Dover to Calais Ferry with Autism: Your Complete Travel Guide
Crossing the English Channel on the Dover-Calais ferry can be an adventure for anyone, but when you’re travelling on a ferry with autism or as an autistic person yourself, a bit of extra planning goes a long way. The good news? With the right preparation and insider knowledge, this journey can be surprisingly manageable and even enjoyable.
I have written you some practical tips based on our experiences to help you navigate everything from booking your ticket to stepping off the ferry in France. This guide will help you anticipate what’s ahead and travel with confidence.
Ferry travel presents unique sensory experiences that can be both challenging and rewarding for autistic people. The key lies in knowing what to expect on the ferry with autism and having strategies ready for each stage of your journey.
Planning Your Dover Calais Ferry with Autism – the Booking
Successful accessible ferry travel starts before you even pack your bags. When booking your Dover-Calais ferry ticket, take advantage of the support available to make your journey on the ferry with autism more comfortable.
Requesting Special Assistance
If you need specific accommodations such as a wider parking space, a spot near the lift, wheelchair assistance, or priority boarding, make these requests when booking. Don’t worry if you forget to mention these needs initially, P&O Ferries allows you to contact them after booking to add these requirements to your reservation without hassle.
Priority booking costs a little extra, I think about £12, but if it makes your travel on the ferry with autism easier, then I don’t think that is too much. Be aware, though, that if you need a spot near the lift, you can’t use that with the priority boarding, as the lifts are in the middle, not the front, so consider which is more important.
Choosing Your Travel Time
Peak travel times mean longer queues and busier facilities, which might increase sensory overload. If flexibility allows, consider off-peak sailings for a calmer experience. Early morning crossings or late afternoon crossings are usually busy, whereas crossings that don’t fit as well with the start or end of a holiday are generally quieter, so might be a better ferry with autism struggles.
Preparing for Departure Day
Essential Items to Pack for the ferry with autism
Pack a sensory toolkit for your ferry journey. Ear defenders or noise-cancelling headphones can be invaluable during the boarding process and in busy deck areas. The boarding area echoes considerably, and the combination of car engines, announcements, and crowds can be overwhelming.
Pressure wristbands might help if motion sensitivity is a concern. While the Dover-Calais route is relatively short at 90 minutes, even mild sea motion can affect some passengers.
Don’t forget entertainment and comfort items. Download offline content to your devices as there is no consistent signal throughout the crossing, pack favourite snacks, and bring familiar comfort objects that provide grounding during stressful moments.
Food Strategy
The onboard restaurants and cafés can have lengthy queues, especially during meal times. If you want to purchase food on board, head there immediately after boarding to avoid too much rush. However, bringing your own food often proves less stressful and more cost-effective.
Pack familiar foods in an easily accessible bag and remember to take it on board when you park. This approach eliminates uncertainty about available options and reduces the need to navigate crowded food areas during peak times.
Getting the ferry with autism could be hard enough without worrying you can’t eat any of the foods available.
Navigating the Port Experience
Document Checks and Security
Your journey to the ferry involves several document checkpoints requiring your passport and booking reference. All of these are done from the car; people and signs are showing you where to go. Border control officers need to see all passengers in the vehicle, so be prepared to lower rear windows if you have tinted glass. At this point, it can feel slow and like you are driving around in circles.
Keep documents easily accessible and consider having multiple copies in different locations. This reduces stress if something gets misplaced during the journey.
Sometimes the border control team and customs need to look inside the car. They may look in the boot, under the bonnet or both. They ask the driver to get out to open them for them, but unless there are concerns, the passengers can remain in the car during this check.
The Waiting Process
Ferry terminal queues can be lengthy, particularly during busy travel periods. Unfortunately, toilet facilities are limited in the initial queuing areas and only become available once you reach the numbered lanes closer to boarding. These facilities often have queues of their own and may not be in the best condition. If you can wait until you are on the ferry I would advise this for a smoother cleaner experience. There is no point starting your journey on the ferry with autism with stress and worry.
Plan toilet breaks before entering the port area, and consider bringing hand sanitiser and tissues for peace of mind.
