
In this summer period, which is ideal for maritime escapades and cruises of all kinds, travelling by ferry is a popular means of transport for many travellers. Far from the stress of crowded airports or stations, ferries allow you to travel in comfort while taking your time.
At Vivanoda, a web platform that enables all travellers to find ferry, bus, train and plane tickets, we wanted to launch a major study into ferry prices in Europe in order to gain a better understanding of the variations in ferry ticket prices according to a number of criteria (country of destination, distance, seasonality, etc.).
We therefore analysed tens of thousands of ferry fares on hundreds of routes in Europe, as well as crossings to Turkey and the Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), in order to get as exhaustive a picture as possible. It should be noted that only price has been taken into account in this study, regardless of the quality of service on board, differences in staff salaries, economic differences between countries, etc.
Based on the price index, which represents the average price per person to travel 100km by ferry, we have identified the most and least expensive countries for ferry travel.
The results reveal a significant variation in fares across the continent.
Among the most expensive countries, Turkey tops the list, followed by the UK, Morocco, Malta, Iceland, Italy, Algeria, Portugal and Spain. These countries all have relatively high ferry fares.
On the other hand, it is interesting to note that the Scandinavian countries and the Baltic States are among the cheapest in Europe. Tunisia tops the list of cheapest countries, followed by Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Albania, Estonia and Cyprus. These destinations offer more affordable fares for ferry crossings, which may be attractive to travellers looking for economical solutions.
The next part of our study focuses on the comparison of ferry fares between European countries. We have analysed ferry fares on international routes, such as those between Italy and Greece, Spain and Morocco, and all ferry routes between two countries, in order to understand how prices vary from one country to another. Domestic crossings (Italy -> Italy or Greece -> Greece, for example) are excluded.
We can see that crossings between Greece and Turkey have the highest price index in Europe. Far behind are crossings between Spain and Morocco and between Denmark and Germany.
Conversely, crossings between Germany and Lithuania or Latvia are the cheapest in Europe in relation to the distance travelled.
Crossings between Norway and Sweden and between Italy and Spain are also among the cheapest in Europe.
There is also a marked contrast between crossings to Morocco, which are among the cheapest from France or Italy (long crossings), but among the most expensive from Spain (short crossings).
We wanted to check whether the length of the ferry crossing had an impact on the average price of crossings.
We found that the shorter the crossing, the higher the price.
In this section, we take a closer look at the ferry price index for each of the ferry routes in Europe. In total, we have analysed almost 800 routes throughout Europe.
We can see that it is the very short crossings (Lymington-Yarmouth, Chios-Cesme, Santa Maria Salina-Rinella and Caleta del Sebo-Orzela) that have the highest price indexes. These crossings are the most expensive in Europe for the distance travelled.
Now let's take a look at the ranking of the cheapest ferry routes in Europe by price index. We analysed a total of almost 800 routes throughout Europe.
In contrast to the chart showing the most expensive routes, we can see that it is mainly long crossings (Travemünde-Liepaja, Barcelona-Civitavecchia, Klaipeda-Kiel and Barcelona-Porto Torres) that rank among the cheapest in Europe.
We have analysed and ranked the ferry ports according to the price index for crossings to each port.
We have analysed and ranked the ferry ports according to the price index for crossings to each port.
We wanted to determine whether ferry prices are seasonal and whether they vary according to the month of the year in which the crossing is made. Many transport companies, such as railways and airlines, vary their prices considerably according to demand, which is often much higher during the summer holidays.
At European level, we can see that ferry prices are on average higher from July to September, which corresponds to the summer period in Europe and therefore the high season for ferry travel. However, outside this summer period, prices are only slightly lower on average. A more detailed country-by-country analysis (see the other tabs) shows that this seasonality is more pronounced in some countries.
We also wanted to know whether the price of a ferry crossing varies according to the day of the week.
We found that crossings departing at the weekend were slightly more expensive than those departing on a weekday. When analysed country by country (see other tabs), we can see that this criterion is not always relevant.
To carry out this study, we collected almost 110,000 prices for ferry crossings. Some prices included a journey for one person without a vehicle, others for 2 adults and a vehicle. We then standardised these fares to obtain a price per person. Each price was then converted to obtain an index representing the cost per 100 kilometres travelled.
It should be noted that price alone was taken into account in this study, irrespective of the quality of service on board, differences in staff pay, etc. (see the limitations of the study).
It is essential to recognise that, like all studies, this analysis of ferry fares in Europe has certain limitations that should be taken into account. These limitations may affect the scope and accuracy of the results obtained.
