Useful Ferry Travel Tips

Useful ferry travel tips

Booking a ferry ticket may seem straightforward, but most travel problems do not begin on board. They usually start with a small mistake during booking: choosing the wrong port, entering an incorrect vehicle category, booking a ticket without an assigned seat, or leaving too little time between connecting ferries.

If you are travelling by ferry, the following practical tips can help you avoid unnecessary expenses, missed departures and last-minute stress at the port.

Do not compare ferry tickets by price alone

The cheapest sailing is not always the best-value option. Before booking, compare four important details:

• The actual journey duration
• The departure and arrival times
• The type of vessel
• The seat or accommodation included in the fare

An early-morning departure may require an additional hotel night or an expensive taxi ride to the port. Similarly, an overnight crossing without a cabin can be exhausting, especially when the journey lasts seven or eight hours.

On high-speed ferries, the basic fare will often include an assigned seat. On conventional ferries, the lowest price may only cover deck or economy-class accommodation. Always check what is included before choosing the cheapest option.

Check the exact departure and arrival ports

A route displayed as “Athens to Mykonos” does not provide enough information. The ferry may depart from Piraeus or Rafina, which are two different ports with very different transport connections.

The same issue applies to several Greek islands and coastal destinations:

• Kefalonia has ports in Poros, Sami and Argostoli.
• Chios may be served through Chios Town or Mesta.
• Lesvos has ferry connections through Mytilene and Sigri.
• Crete’s main passenger ports include Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno and Sitia.
• Ferries to Santorini arrive at Athinios Port, not at Oia or the old port of Fira.

Check the exact location on a map at least one day before departure. This is particularly important in Piraeus, where the distance between gates can be considerable. Arriving at the wrong gate cannot always be fixed with a short walk.

Allow extra time when travelling with a vehicle

Foot passengers are generally expected to be at the boarding area at least 30 minutes before departure. Passengers travelling with a car or motorcycle are usually required to arrive at least 1 hour before departure.

During July and August, a safer arrival time is:

• 45–60 minutes before departure for foot passengers
• 90 minutes before departure when travelling with a vehicle
• Even earlier when departing from a large port, collecting tickets from a port office or travelling from an unfamiliar gate

Having an electronic ticket does not mean that you can arrive at the last minute. Vehicle loading may be completed before the ferry’s scheduled departure time.

Save your ticket somewhere other than your email

Once online check-in is available, save your boarding pass:

• In your phone’s digital wallet, if supported
• As a PDF file
• As a screenshot with the QR code clearly visible

Mobile reception can be poor inside busy ports, and emails with large attachments may take too long to open. Make sure that your phone has enough battery or carry a small power bank.

Online check-in availability and deadlines differ between ferry companies. Open the check-in link included in your booking confirmation in advance rather than waiting until you reach the boarding gate.

Enter passenger details exactly as shown on the identification document

Ferry tickets are issued in the passenger’s name. First names, surnames and other required details must be entered correctly, as identity checks may take place before boarding.

Pay particular attention when:

• A surname is entered using Latin characters
• A child’s date of birth has been entered incorrectly
• A student or another special discount has been selected
• The journey is international and requires a valid passport or accepted identity card

If you notice an error, contact the booking provider before departure. Do not assume that every name correction can be completed at the port.

Avoid tight connections between separate ferry journeys

If your itinerary requires a change of ferry on an island, do not treat it like a protected airline connection.

A distance that appears short on a map may require a taxi or bus journey. A delay of just 20–30 minutes could also be enough to miss the next ferry.

For a connection within the same port, leave at least 90 minutes between sailings. If you need to travel to another port on the island, allow considerably more time based on the actual road distance.

Separate ferry tickets do not normally guarantee that the second vessel will wait if the first one arrives late.

Declare the correct vehicle category and dimensions

Selecting “car” may not be enough when booking a vehicle ticket. You need to choose the correct category, particularly if you are travelling with:

• A large SUV or a vehicle exceeding a specified length
• A van or camper
• A car with a roof box
• A vehicle towing a trailer
• An electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle
• An LPG- or natural-gas-powered vehicle

The vehicle registration number should also be entered correctly. If you are renting a car and do not yet know its registration number, check whether it can be added or corrected later.

Once the vehicle has been loaded, access to the garage may be restricted throughout the crossing. Take medication, travel documents, chargers, children’s supplies and anything else you may need before leaving the vehicle.

