Our favourite European ferry routes, perfect for slow travel this summer

Porthole windows, bow and stern, tumbling waves and foamy trails, viewed from a breezy open deck with salty air; tightly packed cars in the rumbling belly of the ship. Ferries evoke a bygone era of slow sea travel, where romanticism, simplicity and practical transportation intersect. Older vessels, with their retro carpets and canteen meals, offer warm nostalgia, while newer vessels have all the trimmings of a modern cruise ship. Fresh investment in ferries also marks a new era in maritime travel, including green fuels and eco-technologies. Electric and hybrid LNG-electric ferries, along with AI driven smart ferry terminals are already in operation, like the dozen E-Flexer ferries already christened in Europe.

Ferry rides, with their soothing sway, trailing seabirds and endless expanse of vast ocean views, also tap into wellness travel, promoting scenic panoramas, fresh air and a slower pace.

With air fares reaching an all-time high, ferries offer an affordable alternative, with fewer queues and no baggage limit. As night trains experience a resurgence, so do overnight ferries, with a slew of evening entertainment and dining options.

These are our pick of the best ferry routes in Europe for a smooth crossing this summer, where half the fun is getting there.

Stockholm to Helsinki, Sweden

Duration: 17 hours overnight
Price: From 111 EUR one way

The overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki is possibly the most fun you can have on a ferry. The Silja Symphony is akin to a small cruise ship, with a shopping promenade, spa, live entertainment and various restaurants all onboard. Gaze out over Stockholm’s glittering archipelago as you weave between islands, watching night fall on the Baltic Sea. Bed down in one of 986 cabins, which include luxurious executive suites that sleep up to six guests. At the Grande Buffet, load up on shrimp, herring and caviar, and top up your glass at the bottomless wine fountain. Other restaurants offer lobster, sushi and fine dining menus, all served with serene views. The ferry is operated by Tallink Silja Line, which is a leader in sustainable tourism.

Kennacraig to Port Askaig or Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland

Duration: Approximately two hours
Price: From 17.40 GBP return

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides on Scotland’s rugged west coast, noted for its smoky whiskies and dramatic coastline. Board at Kennacraig on the mainland – a two-and-a-half hour drive from Glasgow – and dock at either Port Askaig or Port Ellen, located on either side of the island. Order the CalMac and cheese with an Irn Bru followed by a wee whisky at the boat bar, as you glide past views of Scotland’s untamed landscape including Kintyre and the peaks of Arran. An additional ten-minute ferry will take you to the narrow Isle of Jura, where George Orwell wrote Nineteen-Eighty-Four while living in a remote farmhouse.

Greek island ferry hopping

Duration: Between 2.5 and 10 hours
Price: Between 30 and 90 EUR

In Greek mythology, Charon is the ferryman of the Greek underworld, who carries the souls of the deceased across the River Styx. Today, Greek ferries offer a more upbeat experience and the network is the largest in the world. Greek island hopping by ferry offers thousands of routes that zigzag across the ethereal Aegean Sea, including Santorini to Mykonos by way of Naxos, Paros and Ios, among others. Be wary that these get hot and hectic in high summer. Swerve the crowds by travelling from Athens to the small Cycladic island of Folegandros (4 hours 30 minutes), where you’ll also find Gundari, this season’s newest luxury resort. Also on our radar is Rhodes to Kastellorizo, where you can check into Casa Mediterraneo, while Sifnos Milos and Tinos attract fewer crowds and a slower pace.

Larger conventional ferries have open decks for admiring azure waters and mythical ruins. Fast ferries will get you there double quick but can be rougher and lack outdoor space. Plan your route with Ferry Hopper and remember that ferry drivers won’t wait, so move quickly.

Newcastle, UK to Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Duration: 15 hours overnight
Price: From 129 GBP per person

Swap your late-evening Amsterdam flight for an overnight ferry from Newcastle. Rock to the rhythm of the waves as the sun sets over the North Sea and wake up to views of the Dutch coastline as you arrive at Amsterdam’s IJmuiden. Both ports are relatively small compared to their European counterparts, allowing for a swift and efficient check-in.