Firstly, it is important to note that the study is based on available and collected data, which means that there may be variations in the coverage of ferry companies and destinations included. As a result, some players or routes may not be represented in the analysis.
In addition, ferry prices are subject to fluctuation due to factors such as seasonality, demand and special promotions. It is therefore crucial to recognise that prices can change over time and that the results obtained reflect a snapshot in time.
In addition, it is important to note that ferry fares can vary depending on a number of factors, such as economic differences between countries, government subsidy policies on certain routes, the level of quality and service of the companies, exchange rates and the fare policies of each company. These differences may influence the price differentials observed between countries and would probably require in-depth analysis.
Finally, it should be mentioned that ferry fares can vary according to passenger categories and the types of services offered, which can lead to significant price variations.
With these limitations in mind, it is important to interpret the results in a balanced way and to use the findings as a general guide to understanding trends and variations in ferry fares across Europe.
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from the UK. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking the UK to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight pricing trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from the UK to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
Domestic ferries are by far the most expensive for the distance travelled.
Crossings to Spain are proportionally the cheapest on average.
We have selected all the ferry routes in the UK and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
The Lymington - Yarmouth route is the most expensive, as are the routes serving the Isle of Wight in general.
We have analysed all the UK ports served by at least one ferry service and ranked them by price index from highest to lowest.
Lerwick, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Kirwall and Hull are the cheapest ferry destinations in the UK.
We wanted to find out whether ferry prices in the UK vary according to the month of departure.
We can see that there is no real seasonality in ferry prices, although prices are a little lower in September and October.
We wanted to know whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
We found that there was very little difference between a weekend departure and a weekday departure.
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from France. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking France to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from France to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
When it comes to ferry crossings from France, one thing stands out: destinations to Morocco, Tunisia and Corsica stand out as having some of the most affordable fares. In fact, these crossings are well below the average prices seen on other routes.
There are also crossings to Ireland, where fares are fairly moderate.
We have selected all the ferry routes in France and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
Crossings between Bonifacio and Sardinia are by far the most expensive.
Crossings between Toulon and Porto Torres, those to Morocco from Sète and, generally speaking, those between the continent and Corsica are the cheapest in France.
It should be noted, however, that crossings to Corsica receive subsidies from the French public authorities as part of the 'Dotation de Continuité Territoriale', enabling certain carriers to offer lower prices.
We have analysed all the ports in France served by at least one ferry service and then ranked them by price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out whether ferry prices in France vary according to the month of departure.
August is the most expensive month in which to travel to France by ferry.
We wanted to know whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
In France, there is no real difference in price between a weekend departure and a weekday departure.
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Spain. By analysing ferry prices on different routes linking Spain to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Spain to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
Crossings to Morocco have by far the highest price index.
Conversely, crossings to Italy and Ireland have the lowest price index.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Spain and ranked those with the highest price index.
The routes between Tangier at Marox and Algiersciras or Tarifa are among the most expensive in Spain.
The local lines serving the island of Lanzarote in the Canaries also have a very high average crossing price.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Spain and ranked those with the lowest price index.
These are the long crossings such as to Italy from Barcelona, and those linking the Canary Islands (Arrecife) to the mainland, which have the lowest price index in the country.
We have analysed all the ports in Spain served by at least one ferry service and then ranked them by price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out whether ferry prices in Spain vary according to the month of departure.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
In Spain, there is very little difference in price between travelling by ferry at the weekend or on a weekday.
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Italy. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Italy to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Italy to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
Crossings to the island of Malta (Valletta) and domestic crossings (islands -> mainland) show the highest price index.
Long crossings across the Mediterranean to Spain, Morocco or Tunisia are the cheapest in the country.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Italy and ranked those with the highest price index.
The connection between Santa Marina Salina and Rinella, on the island of Salina, is the most expensive crossing in Italy, in relation to the distance travelled.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Italy and ranked those with the lowest price index.
The crossings to Spain (Bacelona) from Civitavcchia and Porto Torres in Sardinia have the lowest price indexes in Italy.
We have analysed all the Italian ports served by at least one ferry service and then ranked those with the highest price index.
We have analysed all the Italian ports served by at least one ferry service and then ranked those with the lowest price index.
We wanted to find out whether ferry prices in Italy vary according to the month of departure.
Prices seem to fall after September.
We wanted to know whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
There is no difference between weekend and weekday ferry fares in Italy.
