{"id":99635,"date":"2026-10-22T16:32:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T16:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/freighter-travel-from-the-uk"},"modified":"2026-10-22T16:32:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T16:32:44","slug":"freighter-travel-from-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/freighter-travel-from-the-uk","title":{"rendered":"Freighter Travel from the UK: Ports, Routes and Lines for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"Freighter Travel from the UK: Ports, Routes and Lines for 2026\",\n            \"description\": \"Freighter travel from the UK in 2026: which ports cargo ships sail from, popular routes to the USA, Australia, Asia and Africa, journey times, costs and booking tips.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/freighter-travel-from-the-uk\",\n            \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/AdobeStock_218763808-1024x767.jpeg\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can you take a cargo ship from the UK?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes. Container ships carrying a few passengers sail from UK ports such as London Gateway, Southampton and Liverpool, and from nearby continental ports.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Which UK ports do freighters leave from?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Mainly London Gateway, Southampton, Felixstowe, Tilbury and Liverpool, depending on the route.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How long does a freighter take from the UK to the USA?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"About 9&ndash;14 days, depending on the ports of call.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How much does freighter travel from the UK cost?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Typically US$90&ndash;150 per person per day, including cabin and meals.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can I join a ship in Europe instead?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes. Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Le Havre are easy to reach from the UK by rail or ferry and offer more sailings.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script><\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">Derni\u00e8re mise \u00e0 jour : 22 octobre 2026<\/p><p><strong>You can still start a freighter voyage from the UK.<\/strong> Container ships sail every week from British ports to North America, Australia, Asia and Africa, and some of them carry a handful of paying passengers. Many UK travellers also join a ship at a nearby continental port such as Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg or Le Havre, just a short train or ferry ride away.<\/p><h2>UK ports for freighter travel<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Port<\/th><th>Location<\/th><th>Typical destinations<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>London Gateway<\/td><td>Essex, Thames estuary<\/td><td>Australia, Asia, Mediterranean<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Southampton<\/td><td>Hampshire<\/td><td>Asia, North America<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Felixstowe<\/td><td>Suffolk<\/td><td>Asia, Europe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tilbury<\/td><td>Essex, Thames<\/td><td>West Africa, Europe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Liverpool<\/td><td>Merseyside<\/td><td>North America<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><p>Which port you use depends on the shipping line&rsquo;s route that month. Passenger berths are offered ship by ship, so a quote always starts with your destination and travel window.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cargo-Ship-Travel-Cargoholidays1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Container cargo ship in a UK port ready for departure\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Container cargo ship in a UK port ready for departure\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">London Gateway, Southampton, Felixstowe, Tilbury and Liverpool all see regular container ship traffic.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Popular freighter routes from the UK<\/h2><ul><li><strong>UK to the USA and Canada:<\/strong> about 9&ndash;14 days across the Atlantic to ports such as New York, Baltimore and Halifax<\/li><li><strong>Du Royaume-Uni vers l'Australie :<\/strong> roughly 5&ndash;6 weeks from London Gateway via the Mediterranean, Suez and the Indian Ocean<\/li><li><strong>UK to Asia:<\/strong> voyages via Suez to Singapore, China, Korea and Japan<\/li><li><strong>UK to West Africa:<\/strong> routes to ports such as Dakar, Lagos and Tema<\/li><li><strong>Petits circuits europ\u00e9ens :<\/strong> round trips via Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg, ideal for a first taste<\/li><\/ul><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_299575058-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"Container ship sailing in bright sunshine on an ocean crossing\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Container ship sailing in bright sunshine on an ocean crossing\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">From the UK, the most popular freighter voyages cross the Atlantic or head east via Suez.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Joining a ship on the continent<\/h2><p>Many of the most frequent passenger-carrying services start at <strong>Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg or Le Havre<\/strong>. From London you can reach them by Eurostar, ferry or a short flight-free rail journey, which widens your choice of ships and dates.<\/p><h2>How much does freighter travel from the UK cost?<\/h2><p>Fares are charged per person per day, typically US$90&ndash;150 including cabin and meals. A transatlantic crossing usually costs about US$900&ndash;2,100, and a voyage to Australia about US$3,200&ndash;6,300. Add insurance with deviation cover, a medical certificate and a night near the port before sailing.<\/p><h2>What you need before you sail<\/h2><ul><li><strong>Passport:<\/strong> valid for every country on the route<\/li><li><strong>Visas:<\/strong> check each arrival country; entry by sea can differ from entry by air<\/li><li><strong>Certificat m\u00e9dical :<\/strong> confirming you are fit to travel<\/li><li><strong>Assurance voyage :<\/strong> covering medical evacuation at sea and deviation<\/li><li><strong>Flexibilit\u00e9 :<\/strong> sailing dates can move by a few days<\/li><\/ul><h2>Tips for UK travellers<\/h2><ul><li>Stay near the port the night before departure and keep that booking refundable<\/li><li>Check the train connections to London Gateway, Felixstowe and Tilbury, which are working ports rather than passenger terminals<\/li><li>Pack layers: the North Sea and the Atlantic can be cold even in summer<\/li><li>Take some US dollars or euros for the ship&rsquo;s shop and port days<\/li><\/ul><h2>Foire aux questions<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>Can you take a cargo ship from the UK?<\/h3><p>Yes. Container ships carrying a few passengers sail from UK ports such as London Gateway, Southampton and Liverpool, and from nearby continental ports.<\/p><h3>Which UK ports do freighters leave from?<\/h3><p>Mainly London Gateway, Southampton, Felixstowe, Tilbury and Liverpool, depending on the route.<\/p><h3>How long does a freighter take from the UK to the USA?<\/h3><p>About 9&ndash;14 days, depending on the ports of call.<\/p><h3>How much does freighter travel from the UK cost?<\/h3><p>Typically US$90&ndash;150 per person per day, including cabin and meals.<\/p><h3>Can I join a ship in Europe instead?<\/h3><p>Yes. Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Le Havre are easy to reach from the UK by rail or ferry and offer more sailings.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>Planning a freighter voyage from the UK?<\/strong><p>Tell us your destination and travel window and we will find ships sailing from the UK or nearby ports.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/sinformer-pour-une-croisiere-cargo\/\">Get a UK departure quote &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Freighter travel from the UK in 2026: which ports cargo ships sail from, popular routes to the USA, Australia, Asia and Africa, journey times, costs and booking tips.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":808,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1020,356,1019,357],"tags":[1478,1043,1155,1048,1100],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99635"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99635"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99635\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99636,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99635\/revisions\/99636"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99635"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=99635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}