Can I use a ferry with my rental car?

Important facts described briefly below:

Vacation on an island is fun and relaxing. However, sometimes navigating the island can be a bit tricky with a rental car. A ferry crossing, via rental car, is not allowed in all countries and not with every car rental company. Many suppliers fear that damages can occur to the vehicle while using a ferryboat. Oftentimes they prohibit ferry crossings via rental car or at least exclude insurance coverage while onboard. Below there is information about the most common requests on ferry crossings.

Attention: Please note that each ferry crossing must be requested in writing before the rental. Our service team will gladly inform you about possible additional costs and regulations upon request.

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When can I book / request a ferry trip with my rental car?

If a possible ferry trip is a condition for you to make a rental car booking, we recommend that you verify Terms and Conditions of the offer before booking it. If it is allowed, contact our Customer Support team to inform them about the details of your request.

How much does it cost to take a rental car on a ferry? 

HAPPYCAR does not have any fixed price. That depends on the car rental company. When a rental car is taken on a ferry, you most probably will have to pay for extra insurance. Extending the rental car’s protection is an usual policy when it comes to services such as a ferry trip or crossing the border. 

What do I have to consider while transporting the rental car via ferry?

Usually, you must announce the date of crossing and passenger names to the rental car company in advance. You should take into account that one-way rentals are often more expensive than a two-way trip. If you only use the car for crossing from the mainland to an island or from one island to another, you will have to pay a high repatriation fee.

Does the insurance coverage on the mainland also apply on the island?

On the ferry, the regular insurance coverage is usually not valid. In most cases, the purchase of additional insurance is a condition for taking the car on the ferry. It can be purchased on site upon collection of a car.

What can I do if a ferry crossing is not permitted in my country of travel?

In this case, you can book two rental cars. The first rental car is to be returned before the crossing. After the crossing, you can pick up the second rental car. Sometimes it is possible that the rental car can be brought to the port. For this, however, an additional fee applies. Often the pickup stations of the car rentals are also located near the port.

Are ferry crossings for rental cars allowed in the United States?

Many car rental companies in the United States allow ferry crossings within the country. Ferry travels to Mexico or Cuba are usually not allowed.

Remember that the ferry crossing must be booked in advance! You should also note that the use of the rental car on the ferry is only possible with certain offers.

 Is a ferry trip from Germany to Sweden possible?

This is usually possible with the rental provider Auto Europe. With the rental company Global Rent, however, a ferry trip is not allowed. There are additional costs for crossing the border.

Can I take my rental car on the ferry in New Zealand?

New Zealand consists of the North Island and South Island. Traveling by ferry is common, and can hardly be avoided on a round trip visit. Therefore, you can book a ferry rental car with some car rental companies in New Zealand. You should clarify this ahead of time. If the rental car is picked up on the South Island and returned on the North Island, there are sometimes special offers. To book the ferry crossing, the following information is usually required:

• Number of persons
• Age of the persons
• Date of travel
• Time of travel

Europcar, Hertz, Interrent, and Maui do not offer rental cars for ferry crossings. The rental cars are not allowed to leave the respective island. However, you can get on the ferry on foot and book a new rental car on the other island. 

Can the rental car be taken on the ferry in Canada?

Most car rentals in Canada allow you to take the ferry. This is convenient, for example, if you want to take a trip to Vancouver Island from Vancouver.

Can I use the ferry in Spain with my rental car?

The Canary Islands are very popular among tourists using a rental car as a means of transportation. There are many local suppliers on Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Tenerife, and therefore we recommend that you check every offer carefully.

What are the car rental ferry conditions in Croatia?

If you are traveling in Croatia, you often want to visit the islands of Hvar, Korcula, or Mljet. Some car rentals in Croatia allow this. Please note the respective offers.

Is a ferry crossing in Greece possible?

There is no car rental company in Greece that guarantees ferry crossings. You will have to request and confirm each ferry crossing individually. 

Can I take a rental car on a ferry to Sicily or Sardinia?

There are some car rental companies that allow it only if you rent a car in Italy. Ferry trip regulations are, however, strictly dependent on the local supplier and can only be purchased locally.

Can I travel with my rental car on a ferry to Corse?

As in previous examples, ferry travel might not be allowed, especially if you want to take it from another country, e.g. Sicily (Italy).  Please check Terms and Conditions of every offer carefully.