Last updated: 26 October 2026 · By Steve Joury, cargo trip advisor at CargoHolidays
You can sometimes travel by cargo ship with your car: ro-ro (roll-on roll-off) ships that carry vehicles also take a few passengers on some routes, so you and your car arrive together. It’s popular with overlanders, campervan travellers and people moving abroad. Here’s how it works and what to check.
Key facts at a glance
Most cars shipped overseas travel on ro-ro ships: huge floating car parks that vehicles are driven on and off by ramp. Some ro-ro lines have passenger cabins, which means you can travel by cargo ship with your car on the same voyage. You check the vehicle in at the terminal, board as a passenger, and collect your car at the destination port after customs clearance.
Not every route allows it, and cabins are limited. Read our explainer on what a ro-ro ship is to understand the vessels.
| Region | Example ro-ro trades | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Europe – West Africa | Northern Europe to ports such as Dakar, Lagos, Tema | Popular with overlanders; check security advice |
| Europe – South America | Northern Europe to Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina | A classic route for Pan-American road trips |
| Mediterraneo | Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, North Africa | Short sea routes; also passenger ferries |
| Short sea Europe | UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Baltic | Mostly ferries and ro-pax ships |
Availability changes, so ask us for current routes. Our Grimaldi freighter cruises page covers one well-known ro-ro operator.
You pay twice: a passenger fare (roughly €100–150 per person per day, full board – see costo del viaggio su una nave da carico) and a freight rate for the vehicle based on its size, usually in cubic metres. Add port handling charges, customs, documents and insurance for the vehicle.
| Pro | Contro |
|---|---|
| You and your vehicle arrive together | Few routes and very limited cabins |
| No separate trip to collect the car | Customs clearance can still take days |
| A real adventure for overlanders | Two bills: passenger fare plus freight |
| No flying needed | Strict rules on what’s left in the vehicle |
For many overlanders, the chance to travel by cargo ship with your car is worth the extra planning – especially on long crossings like Europe to South America.
On some ro-ro routes, yes. Certain lines carry a few passengers as well as vehicles.
You pay a passenger fare plus a separate freight rate for the vehicle based on its size, plus port and customs charges.
Usually not, or only limited items. Most lines require the vehicle to be empty of personal belongings.
A customs document that lets you temporarily import a vehicle into some countries without paying duty.
Yes, campervans and motorhomes are commonly shipped by ro-ro, subject to size and cleanliness rules.
Sail with your vehicle
Tell us your vehicle and route and we’ll check ro-ro voyages with passenger cabins.
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