International ferries

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Introduction

Kids climbing onto the boat

© All Rights Reserved Steve-Kay

International ferries may not be the first thing that comes to mind when trying to figure how to get from point A to point B. Ferries are slower than most other transportation options and can be more expensive than flying.

Still, if possible, taking a ferry to cross international borders makes for a great travelling experience. Sometimes, ferries are the cheapest - or the only - option around.

This article outlines regular public transport services around the world. It does not include information about getting around by cargo ship, cruise ship, private yacht or organised tours.

Africa

South Africa/Namibia - Tristan da Cunha/Saint Helena/Ascension Island vv

The Royal Mail Ship "Saint Helena" travels regularly between Saint Helena and Ascension Island, Walvis Bay and Cape Town. The schedule is primarily designed to meet the needs of locals and cargo for Saint Helena, and thus follows a timetable but not a consistent routing. In general terms, the ship leaves Cape Town once a month, before heading to Saint Helena, sometimes via Walvis Bay. From Saint Helena it will then run 1 or 2 shuttles to Ascension Island, before returning to Cape Town, again sometimes via Walvis Bay. Occasionally, Cape Town is omitted, and the ship returns to Saint Helena directly from Walvis Bay.

Twice a year (in March and October) the ship travels from St. Helena via Ascension to the UK, currently docking in Portland on the South Coast. This voyage leaves Saint Helena cut off from the world for 5 or 6 weeks. The ship also calls at Tenerife in one direction, and also occasionally in Vigo (in North-West Spain) on the Northbound voyage according to cargo requirements - eg: to offload fish

The schedule changes around Christmas to allow as many people as possible to return home to Saint Helena for the festive season, and it can be virtually impossible to arrange passage to St. Helena in late November or December, or away from the Island in January unless booked at least 12months in advance. Dry-dock and other maintenance requirements mean that schedules are always open to variation.

Normal journey times to Jamestown, Saint Helena, are as follows:
Ascension Island: 3 nights
Walvis Bay: 4 nights
Cape Town: 5 nights (7 nights if ship routed via Walvis Bay)
Tenerife: 9 nights*
Portland: 14-16 nights
*As ships only serve Tenerife in one direction, there is not always an annual Tenerife - Saint Helena voyage (except via Portland). There are also no services from Vigo to Saint Helena, again, except via Portland.

The ship carries up to 128 passengers (though a number of berths are always held behind in case they are needed at short notice by visiting experts or officials), and all non Saints are required to show proof of evacuation insurance (£1million), proof of accommodation and a return ticket before their bookings will be allowed.

For travelling directly to Tristan da Cunha, there are only a few boats a year from South Africa (and sometimes Namibia). It requires special planning if you want to travel there by yourself. Most places on board are booked months if not a year in advance, mainly for locals returning to their island.

If you are lucky enough though, the trip takes 5 or 6 days and will mean you have to spend months on the island.
Tickets roughly cost about 1000 to 1200 for a return trip.

It's best to check the Tristan da Cunha website for details.

Tanzania - Malawi - Mozambique vv

There are ferries between southwestern Tanzania and Mozambique via Malawi on the MV Songea between Mbamba Bay and Nkhata Bay. From here it goes on to Likoma Island (Malawi), Cóbuè and Metangula (both in Mozambique) on the MV Ilala. The MV Ilala departs from Monkey Bay (Malawi) at 10am Friday, arriving in Metangula (via Chipoka and Nkhotakota in Malawi) at 6am Saturday, reaching Cóbuè (Mozambique) around midday, Likoma Island at 1.30pm and Nkhata Bay at 1am Sunday morning. In southern direction departures are at 8pm Monday from Nkhata Bay and at 6.30am Tuesday from Likoma Island, reaching Cóbuè at 7am and Metangula at midday.

Mauritius - Reunion - Madagascar vv

It's possible to travel from Mauritius to Reunion by the ferry 'Mauritius Pride'. The overnight journey takes around 12 hours.
There are also regular boat services from Mauritius and Reunion to Toamasina in Madagascar on the east coast. It departs approximately once every two weeks.

Niger - Mali vv

A slow boat travels between Ayorou in Niger and Gao in Mali taking around 2 days, leaving on Mondays.

Chad - Nigeria vv

You could take a boat across Lake Chad from Bol to Nigeria, but ask around first if it is running and safe.

