Driving to UK. What do I need for ferry? What's the process?

arleitiss

Hey, going to UK tomorrow on Ferry from Belfast.

Never went on one, what's the process like? I've seen there is like 30+ Lanes so how do you know when or where to go?


What do I need to bring? (For car and for myself), do I need Log Book or any documents other than drivers license?

Spook_ie

Copy of your insurance is always a good idea, maybe copy of the NCT cert to be sure otherwise everything else should be plain sailing

stoneill

You will be directed to a lane when you drive to the check-in kiosk, just follow instructions from the ferry marshal after that, they will load the ferry lane by lane

Do bring the logbook and insurance documents with you, just in case.

theteal

I’m going the opposite way from Holyhead in the morning.

You just follow the signs and drive up to the kiosk/barrier. The staff member will check your booking and tell you which lane to wait in. Depending on how early you get there, the wait could be a while, you can get out of the car though and there’s normally a cafe/waiting area beside the lanes - I can’t remember the exact layout of Belfast port. When time to board you’ll get waved forward by the staff the whole way and on to the boat. Park, leave in gear and handbrake on and then up the stair/lift you go.

The only docs I bring are the printed booking email and passports. Anything else important can be accessed online.

I don’t know if you’re using a phone/satnav for directions but I always download the maps to the device just in case of any coverage outages.

redcup342

The ferry is so bloody chilled compared to the Airport you won't know yourself.

All pretty simple as said in previous posts already.

One bit of advice would be to give yourself loads of space between you and the car in front. If theres a ramp to the upper deck don't go up until the car in front has cleared the ramp. If he stops for whatever reason you'll be stuck on a steep incline and have to stop/start depending on what the person in front is doing.

Also if he rolls back you have a problem.

Happy Sailing !

arleitiss

Never drove to belfast, the ferry is at 7:30, so I plan getting there at around 6, would you say it's safe to leave Dublin at around 3 AM?

blingrhino

its belfast not bosnia ! 2 hours from Dublin max at that time of the morning.

Motorway the whole way.

arleitiss

blingrhino wrote: »

its belfast not bosnia ! 2 hours from Dublin max at that time of the morning.

Motorway the whole way.

Great, was a bit worried that I have to leave at 3 AM, ~4 aint too bad.

whomitconcerns

to get to Belfast for 6am (which is already too early for a 7.30 ferry) you could leave at 4.15 handy.

personally to arrive at 6.45/7am would be plenty for me. Leave at 5am will be grand

Ciaran_B

It's a totally frictionless experiance. Two hours drive from Dublin, when you get to the port the guys in the security hut will tell you what Q to join and depending how long it is before you sail you can walk about or go into the cafe. They will announce over the PA when it's time to go back to your car.

Last time I did it I didn't show any documents - tickets, passport - nothing.

arleitiss

Ciaran_B wrote: »

It's a totally frictionless experiance. Two hours drive from Dublin, when you get to the port the guys in the security hut will tell you what Q to join and depending how long it is before you sail you can walk about or go into the cafe. They will announce over the PA when it's time to go back to your car.

Last time I did it I didn't show any documents - tickets, passport - nothing.

I assume you don't sit in the car the entire journey when loaded onto ship?

Glass fused light

You won't be allowed back to the car so have a go bag ready with whatever you think you will want on the passage.

The earlier you get on board the earlier you get to pick a seat, have a look at the diagram of the ferry and pick roughly where you think you want to sit and head there ASAP.

PS If its in the next few days and windy book a cabin and take seasickness pills, that way you have direct access to a clean toilet.

arleitiss

Glass fused light wrote: »

You won't be allowed back to the car so have a go bag ready with whatever you think you will want on the passage.

The earlier you get on board the earlier you get to pick a seat, have a look at the diagram of the ferry and pick roughly where you think you want to sit and head there ASAP.

PS If its in the next few days and windy book a cabin and take seasickness pills, that way you have direct access to a clean toilet.

Never been on a boat/ship so I guess I will find out if I have sea-sickness

Are you allowed on the deck?

Glass fused light

arleitiss wrote: »

I assume you don't sit in the car the entire journey when loaded onto ship?

Ha I nipped in to the loo in Dublin came back to find the car park empty, and the lad looking for me, they started loading early and loaded the lorries and cleared the carpark in under 5 min.
You drive into the carpark holding area and then drive on to like in a multistory

Ciaran_B

arleitiss wrote: »

I assume you don't sit in the car the entire journey when loaded onto ship?

