You are generally unable to travel as a foot passenger on ferries sailing between Dover and France. As an exception to this rule, P&O permits foot passengers on 3 of its 14 daily crossings in each direction over the Dover - Calais route. These are currently the sailings departing Dover at 09:45, 13:40 and 16:40. And the sailings departing Calais at 09:50, 15:00 and 19:00.
You may travel as a foot passenger on all routes that do not involve Dover.
You cannot travel as a cyclist on services operated by Irish Ferries over the Dover - Calais route.
You may travel with a bicycle on all other routes shown on the map above.
Ferry companies typically operate fewer crossings over the winter period. This seems particularly true of Brittany Ferries routes to France and Spain from the south coast of England. The following routes are not served at all during winter:
This leaves the Portsmouth - Santander route as the only service operating between England and Spain during the winter months. There are 2 crossings per week in each direction throughout the year.
Though policy specifics vary, most ferry companies welcome cats, dogs and ferrets aboard for a fee. Where pets are accommodated depends on the length of the journey. On short trips, pets either stay in the vehicle or have access to a pet lounge. On longer crossings, a limited amount of kennels or pet-friendly cabins may be booked. Not all ferry operators allow foot passengers to travel with pets. Assistance animals are generally permitted in all passenger areas.
Pets travelling to or from Great Britain must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and have an Animal Health Certificate. Dogs arriving into the United Kingdom must additionally have been treated for tapeworm. Be aware that laws regarding prohibition of dog breeds deemed dangerous vary by country. Rottweilers, for example, face restrictions in France.
Ferry company pet policies in full: Brittany Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries, Stena Line and P&O (Dover - Calais).
GOV.UK rules: Bringing your pet to Great Britain and Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad.
Northern Ireland rules: Travelling with pets.
My aim with this website was to share as much information as possible, densely packed onto a single page. If I were planning a journey between Great Britain and the rest of Europe via a ferry crossing, I would want details presented primarily as a map. And so that is what I have produced here.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click through to a ferry operator and make a booking, I receive a backhander small commission. This helps support the website, keeps me in beer and comes at no additional cost to yourself.
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