Europe By Boat

Most long-distance ferries are quite comfortable; the cheapest ticket typically includes a reclining chair or couchette. Fares jump sharply in July and August. ISIC holders can often get student fares, and Eurail Pass holders get reductions and sometimes free trips. You’ll occasionally have to pay a port tax (around US$10). The fares below are one-way for adult foot passengers unless otherwise noted. Though standard round-trip fares are usually twice the one-way fare, fixed-period returns (usually within 5 days) may be cheaper. Ferries run year-round unless otherwise noted. Bringing a bike costs up to US$15 in high season.

Ferries are frequent and dependable. The main route across the English Channel from Britain to France is Dover-Calais. The main ferry port on England’s southern coast is Portsmouth, with connections to France and Spain. Ferries also cross the Irish Sea, connecting Northern Ireland with Scotland and England, and the Republic of Ireland with Wales. See the directory online at www.seaview.co.uk/ferries.html for schedules and more information.

Brittany Ferries : UK ☎0871 2440 744, France ☎825 828 828, Spain ☎942 360 611; www.brittany-ferries.com. Cork to Roscoff, FRA (14hr.); Plymouth to Roscoff, FRA (6hr.) and Santander, SPA (18hr.); Poole to Cherbourg, FRA (4hr.); Portsmouth to St - Malo, FRA (10hr.) and Caen, FRA (5hr.).
DFDS Seaways: UK ☎0871 522 9955; www.dfdsseaways.co.uk. Harwich to Cuxhaven (19hr.) and Esbjerg, DEN (18hr.); Newcastle to Amsterdam, NTH (16hr.), and Haugesund, NOR (18hr.); Dover to Calais, FRA (1-2hr.).
Irish Ferries: Northern Ireland ☎353 818 300 400; Republic of Ireland ☎08 18 30 04 00, Great Britain ☎87 05 17 17 17; www.irishferries.com. Rosslare to Pembroke (3hr.) and Cherbourg or Roscoff, FRA (18hr.). Holyhead to Dublin, IRE (2-3hr.).
P&O Ferries: UK ☎08 705 980 333; www.poferries.com. Dover to Calais, FRA (1hr., 25 per day, UK £14); Hull to Rotterdam, NTH (10hr.) and Zeebrugge, BEL (12hr.).

Ferries In Scandinavia

Ferries run to many North Sea destinations. Booking ahead is not necessary for deck passage. Baltic Sea ferries sail between Poland and Scandinavia.

Color Line: Norway ☎0810 00 811; www.colorline.com. Ferries run from 6 cities and towns in Norway to Frederikshavn and Hirtshal, DEN (€24-80); Strömsand, SWE (€9-22); Kiel, GER (€98-108). Car packages from €137. Student discounts available.
Tallinksilja Line: Finland ☎09 180 41, Sweden ☎08 22 21 40; www.tallinksilja.com. Connects Helsinki and Turku to Sweden (€18-116) and Stockholm, SWE to Tallinn, EST (€20-33); Rostock, GER (€91-133); Riga, LAT (€22-32). Eurail passes accepted.
Viking Line: Finland ☎0600 415 77, Sweden ☎0452 40 00; www.vikingline.fi. Ferries run between Helsinki and Turku, FIN to destinations in Estonia and Sweden . M-Th and Su cruises min. age 18, F-Sa 21. One-way €33-59. Eurail discounts available.

Mediterranean And Aegean Ferries

Mediterranean ferries may be the most glamorous, but they can also be the most turbulent. Ferries run from Spain to Morocco, from Italy to Tunisia, and from France to both Morocco and Tunisia. Reservations are recommended, especially in July and August. Schedules are erratic, with varying prices for similar routes. Shop around, and beware of small companies that don’t take reservations. Ferries traverse the Adriatic from Ancona, ITA to Split, CRO and from Bari, ITA to Dubrovnik, CRO. They also cross the Aegean, from Ancona, ITA to Patras, GCE and from Bari, ITA to Igoumenitsa and Patras, GCE. Eurail is valid on certain ferries between Brindisi, ITA and Corfu, Igoumenitsa, and Patras, GCE. Many ferry companies operate on these routes.