No, you can walk about the ship - there's shops and bars and that. We paid for the Stena Lounge - cost about 20 quid IIRC, best money I spent on that holiday. Big couches you can lie out on, free tea, coffee, snacks, internet etc. Well worth it.

challengemaster

Was also going to say, get some travel sickness meds also. You might not need them but it's fúcking horrible if you do and don't have them!

theteal

arleitiss wrote: »

Never drove to belfast, the ferry is at 7:30, so I plan getting there at around 6, would you say it's safe to leave Dublin at around 3 AM?

We lived just off the Lisburn road for a while. I think my record from there to Dun Laoghaire for an 8am start was about 1 hour 20 mins - may not have been sticking to speed limit :cool:

It's a grand drive, while not officially motorway the whole way, it may as well be

theteal

arleitiss wrote: »

I assume you don't sit in the car the entire journey when loaded onto ship?

Not at all, park the car and then up to the main decks you go. There are bars, restaurants, slot machines, kids play etc. Best to get up quickly and claim a comfy seat tbh.

AndyBoBandy

redcup342 wrote: »

The ferry is so bloody chilled compared to the Airport you won't know yourself.

Very True.
I drove Dublin - Holyhead and back a few times about 10 years ago, and never even had my ID checked! I don't know if thats still the case, but it was all very lax.

redcup342

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Very True.
I drove Dublin - Holyhead and back a few times about 10 years ago, and never even had my ID checked! I don't know if thats still the case, but it was all very lax.

I did Hull to Hoek Van Holland and they also didn't check anything :cool:

AndyBoBandy

redcup342 wrote: »

I did Hull to Hoek Van Holland and they also didn't check anything :cool:

Brexit is going to fix all that!!

GarIT

arleitiss wrote: »

Are you allowed on the deck?

I didn't see anyone answer this one. I've been on around 30 sailings between Ireland - Wales - England and France and it's always was a yes. I've never been from Belfast though so it could be dependant on the boat and I don't know.

Another tip might be to make sure you windows are closed and air blowers are off when getting ready to leave the boat. You're driving out of a multi-story car park that's half full of trucks, your pocket of air in the car might be precious if you don't like diesel fumes.

whomitconcerns

GarIT wrote: »

I didn't see anyone answer this one. I've been on around 30 sailings between Ireland - Wales - England and France and it's always was a yes. I've never been from Belfast though so it could be dependant on the boat and I don't know.

Another tip might be to make sure you windows are closed and air blowers are off when getting ready to leave the boat. You're driving out of a multi-story car park that's half full of trucks, your pocket of air in the car might be precious if you don't like diesel fumes.

On the former, yes you can go on deck, after you park, you just go upstairs and cant go back down till they announce.

And Do book the lounge, you get priority boarding and offloading also!

dr.fuzzenstein

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Brexit is going to fix all that!!

Expect angry articles in the Daily Mail and Sun along the lines of MEAN AND NASTY EUROPE TAKING AWAY OUR RIGHT TO FREE TRAVEL OUT OF SHEER SPITE!!!!

Henry Ford III

Ferry is a doddle.

1/. Rock up on time. Make sure your car is 100% legal.
2/. Present booking details, passports and have driving license handy also.
3/. Follow boarding instructions.
4/. Relax and enjoy.

Isambard

challengemaster wrote: »

Was also going to say, get some travel sickness meds also. You might not need them but it's fúcking horrible if you do and don't have them!

But don't be worried about it, I've done the trip over dozens of times and I can only remember a couple of trips when it was rough. The trick is to shut your eyes and lie down if you can. Once your eyes and ears aren't telling you different things, you'll be OK. If you can't do that, look out the window at the horizon.

markpb

1. The ramp is very, very steep if you're parked on the top deck. You'll be fine but it's very disconcerting.

2. They park the cars very close together (tail to nose). A crew member will be there to make sure you park properly. Follow their instructions carefully and you'll successfully park closer to another car than you probably ever have in your life.

AndyBoBandy

markpb wrote: »

2. They park the cars very close together (tail to nose). A crew member will be there to make sure you park properly. Follow their instructions carefully and you'll successfully park closer to another car than you probably ever have in your life.

Yes.

When you think your as close as you can get to the car in front, they'll get you about 10-15cm closer.

Marcusm

arleitiss wrote: »

Hey, going to UK tomorrow on Ferry from Belfast.

Never went on one, what's the process like? I've seen there is like 30+ Lanes so how do you know when or where to go?


What do I need to bring? (For car and for myself), do I need Log Book or any documents other than drivers license?

You need exactly the same once you cross the border as you need for the ferry! There’ll be Marshall’s to show you where to go both in the car park line up and onboard.

