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Check before you go. Crossing times, check-in rules and whether foot passengers can travel differ by route and change. Several operators carry vehicles only on some routes. Entry rules are on gov.uk: see the first time in Britain guide. We state no fares.
South and east coast
Dover
- DFDS: Dover to Calais. DFDS says the crossing takes 1 hour 40 minutes ("100 minutes" in its FAQ) and that "only vehicle travel is permitted on our Dover - France routes. Foot passengers are not permitted." Check-in closes 60 minutes before departure and DFDS advises arriving 120 minutes before to allow for border controls.2 Operator page for DFDS Dover to Calais (opens in new tab)
- DFDS: Dover to Dunkirk. DFDS gives a sailing time of 2 hours and says "you cannot travel as a foot passenger on this route, you can only travel with a vehicle."3 Operator page for DFDS Dover to Dunkirk (opens in new tab)
- P&O Ferries: Dover to Calais. P&O's own site refused automated access. Wikipedia lists the route as ongoing. Check P&O for sailings and whether foot passengers can travel.4,5 Operator page for P&O Ferries Dover to Calais (opens in new tab)
The Port of Dover website returned a certificate error to our fetch tool, so we have not read it.
Folkestone and the Channel Tunnel
- Eurotunnel Le Shuttle: Folkestone to Calais. A train shuttle through the Channel Tunnel. Le Shuttle gives "35 minutes" as the planned journey time. Tickets "include your vehicle and up to 9 passengers": the page does not describe foot-passenger travel. It asks you to arrive at the terminal "no more than 2 hours and no less than 1 hour" before your booked departure.6,7 Operator page for Eurotunnel Le Shuttle Folkestone to Calais (opens in new tab)
Le Shuttle carries vehicles. Eurostar is the passenger train through the tunnel: see Eurostar at St Pancras below.
Assistance. Le Shuttle restricted mobility travel (opens in new tab)6
St Pancras International (Eurostar)
- Eurostar: London St Pancras International to mainland Europe. Eurostar's website refused automated access, so we state no destinations, times or check-in rules. Use the official site for those.8 Operator page for Eurostar London St Pancras International to mainland Europe (opens in new tab)
Our London pages cover getting from stations and airports to the center.
Newhaven
- DFDS: Newhaven to Dieppe. DFDS says daily crossings "take around 4 hours and 5 hours on certain overnight ferries". Foot passengers "must leave their large luggage (larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm) in the dedicated baggage storage onboard". DFDS's home page quotes 5 hours, so check the schedule for your sailing.9,10 Operator page for DFDS Newhaven to Dieppe (opens in new tab)
Assistance. DFDS accessible travel (opens in new tab)10
Portsmouth
- Brittany Ferries: Portsmouth and Plymouth to Cherbourg, St Malo, Caen and Roscoff. Brittany Ferries says you can "travel from Portsmouth or Plymouth and alight in Cherbourg, St Malo, Caen or Roscoff", and sails to Santander and Bilbao in Spain. Its page does not pair each UK port with a French port or give crossing times, so use its route pages. It advertises foot-passenger fares to France.12,11 Operator page for Brittany Ferries Portsmouth and Plymouth to Cherbourg, St Malo, Caen and Roscoff (opens in new tab)
- Condor Ferries: Portsmouth to Guernsey. Condor lists Portsmouth and Poole as UK ports and Portsmouth to Guernsey among its routes. Its home page states no sailing times.13 Operator page for Condor Ferries Portsmouth to Guernsey (opens in new tab)
- Wightlink: Portsmouth to Fishbourne and Portsmouth to Ryde (Isle of Wight). Wightlink says it runs three routes "covering east to west Wight"; its own page did not list them in a form we could read. Wikipedia names car ferries from Portsmouth to Fishbourne and from Lymington to Yarmouth, and a fast passenger-only catamaran from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier. Check Wightlink for times.14,15 Operator page for Wightlink Portsmouth to Fishbourne and Portsmouth to Ryde (Isle of Wight) (opens in new tab)
- Hovertravel: Southsea to Ryde (Isle of Wight). Hovertravel runs a hovercraft from Southsea, Portsmouth, to Ryde and describes the trip as "Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight in under 10 minutes". It suggests booking at least 48 hours ahead to save money.16 Operator page for Hovertravel Southsea to Ryde (Isle of Wight) (opens in new tab)
Portsmouth International Port's website refused automated access, so we have not read it.