Check the restrictions for electric, hybrid and LPG vehicles

For fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the battery charge must not exceed 40% when boarding. For LPG- and natural-gas-powered vehicles, the fuel tank must not be more than 50% full.

Vehicles with damaged batteries, fuel tanks or power systems may be refused boarding. Charging an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle on board is also prohibited.

If you are travelling with an electric car, plan your charging carefully. You need to arrive at the port within the permitted battery limit while keeping enough range to continue your journey after disembarkation.

Use a discounted fare only when you have the required document

Student, large-family, military and other discounted fares require valid supporting documentation. You must select the correct discount during booking and carry the relevant document during the journey.

If you cannot present the required proof during inspection, you may be asked to pay the difference between the discounted and standard fare.

Check whether the discount applies only to the passenger or also to the vehicle. Eligibility criteria and discount percentages vary between ferry companies and routes.

Choose your seat according to the length of the journey

Economy accommodation may be perfectly adequate for a two-hour crossing. On an overnight journey to Crete, the Dodecanese or Italy, however, your choice of seat or cabin can make a considerable difference.

If you want to sleep, do not rely on finding an available sofa in a public lounge. These areas fill up quickly and do not guarantee a quiet place to rest.

Aircraft-style seats are cheaper than cabins and more comfortable than deck accommodation, but they do not provide a bed or privacy. For a family or group, compare the total price of a private cabin. The additional cost per person may be smaller than expected.

Do not leave ticket changes until the day of departure

Cancellation policies vary according to the ferry company and fare type. In most cases, the closer you are to departure, the smaller the refundable amount becomes. Special promotional fares may have stricter conditions.

Before cancelling, check whether it would be more suitable to:

• Change the travel date
• Convert the ticket into an open-date ticket
• Change the route
• Cancel the booking and receive the applicable refund

Avoid completing online check-in if you already know that the journey may need to be changed. In some cases, the boarding pass must first be cancelled before the ticket can be modified.

Pay attention to messages from the ferry company

The phone number and email address entered during booking may be used to notify passengers about delays, schedule changes, sailing restrictions or vessel substitutions.

Enter the contact details of the person who is actually travelling, rather than those of someone who simply completed the booking.

One day before departure, check:

• The latest departure time
• The name of the vessel
• The departure port and gate
• Any weather-related updates
• Whether online check-in has been completed

During periods of strong winds, do not rely solely on a general weather application. Whether the ferry will operate depends on official decisions and updates from the ferry company or port authorities.

Travelling with a pet requires a separate booking entry

Your pet must be declared during booking even when no additional fare applies. Information such as the microchip number and health booklet or pet passport number may be required.

The person accompanying the animal should carry its updated health documents throughout the journey.

Before booking a cabin, make sure it is specifically designated as pet friendly. Booking a standard cabin does not automatically allow an animal to stay inside. Pet-friendly cabins are limited and can sell out quickly during busy travel periods.

Keep valuables and essential items with you

Passenger luggage should be stored in the designated areas indicated by the crew. Avoid leaving cash, passports, electronic devices, jewellery or other valuable items inside unattended luggage or in your vehicle.

If you are travelling on a busy route, use a smaller bag for:

• Identification and travel documents
• Medication
• Mobile phones and chargers
• Wallets and keys
• Items needed during the crossing

Large suitcases can remain in the luggage area, but anything difficult or expensive to replace should stay with you.

Check the weather without assuming every windy day means cancellation

Strong winds do not automatically mean that all ferry services will be cancelled. The effect depends on the route, vessel type, port conditions and official sailing restrictions.

High-speed ferries are generally more sensitive to difficult sea conditions than large conventional vessels. Even when a sailing operates normally, rough seas can make the journey uncomfortable.

If you are sensitive to motion sickness, consider:

• Choosing a larger conventional ferry
• Sitting near the centre and lower part of the vessel
• Avoiding a heavy meal before departure
• Asking a doctor or pharmacist about suitable medication in advance

Do not take motion-sickness medication for the first time immediately before travelling without checking its instructions and possible side effects.

Make a final two-minute check before payment

Open two or three available sailings and compare their final prices after adding seats, vehicles, cabins and eligible discounts. This will show you the true cost of each option rather than the initial passenger fare.

Before paying, check once more:

• Travel date
• Departure and arrival ports
• Passenger names
• Vehicle type and registration number
• Selected accommodation
• Contact phone number and email
• Cancellation conditions

At booktickets.gr, you can search for available ferry routes, compare departure times and prices, and complete your booking online.

Those final two minutes of checking are often the most useful two minutes of the entire journey.