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Greece. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Greece to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Greece to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
Crossings between Greece and Turkey are by far the most expensive in the country.
Domestic crossings and especially crossings to Italy are much cheaper.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Greece and ranked those with the highest price index.
Two ferry routes stand out from the rest for their high prices.
As seen in the previous graph, the Chios > Csme route, between Greece and Turkey, is the most expensive in the country in relation to the distance travelled.
The most expensive domestic crossing is between Kosta and Spetses.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Greece and ranked those with the lowest price index.
The ferry routes linking Italy, and in particular those between Patras and Venice or Ancona, are the cheapest in the country.
It should also be noted that a large number of national routes between the Greek islands are fairly inexpensive.
We have analysed all the Greek ports served by at least one ferry service and then ranked those with the highest price index.
We have analysed all the ports in Greece served by at least one ferry service and then ranked those with the lowest price index.
We wanted to find out whether ferry prices in Greece vary according to the month of departure.
From November onwards, prices are much lower (although many lines no longer operate during the winter period).
We wanted to know whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
Going at the weekend seems to be more expensive than going during the week.
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Denmark. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Denmark to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Denmark to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
Crossings to Germany are the most expensive from Denmark.
Crossings between Denmark and Sweden or Norway are the cheapest.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Denmark and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
As seen in the previous graph, the routes serving Germany (Rodby-Puttgarden and Gedser-Rostock) stand out for their high price, in relation to the distance travelled.
Lines serving Norway, and in particular its capital Oslo, have a very low average price.
We have analysed all the Danish ports served by at least one ferry line and then ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out whether ferry prices in Denmark varied according to the month of departure.
From September onwards, ferry prices seem to drop significantly.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
There is no difference between weekend and weekday ferry fares in Denmark.
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Norway. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Norway to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Norway to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
Connections to Germany and domestic crossings are the most expensive in the country.
Crossings to Sweden are by far the cheapest (particularly the Sandefjord-Stromstad route).
We have selected all the ferry routes in Norway and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We have analysed all ports in Norway served by at least one ferry line and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out if ferry prices in Norway vary according to the month of departure.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
On average, ferry prices are slightly higher at the weekend.
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Sweden. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Sweden to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Sweden to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
Crossings to Norway (particularly the Stromstad-Sandefjord route) are the cheapest in the country.
Conversely, crossings to Denmark are the most expensive.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Sweden and ranked them according to price, from highest to lowest.
We have analysed all ports in Sweden served by at least one ferry line and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out whether ferry prices in Sweden vary according to the month of departure.
Prices are highest from June to August.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Finland. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Finland to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Finland to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Finland and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We have analysed all ports in Finland served by at least one ferry line and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out if ferry prices in Finland vary according to the month of departure.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Germany. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Germany to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Germany to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
We have selected all ferry routes in Germany and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We have analysed all ports in Germany served by at least one ferry line and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out whether ferry prices in Germany vary according to the month of departure.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from the Netherlands. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking the Netherlands to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from the Netherlands to other European countries as well as domestic crossings.
We have selected all the ferry routes in the Netherlands and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We have analysed all ports in the Netherlands served by at least one ferry line and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out if ferry prices in the Netherlands vary according to the month of departure.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Ireland. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Ireland to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Ireland to other European countries as well as domestic crossings.
We've selected all the ferry routes in Ireland and ranked them by price from highest to lowest.
We have analysed all the ports in Ireland served by at least one ferry line and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out if ferry prices in Ireland varied according to the month of departure.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Portugal. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Portugal to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Portugal to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Portugal (Madeira and Azores) and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We have analysed all the ports in Portugal served by at least one ferry line and then ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out if ferry prices in Portugal vary according to the month of departure.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Poland. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Poland to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We have compared the prices of all crossings from Poland to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Poland and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We have analysed all ports in Poland served by at least one ferry line and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out if ferry prices in Poland vary according to the month of departure.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).
In this section, we will focus on ferry crossings from Croatia. By analysing ferry prices on various routes linking Croatia to other European countries, as well as domestic crossings, we will seek to highlight price trends and variations in costs for travellers according to different criteria.
We've compared the prices of all ferries from Croatia to other European countries and domestic routes.
We have selected all the ferry routes in Croatia and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We have analysed all ports in Croatia served by at least one ferry line and ranked them according to the price index from highest to lowest.
We wanted to find out if ferry prices in Croatia vary according to the month of departure.
We wanted to find out whether travelling by ferry on a weekend day (Friday to Sunday) was more or less expensive than travelling on a weekday (Monday to Thursday).