Compare ferry tickets across 4,400 routes

This page does two things: it lets you compare and book 4,400 ferry routes in one search, and it shows you how to actually land the best fare once you get there. We are not guessing – the tips below come from more than 100,000 bookings made through FerryGoGo and from crossings we have sailed ourselves. Start your search below, then read on for how to pay less for the same crossing. Tip: the search above also shows alternative departure ports and nearby dates – often the single quickest way to find a cheaper crossing.

How the ferry comparison works

The search above runs on the booking engine from Direct Ferries, which covers around 4,400 routes worldwide. It compares ferry operators side by side, surfaces alternative departure ports, and lets you flex your dates to see where the price drops. When you have found the right crossing, you book it directly through the same screen. If a route is not listed, search FerryGoGo for that crossing instead – most of our individual route guides link straight to the operator that sails it. For example, single-operator routes such as Dover–Dunkirk (DFDS) or Puttgarden–Rødby (Scandlines) are usually simplest booked with the operator direct.

Two ways to book ferry tickets – and when to use each

1. Direct with the ferry operator. If you already know your route and only one company sails it, booking on the operator's own site is usually the cleanest option – you deal with one party for changes, cancellations and loyalty perks. This is the way to go on routes like Dover–Dunkirk (DFDS) or Puttgarden–Rødby (Scandlines). Check our ferry discount codes for that operator first – it takes a minute and sometimes shaves the fare.
2. Through a comparison site. When several operators sail the same stretch of water – the Channel, the Irish Sea, the western Mediterranean – a ticketing site like Direct Ferries lets you see every operator, port and time in one list and pick the lowest price. It is the market leader for exactly this job, and it is what powers the search at the top of this page.

Rule of thumb: one operator on the route → book direct; several operators → compare first.

How to get the cheapest ferry tickets

The single biggest rule is simple: book early. Ferry pricing works like flights – as a sailing fills up, the price climbs. We have seen fares rise by as much as 400% between the quiet and busy booking windows for the same crossing. Beyond booking early, here is what 100,000+ bookings have taught us about paying less:

• Move your date or time, not just your route. Off-peak sailings – midweek, early morning, late night, shoulder-season dates – are usually the biggest single saving. Use the date flexibility in the search above to spot them.
• Foot passenger vs car is a huge gap. On average, adding a car multiplies the ticket value by about 2.4×. If you can travel without the car (and pick it up the other side, or go on foot/rail), the saving is significant.
• Do not over-rely on discount codes – but do check them. Operator discounts are rarely game-changing on their own; off-peak timing beats them most of the time. That said, they are free to apply, so scan our discount codes & deals hub before you pay.
• Ask about resident, senior, age and disability fares. Many routes have reduced pricing based on local residence, age, seniority or disability. Check before you travel – you sometimes need to carry proof on the day.
• Compare day vs overnight on long crossings. An overnight cabin can replace a hotel night, which changes the real cost of a North Sea or Bay of Biscay route – see our latest ferry cost research for how the routes compare per mile and per person.
• Look at combi and through-tickets. On some corridors (for example Scandlines' Denmark–Germany hops) a combination ticket is cheaper than two singles.

For the Channel specifically, we have broken down every option – ferry operators and the tunnel – in the cheapest way to cross the Channel.

Book direct with the major ferry operators

If you would rather deal with the operator directly, here are the big names we work with, what each is strongest for, and where to find their routes and current discount codes:

• DFDS – the Channel from Dover (Dover–Dunkirk, Dover–Calais) plus North Sea routes such as Newcastle–Amsterdam. See DFDS routes & discount codes.
• P&O Ferries – high-frequency Dover–Calais and the overnight Hull–Rotterdam crossing. See P&O Ferries discount codes.
• Stena Line – Harwich–Hook of Holland and the Irish Sea. Read our onboard review of the Stena Britannica, then grab a Stena Line discount code.
• Brittany Ferries – France and Spain from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole. See our Portsmouth–Cherbourg sailing report and Brittany Ferries offers.
• Scandlines – the short, frequent Puttgarden–Rødby Denmark–Germany hop, with handy combi tickets. See Scandlines combi tickets & deals.
• Irish Ferries – the Irish Sea (Dublin, Holyhead) and Dover–Calais. See Irish Ferries discount codes.

Not sure who sails your route? Start from our ferries from the UK overview or browse all routes & guides.

Know your crossing before you book

The cheapest ticket is not always the best trip. Before you book, it helps to know what a crossing is actually like – day vs overnight, cabin or not, how the ship feels. We sail these routes and write them up first-hand:

• We tried every way to cross the Channel from Dover to Calais
• Harwich–Hook of Holland: overnight Rail & Sail from London
• On board the Hull–Rotterdam ferry
• All our first-hand ferry reviews »

And if you want to know what a trip should cost before you commit, our ferry research tracks real prices across routes and seasons each year.

Ferry ticket FAQs

Is it cheaper to book ferry tickets direct or through a comparison site?

Neither is automatically cheaper. On a route served by a single operator, booking direct is usually simplest and the price is much the same. When several operators compete on the same crossing, a comparison search will show you the lowest fare fastest. The bigger saving in both cases comes from when you travel, not where you book.

When should I book ferry tickets for the cheapest price?

As early as you reasonably can, especially for peak summer and school holidays. Ferry fares rise as sailings fill, and we have seen the same crossing climb by up to 400% between quiet and busy booking windows.

Are ferry discount codes worth using?

They are worth checking but rarely transformative on their own – choosing an off-peak date or time usually saves more. Since codes are free to apply, scan our discount codes hub before you pay.

Is it safe to book through Direct Ferries?

Yes. Direct Ferries is the market-leading ferry ticketing platform and the engine behind the search on this page. You book the operator's crossing through their system and receive a standard ferry ticket.

Do I need to book a cabin?

On short day crossings, no. On overnight routes (such as Hull–Rotterdam or the Bay of Biscay sailings) a cabin is strongly recommended and is often required – and because it replaces a hotel night, it changes the real cost of the trip.