure before booking rather than estimating.
Can I take a caravan or trailer on a ferry?
Yes, on most vehicle routes. Pricing is based on the combined length of car plus trailer, and you must declare it at booking. Some smaller island routes cannot take them at all.
Are roof boxes charged extra?
Not as a separate item, but they change your height measurement. A car that fits under 1.8 metres without a box can exceed it with one, which moves you into a more expensive band.
Can I take an electric car on a ferry?
Yes, on all major routes. Charging on board is not generally available, so arrive with enough range to reach a charger on the other side.
