Ferries
A ferry can be the cheapest way to take a car across the water, the only way to reach some islands, or simply a more relaxed crossing than a flight. Each route is run by one or a few operators, so the difference between booking sites is mostly how easily you can compare routes, sailing times and operators in one search.
Before booking, decide whether you are travelling on foot or with a vehicle, and know the vehicle's height and length, because these change the price and which sailings have space. Compare day and overnight crossings: a cabin on an overnight sailing can replace a night's accommodation. Check the check-in time, which is earlier with a vehicle, what happens if you miss a sailing, and the fees for changing a booking. Sailings with vehicle space on popular routes sell out early in summer and school holidays.
To compare and book in one place, Direct Ferries compares ferry routes and operators worldwide and sells the tickets, adding a service fee to most bookings that is shown before you pay. To research routes first, including which operators sail where, use FerryGoGo's guide to ferry routes worldwide, which helps when planning island hopping where the connections are not obvious.
If a ferry is one leg of a longer overland trip, The Man in Seat 61 covers train and ferry journeys in detail.