Cameroon - Equatorial Guinea/Republic of Congo/Nigeria vv

There are regular passenger ferries between the port city of Douala in Cameroon and both Malabo at Bioko Island as well as Bata at the mainland part of Equatorial Guinea, also called Rio Muni.
To Nigeria, there is a twice-weekly ferry from Limbe to Calabar on Monday and Thursday, and in the opposite direction every Tuesday and Friday.
To the Republic of Congo, there is a ferry across the Ngoko River to the Congolese port of Ouesso.

Central African Republic - DRC and Republic of Congo vv

There are river boats (Socatraf company) between Bangui in the Central African Republic and Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo where the Congo River is met. Boats go once every two or three weeks, and only between June and November. It takes about a week. Barges serve the route as well but take about two weeks. They go every week though, are cheaper and less crowded.
Boats to Zongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo are usually off limits to foreign travellers.

Gabon - Equatiorial Guinea/Cameroon/Benin/Sao Tomé & Principe vv

Crossing between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon can be done from Cogo/Acalayong to Cocobeach by pirogue.
There are boats between Libreville and Cotonou (Benin), Sao Tome & Principe and Cameroon sometimes, but ask at the port authorities in Libreville first to check if and when they are running. It's long and uncomfortable.

Guinea - Liberia/Guinea Bissau/Mali vv

There might be boats between Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, and Conakry, the capital of Guinea, but check at the respective port authorities first. It takes 36 hours to two days.
Boats travel between Kamsar in Guinea and Bissau in Guinee Bissau. The boat stops in Cacine and Kamkhonde in Guinea Bissau as well. There is no set schedule so check in the port of Conakry or Bissau, depending on weather you are going to Guinea or Guinea Bissau.
During the rainy season there are also boats along the river between Siguiri (Guinea) and Bamako, the capital of Mali. It takes a day in that direction, but two days coming from Bamako upstream.

Morocco - Europe vv

There are dozens of options to get to Morocco by ferry, the shorter and thus cheaper ones from Spain. But ferries from France and even Italy are a possibility as well.

Spain:

• GNV operates services from Barcelona to Tangier.
• Ferrimaroc has boats plying the route between Almeria in Spain to and from the Moroccon city of Nador.
• Euroferrys travels between the southern Spanish town of Algeciras to Tangier. It's also a major operator to the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.
• FRS has boats travelling between both Tarifa and Algeciras (Spain) and Tangier and between Gibraltar and Tangier.
• Comarit travels from Algeciras to Tangier as well.
• Trasmediterranea plies the route between Algeciras and Tangier and between Almeria and Nador. Trasmediterranea has many connections to the Spanish exclaves Ceuta and Melilla from Algeciras, Almeria and Malaga in southern Spain.

France:

• Comanav has services between Tangier and Sete, which is located between Marseille and Montpelier.
• SNCM also operates a service between Tangier and Sete.

Italy:

• GNV operates services between Genoa and Tangier, in northern Morocco.
• Comanav has services between Tangier and Genoa as well.

Algeria - Europe vv

France:

• Algerie Ferries is one of the major operators, with scheduled services between Marseille and Algerian cities like Algiers, Oran, Bejaia, Skikda and Annaba.
• SNCM travels between Marseille and Algiers as well.
• Cnan Maghreb Lines (website under construction) has boats from Marseille to Oran and Algiers.

Spain:

• Algerie Ferries operates services between Oran and the Spanish city of Alicante.
• Trasmediterranea has regular ferries from Almeria to Oran and Alicante to Ghazaouet.
• Chan Maghreb Lines (website under construction) has boats between Barcelona and Oran and Algiers.

Tunisia - Europe vv

Italy:

• GNV has ferries from Genoa, Palermo and Civitavecchia in Italy to Tunis.
• Grimaldi Lines offers the same routes, as well as from Salerno.
• Cotunav has crossings between Tunis and Genoa.

France:

• Cotunav operates a service between Marseille and Tunis.
• SNCM has services from Marseille to Tunis as well.

Asia

Hong Kong - Macau - China vv

• The Turbojet offers several connections between Hong Kong and Macau, between Macau and Sekou in China and between both Hong Kong and Macau and the Shenzhen Airport Fu Yong Ferry Terminal in China. To add, it also connects the Hong Kong International Airport with both Macau and the Shenzhen Airport Fu Yong Ferry Terminal.
• New World First Ferries has many daily connections directly between Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui) and Macau. There are also regular connections to and from Shenzhen.

