For years, flying was the default. Fast, efficient, and often the only practical way to get around. But lately, there’s been a quiet shift. More and more travellers are opting for a slower, more grounded alternative—ferries.
And it’s not just nostalgia or fear of flying. There’s something about sea travel that people are rediscovering. It’s calmer. It’s roomier. And you don’t have to pretend to enjoy a bag of mini pretzels while elbowing your way to the bathroom at 30,000 feet.
So why are people making the switch?
The journey becomes part of the experience
Flying is often just a means to an end. You squeeze yourself into a seat, count the hours, and emerge slightly dehydrated in another country. Ferry travel flips that. The journey becomes part of the vacation.
You’re not racing to your destination—you’re easing into it. On a ferry, you can walk around. Sit outside. Sip a coffee. Watch the waves. If you’re on the right route, you might even catch a sunrise or pass some dramatic cliffs without fighting over the window seat.
This kind of travel doesn’t just get you somewhere. It gives you space to breathe. Time to think. And occasionally, an onboard duty-free shop where you end up buying three Toblerones for no logical reason.
Less stress, more actual legroom
Airports are chaos factories. Security lines, boarding zones, luggage drama—you don’t even need a flight delay to have a bad time.
Ferries? A different pace altogether. You drive up or walk on, check in, and board. No full-body scans, no overstuffed tray tables. And most ferries don’t charge you extra to sit down or bring a suitcase, which feels weirdly generous in today’s travel economy.
Operators like P&O Ferries make this whole process surprisingly smooth. You can literally roll onto the ferry in your own car, stash your bags without wrestling overhead compartments, and head upstairs to grab a bite or stretch out. No turbulence, no cabin pressure, no toddler screaming in the next row. Just sea air and time to kill.
It’s surprisingly affordable
You’d think a scenic, low-stress trip across the Channel would cost a fortune. It doesn’t. In fact, it’s often cheaper than flying—especially when you factor in all the hidden extras that flights sneak in.
Want to bring your car? That’s usually built into the price. Travelling with kids? They can run around instead of being told to sit still for hours. Want to bring your own snacks? No one will confiscate your water bottle or charge you £8 for a sandwich that tastes like regret.
With P&O Ferries, you also get a few nice perks—like flexible booking options and onboard entertainment—which makes it feel a bit less like public transport and a bit more like a mini cruise.
It’s better for the environment
Let’s be honest—air travel isn’t winning any sustainability awards. It’s one of the fastest-growing sources of carbon emissions.
Ferries aren’t perfect, but they tend to have a smaller carbon footprint per passenger, especially if you’re bringing a vehicle or travelling as a group. Many ferry companies are also investing in greener ships and better fuel technology.
So if you’re trying to travel more consciously without giving up comfort, this slower option starts to look like a pretty smart trade.
You can actually enjoy the ride
The best part? You’re not stuck in a pressurized metal tube with no idea where you are. On a ferry, the scenery rolls by. You can walk to the deck and feel the wind on your face. You might see other ships in the distance, islands, even dolphins if you’re lucky.
There’s also that strange but nice moment where the engine hums, the ferry pulls away, and you feel like you’re really going somewhere—not just disappearing into the sky and reappearing later in a new timezone.
By the time you arrive, you’re not worn out. You’re not annoyed. You’re actually ready to start your trip.
This shift to ferry travel isn’t just a trend—it’s a rethink of how we move through the world. We’ve been so focused on speed that we forgot the value of the journey itself.
Brands like P&O Ferries are making it easy to rediscover this slower style of travel. Comfortable lounges, reliable service, and routes that connect the UK to Europe in a way that doesn’t feel like a logistical nightmare.
Sure, it might take a bit longer. But if you’ve got the time, why not take the scenic route? It might turn out to be your favorite part of the whole trip.
