Frequently Asked Questions
- Q. General Questions
- Q. Travelling With a Vehicle
- Q. Making/Amending/Cancelling My Booking
- Q. Booking a Cabin
General Questions
Q. What documents do I need to take abroad with me?
A. 1. Relevant passports or photographic ID for all passengers
2. Non British Citizens may need a valid visa (this is not Ferrysavers responsibility). To enquire further you can visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office for passport visa advice.
3. Full valid driving license
4. Vehicle registration document
5. Current vehicle insurance certificate
6. Travel insurance & European Health Insurance card (new style E111 available from www.dh.gov.uk/travellers)
7. GB sticker (contact us with your booking reference number and we can send one to you for free)
Q. Do I need a passport?
A. We advise all British Nationals have a valid 10 year passport (5 year if you are under 16 years old) with no less than 6 months left to expire. A passport is required on all sailings from the UK to the continent. For passengers travelling from the UK to Ireland we would recommend a passport be used as ID however another form of photographic ID may be used and must be shown for all passengers upon request. For British and all other Nationals we recommend that you find out whether you need a visa to visit a particular country, you should contact the UK consulate or embassy of the country in question. You can obtain consulate and embassy telephone numbers from Directory Enquiries.
Q. When do I have to check-in?
A. As a general rule, we advise all travelers to check in a minimum of 1.5 hours before departure. However, you will be given the exact check-in details for your crossing on your email confirmation once you have booked.
Q. Are the ferries accessible to reduced mobility passengers. Are you able to arrange any assistance when boarding?
A. A large number of ferries are well adapted to suit the needs of disabled / reduced mobility passengers. But there is a number of the ferry operators who are not always able to offer all onboard facilities, and some routes are not suitable for disabled / reduced mobility passengers. The following services are normally offered by the ferry operators, however please note that these services must be requested well before departure or at the check-in time. We advise all customers wishing assistance in boarding to check-in much earlier than the latest check-in times.
Q. Do you provide a baby cot in a cabin?
A. Most ferry operators supply cots for use in cabins, however some operators may not offer this facility. Please contact us with your booking reference number to arrange this for you.
Q. What is the minimum age for a child travelling unaccompanied?
A. This depends on the operator you are travelling with. Usually, children are permitted to travel alone from the age of 16, providing they have a letter of permission from a parent or guardian.
Q. Can I take an unrelated child with me abroad?
A. Any non-related children that are travelling may be required to take a letter of consent with them from their parent or guardian. It is up to the discretion of the port authorities whether they allow you to travel without written permission. Ferrysavers are not liable for any costs if permission is not sought before travel.
Q. I am pregnant. Can I travel on a Ferry?
A. Yes, however each operator has their own restrictions as to how many weeks pregnant they will allow you to travel and operators do require a certificate of fitness to travel from your doctor. Failure to produce a certificate may lead to the operator refusing your carriage at the port. Please ensure you obtain the necessary certificate from your doctor prior to departure and take it with you when you travel.
Q. Do you have an open job position within your company?
A.Yes, we are always looking for new enthusiastic staff with a good attitude. For more information about specific vacancies please contact us. Please note for onboard vacancies you should contact the ferry operator directly.
Travelling With a Vehicle
Q. Can I over occupy my vehicle?
A. We advise that all passengers' travelling have their own seat belt. If you chose to have more passengers than your vehicle can comfortably seat then this is entirely at your own risk. Ferrysavers are not liable and it's up to the discretion of the ferry operator whether or not you can travel.
Q. Can I book a foot passenger crossing with you?
A. Yes, we now offer foot passenger prices on our website. You must choose "Foot passenger(s)" instead of car on the booking form.
Q. How do I book a bicycle?
A. Please select "Bicycle" from the vehicle drop down menu and proceed with the booking. Please note a separate booking will need to be made for each bicycle. If "Bicycle" does not appear in the vehicle drop-down menu it is because that option is not available for that route.
Q. I am not sure of the dimensions of my vehicle. How can I book?
A. The dimensions of your vehicle can typically be found in your vehicle handbook, or alternatively on your manufacturer's website. If you do not state the correct details ferrysavers is not liable for any costs incurred. If you need to convert feet into metres, please use the tool below.
Q. Should I notify anyone if I have a roof box/bicycle rack attached to my car?
A. Yes. Please make sure that you enter your vehicle dimensions correctly, including any attached racks/boxes. Failure to enter vehicle dimensions correctly may lead to problems at port, such a s additional charges or not enough space being available for you to board the ferry.
Q. How do I know whether I should be travelling as freight or not?
A. Any vehicle carrying commercial goods plus vehicles, which are longer than 6m and designed to carry commercial goods should travel as freight. If in any doubt then please contact us.
Q. How can I book an unaccompanied vehicle/trailer?
A. Any unaccompanied vehicle should travel as freight. If in any doubt then please contact us.
Q. I will be travelling in a rental car. Can I complete my booking without make, model or registration number of the car?
A. Yes, you can still book online even if you don't know the make, model or registration number of the car. Simply enter "Rental Car" in the vehicle registration field and the expected size of the car, e.g. Small, Regular, MPV etc in the Make/Model field. We would advise that you check that your rental car may be taken on the journey that you are proposing before confirming your booking.
