(c) Wikideas1 / CC0How to Take a Car on a Ferry: A Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about driving onto a ferry — booking vehicle space, what to do at the terminal, and how to board safely.
By Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub· Published June 10, 2026· updated August 8, 2026
Taking your car on a ferry turns the crossing into the easy part of a road trip — but the process differs from boarding as a foot passenger. Here's how it works from booking to boarding.
1. Book vehicle space in advance
Car decks have limited capacity and sell out fastest in summer and on weekends. When booking, you'll usually be asked for your vehicle's length and sometimes its height — quote them accurately, because oversized vehicles (vans, vehicles with roof boxes, trailers) are charged differently and may need a dedicated lane.
2. Arrive early at the terminal
Vehicle check-in typically closes 30–60 minutes before departure. Arrive within the operator's recommended window so marshals can load the deck efficiently. You'll be directed to a numbered lane and board in sequence.
3. On the car deck
- Follow the crew's directions and park close to the vehicle in front.
- Leave your car in gear (or "Park") with the handbrake on.
- Take everything you'll need for the crossing — on most routes you cannot return to the car deck while underway.
- Note your deck and lane so you can find the car again on arrival.
4. Fares and tips
Car fares are usually quoted separately from passenger fares and often include the driver. Booking a return can be cheaper than two singles, and midweek or off-peak sailings are frequently the best value. Always check the operator's latest fares before travelling.
How much of the deck you can actually book
Vehicle space is not simply "available until full". BC Ferries publishes the reservable share route by route, and it varies deliberately:
| Route | Bookable deck space | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay | 70–90% (avg 85%) | High demand, travel certainty |
| Horseshoe Bay–Langdale | 30–70% (avg 65%) | Deliberately low — protects local drive-up traffic |
| Northern & Gulf Islands routes | 100% | Infrequent sailings; a miss can cost days |
The operator also holds 5–10 vehicle spaces on fully bookable sailings for emergencies — police, utility crews, fire — released to standby if unused. And it reports that 5–25% of advance bookings do not show up, which is why standby space often materialises late.
⚠ On some routes drive-up no longer exists
Travelling by vehicle from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay), booking and paying in advance is mandatory — drive-up fares have been withdrawn. The reverse direction still allows them. Same crossing, two rulebooks depending on which way you point.
Vehicles are priced individually, not as "a car"
Where operators publish a full tariff, the range shows what the route really carries. FastCat, on Batangas–Calapan: bicycle PHP 419, motorcycle PHP 1,678, car PHP 3,357, van or SUV PHP 4,194, bus PHP 10,068, 40-foot container PHP 31,881, heavy equipment of 20–30 tonnes PHP 37,372.
Length matters too: Black Ball charges $88 for a vehicle and driver up to 18 feet, then $6 per additional foot. Measure before you book if you tow anything.
Booking channel can change the price
Black Ball's reservation fee is $12 online against $16 by phone or at the office — $4 per leg for doing it yourself. Moby goes further and sells combined passenger-plus-vehicle packages that undercut buying the two separately: a passenger with a car from €129 in economy.
The rule that catches people out
Vehicle space sells out before passenger tickets. Book the car first and fit your travel time around it, not the other way round.
On this page
- 1. Book vehicle space in advance
- 2. Arrive early at the terminal
- 3. On the car deck
- 4. Fares and tips
- How much of the deck you can actually book
- ⚠ On some routes drive-up no longer exists
- Vehicles are priced individually, not as "a car"
- Booking channel can change the price
- The rule that catches people out
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to give my registration number when booking a ferry?
Usually, yes. Most operators ask for the plate at booking and use it to match your vehicle to the reservation at the port gate. If you book before knowing the plate — a hire car, for example — most systems let you add or amend it later.
Can I stay in my car during a ferry crossing?
No. Passengers must leave the vehicle deck before departure and it remains closed while the ship is underway, for safety reasons. Take everything you will need for the crossing with you, because on overnight sailings you will not return to the car until arrival.
Do I have to declare an LPG vehicle on a ferry?
Yes. Gas-powered vehicles are accepted on most routes but under specific conditions, typically with the gas system switched off during the crossing. Declare it at booking — arriving undeclared can mean being refused at the ramp.
Can I charge an electric car on a ferry?
Generally not. On-board charging is rarely offered and several operators explicitly forbid plugging in on the vehicle deck. Board with enough charge to reach a charger beyond your arrival port, and check your operator's current EV conditions before travelling.
How are trailers, caravans and roof boxes charged on ferries?
By the combined length and height of the whole rig, so quote total dimensions when booking. Ports often measure vehicles in the check-in lanes, and under-declared dimensions are charged on the spot — or can cost you the sailing.
What documents do I need to take my car on an international ferry?
Alongside your passport and ticket, carry the vehicle’s registration document (the V5C logbook in the UK, or a VE103 authorisation letter for a hire car), your driving licence, and proof of motor insurance. A green card is no longer needed to drive within the EU but can still be required for some non-EU countries, so check your cover before travelling. Keep the paperwork to hand, as border or customs staff may ask for it on arrival.
Keep reading