Ferry Operators
The UK, Ireland and northern Europe are served by a wide range of ferry operators, from big international companies crossing the Channel and the Bay of Biscay to small, local firms running island lifeline routes. This directory brings them together in one place.
Each operator has its own routes, ships and character. Follow the links below for our full guide to each company, grouped by the part of the network they serve.
In this guide
Channel & long-haul operators
- Brittany Ferries: the biggest operator on the western Channel and Bay of Biscay, serving France and Spain. → /operators/brittany-ferries/
- DFDS: a major operator on the Dover–Calais and other Channel routes, and now the Jersey Channel Islands service. → /operators/dfds/
- P&O Ferries: a long-established Channel and North Sea operator, including Dover–Calais and Hull–Rotterdam. → /operators/p-and-o-ferries/
- Stena Line: a major operator on the Irish Sea and the Harwich–Hook of Holland route. → /operators/stena-line/
- Condor Ferries: the Channel Islands brand, now part of Brittany Ferries, running the Guernsey routes. → /operators/condor-ferries/
- LeShuttle (Eurotunnel): the vehicle drive-on train through the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais in 35 minutes. → /eurotunnel-deals/
Irish Sea operators
- Irish Ferries: a leading operator between Great Britain and Ireland, including Holyhead–Dublin. → /operators/irish-ferries/
- Stena Line: also a major Irish Sea operator, with routes from Wales and Scotland to Ireland. → /operators/stena-line/
Scotland & islands operators
- CalMac: the main operator on Scotland's west coast, serving the Hebrides and Clyde islands. → /operators/calmac/
- NorthLink Ferries: the operator to Orkney and Shetland, from Scrabster, Aberdeen and Kirkwall. → /operators/northlink-ferries/
- Pentland Ferries: the family-run company running the short Gills Bay–Orkney car crossing. → /operators/pentland-ferries/
- Orkney Ferries: the council-owned operator of Orkney's inter-island services. → /operators/orkney-ferries/
- Western Ferries: the turn-up-and-go car ferry across the Firth of Clyde between Gourock and Dunoon. → /operators/western-ferries/
Isle of Man & Isle of Wight operators
- Isle of Man Steam Packet Company: the Isle of Man's only ferry operator, and the world's oldest. → /operators/steam-packet-company/
- Wightlink: the largest Isle of Wight operator, from Portsmouth and Lymington. → /operators/wightlink/
- Red Funnel: the original Isle of Wight operator, sailing from Southampton. → /operators/red-funnel/
How to choose an operator
On many routes there's only one operator, so your choice is really about the route. Where two or more compete — like Dover–Calais or the Isle of Wight crossings — it's worth comparing them on price, crossing time and departure port.
Our destination guides cover which operators serve each route, so you can compare the options for your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ferry operators serve France and Spain?
Mainly Brittany Ferries, along with DFDS, P&O Ferries and others on the Channel. All the direct UK–Spain routes are Brittany Ferries.
Who operates ferries to Ireland?
Irish Ferries and Stena Line are the main operators across the Irish Sea, with others on specific routes.
Which companies serve Scotland's islands?
CalMac on the west coast, NorthLink to Orkney and Shetland, plus Pentland, Orkney Ferries and Western Ferries on specific routes.
Is there usually a choice of operator?
On many routes there's only one operator, so the choice is the route itself. On competitive routes like Dover–Calais you can compare several.
Who runs the Isle of Wight ferries?
Wightlink and Red Funnel run the main crossings, with Hovertravel operating the Southsea hovercraft.