Q. Are all taxes and fuel surcharges included in the price I have just been quoted?
A. In most cases, all taxes and fuel surcharges are included in the price quoted. However, in a few cases, the ferry operator may apply these charges upon arrival at the port. If this is the case, you will be informed of this at the quote stage of the booking process.
Q. How can I book different vehicles for both outbound and inbound parts of the journey?
A. Not many Ferry Operators allow to book different vehicles for going out and coming back. In this case we would suggest you to make two single bookings: with one car going out and another car coming back.
Q. How can I book two vehicles?
A. It's not currently possible to book passage for two vehicles through our website.
Q. Can I obtain a VAT receipt for my non-commercial ferry booking?
A. No. Non-commercial ferry bookings are not subject to VAT and as such we cannot issue VAT receipts.
Q. Can I obtain a VAT receipt for my commercial ferry booking?
A. Yes. Freight ferry bookings are subject to VAT and as such we can issue VAT receipts.
Q. Will you accept a booking with a vehicle which is run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)?
A.Yes. Most of the ferry companies would accept vehicles converted to LPG or camper vans carrying LPG cylinders for shipment. Please ensure that such vehicle types are declared at the time of booking by contacting our friendly support team . There will be a limitation on the number of LPG cylinders per vehicle depending on the T&C of the Ferry Operator you are travelling with.
Q. Can I carry Fuel / Gas/Oxygen in my vehicle?
A. To transport Fuel cans in private vehicles onboard is strictly forbidden by most of all ferry companies. The carriage of butane or propane gas is limited, depending on the ferry operator you are travelling with. If you are taking cylinders of gas with you - remember to declared at the time of booking. All cylinders must be isolated and securely stowed during the crossing; passengers are able to travel with cylinders of oxygen for medical purposes only. Please declare this at the time of booking.
Making/Amending/Cancelling My Booking
Q. The price I have just quoted is more expensive than when I last looked. Why is this?
A. Fares and availability can change without notice and will increase as space is sold. Cheaper fares are usually available late at night (excluding overnight sailings) or very early morning on midweek sailings (Monday-Thursday).
Q. If I make my booking online, will I receive any tickets?
A. In most cases you will not receive tickets if you make your booking through us. When your booking has been completed, you will receive an on screen BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER which will at the same time be confirmed by email. Unless given specific instructions on your booking confirmation, we recommend that you print a copy of your email booking confirmation and present a copy of it, together with photo ID, at the check-in point, and you will be issued with your travel documents.
In some cases you will be advised to print one or more copies of your email booking confirmation as this is your ticket.
If you book any crossing operated by SNCM, we will send you travel documents by email, normally within 2-3 working days of booking. These documents must be printed out and presented at check-in, in order for you to be allowed to travel on your booking.
Q. How can I find out which ferry operator I have booked with?
A. Once you have made your booking, you will receive your on-screen and email booking confirmation. The email confirmation includes the ferry operating company, your booking reference number, check-in time and other essential information. Also, if you look at the terms and conditions for your quotation/booking you will see the operator you have chosen for your routes.
Q. Can I turn up and buy a ticket at the port on the day of travel?
A. Most of the time it is possible to arrive at the port and buy your tickets there. It is subject to space and availability. However, we should also make you aware that prices for reservations made at the port can be different from those booked in advance. Therefore, we would point out that to obtain the best possible fare - book it as far in advance of travel as possible.
Q. What should I do if I have not received a confirmation email?
A. Email confirmations are sent out automatically once the booking is made online. If not received it may have been blocked by spam or junk filters on your email account; please check your junk mail folder.
Q. What do I do if my payment declines?
A. Please re-submit your details and try again. If the problem persists please try a different card.
Q. How can I amend or cancel my booking?
A. The first named passenger/driver on the booking is automatically agreed as the Lead Name. This is the only person who is allowed to discuss, amend or cancel the booking. If the person who paid for the crossing is not the first named passenger they are not the lead name and we cannot discuss details of the booking with them.
From now on, everything you need is at your fingertips. You can conveniently manage your booking online by using "My Account" where you are able to modify your fare. Please note a minimum £25.00 amendment fee will be charged plus any increase in the cost levied by the ferry operator unless your fare is Flexi or Premium. Economy fare conditions are more restrictive than both Flexi and Premium ones. But you can reduce the cost of amendment fee by using "My Account" option, where you can conveniently access and manage the booking you have made.
Please bear in mind - all crossings and fares quoted are subject to restricted space and sailing times and may increase in price at the ferry operator's discretion as space is sold. Fares may be withdrawn at anytime.
If you decide to cancel your booking, please check your fare type, as economy and other special fares are not refundable (but possibly can be amended). Minimum cancellation fees of £25 will also apply plus any ferry operator charges.
Booking a Cabin
Q. Is it compulsory to book onboard accommodation, e.g. seats/cabins?
A. Onboard accommodation is usually only required on overnight crossings. If onboard accommodation is compulsory, and you have not selected sufficient accommodation, you will be notified during the booking process.
Q. If I occupy either two or four berth cabin alone will I be required to share the cabin with anyone?
A. No, cabins are usually for sole use only - unless stated otherwise.
Q. Do I select the number of cabins needed or the number of berths?
A. Please select the number of cabins you require. You will only select the number of berths required if you have selected a shared cabin. When booking seats, please enter the number of seats needed.
Q. Will I be provided with bedding in the cabin?
A. Bedding and towels should be provided by most ferry companies.