Why do some ferries (like Liverpool to Dublin) only allow passengers with a vehicle?

1/4/2015 1:31:13 PM

At least on this particular route, facilities – or lack of them for foot-passengers – might be part of the issue. If you check out the Dublin Port area on Google or Bing maps, you’ll notice that of the three ferry terminals – Irish Ferries (T1), Stena (T2) and P&O (T3), the only one with passenger facilities right alongside the dock area (with a bridge that can connect to the ferry) is Irish Ferries. Stena also have a passenger terminal, but use a shuttle to get foot passengers onto the ship (virtual tour of facilities including photo of shuttle in gallery). P&O, on the other hand, have minimal facilities; and only cater to drive-on traffic.

There’s probably little demand for foot-traffic on the Dublin/Liverpool route; at an 8 hours crossing, it’s perhaps the slowest way to get from Dublin to the UK; more likely a foot-passenger will either get a cheap Ryanair or Aer Lingus flight; or take the shorter 2hr Dublin/Holyhead route and catch a train from there (perhaps as part of a “Sail/Rail” package) or book a Coach package that includes the crossing.

Lack of demand likely means there’s little incentive for P&O to add the facilities such as waiting lounge, check-in desks, baggage claim area and so on that would go with accommodating foot passengers, so P&O likely stick to their core market of truck freight and folks who want to bring their car to the other country.

1/3/2015 8:53:34 PM

I don’t know if it is a valid source, but on a trip between Ostende and Ramsgate, where foot passengers are also off-limits I was told by a bystander that it has to do with crowd management. There is only a limited number of passengers that can board with a car (9 max).
With foot passengers you risk larger crowds of for example football supporters/hooligans.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

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Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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