Hong Kong - China vv

Chu Kong Passenger Transport Co offers many services between Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Terminal) and Hong Kong Airport and dozens of places in mainland China.

China - South Korea vv

There are many options of travelling by boat between China and South Korea.

• Huadong sails between Incheon and Shi Dao.
• Weidong travels between Incheon/Gunsun and Qingdao.
• Dandong Ferry plies the route between Incheon and Dandong.
• Musung has boats between Busan and Yantai.

Other possible connections to and from the South Korean port city of Incheon include those to and from the Chinese cities of Yantai, Dalian, Shanghai, Tianjin and Weihai. These cities can be reached from Busan as well, including Yingkou.

China - Taiwan vv

Since 2008, there are ferries between Xiamen and the Taiwanese island of Kinmen.

China - Japan vv

There are regular ferry services linking Chinese ports, like Tianjin with Kobe in Japan on a weekly basis. Chinese Express Line is the major carrier on the Tianjin to Kobe route.

To add, there are also weekly ferries crossing the sea between Shanghai and Kobe and Osaka in Japan. The ferry's destination alternates each week between Osaka and Kobe and the journey takes two days. Another line travels weekly as well between Shanghai and Osaka only. And everyday Thursday, there are ferries between Shanghai and Nagasaki. Orient Ferry plies the route between Qingdao and Shimonoseki.

Japan - South Korea vv

There are dozens of sailings on an almost daily or twice daily basis between Japan and South Korea:

• Korea Ferry to and from Busan.
• Mirajet has high speed ferries between Busan and Fukuoka, taking only 3 hours.
• JR Beetle, a Japanese based company, offers the same service.
• The Camellia-line ferry service is much slower (15 hours) but almost twice as cheap.

The most popular and cheapest route is between Busan and Shimonoseki.

• The Kampur Ferry Service's vessels Kampu or Pukwan leave Busan at 6pm and arrive in Shimonoseki at 8.30am the next morning on a daily basis.

Japan - Taiwan vv

The weekly ferries between Keelung and Kaohsiung in Taiwan and Ishigaki and Miyako in the Okinawa Prefecture have been suspended since 2008. The trip took about 18 hours and boats left Taiwan on Mondays and Okinawa on Thursdays or Fridays. There is talk of new ferries between Japan (either Okinawa or 'mainland' Japan) and Taiwan, but up until now (October 2009) there is no ferry.

Japan - Russia vv

• From July to October a ferry runs twice a week from Vladivostok to Fushiki, near Toyama, but most people are business people importing and exporting cars. Still it's possible to book tickets with Bisintour.
• The Heartland Ferry has sailing between Wakkanai in Hokkaido and Korsakov on Sachalin.
• FESCO runs a service from Vostochny in Eastern Russia to the ports of Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe and Osaka.

South Korea - Russia vv

Dong Chun Ferry runs two trips a week in winter and three in summer between Sokcho in South Korea and Zarubina (south of Vladivostok) in Russia.

Singapore - Malaysia/Indonesia vv

Ferries connect Singapore to the Riau Islands in Indonesia and Johor in Malaysia.

To the latter there are so called bumboats frequently leaving for Tanjung Pengelih (Johor, Malaysia) by various privately owned companies. Ferries leave when full (12 people). Daily boat services between Changi Point and Pengerang (Johor); Tanah Merah and Sebana Cover Resort (Johor). Ferry Link offers boats between Changi Point and Tanjung Belungkor.
Penguin Ferries offers frequent ferry services between Singapore and Batam, Sekupang, Tanjung Balai, Tanjung Pinang and Lobam.

Malaysia - Indonesia vv

There is a daily ferry operating between Penang in Malaysia to Belawan (the port of Medan) on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. From Penang, it leaves at 9 am, arriving at 1 pm. From Medan it leaves at 10.30 am arriving in Penang at 2.30pm. Check the Langkawi Ferry website for more detaila about schedules and prices.

Malaysia - Brunei vv

Daily services from Muara Ferry Terminal in Brunei to Labuan island and Lawas (Sarawak) in Malaysia. There are also speedboat services between Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) and Lawas (Sarawak).

