Frequently asked questions

Dimensions must be measured "overall", i.e. including any accessory fitted to the vehicle:

• Closed roof box

• Rear or roof-mounted bike rack

• Roof rack

• Tow bar (rear overhang)

• Wing mirrors (if they protrude beyond the standard profile)

What happens if the declared dimensions are smaller than the real ones:

• The company may charge a supplement at the port

• In cases of overbooking or unmanageable size, boarding may be refused

💡 Check the vehicle registration document for the official measurements, but always measure any fitted accessories as well.

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

For hire vehicles:

• Number plate: enter "RENT" or "RENTAL" in the plate field, or tick the dedicated box.

• Dimensions: estimate length and height based on the model booked. If in doubt, choose a slightly higher category to be safe

• Plate update: some companies require the final plate number to be provided before boarding

• Documents: always bring the hire agreement + the hire company's permission to take the vehicle abroad

⚠️ Check in the hire agreement whether the rental company allows the vehicle to be taken abroad or to the islands.

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

Trailers are accepted on most routes. You must specify:

• Type: standard trailer, caravan, small luggage trailer, boat trailer, etc.

• Length and height of the trailer (separate from the towing vehicle)

• Any load (for example a boat or snowmobile)

The fare is calculated on the overall length of the combination (car + trailer).

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

The online booking system only allows bookings for vehicles intended to carry people (cars, motorbikes, motorhomes, private vans).

Vehicles carrying goods for:

• Commercial sale

• Business use

• Export

must be booked through our dedicated cargo office. Write to cargo@netferry.com stating:

• Vehicle type (gross weight, dimensions)

• Type of goods

• Route and dates

• Company details (VAT number, company name)

• Number of drivers

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

The car decks are inaccessible during the voyage for safety reasons (fire risk, gas, vehicle movement in rough seas). Before going up to the passenger decks, take from your vehicle:

• Identity documents

• Necessary medicines

• A change of clothes for the night (on overnight ferries)

• Personal hygiene items

• Snacks, drinks, baby bottles

• Valuables (do not leave cash, jewellery or expensive electronics in the car)

Pets: they cannot stay in the car.

Exception: the Camping on Board service allows access to your motorhome during the crossing, but only on some routes.

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

Vehicles powered by LPG or natural gas (cars, motorhomes) are allowed on most routes, but they require specific on-board safety procedures.

What to declare when booking:

• State the fuel type (LPG, CNG, LNG) in the booking's notes field

• In some cases, the booking system has a dedicated field

• If there is no dedicated field, write to info@netferry.com with your booking code

What to do at boarding:

• Inform the port staff of the vehicle's fuel type

• Make sure the cylinder valve is closed as instructed by the staff

• Follow the instructions on the assigned car deck: many companies reserve specific decks for gas-powered vehicles

• Do not reopen the gas during the voyage

Dual-fuel systems (petrol/LPG):

• Some companies require travelling with the petrol system active and the gas shut off

⚠️ Failure to declare the fuel type can lead to boarding being refused or to penalties under maritime regulations (SOLAS).

For specific queries about your company, call +39 0831 564 257: we can check the correct procedure together.

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

Electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars are allowed on most routes, with some specific safety rules.

What to declare when booking:

• In the booking's notes field, state: "Electric car" or "Plug-in hybrid"

• If the system has dedicated fields, select them

Rules at boarding:

• Many companies require a minimum battery level (usually 40–50%) so the vehicle can disembark under its own power

• Some companies reserve specific car decks for electric cars

• The vehicle must be completely switched off during the voyage

• External charging cables must not be left connected

Charging on board:

• Charging on the car deck is not available on nearly all ships

• Some companies are trialling pilot services, but it is not yet standard

• Plan your charging before boarding and/or after disembarking

If the battery is flat at disembarkation:

• The company may have towing/assistance procedures, but at your expense

• Always check the company's conditions before setting off with a low battery

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

The companies' online booking systems generally accept only one vehicle per booking.

Typical cases:

• A family with a car + a motorbike

• A couple with two cars

• A group of friends with several vehicles

Possible solutions:

Option 1 — Two separate bookings

• Make two separate bookings, each with one vehicle

• Assign different passengers to each vehicle (the driver)

• Make sure both bookings are on the same sailing

Option 2 — Contact the call centre

• Call +39 0831 564 257

• We can link the two bookings together

• We can arrange adjacent cabins where possible

Watch out for vehicle capacity:

• Every additional vehicle is subject to availability on the ship

• In high season, garage space fills up quickly: book well in advance

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

Maritime regulations (SOLAS and the Italian Navigation Code) require that every vehicle boarded be accompanied by an adult driver who takes responsibility for it for the whole journey.

It is therefore not possible to:

• Book passage for the vehicle only, without a person

• Entrust the vehicle to the ship's crew for disembarkation

• Hand the car over to another passenger at the arrival port (unless they are the driver declared in the booking)

What to do instead:

1. Commercial transport of the vehicle (without a driver)

• This is a freight service handled by our dedicated office

• Write to cargo@netferry.com with:

  • Vehicle model and dimensions

  • Desired route

  • Contact details

You will receive a quote within 24–48 hours.

2. Finding a driver

• A friend or relative who takes the vehicle in your place (they must be the declared passenger)

• Professional vehicle transfer services

3. Booking as a normal passenger with a vehicle

• If you can accompany the vehicle yourself, book as usual

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

Motorhomes are accepted on virtually all sea routes, with these precautions:

• Dimensions: declare the overall length and height, including any accessories (bike rack, aerial, roof-mounted air conditioner)

• Load: by law, the motorhome must comply with its fully laden weight limits

• Camping on Board: some companies and routes offer this service, which allows you to stay overnight in your motorhome on the ship's open deck

⚠️ For motorhomes taller than 2.90 m, always check access to the car decks of the specific ship: some older ferries have height limits.

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

Motorbikes and scooters are allowed on almost all routes. Practical notes:

• Fares by engine size: usually divided into 3–4 bands (e.g. under 125cc, 126–250cc, 251–750cc, over 750cc)

• Luggage: helmets and small bags can stay with the bike on the car deck. Bulky luggage is best taken to your cabin

• Safety during the voyage: the bike is secured with cables and straps by the ship's crew

💡 In rough seas, motorbikes can suffer minor knocks due to the ship's movement: a waterproof cover is recommended for touring bikes. If your vehicle is damaged, report the incident on the spot to the ship's purser.

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

Bike on the car's bike rack:

• It counts towards the vehicle's dimensions (rear overhang or height)

• Include it in the "overall" measurement

Bike boarded separately (foot passenger):

• Charged as special luggage (usually €5–15 per leg)

• It must be declared when booking

• On board, it is secured in the areas dedicated to small cargo

E-bikes and electric bicycles: generally treated like normal bicycles. Check whether the battery can stay fitted.

FAQ Category: Your vehicle

For personal mobility devices (electric scooters, hoverboards, e-scooters), the rules vary by company:

• Accepted as personal luggage: if compact in size and limited in power

• Battery limits: some companies set limits on lithium battery capacity (usually up to 160 Wh without authorisation)

• Charging on board: generally not allowed for safety reasons

⚠️ For devices with high-capacity (over 160 Wh) or damaged batteries, boarding may be refused.

FAQ Category: Your vehicle