Travel aboard the King Seaways or Princess Seaways, both fully refurbished in 2024. Amenities include an international buffet, à la carte North Sea Bistro, a cinema, live entertainment and no shortage of space for stress-free travel. Compact rooms feature double beds, sofas and en-suite bathrooms, while the gentle swaying of the ship sends you peacefully to sleep. DFDS was named World’s Best Ferry Operator in 2024 and has been crowned Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator for more than a decade. It has pledged to reduce its relative emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 through the use of new fuels, such as green hydrogen.

Oslo, Norway to Copenhagen, Denmark

Duration: 17 hours 30 minutes
Price: From 62.54 GBP one way

An overnight ferry between the Norwegian and Danish capitals links two of Europe’s most charismatic cities without the stress of security queues or baggage carousels. Sail through the Oslofjord and Kattegat, with summer’s long daylight hours offering scenic views late into the evening. Pile your plate high with traditional Nordic cuisine in the buffet restaurant, followed by Danish craft beers overlooking the sea. The Bubble Zone swimming pool will be a hit with little travellers, as will the onboard treasure hunts and children’s entertainment. Cabins range from cosy standard rooms to the Owner Suite, which sleep three. Wake up refreshed and glide into Copenhagen’s Nordhavn harbour for 10am.

Koman to Theth, Albania

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Price: 9 EUR one way

Shkoder in Albania serves as a gateway to the Albanian Alps. The bus journey to Koman ferry port is an adventure in itself, rumbling along rocky roads past grazing donkeys and concrete military bunkers. The reward is cruising across Lake Komani’s aquamarine waters, considered one of the most picturesque boat rides in Europe, if not the world. Snag a waterside seat and drift through narrow gorges flanked by dramatic rock faces. Arrive at Fierza in two and a half hours and admire the view before circling back to Koman. Alternatively, travel onwards to Valbona and Theth, both remote villages noted for their hiking routes, alpine scenery and charming stone guesthouses.

Lake Como by ferry

Duration: From 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
Price: 15 EUR all-day pass

Exploring Lake Como by ferry is a serene and affordable way to experience Italy’s most glamorous lake. Sightseeing routes stop at towns including Bellagio and Varenna, as well as the storybook villages of Tremezzo, Lenno and Cernobbio. Cruise past forested mountains, grand neoclassical villas and pebbly shores, while sipping a Campari spritz. For fewer crowds, base yourself in tranquil Torno, where five-star Il Sereno is among the best hotels in Italy and rustic-chic rentals dot the waterfront. Buy an all-day ferry pass and hop on and off the boat, taking in Romanesque stone architecture, cobbled alleys and seafood caught fresh that day.

Dubrovnik, Croatia to Budva, Montenegro

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Price: 40 EUR one way

Tour Croatia’s sun-kissed Dalmatian coast aboard Antonija, a high-speed catamaran that rides between Dubrovnik and Montenegro in just two hours, docking at the coastal town of Budva. New from 2025, you can also zip to Kotor in three hours, ensconced by natural beauty. The rocket-like catamaran can hit speeds of up to 36 knots, which is twice the speed of most superyachts. Interiors feature plush seating and air conditioning, while the onboard kiosk serves drinks and light snacks. From Dubrovnik, you can also catch a ferry to Split in six hours and Hvar in 3 hours 30 minutes.

Ibiza to Formentera

Duration: 30 minutes
Price: 29.90 GBP one way

Though just a 30-minute ferry ride from Ibiza, Formentera feels like a world apart. In contrast to its exuberant sibling, Formentera is noted for its unhurried pace and secluded coves, featuring a clutch of laidback boutique hotels. It has no airport, due to its small size and the island’s commitment to preserving its natural landscape, and can only be reached by ferry. There are various operators, all of which offer ships with air conditioning, indoor and outdoor seating and onboard refreshments. Look out for the Salinas nature reserve, known for the salt flats that can turn a vibrant pink hue. Formentera can also be reached by boat from Palma in two and a half hours.

Marseille, France to Ajaccio, Corsica

Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes
Price: 29.90 GBP one way

In 2022, La Méridionale launched Piana, a zero emission ferry that links France and Corsica. Set off in the evening from Marseille’s bustling port, sailing past wild cliff faces and jagged coastline. In the restaurant, locally-sourced fresh produce such as calamari and squid ink tagliolini is served with Corsican wines and Mediterranean sea views. Awaken to a Corsican song as you roll into Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon, whose ancestral home is a five-minute walk from the terminal.