Malaysia - Thailand vv

Langkawi Ferry operates 4 daily crossing in each direction between Langkawi and the Thai port city of Satun, taking about 1.15 hours.

Malaysia - Philippines vv

The only option are ferry services between Zamboanga Peninsula (Mindanao) in the southern Philippines and Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia with Aleson Shipping Lines, taking about 13 hours completing the journey.

Vietnam - Cambodia vv

There is a ferry from Phnom Penh in Cambodia to Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta. Tickets can be booked through local travel agents or at the dock. In additional there is a service from Can Tho to Phnom Penh.

Azerbaijan - Kazakhstan/Turkmenistan vv

A ferry across the Caspian Sea between Aktau in Kazakhstan and Baku, Azerbaijan, leaves about every seven to 10 days taking around 18 hours or so. The ferry from Baku to Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan goes more frequent and is more comfortable as well, but if you want to avoid travelling to Turkmenistan the one to Kazakhstan is a good alternative.

Caribbean

Main article: Caribbean ferries

There are many options regarding boat travel in the Caribbean. Frequent international options include those between Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), between USVI and the British Virgin Islands, between Sint Maarten/Saint Martin to islands like Anguilla, Saint Barthélemy and Saba, between the islands of Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and Saint Lucia, between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada and an infrequent ferry between Trinidad and Tobago to the mainland of Venezuela.

All these international connections, including many domestic options has been described in detail in the Caribbean ferries article.

Central America

Belize - Guatemala/Honduras vv

There are several connections from towns in the south of Belize like Dangriga and Punta Gorda to places in neighbouring Honduras and Guatemala, like Puerto Cortes (Honduras) and Puerto Barrios and Livingston (Guatemala). There is also a connection between Placencia (via Big Creek) to Puerto Cortes but it doesn't go very often, usually once a week.

Guatemala - Honduras vv

The only option of travelling by boat between the two countries is a regular service from Lívingston in Guatemala to Omoa in Honduras.

Europe

Main article: European ferries.

Like International trains, Europe also has by far the most connections regarding international ferries.
All countries that have sea connections somehow are served by regular passenger ferries to neighbouring countries or further beyond. From Iceland to Cyprus and from Spain to Russia.
Although it might not be the fastest way and not be the most economical either, it happens to be a great way of travelling and it also saves you some time which you don't have to spend in the car, but on a luxurious overnight ferry to for example Scandinavia.

More information and details about most of the connections between countries can be found in the European ferries article.

Middle East

Turkey - Syria vv

The Fergun Shipping Company has services in summer only (May-September) between Mesmin and Latakia in Syria.

Persian Gulf

Several ferries and fast catamarans travel between Iran and a number of other Gulf states. Destinations include Bandar Lengeh to Dubai, Bandar Abbas to Dubai and Sjarjah, Khoramshahr and Bushehr to Kuwait and Bushehr to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Dammam in Saudi Arabia. Check the Iran Traveling Center for more details about schedules and prices. To and from Kuwait, the ferries are operated by the Combined Shipping Company.
There are also speedboat services between Kuwait (Shuwaikh Port) and Manama in Bahrain, taking just around 5 hours. Contact one of the travel agencies in the respective city.

Red Sea

There are a number of connections between the Arabian Peninsula and countries in the northwest of Africa. For example, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia is linked to Suez in Egypt, Port Sudan in Sudan and Musawwa in Eritrea. Few services travel to and from Yemen, but you might be able to catch a place on one of the cargo ships between Yemen and the Horn of Africa (Djibouti for example). Finally, fast ferries travel between Aqaba in Jordan and Nuweiba in Sinai, Egypt.

Egypt - Jordan vv
There are ferries between Aqaba, Jordan and Nuweiba on the Sinai peninsula. There is a daily fast ferry leaving at 11am from Jordan and 3pm from Egypt. It takes 1 to 2 hours depending on sea conditions. The slow ferry leaves daily as well but costs almost the same and is much less comfortable and much slower indeed! Citizens of most European countries, North America and Australia and New Zealand can get a visa for free when entering Aqaba.
Egypt - Saudi Arabia vv
There is a irregular services between Suez and Jeddah (taking 36 hours!) but generally this is not of much use for travellers at all, because of the strict visa regulations in Saudi Arabia. There is also a fast ferry between Hurghada and Dubba, taking around 3 hours.
Egypt - Sudan vv
Apart from onward ferries from Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), you can take a weekly ferry from Aswan to Wadi Halfa in Sudan. You will need a valid Sudanese visa or otherwise you won't be able to board the ferry. Check departures localy as these may vary.

