Travellers are increasingly looking for ways to break away from the main flow, and the UK ferry industry body Discover Ferries has identified 'port hopping' as an emerging travel trend. This involves using ferries to visit multiple destinations on a single trip, offering flexibility and unique experiences.
To support this trend, Discover Ferries has launched an interactive route planning map that allows travellers to choose from 28 ports across 11 countries and islands to create their own itinerary. The map shows the most convenient port for any journey, and bookings can be made directly through the tool.
Abby Penlington, director at Discover Ferries, said: 'Recent years have seen resurging interest in land transport and sea journeys as travellers want more from transport than simply travel from A to B. This trend for so-called slower travel shows no signs of abating and is shaping the way holidaymakers plan itineraries.'
Popular port hopping journeys include travelling to St Malo via Guernsey and sailing from Dover to France to tour northern Europe before returning to the UK from the Netherlands. Discover Ferries has also created the 'Great Island Hop' itinerary, a three-week trip visiting 28 ports including the Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Western France, Ireland, the Hebrides, and the Isle of Man.
In addition, the organisation has developed 'Rail, Sail and Away Itineraries' for shorter trips and day-trippers, connecting rail routes with ferry services for sightseeing along the Thames, through the Isles of Scilly, and to the Isle of Wight. All journeys are accessible without a car.
Penlington added: 'As more people yearn for trips off the beaten track, we expect this type of holiday to grow in popularity in 2026 and beyond.' The trend reflects a desire for authentic travel experiences, with travellers seeking unique connections to destinations rather than just visiting major landmarks.
