Visiting the UK

Why take a ferry to the UK?

Booking a ferry to or from the UK with Compare Ferries couldn't be easier The United Kingdom is steeped in tradition, endlessly diverse and complex in culture. Thanks to its unique constitution, it is a fascinating place to discover. Whether you are new to the UK or wish to explore areas you have never visited before, it is a true mixture of hidden gems and iconic sights. There are no shortage of places to visit, which is why a number of ferry companies offer competitive routes and prices to and from the ports of Hull, Aberdeen, Belfast, Holyhead, Dover, Portsmouth and Newcastle, among many others.

Compare Ferries receives the latest prices and special offers from the leading UK ferry companies including P&O, DFDS, Stenaline, Irish Ferries, Caledonian MacBrayne, Brittany Ferries and many more.

Compare Ferries has the most up to date timetables, routes and fares for ferries to and from the UK. Use our ferry search to compare prices and to book your next ferry crossing

Highlights of the UK

For many visitors to the UK, their first port of call is England. However, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales each offer a wealth of beautiful sites to see and things to do.

The UK is the world's fifth largest economy, and is a great international power with notable cultural, economic, scientific, military, and political influence. Although London is one of the greatest cities in the world, it is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to discovering everything the UK has to offer.

The likes of Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, York, Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Liverpool, Leeds and Cardiff offer vibrant, historic and cultural scenes. UK cities offer something for all tastes and wallet sizes, be it engaging heritage and history, incredible retail therapy or exquisite dining and nightlife.

There is, of course, more to the UK than the beautiful cities. Its diversity is mirrored in its landscape, with rugged coastlines, secret coves and sandy beaches, as well as vast areas of countryside, heather-clad moors, peaceful villages, enticing market towns and fun seaside resorts. Chester Zoo, Stonehenge, the Eden Project, Edinburgh Castle and Lake Windermere are just a handful of places to visit.

To really explore the UK, you need to take the plunge into the varied selection of activities on offer. Beautiful and scenic areas such as the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands, Yorkshire and the Cotswolds are home to vast amounts of hiking trails and adrenaline-filled activities. From pony trekking, bird watching and abseiling to mountain biking, canoeing and rock climbing, there really is an activity for everyone.

The power of the British Royal Family is also hard to forget, and their events, homes and way of life are great attractions for natives and visitors alike.

The culture, food and drinks

The UK has countless traditional meals that are cooked every day in restaurants and homes across the country. The Sunday roast, haggis, a full English breakfast, fish and chips, and Yorkshire puddings are just a selection of the tasty meals Brits love to get stuck into. However, they also love their desserts, and you should sample mince pies, scones, and bread and butter pudding to get a true sense of British cuisine.

It's not just types of food that are unique to the UK, there are many drinks too. The British are a nation of tea drinkers, and over 165 million cups are consumed every single day. Beer and cider are popular too, and you'll find a wide selection of brands and flavours in pubs across the country.