Marcusm

Spook_ie wrote: »

Copy of your insurance is always a good idea, maybe copy of the NCT cert to be sure otherwise everything else should be plain sailing

You need to bring the original insurance very; a copy is no use. It’s unusual to be asked but if U.K. Pilice (of whatever type) requests your original insurance very and you can’t produce it, they can impound!

CiniO

Marcusm wrote: »

You need to bring the original insurance very; a copy is no use. It’s unusual to be asked but if U.K. Pilice (of whatever type) requests your original insurance very and you can’t produce it, they can impound!

Would there be a requirement in UK to carry original of registration cert when driving a foreign car (same as it is all over Continent) ?

Spook_ie

Found a handy guide for "foreigners" driving in the UK
https://www.visitbritainshop.com/world/articles/guide-to-driving-in-the-uk/


Worth making SURE that your insurance covers the UK and for how long.

CiniO

Spook_ie wrote: »

Found a handy guide for "foreigners" driving in the UK
https://www.visitbritainshop.com/world/articles/guide-to-driving-in-the-uk/


Worth making SURE that your insurance covers the UK and for how long.

Every insurance policy issued in EU, provides third party cover for the whole duration of policy all over EU.

CrankyHaus

GarIT wrote: »

I didn't see anyone answer this one. I've been on around 30 sailings between Ireland - Wales - England and France and it's always was a yes. I've never been from Belfast though so it could be dependant on the boat and I don't know.

IME it would take very heavy weather for them to close the deck. Even in very rough conditions they may just close deck access on the side facing the wind.


OP if you're worried about seasickness being out on a deck should help: fresh air and a view of the natural horizon as the ship rolls help most people. Dress warm, ferries can be cold, especially out on deck.

Spook_ie

CiniO wrote: »

Every insurance policy issued in EU, provides third party cover for the whole duration of policy all over EU.

Third party cover is the legal bare minimum, suppose you crack up a car through your fault, how are you going to get your car repaired or returned here afterwards.

CiniO

Spook_ie wrote: »

Third party cover is the legal bare minimum, suppose you crack up a car through your fault, how are you going to get your car repaired or returned here afterwards.

Same if you did it in Ireland, if you didn't have comprehensive cover.
Many people don't.

Spook_ie

CiniO wrote: »

Every insurance policy issued in EU, provides third party cover for the whole duration of policy all over EU.

It may be worth further investigation as having found this site


https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/insurance/validity/united-kingdom/index_en.htm

There would seem to be some doubt unless you fit the categories listed

Third party motor insurance
When you move temporarily to the UK from another EU country (as a student, pensioner, second home owner, cross-border commuter), your existing insurance policy from another EU country remains valid for the period of validity.

You can use your existing policy, even after moving to the UK up until you register the vehicle, at which time you will be required to have in place motor insurance issued by an insurer that is authorised to provide motor insurance in the UK.

Would a holiday visit be covered? and if so for how long, my Axa policy says 31 days

colm_c

Be sure to go the correct ferry port, there are two in the Belfast area.

Belfast Port and Larne Port, both have ferries to Scotland, Larne being 30 minutes from Belfast Port.

I made the mistake once, went to the wrong port and nearly missed the ferry as I assumed (wrongly) that they were one and the same.

CiniO

Spook_ie wrote: »

It may be worth further investigation as having found this site


https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/insurance/validity/united-kingdom/index_en.htm

There would seem to be some doubt unless you fit the categories listed

I don't see any element of doubt here.
They are obliged to cover you provided you're still resident in Ireland.
It's obvious that includes holidays.

Irish insurers seem to exploit the option to cancel the policy if they find out you're no longer resident in Ireland (unlike many other EU insurers), but that has no bearing on the case, unless you are really moving to other country permanently (moving house, job, etc).

Would a holiday visit be covered? and if so for how long, my Axa policy says 31 days

Of course.
Axa says that your full cover is valid for 31 days.
However they also say (in small print only) that your third party cover is valid for the whole period of policy all over EU. (they have to say it as EU law forces them to do so).

V8 Interceptor

OP are you towing a caravan? If so boarding can cause problems as the ramps are steep and there's no speed in reserve to help give it momentum to get up the slope, so it's down to brute power from the engine.

Voodoomelon

I took the ferry to France 2 years ago. Its a big automatic saloon and was parked out on the open deck. I went out onto the viewing deck above the cars on the way over to check on the car as it was fairly windy and rough seas. Somehow, I had forgotten to put the parking brake on; it was just left in Park. I could see the car rocking forwards and backwards very noticeably.