Although there is no fixed scheduled, there should be a couple of traditional dhow travelling between Mokha in Yemen and Djibouti. It takes around 20 hours to cover this route. To add, there should be crossings to the southern port city of Aden in Yemen as well.

North America

United States - Canada vv

There are several options to get from the United States to Canada and back:

• The Cat travels between Portland and Bar Harbour in the state of Maine to Yarmouth in Nova Scotia, Canada.
• Quoddyloop has services between Maine, USA and New Brunswick, Canada
• The Victoria Clipper travels between Seattle in Washington State and both Victoria and Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.
• Coho Ferry takes you between Victoria and Port Angeles in Washington State and the Victoria Express offers services on the same route as well.

Canada - Saint Pierre and Miquelon vv

SPM Express operates ferries between Fortune in Newfoundland and Labrador and the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

Oceania

Samoa - American Samoa vv

The MV Lady Naomi travels between Samoa and American Samoa and operates between the respective capitals, Apia and Pago Pago once a week departing Apia every Wednesday at midnight returning from Pago Pago every Thursday at 4 pm. It takes around 7 hours to complete the journey. It's cheaper but slower than a flight and you can expect rough rides now and then.

Samoa - Tokelau vv

Although not much of an option for most travellers, it still is the only option to visit the isolated island of Tokelau. Once every 2 or 3 weeks the MV Tokelau travels from Apia in Samoa to Tokelau, which takes about 36 hours. Book in advance while many people from Tokelau use this service to visit their home country.

Tuvalu - Fiji vv

The MVs Nivaga II and Manu Folau, both government-owned cargo/passenger ships, travel to between Tuvalu and Suva, Fiji, every three months or so and the takes about four days. The cargo boat Nei Matagare makes trips roughly once a month between Tuvalu and Fiji and you might find a berth on this boat as well.

New Caledonia - Vanuatu vv

The MV Havannah runs a monthly service out of Noumea in New Caledonia to Port Vila, Malekula and Santo in Vanuatu.

Papua New Guinea - Solomon Islands vv

If you are travelling between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, it is possible to make your way by boat from the Bougainville province in PNG into the Solomon's Western Province.

South America

Argentina - Uruguay vv

Boats to Uruguay leave from Buenos Aires or Tigre, just to the north and make the journey to Colonia, the capital Montevideo and a few smaller places like Carmelo. The major operator is Buquebus.

Argentina - Chile vv

There are few services between Argentina and Chile, but there are regular crossings from Ushuaia on Tierra del Fuego to Puerto Williams on the Isla de Navarino, one of the most southern permanent settlements in the world.

Brazil - Peru vv

There are several short services between Brazil and Peru. In the north near the border with Colombia there are services between Tabatinga in Brazil and Santa Rosa in Peru. There are also both slow and fast boats between Tabatinga and Iquitos directly.

In the south of Peru there is a service between Assis Brazil and Inapari by ferry across the Rio Acre.

Brazil - Bolivia vv

Boats cross the river Rio Mamore from Guajara-Mirim (Rondonia) in Brazil to Guayaramerin, Bolivia. It is about 5,5 hours from Porto Velho, Brazil.

Brazil - French Guiana vv

Boat travel across the river between Brazil (Oiapoque) and French Guiana (Saint Georges).

French Guiana - Suriname vv

Regular boats connect French Guiana and Suriname, crossing the Marowijne River.

Suriname - Guyana vv

Regular boats connect Suriname and Guyana, crossing the Corantijn River.

Venezuela - Colombia vv

In the west of Venezuela there are several river crossings to and from Colombia, but they are mostly used by travellers that want to visit Colombia on a daytrip from Venezuela. The most used crossing is from the Venezuelan town of Puerto Ayachucho in the Amazon/Orinoco area of Venezuela.

Venezuela - Trinidad and Tobago vv

There is supposed to be a weekly car ferry travelling between La Guiria in Venezuela and Chaguaramas in Trinidad and Tobago but check the port authorities if this option is still available for travellers. See Caribbean ferries as well.