Travelling by ferry

Passengers on a ferry have rights when a sailing goes wrong. This page covers those rights, the papers you need for Ireland and France, and taking a car or a pet.

When a sailing is delayed or cancelled

The rules mainly cover sailings that leave a UK port. They do not cover boats that carry 12 passengers or fewer, crossings under 500 metres, or sightseeing trips.

The ferry company must tell you about a delay or cancellation no later than 30 minutes after the time you were due to leave.

If it expects the sailing to be cancelled, or to leave more than 90 minutes late, it must offer you a choice. You can travel later at no extra cost, or have the ticket price refunded. A refund must be paid within 7 days.

While you wait at the terminal, the company must offer free snacks or meals in line with the wait, where it can supply them. If you need to stay the night, it must offer a room where it can. It can cap the cost at £70 a night, for up to three nights. It does not owe the room when the weather makes sailing unsafe.

Arriving late

You can claim part of the fare back if you arrive late. On a crossing of up to 4 hours, a delay of at least an hour earns 25% of the fare. A delay of more than two hours earns 50%. On longer crossings, the delay has to be longer before you can claim.

The company must pay within a month, in money if you ask. It can refuse a claim worth less than £5. It does not owe this compensation if it can show the delay came from unsafe weather, or from unusual events it could not have avoided.

Disabled passengers

A ferry company cannot refuse a booking because of a disability, or charge more for it. It can refuse only for safety rules, or when the ship or port makes boarding impossible to do safely. If you need help at the port or on board, tell the company at least 48 hours before.

If the company loses or damages a wheelchair or other mobility equipment through its own fault, it must pay for the repair or the replacement.

Making a complaint

Complain to the ferry company first, within two months of the sailing. It must reply within a month, and give a final answer within two.

If that does not settle it, ABTA handles ferry complaints. Transport Scotland handles services in Scotland, and the Consumer Council handles Northern Ireland. After that, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency can look at the case. It enforces the rules, but it does not decide how much compensation is paid.

Passports for Ireland and France

British citizens do not legally need a passport to enter Ireland. Some ferry companies ask for one anyway, so check before you travel.

France follows the Schengen rules. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive. It must also be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.

The Schengen area's Entry/Exit System started on 12 October 2025. British visitors may be asked to give fingerprints and a photo at the border. At the Port of Dover, this check happens before you leave the UK. At other ports, it happens when you arrive.

Taking the car

Take your driving licence, the log book (V5C) and your insurance certificate. You do not need a green card for the EU, including Ireland.

You need a UK sticker unless your number plate shows the UK identifier with the Union flag. Spain, Cyprus and Malta always need one. Ireland never does.

Taking a pet

A dog, cat or ferret needs a microchip and a rabies vaccination. You then wait at least 21 days before travelling. For the EU, your vet issues an animal health certificate, and you need a new one for each trip. If you live in Great Britain, you cannot use a pet passport to enter the EU, even one issued in an EU country.

Booking a ferry with a hotel

A ferry and a hotel booked together can count as a package under the Package Travel Regulations 2018. The firm that puts a package together must protect your money if it goes bust. ATOL is a different scheme, for packages that include a flight.

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