Check-in & embarkation

Maximize your travel experience by preparing for check-in and embarkation and don't let unnecessary delays and inconveniences at the port ruin your excitement.

Are there any special requirements before and during embarkation that I need to know?

It is important to note that ferry carriers reserve the right to measure the dimensions of the vehicles declared in your booking during check-in and/or embarkation. If there are any discrepancies, passengers will have to pay the difference.

In addition, please be aware that we may conduct detailed safety checks on bookings made by credit card, among other payment methods at any given time. We take fraudulent payments seriously and reserve the right to refuse embarkation and pursue legal action against the user in such cases.

go-ferry.com reserves the right to cancel a booking in the following cases:

  • The passenger and vehicle travel information are insufficient, misleading or false
  • The credit card is stolen or its data are incorrect
  • Documents such as passport, identity card, proof of credit card ownership etc. cannot be provided timely if demanded

Have in mind that the customer cancellation terms will be applicable.

Can somebody else check-in instead of me?

The ticketing policy of the ferry carriers is that a ticket is non-transferable. This means that the passenger indicated on the ticket must be the same person who will board the ferry. Unfortunately, we cannot replace the passenger(s) displayed in your booking with another person without canceling the entire booking first.

If you want to change the passenger(s) who will travel, you will have to cancel your current booking through the My Booking section of our website and make a new one with the correct passenger(s) information.

Do I need any specific documents for check-in and embarkation?

Passengers must have the following documents in their possession:

  1. Booking reference number(s)
  2. Identity card (Schengen countries) or passport of each passenger
  3. Car registration and driving license (in case you travel with a vehicle)

The ferry carrier reserves the right to refuse boarding without the mentioned travel documents and measure the vehicle’s dimensions. Vehicle owners may be required to pay the difference in case of discrepancies.

Some additional and notable references are:

  • If passengers are banned from entering another country or have invalid or missing travel documents, they will be solely responsible for any associated costs, including fines and return travel expenses
  • In case the Port Authority imposes a fine due to invalid or missing travel documents, the fine costs are solely borne by the passenger
  • Passport holders of all countries should contact their respective consulate for details regarding entry requirements into other countries
  • If a passenger wishes to disembark before the ship leaves the port or in a different port than originally booked, they must declare their decision to the ship's accounting office and take all baggage and vehicles with them
  • In any case, the booking terms apply
Does the port provide parking facilities?

It depends on the port. Most ports have parking lots in the area around, near the check-in and embarkation points. Larger ports include parking spaces inside their facilities (port gates), usually free of charge.

How do I embark on the ferry either on foot or with my vehicle?

Embarking with a vehicle: The driver must be the one to drive the vehicle onto the ship in compliance with SOLAS safety regulations. The ship's crew will call vehicles on board in a predetermined order and they can be parked on any parking deck. Upon arrival at the parking deck, the driver will receive a receipt indicating the parking deck. For safety reasons, entrance to the parking deck is prohibited during the trip, so it is advisable to take all necessary items from the vehicle before boarding.

Embarking on foot: Passengers without vehicles or vehicle escorts will be required to walk on board.

How early must I arrive at the port for check-in and boarding (check-in and boarding times)?

Regardless of whether you have checked in electronically (with web check-in, you already possess your boarding tickets, and you are ready for boarding) or intend to check in at the port office (with port office check-in, you receive your boarding tickets at the port office first and then you are ready for boarding), it is important to show up early at the port to avoid any inconveniences or even boarding denial.

Although some ferry carriers maintain different check-in and boarding times (this information is always displayed on your booking confirmation), kindly see the general rule of thumb below. Also, please note that the times below indicate the minimum arrival time at the port before departure of the vessel for check-in and boarding.

Foot passengers

  • Greek domestic routes: 40 minutes for check-in, 40 minutes for boarding
  • Italian domestic routes: 2 hours for check-in, 1 hour for boarding
  • Adriatic routes (Italy-Greece, Italy-Albania): 2 hours for check-in, 1 hour for boarding
  • Other routes: 1 hour for check-in, 1 hour for boarding

Passengers with regular vehicles

  • Greek domestic routes: 1.5 hours for check-in, 1 hour for boarding
  • Italian domestic routes: 2 hours for check-in, 2 hours for boarding
  • Adriatic routes (Italy-Greece, Italy-Albania): 2 hours for check-in, 2 hours for boarding
  • Other routes: 2 hours for check-in, 2 hours for boarding

Passengers with motorhomes, caravans and trailers

  • Greek domestic routes: 2 hours for check-in, 1.5 hours for boarding
  • Italian domestic routes: 3 hours for check-in, 3 hours for boarding
  • Adriatic routes (Italy-Greece, Italy-Albania): 3 hours for check-in, 3 hours for boarding
  • Other routes: 3 hours for check-in, 3 hours for boarding

After the above-mentioned times, the ferry carrier reserves the right to cancel your booking without any fare refund.

