Last Updated on October 6, 2026 by AutoSlash Staff
Many ferries allow cars to drive straight on board. But what about rentals? Whether or not you can take your rented vehicle on a ferry depends on the company and country. Here’s what you need to know about taking a rental car on a ferry.
Which Car Rental Companies Allow Ferry Travel?
Car rental companies have different policies about ferry travel, and these rules can vary depending on the location or the country. Geographic restrictions, insurance policies and paperwork requirements can all play a role in determining whether you can bring your rental car onto a ferry.
You can bring a rental car onto a ferry in many places. For example, Enterprise and other major rental companies typically allow their cars to board ferries between St. John and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. And their locations in Switzerland and Denmark generally allow ferry travel as well.
However, you may run into certain restrictions elsewhere. In Greece, for example, Sixt tells customers that their vehicle protection options are not valid when they take the rental car onto a ferry and directs them to purchase additional insurance coverage.
Car rental companies may also choose to completely restrict ferry crossings in certain countries or regions. In New Zealand, for example, Europcar and Hertz explicitly tell customers that they cannot take rental cars on ferry trips across the Cook Strait, while other local rental companies such as Apex Car Rentals have ferry-friendly policies.
When booking a car internationally, check the rental car company’s local website for additional information on popular ferry crossings. If you can’t find a direct clause about ferries in your rental contract, it’s best to check with your rental car company before booking ferry tickets to ensure you can bring the car.
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Which Ferry Operators Allow Rental Cars?
Vehicle policies can vary. While most ferry operators do not explicitly prohibit rental cars, they often require passengers to provide some important details about the car before buying tickets.
For example, ferry operators often require passengers to provide the dimensions of the vehicle in advance, and sometimes the license plate number. This means you may have to wait to buy your ferry tickets until you have this information.
Keep in mind that even if you are able to take a rental car on a ferry, you may still be responsible for any damages incurred to the vehicle. If your rental vehicle accidentally bumps into something on the ferry or another car damages it, the ferry company may not reimburse you. The rental car company’s damage waiver may not cover it, either. Before putting a rental car on a ferry, consider the possibility of damage and understand whether you need to purchase extra insurance.
Check International Restrictions
Even if your rental car contract allows ferry travel, there’s another important restriction to consider: crossing borders. Many of the world’s most popular ferry routes cross international waters, which your rental contract may prohibit.
Here’s a good example: While many U.S. rental car companies do allow cross-border travel into Canada, they often restrict Alaska-based rentals from leaving the state. So, taking a car on a one-way ferry from Alaska to Canada would not be allowed under those geographic restrictions.
Many car rental companies in Europe do not allow you to cross borders without prior permission, even if your destination is within the European Union. So, if you’re planning to cross a border in a ferry with a rental car, it’s worth reading the fine print to see whether it’s allowed. You may have to receive permission from the rental car company for international trips several days in advance and pay a fee. In Italy, for example, Hertz appears to allow ferry travel domestically and charges a €30 fee for travel to authorized countries. However, the company charges a €600 fine for unauthorized international trips.
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Rental car fees for international crossings can be expensive. In the U.K., Enterprise charges £325 to drive to most international countries and requires renters to obtain a special form 72 hours in advance. These extra fees may be more than the cost of the ferry ticket in the end.
The Bottom Line: Check the Fine Print
While rental restrictions can be stressful, taking some time to plan your journey in advance can help ensure smooth sailing when it’s time to board the ferry.
If you plan to rent a car and take a ferry, do not assume you’ll simply be able to drive onto the boat and go. Take some time to review the fine print in your rental contract about ferry rules and any extra fees or restrictions for international crossings.
When in doubt, the best thing to do is to call the rental car company to clarify their ferry policies and any international restrictions to avoid surprises at the port.
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