Southampton
- Red Funnel: Southampton to the Isle of Wight. Red Funnel says "foot passengers can enjoy a crossing time from just 30 minutes" and runs Red Jet high-speed ferries. This is a ferry to the Isle of Wight, not a route to the continent.17 Operator page for Red Funnel Southampton to the Isle of Wight (opens in new tab)
- Cruise lines: Cruise terminals. Wikipedia describes the Port of Southampton as a major cruise port with several cruise terminals. Ask your cruise line which terminal you use and how transfers work; we have not read a port page with terminal details.18 Operator page for Cruise lines Cruise terminals (opens in new tab)
Plymouth
- Brittany Ferries: Plymouth to France and Spain. Brittany Ferries names Plymouth as a UK departure port alongside Portsmouth. See the Portsmouth entry for what its page does and does not say. Check its route pages for which sailings leave from Plymouth.12 Operator page for Brittany Ferries Plymouth to France and Spain (opens in new tab)
Harwich
- Stena Line: Harwich to Hook of Holland. Stena Line says: "Choose from 4 daily sailings with a crossing time from only 6 hours 30 minutes." The page gives no foot-passenger or rail details: see its Harwich port page.19 Operator page for Stena Line Harwich to Hook of Holland (opens in new tab)
Assistance. Stena Line asks for "at least 48 hours' notice before travel" for assistance. Stena Line accessible travel (opens in new tab)20
North and east England
Hull
- P&O Ferries: Hull to Rotterdam. P&O's own site refused automated access. Wikipedia lists Hull to Rotterdam as ongoing (and Hull to Zeebrugge as ended after 2020). We state no times: check P&O.4,5 Operator page for P&O Ferries Hull to Rotterdam (opens in new tab)
Newcastle
- DFDS: Newcastle to Amsterdam. DFDS says daily crossings "take around 16 hours and 45 minutes", with check-in in Newcastle starting at 14:00, closing at 16:15, and the daily departure at 17:00. The page says the crossing suits travellers on foot as well as with vehicles; its terminal page has the practical detail.21 Operator page for DFDS Newcastle to Amsterdam (opens in new tab)
Assistance. DFDS accessible travel (opens in new tab)10
North West England and Wales
Liverpool
- Stena Line: Liverpool to Belfast. Stena Line says you can "cruise across in just 8 hours". The page names "Liverpool Port" and does not describe foot passengers.22 Operator page for Stena Line Liverpool to Belfast (opens in new tab)
- Isle of Man Steam Packet: Liverpool to the Isle of Man. The Steam Packet lists Liverpool and Heysham as its Great Britain ports and warns: "Please allow additional time for arriving and departing from Liverpool Terminal."23 Operator page for Isle of Man Steam Packet Liverpool to the Isle of Man (opens in new tab)
Assistance. Stena Line asks for "at least 48 hours' notice before travel" for assistance. Stena Line accessible travel (opens in new tab)20
Heysham
- Isle of Man Steam Packet: Heysham to the Isle of Man. The Steam Packet says foot passengers check in at the Passenger Terminal, with "last check in for foot passengers 25 minutes prior to departure". "Heysham Harbour train station is located adjacent to the main passenger terminal." The nearest bus stop is "approximately 1.3km walk away, on Combermere Road".24 Operator page for Isle of Man Steam Packet Heysham to the Isle of Man (opens in new tab)
Holyhead
- Stena Line: Holyhead to Dublin. Stena Line says its ferries run "8 times daily between Dublin and Holyhead in only 3 hours 15 minutes".25 Operator page for Stena Line Holyhead to Dublin (opens in new tab)
- Irish Ferries: Holyhead to Dublin. Irish Ferries lists Holyhead to Dublin, with an "On foot or cycling" option in its booking form. Its ports page says Holyhead "has an excellent rail service providing connections to rail stations throughout Britain" and that the Holyhead terminal is closed between 03:00 and 05:45.26,27 Operator page for Irish Ferries Holyhead to Dublin (opens in new tab)
Assistance. Stena Line asks for "at least 48 hours' notice before travel" for assistance. Stena Line accessible travel (opens in new tab)20
Fishguard
- Stena Line: Fishguard to Rosslare. Stena Line calls it "the shortest, fastest crossing between South Wales and Ireland" but its page shows no duration, check-in times or rail details. Use the timetable and the Fishguard port page.28 Operator page for Stena Line Fishguard to Rosslare (opens in new tab)
Assistance. Stena Line asks for "at least 48 hours' notice before travel" for assistance. Stena Line accessible travel (opens in new tab)20
Pembroke Dock
- Irish Ferries: Pembroke Dock to Rosslare. Irish Ferries lists Pembroke to Rosslare. Its home page gives no duration, and its ports page gives no foot-passenger, rail, bus or check-in details for Pembroke Dock.26,27 Operator page for Irish Ferries Pembroke Dock to Rosslare (opens in new tab)
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Cairnryan
