How much does a truck ferry cost?
A truck ferry for a standard semi-trailer combination of around 16.5 meters costs approximately €150 to €400 on short routes and €900 to over €2,000 on long connections per one-way trip, depending on the route—the most important price factors are the vehicle length and the length of the route.
What factors determine the price?
Freight ferries do not charge per ticket, but per space – usually per linear meter. These factors determine the final price:
- Vehicle length: The tariff increases with every loading meter. Excess length (e.g., road train or special transport) costs noticeably more than a standard 16.5-meter articulated lorry.
- Weight and number of axles: Heavy or multi-axle vehicles can trigger surcharges on individual routes.
- Accompanied or unaccompanied: Unaccompanied trailers (without tractor unit and driver) are often cheaper per unit than accompanied transports.
- Dangerous goods (ADR): ADR cargo requires registration and is charged with a surcharge; individual departures only accept limited quantities.
- Season and capacity utilization: Rates are higher during peak periods and on heavily booked departures.
- Booking time: Early booking secures quotas and better conditions; last-minute bookings often pay daily rates.
- Surcharges: Bunker/fuel surcharge (BAF), EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), and port fees are added to the base price on many routes.
- Driver on board: Cabin and catering for the driver are included depending on the shipping company or charged separately.
Guide prices by route class
| Route category | Example routes | Guide price per route* |
|---|---|---|
| Short-distance (under 3 hours) | Calais–Dover, Puttgarden–Rødby | from approx. €150, typically €200–€400 |
| Medium-distance (3–12 hours) | Rostock–Trelleborg, Świnoujście–Trelleborg, Travemünde–Malmö | from approx. €300, typically €400–€800 |
| Long-distance (over 12 hours) | Kiel–Gothenburg, Travemünde–Helsinki, Genoa–Palermo, Spain–Balearic Islands | from approx. €700, typically €900–€2,000 |
* Guideline values for an accompanied standard articulated lorry (approx. 16.5 m), one-way, as of August 2026 – no price commitment. Daily rates vary depending on capacity utilization, season, and surcharges; only the individual quote is binding.
Fuel and emissions surcharges (BAF & ETS) in detail
Most shipping lines publish their bunker adjustment factors (BAF) and EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) surcharges separately and adjust them monthly – billed per lane meter or as a flat rate per vehicle. The magnitudes vary significantly by route area:
| Navigation area | Example routes | Typical BAF+ETS surcharge** |
|---|---|---|
| Baltic Sea | Puttgarden–Rødby, Travemünde–Trelleborg, Kiel–Oslo | approx. 1–15 € per loading meter |
| North Sea | Rotterdam–Harwich, IJmuiden–Newcastle, Hull–Rotterdam | approx. 4–13 € per lane meter, sometimes significantly more for long units |
| English Channel | Calais–Dover, Dunkirk–Dover | flat rate approx. 25–70 € per vehicle |
| Adriatic / Mediterranean | Ancona–Patras, Bari–Igoumenitsa | approx. 18–40 € per loading meter |
** Magnitudes based on published shipping line surcharge tables as of August 2026 – redefined monthly, no price guarantee.
For a standard articulated lorry at 16.5 metres, even 10 € per loading meter means around 165 € extra per crossing – on top of the base price. Because BAF and ETS are recalculated monthly, freight rates change constantly, even on the same route.
Accompanied or unaccompanied – which is cheaper?
In accompanied transport, the complete unit of tractor and semi-trailer travels with the driver on board; cabin and meals are included in the price depending on the shipping company. The advantage: upon arrival, the journey continues directly without transshipment.
An unaccompanied trailer takes up less space on board and is often noticeably cheaper per unit, especially on long routes. In return, a tractor unit is required at both ports for pre- and onward carriage—making this calculation worthwhile primarily for regular traffic with well-established logistics on both sides.
Why are freight prices usually only available upon request?
In the freight business, shipping companies generally do not publish price lists: Rates are calculated per departure based on capacity utilization, allotments, and daily surcharges such as fuel (BAF) and emissions trading (ETS). Booking portals therefore often show "Price on request" instead of fixed amounts for trucks.
Forwarding companies and shippers with regular traffic also receive negotiated B2B conditions and framework agreements, which can differ significantly from single-booking prices. A specific inquiry including the route, vehicle dimensions, and date is therefore the fastest way to get a reliable price.
Why the ferry can pay off despite the ticket price
The right comparison is never "ferry price versus zero", but the entire route: the crossing replaces road kilometers – and thus tolls, diesel, vehicle wear, and working time. On many routes, such as to Scandinavia, Great Britain, or southern Italy, the combination of road and ferry is ultimately cheaper than the pure land route.
In addition, there are driving and rest times: on night ferries, depending on the arrangement, the driver can spend the mandatory rest period in a cabin on board. The cargo is hundreds of kilometers further along by morning without any driving time being used up – a cost advantage that does not appear in any ticket price.
How to reduce your ferry costs
- Book early: Dynamic pricing applies especially on short routes like the English Channel – booking early secures allocations below daily rates.
- Be flexible with departures: Mid-week and off-peak crossings are usually cheaper than weekend and peak-time departures.
- Check alternative routes: An alternative port – such as Dunkirk instead of Calais or another Baltic port – often provides better rates with a similar travel time.
- Consolidate volume: For regular traffic, negotiated framework conditions are worthwhile – and that is exactly what we support you with through our shipping company contacts.
Routes by destination country
All connections with ports and shipping companies can be found on the country pages: