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Ferry Discounts and Accessible Ferry Travel for Disabled People in the UK
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
January 15, 2026
Ferry travel can be one of the most accessible and flexible ways to travel for disabled people and people living with a long-term health condition — particularly when flying feels difficult, overwhelming, or unsuitable. However, ferry disability discounts, companion policies, and accessibility support often sit across multiple pages, which means help that exists can still be easy to miss.
This Purpl guide brings together UK ferry operators that publish disability discounts, alongside operators that focus on accessibility support, assistance, and companion travel policies. It is designed to be practical, up to date, and easy to return to when planning a trip.
At a Glance
- Some UK ferry operators publish disability discounts, often linked to evidence such as a Blue Badge, Disabled Persons Railcard, Access Card, or ENCTS card.
- Isle of Wight routes tend to provide the clearest, most visible disability savings.
- Other operators focus on accessibility support rather than reduced fares.
- Where an operator decides an accompanying person is essential for safety, passenger rights rules require that person to travel free of charge.
- Ferry assistance is usually need-based and can be requested even when a discount is not available.
In this Guide
- Your Rights When Travelling by Ferry
- Quick Comparison Table
- Wightlink Ferry
- Red Funnel Ferry
- CalMac Ferry
- DFDS Ferry
- Stena Line Ferry
- Brittany Ferries
- Irish Sea Crossings and Discount Models
- Companion and Carer Policies Explained
- What Proof Is Accepted
- Final thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Your Rights When Travelling by Ferry
Disabled passengers and passengers with reduced mobility have legal protection when travelling by sea and inland waterways. In the UK, passenger rights rules guarantee equal access to bookings and tickets, and they set clear expectations for assistance in ports and onboard (including boarding and disembarking support) when passengers share needs in advance.
Operators cannot refuse a booking solely because a passenger has a disability or reduced mobility, except in limited situations linked to safety requirements or the design of the ship or port. When an operator decides a passenger needs an accompanying person for safety, passenger rights rules require the operator to carry that accompanying person free of charge.
Official source: UK Government (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) passenger guide to sea and inland waterways rights: A passenger guide to Regulation (EU) 1177/2010.
Purpl tip: Declare access needs at booking (or as early as possible). Many operators reference 48 hours as the standard window for guaranteed assistance, although support may still be available with less notice depending on the route and port.
Quick Comparison Table
Note: Operator policies can vary by route and vessel. The table below reflects published guidance and discount pages available at the time of checking.
| Operator | Published discount? | Typical proof for discounts | Companion / attendant policy | Assistance notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wightlink | Yes. 25% off foot passenger travel; up to 20% off some vehicle travel (published). | Blue Badge, ENCTS, Disabled Persons Railcard, Access Card. | Follow passenger-rights rules for safety-related companion requirements. | Assisted travel available when needs are shared in advance. |
| Red Funnel | Yes. 25% concessionary discount (published). | Blue Badge, Access Card, Disabled Persons Railcard. | Safety-related companion travel handled via operator process and passenger-rights rules. | Assistance with boarding/terminal access can be arranged. |
| CalMac | Yes. 25% off vehicle ticket price for Blue Badge holders (vehicle only). | Blue Badge (vehicle discount). | Passenger-rights framework applies where safety requires an accompanying person. | Passenger assistance available; declare needs early. |
| DFDS | No standard discount published on main UK routes (at time of checking). | Varies; discounts not routinely advertised. | DFDS states an accompanying person may be required after assessment and will be carried free of charge. | Reduced mobility support available in terminals and onboard. |
| Stena Line | No standard disability fare discount published across all routes (at time of checking). | Assistance is needs-led; discount proof not typically part of the process. | Stena may require an attendant for safety reasons; no additional fee for the attendant in that case. | Stena advises declaring requirements at least 48 hours ahead for assistance planning. |
| Brittany Ferries | No standard disability discount published (at time of checking). | Discount proof not typically used; accessible services are arranged via booking notes. | Passenger-rights framework applies where safety requires an accompanying person. | Wheelchair-accessible cabins are offered on some vessels (limited availability). |
| Irish Ferries | Discount model varies. Published process includes booking first, then applying via the disability officer; discount can be applied by refund once approved (organisation-based eligibility). | Membership of recognised organisations (route/jurisdiction dependent). | Passenger-rights framework applies where safety requires an accompanying person. | Special assistance available; early notice supports smoother port arrangements. |
Wightlink Ferry
Wightlink operates ferry services between the mainland and the Isle of Wight and publishes one of the clearest disability discount schemes in the UK.
- 25% off foot passenger prices for Blue Badge, ENCTS, Disabled Persons Railcard, and Access Card holders.
- Wightlink’s assisted travel guidance also references up to 20% off some vehicle ferry travel.
Published sources: Wightlink Blue Badge discounts and Wightlink assisted travel.
Wightlink also offers accessibility support, including assistance at terminals, boarding ramps, and help navigating the vessel when arranged in advance.
Purpl insight: Wightlink is a strong example of disability support being treated as a published fare reduction (not only an accessibility adjustment).
Red Funnel Ferry
Red Funnel Ferry operates ferry services between Southampton and the Isle of Wight. They publish their discount as a concessionary offer, and travel guidance commonly describes it as a disability discount.
- Eligible customers can access a 25% concessionary discount.
- Customers typically show proof at ticket offices for foot travel, or at check-in for vehicle bookings, depending on booking type.
Published source: Red Funnel Concessionary Discount.
Red Funnel also provides assistance with boarding, disembarking, and terminal access when passengers share needs ahead of time.
Purpl tip: Red Funnel discounts can be easy to miss during busy booking journeys. Using the published concessionary discount page as a starting point helps keep eligibility requirements clear.
CalMac Ferry
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) operates routes across Scotland’s west coast and islands. CalMac publishes a specific discount for Blue Badge holders that applies to vehicle tickets.
- 25% discount on the price of a vehicle ticket (car/motorhome/motorbike) for Blue Badge holders.
- The discount applies to the vehicle and does not apply to the passenger/driver ticket.
Published source: CalMac FAQ: Blue Badge vehicle discount.
Purpl insight: CalMac’s approach blends practical assistance with a targeted discount model (vehicle-focused rather than passenger-focused).
DFDS Ferry
DFDS operates major UK–Europe ferry routes (for example Dover–Calais). They provide information for disabled passengers and passengers with reduced mobility, including how passengers can arrange assistance across terminals and onboard.
DFDS states that it may require an accompanying person who can assist during the journey after it assesses requirements — and DFDS will carry that accompanying person free of charge.
Published source: DFDS accessible travel / information for disabled passengers.
Purpl tip: Where free companion travel depends on an assessment, early contact matters. It also reduces the risk of last-minute issues at check-in.
Stena Line Ferry
Stena Line operates multiple crossings, including Irish Sea routes. They provide accessibility support across ports and vessels and sets expectations around advance notice for assistance planning.
- Stena advises sharing requirements at least 48 hours in advance for assistance requests.
- Stena may require travel with an attendant for safety reasons in specific situations. Where Stena requires this, Stena states there is no additional fee for the attendant.
Published source: Stena Line: accessibility for reduced mobility guests.
Purpl insight: Irish Sea routes often have clearer assistance processes because demand is high and port operations are well established.
Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries operates routes between the UK, France, and Spain and publishes guidance for disabled passengers, including support options and wheelchair-accessible cabins on selected vessels (subject to availability).
No standard disability fare discount is published as a universal offer. However, savings may still be available via promotions, sailings, and cabin/route combinations.
Published source: Brittany Ferries: disabled passengers.
Purpl tip: Where an adapted cabin is needed, early booking matters. Accessible cabins are limited, so availability can disappear quickly on popular sailings.
Irish Sea Crossings and Discount Models
Across Irish Sea routes, discounts (where available) can operate differently from the “Blue Badge discount at checkout” model seen on some UK domestic services.
For example, Irish Ferries publishes a process that links eligibility to membership of recognised organisations (jurisdiction dependent). The published steps include:
- Book the ferry journey first via the Irish Ferries website.
- Email the disability officer with the booking reference and relevant membership details/ID number.
- Once approved, Irish Ferries applies the discount by refunding the payment card used for the booking.
Published source: Irish Ferries: reduced mobility and special needs (discount via refund process).
Purpl insight: Irish Sea routes can offer more than one “discount pathway” — but it often requires an extra step after booking, which makes it easy to miss.
Companion and Carer Policies Explained
Across ferry travel, companion and carer rules typically follow two separate tracks:
- Safety-related accompanying person: when an operator decides a passenger needs an accompanying person for safety, passenger rights rules require the operator to carry that person free of charge.
- General travel companion: when a companion helps but does not support safety needs, operators do not guarantee free travel and policies vary by operator, route, and offer.
Official source: UK Government passenger guide to maritime passenger rights.
Purpl tip: When requesting support, focus on the functional help required (for example, evacuation assistance, lifting, personal care assistance, or understanding safety instructions). Operators often assess need through practical requirements rather than diagnosis labels.
What Proof Is Accepted
There is no single universal proof document for ferry travel across all operators. In practice, two patterns show up repeatedly:
- Assistance: operators usually arrange it based on declared needs (and they do not always require evidence).
- Discounts: more likely to require evidence and vary by operator.
Examples of proof used by operators that publish discounts include:
- Blue Badge
- ENCTS concessionary card (on operators that list it)
- Disabled Persons Railcard
- Access Card (where accepted)
- Membership of recognised disability organisations (operator and route dependent)
Purpl insight: Accessibility is usually need-based. Discounts are often paperwork-based — and operator-specific.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK ferries offer disability discounts?
Some UK ferry operators publish disability discounts, particularly on Isle of Wight routes such as Wightlink and Red Funnel. Other operators focus on assistance and accessibility support rather than reduced fares.
Can a ferry discount be used with a Blue Badge?
Several UK operators use a Blue Badge as a form of evidence for published discounts. Examples include Wightlink (foot passenger discount and some vehicle savings) and CalMac (vehicle ticket discount). Acceptance and discount scope vary by operator and route.
Do carers travel free on ferries?
Where an operator determines an accompanying person is essential for safety, passenger rights rules require that person to travel free of charge. Outside of safety-related requirements, free companion travel depends on the operator’s policy and route.
Do benefits need to be in place to access ferry support?
Ferry assistance is generally not linked to receiving benefits. However, discounts (where offered) often require recognised evidence such as a Blue Badge or another accepted document.
Are ferries accessible for wheelchair users?
Most major operators provide assistance for wheelchair users, including boarding support and staff assistance. However, accessibility features vary by vessel, route, and port infrastructure. Early communication of requirements supports smoother travel.
Final Thoughts
Ferry discounts and accessible ferry travel for disabled people in the UK do exist — but they can be fragmented, inconsistently advertised, and easy to miss without a clear starting point.
Operators such as Wightlink and Red Funnel publish straightforward discounts, CalMac publishes a Blue Badge discount for vehicle tickets, and operators including DFDS and Stena set out clear approaches to assistance and safety-related attendant travel. Meanwhile, Irish Sea crossings can use different discount models, including post-booking approval and refund processes where eligibility applies.
By bringing key policies together and linking directly to primary sources, this guide aims to make ferry travel planning feel more predictable, more transparent, and far less “hidden rules”.
How This Guide Was Compiled
This guide was compiled by checking the UK Government’s maritime passenger rights guidance and published accessibility/discount pages from ferry operators. Operator policies and eligibility criteria can change, so checking the relevant operator page before travel remains the safest approach.
- UK Government: passenger guide to maritime passenger rights
- Wightlink: assisted travel
- Wightlink: Blue Badge discounts
- Red Funnel: Concessionary Discount
- CalMac: Blue Badge vehicle discount FAQ
- DFDS: information for disabled passengers
- Stena Line: reduced mobility accessibility guidance
- Brittany Ferries: disabled passengers
- Irish Ferries: reduced mobility and special needs
About the Author
Georgina is the founder of Purpl, a platform dedicated to helping disabled people save money through exclusive discounts. Living with both Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ADHD, she understands firsthand the financial challenges that often come with managing a disability. Because of this, her mission is to collaborate with brands to secure discounts that help ease the cost of essential products, services, and everyday expenses for the disabled community.
As an ambulatory wheelchair user, Georgina also knows how it feels to lose a sense of independence due to a disability. For that reason, she’s deeply passionate about using holistic therapies and diet to manage inflammation and stay as healthy as possible. Ultimately, her goal is to make Purpl a trusted, go-to resource for disabled people — one that provides not only discounts but also practical advice, emotional support, and genuine financial relief.
Beyond Purpl, Georgina has a long-term vision to launch a foundation that will offer grants and funding for disabled people who need additional financial support. Through this, she hopes to create lasting change, empowering others to live with dignity, confidence, and choice.
Follow @Purpldiscounts on social media for the latest disability discounts, financial advice, and accessibility resources.
Other articles, or links, you might find useful:
Toll Concessions for Disabled Drivers
Accessible Travel in the UK: Your Guide to Booking Trains, Buses, Taxis and More
How to Apply for a Disabled Bus Pass
Free Carer Entry in the UK
