Last updated: 22 October 2026
Cargo ship travel lets you cross oceans as a paying passenger on a working container or cargo ship. It is slower than flying and simpler than a cruise, but it is one of the most memorable ways to travel: a handful of passengers, a professional crew, real working ports and days of open ocean. This guide explains how it works in 2026, what it costs, where you can go from the UK and how to book.
Many container ships, car carriers and general cargo vessels are built with a few cabins beyond what the crew needs. Shipping lines sell those cabins to the public. Because international rules treat a ship with more than 12 passengers as a passenger ship, freighters carry 12 guests or fewer.
You travel on the ship’s real commercial route. The ship does not wait for you, change course for sightseeing or lay on entertainment. In return you get space, quiet and a genuine look at how global trade works.
You book a cabin for a voyage between two ports, or for a full round trip. You join the ship in port, usually a day or so before sailing, and leave it at your destination port.
Fares are charged per person per day and normally include your cabin and all meals. Expect roughly US$90–150 a day, depending on the ship, cabin and route. Single travellers sometimes pay a supplement for a double cabin.
| Voyage length | Typical fare per person |
|---|---|
| 7 days (short European loop) | about US$650–1,050 |
| 10–14 days (transatlantic) | about US$900–2,100 |
| 5–6 weeks (UK to Australia) | about US$3,200–6,300 |
| 70+ days (round the world) | US$7,000 and up |
On top of the fare, budget for travel insurance with deviation cover, a medical certificate, port transfers and a hotel near the port. Sailing dates can move, so leave a buffer.
Life at sea follows the ship’s rhythm. Meals are early and at fixed times, usually around 07:30, 12:00 and 17:30. In between you can read, write, watch for whales, use the gym or visit the bridge to see the navigation in action.
You will take part in a safety drill, and the crew will explain the lifeboats, alarms and areas that are off-limits. On port days you can often go ashore if the ship stays long enough, but always be back well before departure.
It suits independent, curious travellers who enjoy solitude, the sea and a slower pace. It is not for anyone who needs a fixed timetable, daily entertainment or medical care close at hand. If you are unsure, start with a short European voyage before committing to an ocean crossing.
Yes. Many container and cargo ships carry up to 12 paying passengers in cabins near the officers’ quarters.
Usually about US$90–150 per person per day, including your cabin and meals. Insurance, transfers and visas are extra.
Rarely. It is a slow-travel experience priced per day, so the total usually costs more than a flight, but it replaces both the journey and a holiday.
From about a week on a European loop to 9–14 days across the Atlantic and roughly 5–6 weeks from the UK to Australia.
More and more ships have satellite internet for the crew, and some share it with passengers, but plan to be offline for long stretches.
Six to twelve months ahead is wise, because each ship has only a few passenger cabins.
Tell us where you want to go and when, and we will find a ship with a cabin for you.
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