A motorhome or campervan changes the ferry-booking process in ways a standard car does not: pricing runs on length and height rather than a flat car rate, gas cylinders raise safety questions the check-in staff will actually ask about, and where you sleep during the crossing is a genuine choice rather than an afterthought. None of it is complicated once you know what operators expect — but get the details wrong at the booking stage and you can arrive at the port to an unwelcome surcharge or a refused boarding. For the general mechanics of booking a ferry, see our guide to how to book ferries.
How motorhome fares are calculated
Car ferry pricing for a standard saloon is usually a flat "car" rate. Motorhomes and campervans instead fall into length bands, and the fare rises as the band rises — a 5.5 m panel-van conversion pays less than a 7.5 m coachbuilt motorhome, which pays less again than an 8.5 m-plus American-style RV. Most operators publish their exact length brackets on the booking page; measure your vehicle including any fixed rear bike rack, tow bar or ladder, because staff at check-in measure the whole vehicle, not just the cab-to-body length on the logbook.
Height is the second variable, and it matters more than it does for a car. Ferries have fixed deck clearances, and taller motorhomes — anything with a raised roof, roof box, or roof-mounted air conditioning or solar array — may need to be booked onto an open deck or a deck with taller clearance. Get the height wrong at booking and the vehicle can be turned away at the port if it genuinely will not fit under the deck above, so measure to the highest fixed point, aerials included, and round up rather than down.
- Length: measure bumper to bumper including any fixed rear-mounted rack or ladder.
- Height: measure to the highest fixed point, including roof units and permanently mounted aerials or solar panels.
- Towing a small trailer or car dolly behind a motorhome is usually possible but must be declared and booked as a separate combined length — never assume it is covered by the motorhome fare alone.
Gas cylinder rules
Motorhomes and campervans nearly always carry LPG (propane or butane) cylinders for cooking, heating and the fridge, and ferry operators treat these as dangerous goods requiring specific handling — this is the single most common source of confusion for first-time motorhome ferry travellers.
The near-universal rule across European operators is that gas cylinders must be turned off — the cylinder valve closed, not just the appliance switched off — for the entire crossing, from check-in to disembarkation. Naked flames, including pilot lights on fridges and water heaters, must be extinguished before boarding. Some operators additionally require the gas locker or cylinder compartment to be closed and, on certain routes, ask you to declare the number and size of cylinders on board at check-in.
A small number of operators cap the total permitted gas quantity per vehicle (commonly around 47 kg combined, though this varies by operator and route) and may ask larger commercial-style installations to declare in advance. If you are travelling with spare cylinders stored separately from the fitted system, declare these too — undeclared additional cylinders are the most likely reason for a dangerous-goods query at check-in.
Booking: what to have ready
When booking a motorhome or campervan crossing, have the following to hand:
- Exact length and height (see above), plus the number of passengers travelling.
- Confirmation of gas cylinder type and approximate total capacity, if the operator's form asks for it.
- Whether you are towing anything, and its additional length.
- Your preference for cabin versus reclining seat versus sleeping in the vehicle, on routes where the last option is offered (see below).
Book earlier than you would for a standard car if travelling in summer. Motorhome and campervan capacity on a given sailing is more limited than car capacity — the deck space a large vehicle occupies is disproportionate to a single fare — and popular routes (the Channel in July and August, France to Spain, the Baltic in midsummer) sell out their motorhome allocation before the car allocation. If your route also crosses toll roads on either side, our guide to how to pay tolls in Europe is worth reading before you set off, since motorhomes are often charged at a higher toll category than a standard car.
Sleeping arrangements: cabin or vehicle?
On short crossings (the Channel, Irish Sea, most Baltic day routes) this doesn't arise — you leave the vehicle deck and spend the crossing in the passenger lounges like everyone else, as covered in our guide to taking a car on a ferry. On overnight routes, motorhome travellers have an extra option some car passengers don't: staying in the vehicle itself, on decks designated for it.
Not every overnight operator allows this, and where it is allowed it's usually restricted to open or semi-open vehicle decks rather than the enclosed hold, for ventilation and safety reasons. Where permitted, sleeping in the motorhome is typically cheaper than booking a cabin, since you avoid the cabin fare entirely — but you lose access to showers, and the vehicle deck is generally out of bounds to walk around on, so it suits travellers happy to stay put once parked. Always confirm this specifically when booking rather than assuming; operator policy varies by route and by ship, and turning up expecting to sleep in the van on a route that doesn't allow it leaves you needing a cabin or reclining seat at short notice.
Awnings, bike racks and loose equipment
Fold in or remove awnings, satellite dishes and anything not rated to withstand the vibration and occasional roll of a sea crossing before boarding. Bike racks mounted on the rear of a motorhome usually count toward the vehicle's overall length for booking purposes — declare them. Loose gas bottles, gas barbecues or other equipment stored in exterior lockers should be secured; marshals may ask you to demonstrate that lockers are closed and latched before waving you aboard.
Height and length restrictions at the ramp
Ramps onto ferries can be steep, and the transition from ramp to deck sometimes has a pronounced angle change. Long-wheelbase and low-clearance motorhomes occasionally scrape at the ramp transition on certain ships — this is rare but not unheard of on older vessels or shorter ramps. If you have a particularly long or low vehicle, it is reasonable to ask the operator in advance whether the specific ship on your sailing has any known clearance issues.
Cross-border and hired motorhomes
If you have hired the motorhome rather than own it, check the rental agreement before booking a ferry crossing — not all motorhome hire companies permit their vehicles to leave the country of hire, and those that do may require notice and charge a fee, similar to the rules covered in our guide to crossing borders in a rental car. Confirm this before you book the ferry, since a non-refundable ferry fare booked before checking the rental terms is a needless risk.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to turn off my motorhome's gas fridge for the ferry crossing?
Yes. Virtually all operators require gas cylinders to be shut off at the valve for the entire crossing, including any gas-powered fridge or pilot light. Switch it off before you join the boarding queue, not at the ramp.
How is a motorhome's ferry fare worked out?
By length band and, on many routes, height. Measure your vehicle including any fixed rear rack, ladder or roof-mounted equipment, and book the correct band — arriving with a vehicle longer or taller than booked can mean an additional charge or, in the case of a genuine height mismatch, being turned away.
Can I sleep in my motorhome during an overnight ferry crossing?
On some overnight routes, yes, usually on an open or ventilated vehicle deck, and it's typically cheaper than a cabin. It is not offered on every route or ship, so confirm with the operator when booking rather than assuming.
Is there a limit on how much gas I can carry on a ferry?
Many operators cap the total permitted LPG quantity per vehicle and ask you to declare cylinders at booking or check-in. Limits vary by operator, so check the specific route's dangerous-goods policy before travelling, especially if carrying spare cylinders in addition to the fitted system.
Sources and further reading:
- Operator vehicle and dangerous-goods policies: Brittany Ferries, DFDS, Stena Line — check the specific route's motorhome and gas guidance before booking.
- EU passenger rights on ferry crossings: European Commission (EU Regulation 1177/2010).
- General ferry booking process: How to book ferries on Viamo.