- Stena Line: Cairnryan to Belfast. Stena Line says: "travel by ferry between Cairnryan and Belfast in just 2 hours 15 minutes" and that "you can travel by foot or by car". It lists no bus or rail connection at the port.29 Operator page for Stena Line Cairnryan to Belfast (opens in new tab)
- P&O Ferries: Cairnryan to Larne. P&O's own site refused automated access. Wikipedia lists the route as ongoing. Check P&O for times.4,5 Operator page for P&O Ferries Cairnryan to Larne (opens in new tab)
Assistance. Stena Line asks for "at least 48 hours' notice before travel" for assistance. Stena Line accessible travel (opens in new tab)20
Larne
- P&O Ferries: Larne to Cairnryan. P&O's own site refused automated access. Wikipedia lists the Cairnryan to Larne route as ongoing. We state no times.4,5 Operator page for P&O Ferries Larne to Cairnryan (opens in new tab)
Belfast
- Stena Line: Belfast to Cairnryan and to Liverpool. Stena Line lists Cairnryan and Belfast, and Liverpool and Belfast, among its UK routes. See the Cairnryan and Liverpool entries for the times Stena states.30 Operator page for Stena Line Belfast to Cairnryan and to Liverpool (opens in new tab)
Troon
- CalMac: Troon to Brodick (Arran). CalMac gives a crossing time of 1 hour 20 minutes. It says: "Connect with trains to Glasgow at Troon, just 1.3 miles away", and that a shuttle bus runs between Troon train station and the ferry terminal.31,32 Operator page for CalMac Troon to Brodick (Arran) (opens in new tab)
Assistance. CalMac asks you to tell it about your needs when you book, or to contact it "48 hours or more before your journey begins". CalMac passenger assistance (opens in new tab)33
Ardrossan
- CalMac: Ardrossan to Brodick (Arran). CalMac gives a crossing time of 55 minutes and says: "Connect with trains to Glasgow at Ardrossan Harbour, just 150 metres away." Its port page for Ardrossan did not mention Troon: check service status, because sailings can move between ports.34,35 Operator page for CalMac Ardrossan to Brodick (Arran) (opens in new tab)
Assistance. CalMac asks you to tell it about your needs when you book, or to contact it "48 hours or more before your journey begins". CalMac passenger assistance (opens in new tab)33
Scottish west coast and islands
Oban
- CalMac: Oban to Mull, Coll, Colonsay, Lismore, Barra and South Uist. CalMac's Oban page gives these crossing times: Craignure 45 minutes, Lismore 55 minutes, Colonsay 2 hours 15 minutes, Coll 2 hours 40 minutes, Lochboisdale 3 hours 30 minutes, Castlebay 4 hours 45 minutes. It says trains to Glasgow leave "at the station, just 50 metres away from the port", and foot passengers should "arrive at least 10 minutes before departure".36 Operator page for CalMac Oban to Mull, Coll, Colonsay, Lismore, Barra and South Uist (opens in new tab)
Assistance. CalMac asks you to tell it about your needs when you book, or to contact it "48 hours or more before your journey begins". CalMac passenger assistance (opens in new tab)33
Mallaig
- CalMac: Mallaig to Armadale (Skye), the Small Isles and Lochboisdale. CalMac gives 45 minutes to Armadale and 3 hours 30 minutes to Lochboisdale; Small Isles times vary by island. Foot passengers should arrive 10 minutes before departure for Armadale, 20 for the Small Isles and 30 for Lochboisdale. It says: "Connect with trains (including to Glasgow), just 5 minutes away."37 Operator page for CalMac Mallaig to Armadale (Skye), the Small Isles and Lochboisdale (opens in new tab)
Assistance. CalMac asks you to tell it about your needs when you book, or to contact it "48 hours or more before your journey begins". CalMac passenger assistance (opens in new tab)33
Ullapool
- CalMac: Ullapool to Stornoway (Lewis). CalMac gives a crossing time of 2 hours 40 minutes, with two departures a day, and says to check the timetable. Foot passengers should "arrive at least 30 minutes before departure". It says local bus services connect "just 10 metres from the port".38 Operator page for CalMac Ullapool to Stornoway (Lewis) (opens in new tab)
Assistance. CalMac asks you to tell it about your needs when you book, or to contact it "48 hours or more before your journey begins". CalMac passenger assistance (opens in new tab)33
Scrabster (for Orkney)
- NorthLink Ferries: Scrabster to Stromness (Orkney). NorthLink says you can "sail in just 90 minutes from Scrabster to Stromness". It describes the terminal as "located outside Thurso on the north coast of Mainland Scotland". Its other routes are Aberdeen to Kirkwall and Aberdeen to Lerwick, with Kirkwall to Lerwick as a separate route.39,40 Operator page for NorthLink Ferries Scrabster to Stromness (Orkney) (opens in new tab)
Assistance. NorthLink accessibility support (opens in new tab)39
Isle of Wight, Scilly and the Channel Islands
Lymington