Please refer to ''What are my check-in options?'' or ''Where is the port office to collect my boarding ticket?'' for more information.

I missed my ferry. What happens now?

When it comes to ferry travel, it's important to keep in mind that your ticket is only valid for the specific date, time, port, ship and carrier listed on it. If you're unable to make your scheduled departure, it's typically up to the travel agency and the carrier to modify your ticket for the next available departure. However, please note that amendment or cancellation fees imposed by the travel agency and the carrier may apply.

If you anticipate that you won't be able to arrive at the port on time, we recommend to contact us or the resp. port office as soon as possible. The best possible solution will be suggested based on your specific situation.

Is it possible to check-in with a different vehicle than the one I entered in my booking details?

As long as you provide us with the necessary information, we can amend your booking to accommodate a different vehicle. Please send an email to our customer support team with the vehicle type, make, model, license plate number, and registration country.

It is important to note that the measurements (length and height), as well as the vehicle type, must match the vehicle stated in your original booking.

Please have your booking reference number ready to share with our team for a smooth process.

What are my check-in options?

Your check-in options are the following two:

Web check-in: With the web check-in, you receive your boarding tickets in digital form. Usually, you can check-in online directly after the booking completion. In some cases, the web check-in is available forty-eight (48) hours before each departure. It is worth knowing that, you can complete your web check-in easily by accessing your booking confirmation or My Booking. It is essential to ensure that you check-in timely and obtain your electronic boarding pass. Having the electronic boarding pass, there is no need to check-in at the local port office. You are ready for boarding.

Port office check-in: With the port office check-in, you receive your boarding tickets in paper form. You can check-in at the local port offices approx. 1 to 3 hours before each scheduled departure. Passengers are reminded to check-in on time and obtain their physical boarding pass before boarding the ferry. Please be advised that for international routes, check-in closes approximately forty-five (45) minutes prior to departure, while for domestic routes, check-in closes approximately thirty (30) minutes before departure.

Passengers are advised to arrive at the check-in and/or boarding point well in advance of their scheduled departure time. For international routes, it is recommended to present oneself at least two (2) hours before the passage, while for domestic routes, one (1) hour prior to departure is sufficient. This will allow ample time for security checks, baggage drop-off, and other formalities.

It is important to note that if a passenger fails to arrive within the recommended time frame, the carrier reserves the right to cancel the reservation without any refund of fare. This policy is in place to ensure that passages depart on time and to minimize delays for other passengers.

Please, refer to "Where is the port office to collect my boarding ticket?" or ''How early must I arrive at the port for check-in and boarding (check-in and boarding times)?'' for more information.

What is the average embarkation/disembarkation time for passengers and vehicles?

It is recommended that you allow approximately 30 minutes for both passengers and vehicles during embarkation and disembarkation. The amount of time needed may vary depending on your accommodation on board, the parking position of your vehicle on deck, and the number of passengers and vehicles traveling.

What types of vehicles can I include in my booking?

go-ferry.com understands that travelers have different needs when it comes to transporting their vehicles. That's why we have developed a booking system that allows passengers to book any type of passenger vehicle, including campers, caravans, and trailers.

It's important to note that ferry ships provide garage spaces for vehicles, but availability is limited, especially during peak season. Therefore, we recommend booking in advance and entering accurate vehicle dimensions to ensure the best price and avoid any surcharges during check-in or embarkation.

Additionally, it's important to be aware that while traveling with your vehicle, you will not have access to it during the entire crossing.

With the camping on board service, on the Italy - Greece - Italy routes, you may stay in your vehicle during the entire crossing.

Where is the port office to collect my boarding ticket?

Usually, port offices are inside the port facilities near the embarkation gates. However, it's important to note that for domestic routes, the port offices may be located outside of the port area and check-in may be handled by associated port agencies.

In every case, make sure to follow the instructions given by go-ferry.com to reach the respective port office. The address, telephone number and coordinates of the port offices can be found in your booking confirmation and My Booking.

Note, that in the majority of cases, you don’t need to reach the port office for check-in and boarding pass issuance, as web check-in is mostly available. Please, refer to What are my check-in options? or ''How early must I arrive at the port for check-in and boarding (check-in and boarding times)?'' for more information.