Air vs Ferry Travel: The Benefits of Ferries

As travel chaos hits airports across Europe, anyone planning a holiday will be carefully weighing up the best ways to travel. With this in mind, we’ve put together a handy look at some of the top benefits of travelling by ferry.

From the freedom of loading up your car with everything you need to avoiding the hassle of car hire and knowing you’ve got all the entertainment that kids could want – ferry travel comes with tons of advantages. So, if you’re considering a ferry trip, find out more about what makes the P&O Dover to Calais route great and get ready to take to the sea in style!

Cost of travel

When weighing up the cost of making a journey by plane, remember that you will be spending money long before you board. The expenses of travel to the airport by taxi or train and having to pay for parking are all things you avoid when travelling by ferry.

Keeping the kids happy while you get through security and long queues can also be a real headache for families to think about when deciding whether to fly or travel by ferry. Limitations on what you can bring can also mean a mad rush to buy travel-sized cosmetics and luggage which fits airline rules.

Computer, mobile and notebook planning amidst the travel chaos

Has all of this left you wondering exactly how much is a ferry to France? This route starts from £68 for a P&O saver ticket with up to fifteen sailings daily at peak times. To enjoy the benefits of ferry travel for yourself, our P&O Dover to Calais route is among our most popular crossings and takes you to the French coast in just a 90-minute journey.

So, remember, when you arrive at Calais with P&O, you’re just a three-hour car journey from Paris’s bright lights! Why not make French fantasies a reality with speedy sea travel?

Families and pets

Looking for the best way to travel to France with a dog? Our Pet Lounge and P&O Ferries pet-friendly cabins are a world away from taking dogs on planes.

If your dog is too large to fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you, most airlines require your dog to travel in the cargo hold. To keep your furry friend calm and comfortable while travelling with a dog, it’s best for you and your pooch to stay together in a familiar environment.

Dog in the back seat of a car

So, keeping your dog with you in your air-conditioned car or exploring the treats and exercise facilities in our Pet Lounge makes for a much less stressful travel experience for pets and owners!

For the best way to travel with an infant, being able to keep little ones in the familiar space of your vehicle or walk around with fresh air onboard our vessels are both great options for a comfortable family travel experience.

Comfortable sailing

Find yourself feeling stiff and restless after being cooped up on long journeys? Our onboard cabins, Club Lounge and space on deck are all great ways to stretch your legs and move around on your trip. So, when you opt for ferry travel you can avoid paying extra for legroom to be comfy while you travel.

P&O Ferry crossing to France from Dover

With duty-free shopping, a wide range of options to dine and the freedom to bring food on board in your car, you definitely won’t go hungry on a ferry crossing to France. For anything from continental breakfasts and salads to sandwiches or pizza, the choice is truly yours when it comes to eating on a UK to France ferry.

Our Dover to Calais ferry routes’ onboard services also includes free Wi-Fi and great onboard entertainment for little ones with kids clubs, video arcades and arts and crafts activities. So, you can wave goodbye to answering “are we there yet” for the five-hundredth time and kick back en-route!

Baggage limits

Man Carrying bags out of a house

While airlines generally give strict luggage restrictions with possible additional charges, taking your baggage onboard in your car means the only limit to how much you can bring with you is what your vehicle can carry! If you pre-book as a Dover to Calais foot passenger, you can also take all the luggage that fits in your cabin.

Taking a ferry from the UK to France with your car means you can count on plenty of space for all those items which your kids just won’t leave at home. So with ferry travel, you can avoid last-minute meltdowns when they have to leave their favourite cuddly toys at home!

Travel and our environment

Green fields in France over looking a P&O Ferries Dover-Calais ferry

Comparing typical ferry vs plane carbon emissions, you can also expect a travel experience which is kinder to the planet than flying to your destination.

If you’re travelling from the UK to France as a foot passenger on our ferries, you will be cutting your carbon footprint from the moment you set off so if you’re concerned about your travel choices’ impact, a ferry trip may be the ideal way to change how you travel for good!

Ready to set sail and book your next ferry trip? Check out our range of routes now to start planning your adventure with P&O Ferries!