Cargo Ship from Australia to the UK: Routes & Costs 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento: 23 ottobre 2026

Want to travel from Australia to the UK without flying? A cargo ship voyage is one of the few ways to do it. It takes five to seven weeks and crosses the Indian Ocean, with port calls in Asia or the Middle East along the way. Here’s how it works in 2026.

Typical routes

Departure port	Typical route	Arrival
Fremantle (Perth)	Indian Ocean, Suez or the Cape of Good Hope	Northern Europe (for example Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg or a UK port)
Adelaide or Melbourne	Via Asian hubs, then the Indian Ocean	Northern Europe
Sydney or Brisbane	Via Asian hubs such as Singapore	Northern Europe

Most voyages end in a northern European port. From there, the UK is a short train or ferry ride.

Port cranes at sunset — Voyages often call at Asian ports such as Singapore on the way.

Quanto tempo ci vuole?

Australia to Northern Europe: usually 5–7 weeks at sea
Passando per il Capo di Buona Speranza: add about 1–2 weeks compared with the Suez route

Many ships have rerouted around southern Africa since 2024 due to Red Sea security, so check the current routing when you book.

Quanto costa?

At about €90–€150 per person per day, a 5–7 week voyage typically costs €3,500–€7,000 per person, plus insurance and port fees. See quanto costa un viaggio su una nave da carico.

Container cargo ship sailing — The voyage from Australia to Europe usually takes five to seven weeks.

Cosa vedrai

The vast Indian Ocean
Ports in Asia, the Middle East or Africa, depending on the route
The Suez Canal, or the Cape of Good Hope
The Mediterranean or the Atlantic coast of Africa

Leggi Transito di navi da carico nel Canale di Suez e nave da carico diretta a Singapore.

Visas and documents

UK citizens need a valid passport. Some intermediate ports need visas or shore passes.
Australian citizens can usually visit the UK for up to six months, but need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for the UK, which is also needed when arriving by sea.
Other nationalities: check UK and transit-port rules.

Moving back to the UK?

If you’re relocating, you can ship your belongings in a container while you sail. Read ritornare nel Regno Unito e traslochi in Australia for how removals work on this route.

Tips for this voyage

Prenota con 9–12 mesi di anticipo.
Plan for the monsoon: the Indian Ocean can be rough from June to September. See il periodo migliore per viaggiare su una nave da carico.
Arrange insurance for the whole voyage.
Plan connectivity. Vedi Wi-Fi sulle navi da carico.

Going the other way? Read ship from England to Australia.

Domande frequenti

Can you travel from Australia to the UK by cargo ship?

Yes. Some container ships carry passengers from Australia to Northern Europe, a short hop from the UK.

How long does a cargo ship take from Australia to the UK?

Usually 5–7 weeks at sea, longer via the Cape of Good Hope.

How much is a cargo ship from Australia to the UK?

Typically €3,500–€7,000 per person, plus insurance and fees.

Do Australians need a visa to arrive in the UK by ship?

Australians usually need a UK ETA for visits, whether arriving by air or sea.

Which ports do ships leave from?

Commonly Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

Sail from Australia to Europe

Ask us about passenger cabins on container ships from Australia.

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Steve Joury

Consulente di viaggio Cargo at Cargoholidays

Appassionato di viaggi lenti e di mare. Steve conosce la maggior parte delle rotte di navigazione e le procedure per scoprire il nostro bellissimo mondo dal mare su una nave container. Ha partecipato a molti viaggi, da 7 giorni di viaggio in cargo a 140 giorni a bordo.