- Wightlink: Lymington to Yarmouth (Isle of Wight). Wikipedia lists a Wightlink car ferry between Lymington and Yarmouth. Wightlink’s own page says it has three routes but did not list times we could read, so check it before you travel.15,14 Operator page for Wightlink Lymington to Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) (opens in new tab)
Penzance (for the Isles of Scilly)
- Isles of Scilly Travel (Scillonian III): Penzance to St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly). Isles of Scilly Travel says "the crossing from Penzance to St Mary’s takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes". The same company lists flights to St Mary’s from Land’s End, Newquay and Exeter.42,41 Operator page for Isles of Scilly Travel (Scillonian III) Penzance to St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly) (opens in new tab)
Poole
- Channel Islands and France services: Poole to Jersey, Guernsey and St Malo. Ferry operators on this route are changing. Condor’s site still lists Poole to Guernsey and Poole to St Malo, but Wikipedia says Condor Ferries stopped trading in 2025, with Brittany Ferries and DFDS as successors. Poole Harbour Commissioners’ news (read Nov 1, 2026) mentions an expanded DFDS Poole to Jersey schedule for 2027 and a final sailing of Brittany Ferries’ Barfleur from Poole. Check the operator for the sailing you want.13,44,43 Operator page for Channel Islands and France services Poole to Jersey, Guernsey and St Malo (opens in new tab)
Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
Aberdeen (for Orkney and Shetland)
- NorthLink Ferries: Aberdeen to Lerwick (Shetland), some sailings via Kirkwall (Orkney). NorthLink runs a passenger and vehicle ferry from Aberdeen to Shetland that "makes regular calls into Orkney". It is an overnight sailing: on the 1 April to Oct 31, 2026 timetable the Monday sailing leaves Aberdeen at 19:00 and reaches Lerwick at 07:30. Check-in opens 120 minutes before departure at Aberdeen and Lerwick and closes 30 minutes before at all ports. NorthLink says 2027 sailings are open for booking.39,45 Operator page for NorthLink Ferries Aberdeen to Lerwick (Shetland), some sailings via Kirkwall (Orkney) (opens in new tab)
Gills Bay (for Orkney)
- Pentland Ferries: Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope (South Ronaldsay, Orkney). Pentland Ferries runs a car and passenger ferry across the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay in Caithness to St Margaret’s Hope and describes the crossing as "just over an hour".46 Operator page for Pentland Ferries Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope (South Ronaldsay, Orkney) (opens in new tab)
Lerwick (Shetland)
- NorthLink Ferries: Lerwick to Aberdeen, some sailings via Kirkwall. The southbound half of the NorthLink route above: see the Aberdeen entry. Lerwick Port Authority calls the harbour "a gateway for around 100 cruise ships in a season" and publishes a 2026 cruise list.45,47 Operator page for NorthLink Ferries Lerwick to Aberdeen, some sailings via Kirkwall (opens in new tab)
Stornoway (Lewis)
- CalMac: Stornoway to Ullapool. CalMac says "the main ferry to Lewis is from Ullapool on the mainland, which takes 2 hours 45 minutes" and recommends vehicle reservations; its Ullapool port page gives 2 hours 40 minutes (see Ullapool). Stornoway Port Authority publishes a 2026 cruise list.49,48 Operator page for CalMac Stornoway to Ullapool (opens in new tab)
Cruise terminals
Tilbury (London International Cruise Terminal)
- Cruise lines: Cruise calls on the Thames. The terminal’s site returned an empty page to our fetch tool, so we state nothing from it. Wikipedia describes the London International Cruise Terminal at Tilbury as a cruise terminal on the Thames; check the terminal or your cruise line for transfers into London.50,51 Operator page for Cruise lines Cruise calls on the Thames (opens in new tab)
Cromarty Firth (Invergordon)
- Cruise lines: Cruise calls at Invergordon. The Port of Cromarty Firth site did not respond to our fetch tool, so we state nothing about its cruise calls. Check the port and your cruise line; Inverness is covered in our Highlands guide.52 Operator page for Cruise lines Cruise calls at Invergordon (opens in new tab)
Onward travel
Plan trains and coaches from the port with National Rail (opens in new tab) and Traveline (opens in new tab). Our getting between regions page covers trains between our destinations, local transport covers city fare systems and travel status links live disruption pages. Airports are on the airports page.
Official sources
Rules, fares and times change. These official pages have the current details (links checked on ).
- GOV.UK: electronic travel authorisation (opens in a new tab): who needs an ETA and how to apply
- GOV.UK: bringing goods into the UK (opens in a new tab): allowances and what you must declare
- National Rail journey planner (opens in a new tab): train times and fares across Britain
- Traveline (opens in a new tab): bus and coach journey planning across Britain