The Ferry with Autism – Boarding
Driving Onto the Ferry
The boarding process involves driving up ramps onto the ferry, which can feel unsettling for passengers uncomfortable with inclines or the sensation of their vehicle tilting. The process is quick, but the car park area inside the ferry tends to be dimly lit with significant echo effects.
For passengers who might be inclined to run or wander, physical contact or mobility aids like wheelchairs provide additional security in this environment with moving vehicles.
Getting to the Passenger Decks
Once parked, you cannot remain in your vehicle or return to it during the crossing. Lifts to the main passenger decks are available, but can become very crowded immediately after boarding. Consider priority boarding to board first and use less busy lifts, or use the stairs if mobility allows and crowds are a bigger concern than physical exertion. Little changes like this could make travelling on a ferry with autism much easier.
Making the Most of Your Ferry Time
Navigating Onboard Facilities
The duty-free shop opens once the ferry leaves the dock area but it can become crowded. If you’re travelling with someone who might accidentally knock items over or struggles with decision-making in busy environments, consider avoiding this area entirely or visiting very early in the crossing.
The shop has a very limited toy selection, so don’t rely on it for last-minute entertainment purchases for children on the ferry with autism as you may be disappointed.
Finding Quiet Spaces
Most ferries have various seating areas with different atmospheres. Outdoor decks offer fresh air and often less crowded spaces, though weather may not always cooperate. Indoor seating areas near windows provide views without exposure to elements.
Look for seating areas away from the main thoroughfares and entertainment zones if you prefer quieter spaces.
Managing Motion Sensitivity
The Dover-Calais crossing is relatively smooth compared to longer sea journeys, but some motion is inevitable. If you’re sensitive to movement, the ferry with autism or without autism will be stressful, consider:
- Staying in central areas of the ferry where motion is less pronounced
- Looking toward the horizon if you go outside
- Using pressure wristbands or other motion sickness remedies
- Engaging in distracting activities like puzzles or games
Additional Travel Tips for the Ferry with Autism
Sensory Management Strategies
Create a sensory break plan before travelling. Identify where you might take quiet breaks during the journey, finding a quiet corner on deck, or using toilet facilities as a temporary retreat space.
Consider the specific sensory challenges you or your travel companion face. Some people find the combination of diesel fumes, sea air, and food smells overwhelming, while others struggle more with the visual complexity of busy ferry environments.
Communication Strategies
If verbal communication becomes difficult during stressful moments, prepare alternative communication methods. This might include written cards explaining needs, pictures showing requirements, or having a travel companion who can advocate when needed.
Staff on ferries generally want to help but may not immediately recognise autism-related needs. A brief explanation often results in understanding and appropriate assistance.
Routine and Structure
Maintain as much routine as possible on the travel day. This might mean sticking to usual meal times, maintaining medication schedules, or preserving elements of daily structure that provide comfort and predictability. This might take away some of the trickier parts of the ferry with autism as you or the person you are travelling with has a calm baseline.
Arrival and Disembarkation
Preparing for French Customs
Similar to departure, arrival sometimes involves document checks and potential queues. Having documents ready and accessible makes this process smoother for everyone involved. It is possible, though, that you essentially follow the lanes and just drive off, which is fine too.
Getting Off the Ferry
Disembarkation follows a similar pattern to boarding, with the same sensory challenges in the car park area. The process is typically slower than boarding initially, as everyone is back at their cars waiting until they can move, and it is often quite dark. Then once it is moving, it is quite quick since everyone’s eager to continue their journey.
The Ferry with Autism: Making it Work for You
Every autistic person has different needs and preferences, so adapt these suggestions based on what works best for your specific situation. Some travellers thrive on the sensory input of a busy ferry environment, while others need careful management of exposure to stimulation.
Consider doing a practice run if this is your first ferry crossing. Watching videos of the boarding process online or visiting the port area without travelling can help build familiarity and reduce anxiety about the unknown.
The Dover-Calais ferry route opens up incredible opportunities for European travel, and with proper preparation, it can become a manageable and even enjoyable part of your journey. Remember that ferry staff are generally helpful when they understand your needs, so don’t hesitate to ask for assistance when required.
Your autism doesn’t have to limit your travel ambitions. With these strategies and a bit of planning, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the Dover-Calais ferry with autism or any other similar difficulties and focus on the exciting adventures waiting for you in France.
