There were 36 million passenger ferry trips from the UK in 2005, an increase or 400,000 pasenger trips during the previous year. This follow a period of falling passenger trips, probably due to the growth of low cost flights. Passengers are citing reasons such as unrestricted baggage and short check in times as factors influencing their choice of transport.

I have mixed feelings about travelling by ferry. I made the overnight crossing from Zeebrugge to Newcastle a few years ago during an Easter holiday. It was a really rough crossing and it took me 2 days to recover. Living in the north a local ferry crossing is longer and more expensive. If you drive to the Channel ports that’s another day each way onto your trip driving on busy and or congested motorways. You can search and book with all the major European ferry operators with AFerryTo.