If you have a phobia of flying, you may feel that your travel options are restricted to domestic locations, particularly if your travels include crossing an ocean or sea. However, as ferries gain popularity, even visitors who are afraid of flying may get where they’re going with ease. Plus, when you go on vacation, they could let you bring your car or your pets. According to the travel website Omio, demand for this ferrying is rising. According to the report, 2.6 million searches for “ferry” have been made in the past month, and during the previous three months, searches for “ferries from UK” have climbed by 46%.

Remember, By taking the ferry, you can travel with your vehicle or pets. No need leaving them behind under the care of a neighbor or friend. And ultimately no more sitting at home or limiting your travels to neighbouring countries because of your flight phobia.

From the picturesque beaches of Croatia to the east coast of Italy: Ancona to Split
This ferry ride saves you the hassle of having to transfer from the airport, leaving and landing right in the midst of town. It takes eight to twelve hours to get from Ancona, which is located 280 kilometres northeast of Rome on the Adriatic Sea, to Split, which is located on Croatia’s southwest coast.

Get To Greek island from Athens.
There are plenty of options for ferry routes around the Greek islands after you arrive in Athens. Since boats have been used for millennia to explore the Aegean Sea, travelling by boat is arguably the most traditional mode of transportation. Take less than three hours to go to Mykonos and enjoy some breathtaking vistas the route. Take a different ship from there to reach other well-known Cycladic islands, such as Santorini or Naxos.

Try visiting Rhodes and then some of the less well-known islands, such Chalki or Tilos, if you want to escape the throng. Both are renowned for their sustainability initiatives, slower travel times, and sparser crowds.

Portsmouth to Bilbao, the south coast of the UK to northern Spain
The longest ferry ride on the list, spanning almost twenty-four hours, is this one, but it might be your best bet if you want to drive throughout Spain. Excellent road connections connect Bilbao, which is only four hours from Madrid and six hours from Barcelona, with Portsmouth.

There is plenty to see and do in Bilbao, even if your only intention is to stay. Take in the culture or visit the museums, such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which houses some of the most renowned modern artwork worldwide. Another option is to travel to San Sebastian for the day and visit Game of Thrones locales, which is only 40 minutes away from Bilbao.

By train from Milan or Rome to Sicily
The odd boat crossings offered by Italian rail firm Trenitalia may be the most peculiar in all of Europe. Your train will load onto a ferry at Villa San Giovanni station in Calabria, southern Italy, after passing via a number of hub city stops. After the train is unloaded, you’ll cruise towards the port of Messina and continue your adventure to Palermo and Siracusa.

Travel farther by traversing the Strait of Gibraltar: Morocco to Gibraltar
If you must travel outside of Europe, using a ship is still a viable way to avoid flying. If you plan in advance, you can get from Gibraltar to Tangier, Morocco, in about 1.5 hours for only €25.

In addition, there are seven alternative ways from the neighbouring Spanish cities of Tarifa and Algeciras to traverse the Strait of Gibraltar, which serves as the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. There are daily crossings offered by a variety of companies, but be sure the ferry you reserve can handle your automobile if that’s your preference.

Either Tangier Med, which is about an hour’s drive outside the city, or the ferry terminals in Tangier Ville, which are in the centre of the city, will receive your arrival in Morocco.

Explore Tangier’s rich history, which includes the 160-year-old lighthouse on Cap Spartel and the Cave of Hercules, the legendary hero’s alleged resting place. Explore the marketplaces, or souks, to discover handcrafted items such as ceramics, jewellery, and rugs.

Additionally, trains continue to Fez and the well-known tourist destination of Marrakesh if you’d like to visit more of Morocco without renting a car.