I had to find a crew member who unlocked the door and walked me out on deck to stick the parking brake on, felt like a right tit. Grab some chocks if there are any on deck if you have a big car.

arleitiss

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

OP are you towing a caravan? If so boarding can cause problems as the ramps are steep and there's no speed in reserve to help give it momentum to get up the slope, so it's down to brute power from the engine.

No Caravan, just car alone.

My car is very low though, I always scratch ramps when I enter underground parking unless I am going like 1 cm per minute speed. (not lowered, just factory as is)

Del2005

arleitiss wrote: »

No Caravan, just car alone.

My car is very low though, I always scratch ramps when I enter underground parking unless I am going like 1 cm per minute speed. (not lowered, just factory as is)

The ferry will be interesting then. Lots of step climbs and sharp edges. Maybe mention it when checking in and they might put you on a low deck.

whomitconcerns

arleitiss wrote: »

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

OP are you towing a caravan? If so boarding can cause problems as the ramps are steep and there's no speed in reserve to help give it momentum to get up the slope, so it's down to brute power from the engine.

No Caravan, just car alone.

My car is very low though, I always scratch ramps when I enter underground parking unless I am going like 1 cm per minute speed. (not lowered, just factory as is)

What type of car op?

I had and a6 and A5 sline with no issues. Just take it very handy

CJhaughey

Ferry is by far the most relaxing way to travel, get on board find a nice spot that you can relax and lie down and get set up. Bring some snacks if you might be hungry although Stena Adventurer isn't the worst prices for food.£9 for a roast chicken dinner.
Get some rest -read a book or watch TV. Don't use your phone for calling once you leave port as it will default to international satellite roaming which is ~2.50 per minute.

If you think you might get sick / if its rough then take your seasick tabs well before you leave or they can become ineffective due to involuntary expulsion of stomach contents.;)

Leonard Hofstadter

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

OP are you towing a caravan? If so boarding can cause problems as the ramps are steep and there's no speed in reserve to help give it momentum to get up the slope, so it's down to brute power from the engine.

If the OP is travelling with Stena Line, then upgrading to Stena Premium solves this problem, the deck they use for these customers is high enough that there are no inclines or declines of any description (at least for the ferries they use on the Dublin-Holyhead route).

Isambard

captainspeed wrote: »

If the OP is travelling with Stena Line, then upgrading to Stena Plus solves this problem, the deck they use for these customers is high enough that there are no inclines or declines of any description (at least for the ferries they use on the Dublin-Holyhead route).

Stena Plus makes no difference travelling Stena Europe from Rosslare. caravans will not fit on the car deck, they go in with the higher vehicles. I would expect that's the case on most routes.

arleitiss

Well my trip is done.
It was amazing, well easier to get on ferry with car than it is to get onto plane without one

Left Dublin at 4:30 AM.
Got on a ship in Belfast at 6:58
Arrived to Cairnryan at 9
Drove to Glasgow to Check-In, at 12:30
Drove to Edinburgh afterwards for few hours.
Then came back to Glasgow at 7 PM.


Drove total of 1200 Km from Friday - Sunday.


Super happy with the trip, will take these ferries more often, might try France at some point.

Brought sea sickness meds with me just in case but didn't end up needing them.
Was never asked for a single piece of paper anywhere over those days, I could literally have traveled without passport or any id's and I would be okay, guess it's hit or miss.

Spent total of 90 Euro on Fuel, adjusting to Miles was a bit of pain in the ass though


Thanks for all suggestions here.

danm14

CJhaughey wrote: »

Don't use your phone for calling once you leave port as it will default to international satellite roaming which is ~2.50 per minute

Feel free to use your phone while at sea at normal rates provided you're connected to an Irish or UK network - you'll only connect to the ship's satellite network (called Telenor Maritime) if there's no land-based signal available. On the Holyhead (slow) ferry, Eir's signal extends a good hour or more out of Dublin (don't know about 3 or Vodafone) and you start picking up UK signals about half an hour out of Holyhead.

No phone is capable of switching to a different network without dropping a call, so once you check you're on a UK or Irish network when you make the call, there'll be no surprise charges, the call will simply drop when you lose land-based signal.

One thing to note, if you're on any of the Liverpool ferries, you may pick up a Manx signal for a while around half way through the crossing - the Isle of Man is not part of the EU, so you will be charged for roaming if you use this. Same applies if you receive a signal from the Channel Islands on the ferries to France.

Do switch off data roaming before boarding however, as the data rates on the Maritime network are up to €10 per MB, you could easily have a bill for a few hundred euro before noticing if some apps decided to update themselves. The Maritime network charges for everything except receiving text messages, so don't answer your phone either.