Ferry travel: what are the rules?

Verified 12 June 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You are about to take a ferry and you want to know the useful precautions to take before departure, the documents you will have to present to board?

We present you with the information you need to know.

Insurance during travel

It is necessary to check that you are well guaranteed for your holiday.

General conditions of sale of the company

It is highly recommended to read the company's general terms and conditions of sale.

Register on Ariane

It is highly recommended to register on Ariane.

Ariane is a service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that allows you to report for free and easily when traveling abroad.

Ariane: to be alerted in case of a crisis during a trip abroad

Once your account is created on Ariane:

  • You receive security recommendations to the email address provided if the situation in the country justifies it
  • You are contacted in case of a crisis in the country
  • The person designated as contact person can also be prevented

The information differs depending on where you are going.

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Travel to France

You must have the following documents with you:

  • Valid identity document (identity card or passport) for each passenger
  • Banknotes
  • Proof of reduction

Travel in the European Union (EU)

You must have the following documents with you:

  • Valid identity document (identity card or passport) for each passenger
  • Banknotes
  • Proof of reduction

Travel outside the EU

The papers to be presented depend on the country you want to go to.

You can go to the Travel advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to check.

It may be a passport valid at the time of travel or several months after return.

A visa may be required.

Some countries also accept a valid ID card.

It is strongly recommended to photocopy or scan your identity documents and keep the photocopies at home or leave them with relatives.

You can email yourself scans of your identity documents.

These copies will be useful in case of loss or theft of your documents.

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In the European Union

Your minor child can travel with you (i.e. only 1 parent), on a ferry, without a authorization to leave the territory is not necessary on the other parent's part.

In principle, the general conditions of sale of ferries stipulate that your child must be in your care at all times and that he or she cannot travel alone.

FYI  

it is advisable to take with you the identity card of your child (identity card or passport) depending on the chosen destination.

Elsewhere

Your minor child may travel with you (i.e. only 1 of his/her parents) on a ferry provided that the other parent signs an exit permit.

In principle, the general conditions of sale of ferries stipulate that your child must be in your care at all times and that he or she cannot travel alone.

FYI  

it is advisable to take with you the identity card of your child (identity card or passport) depending on the chosen destination.

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In France

It all depends on the general conditions of sale of the company. You can consult them directly on their official website or contact them directly.

Abroad

Some companies reserve the right to prohibit a minor from traveling alone.

Other companies, on the contrary, accept but the 2 parents must allow your child to leave the territory.

It all depends on the general conditions of sale of the company. You can consult them directly on their official website or contact them directly.

For access to the boat and on board, your luggage can be visually inspected and, with your consent, searched.

In the event of a serious threat to public safety, security pat-downs may be carried out with your consent. Security pat-downs are searches of clothing for objects that are dangerous to security.

The chosen company may require you to provide a medical certificate authorizing you to travel.

Some companies require that the medical certificate be dated as of Maximum 48 hours before departure.

They may also request that a medical certificate be produced certifying that travel is possible (without specifying the number of weeks of pregnancy).

In addition, some foreign companies prohibit pregnant women from boarding early in pregnancy. For example, some companies do not accept reservations for a pregnant woman over 32 weeks.

To find out the rules, you can consult your company's general terms and conditions of sale on its official website or contact it directly.

It is forbidden for companies to refuse a reservation on the grounds that a person is disabled.

When booking or purchasing your tickets, you must declare your specific needs.

For example, the need to get a seat and/or bring medical devices.

In the majority of cases, the companies' general conditions of sale allow the transport of domestic animals.

However, it is strongly recommended to check this information on the company's official website.

If you do not find this information, it is best to contact the company directly.

Pet transportation can be paid.

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Dog

Most companies require that the dog always stays with you, on a leash and with a muzzle.

Most ships are equipped with special kennel areas.

You can inquire directly with the crew of the boat.

Cabins with special kennels must be booked in advance.

A certificate of vaccination and/or a certificate of good health of less than 3 months may be requested.

If you leave France, your pet must have a European (animal) passport.

To obtain a European animal passport, it is strongly recommended to do so 6 months in advance.

Cat, rodent

A cat or rodent must obligatory be transported in a cage.

A certificate of vaccination and/or a certificate of good health of less than 3 months may be requested.

If you leave France, your pet must have a European animal passport.

To obtain a European animal passport, it is strongly recommended to take it 6 months in advance.

Some companies prohibit leaving your pet in your vehicle.

Other companies, on the other hand, allow the animal to be left in the vehicle.

In any case, it is strongly recommended to read carefully the company's general terms and conditions of sale on its official website or to contact it directly.