UK Ferry Operators

Britain's biggest ferry operator by passenger volume. P&O runs the short Dover-Calais and Cairnryan-Larne services and the overnight Hull-Rotterdam route.

Danish operator with a strong UK presence. DFDS operates the Dover-Calais and Dover-Dunkirk routes, the overnight Newcastle-Amsterdam crossing, and the Newhaven-Dieppe service.

Stena Line is the UK's leading operator for Ireland and the Netherlands, with routes from Harwich, Holyhead, Liverpool, Fishguard and Cairnryan.

Ireland's flagship ferry operator — Holyhead-Dublin (Ulysses + Dublin Swift fast craft), Pembroke-Rosslare, and the newer Dover-Calais service.

French-cooperative operator dominating UK-France-Spain routes from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole — including the long-haul Bilbao and Santander crossings.

The main passenger and freight operator for the Channel Islands. Condor Liberation high-speed catamaran from Poole to Jersey, Guernsey and St Malo, plus a conventional service from Portsmouth.

The Isle of Wight's main vehicle ferry operator — Portsmouth-Fishbourne, Lymington-Yarmouth, and the foot-passenger FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde.

The original Isle of Wight Steam Packet — Southampton to East Cowes (Red Eagle, Red Falcon, Red Osprey) and Southampton to West Cowes (Red Jet hi-speed).

The world's last commercial hovercraft service — Southsea (Portsmouth) to Ryde on the Isle of Wight in around 10 minutes. Foot passengers only.

Scotland's lifeline operator to the Hebrides and Clyde islands — 28 routes covering 23 islands. Vehicle and foot-passenger services across the Western Isles.