Brittany Ferries has launched a new offer for families: children aged 15 and under can travel free on crossings departing between 16 October 2026 and 22 February 2027. The promotion includes travel to Ireland and is available both with a car and for foot passengers.
You will need to act quickly, however. New bookings must be made no later than Monday 21 September 2026 at 23:59. It is an opportunity to plan an autumn half-term break, a winter stay or an early-year family getaway while reducing part of the cost of the crossing.
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Children travel free with Brittany Ferries
An offer valid until 21 September 2026
The company is waiving the crossing fare for children aged 15 and under, provided they travel with an adult paying the full fare. The offer is advertised across all ticket types and routes available during the promotional period.
Eligible departures run from 16 October 2026 to 22 February 2027. Brittany Ferries highlights several departure ports in France — Caen, Cherbourg, Roscoff and Saint-Malo — as well as Bilbao and Santander in Spain. Not all of these cities necessarily offer a direct connection to Ireland on every date: select the port, destination and travel dates in the booking engine to see which crossings are actually available.
What does ‘free travel’ for children really mean?
The discount applies only to the child fare
The wording deserves some clarification. The free offer applies to the child’s crossing fare, but does not necessarily mean they travel entirely free of charge. On-board accommodation, a cabin, a reserved seat, meals and other extras are still charged when added to the booking.
The environmental contribution linked to the emissions trading system also applies. The final amount will therefore depend on the route, dates, vehicle, number of passengers and level of comfort selected. To gauge the actual saving, compare the summary before payment with an equivalent journey under standard conditions.
What are the terms of the family offer?
Points to check before booking
- The child must be 15 or under.
- They must travel with an adult paying the full fare.
- The promotion applies only to new bookings.
- The booking must be completed before 21 September 2026 at 23:59.
- The crossing must take place between 16 October 2026 and 22 February 2027.
- The offer is available whether travelling with a vehicle or as a foot passenger.
- Crossings remain subject to availability.
- The promotion cannot be combined with any other offer.
- The cabin, extras and environmental contribution remain chargeable.
- The offer applies to a ferry-only booking.
The terms may be amended or the offer withdrawn in accordance with the company’s commercial conditions. It is therefore wise to check the information displayed in the booking engine before confirming.
Check the dates for your family trip
Why could this promotion be useful for Ireland?
Taking your car and travelling with more luggage
For a family, the ferry meets different needs from flying. Travelling in your own car allows you to bring child seats, a pushchair, waterproof clothing and luggage without having to squeeze everything into a few suitcases. On arrival, a vehicle also makes it easier to explore beyond the major cities, particularly in rural areas where public transport is less frequent.
The period covered by the offer includes the autumn half-term break, the Christmas and New Year holidays, and part of the winter holidays. It may suit a stay in southern Ireland, a winter road trip or a family visit outside the peak season. Days are shorter and the weather more changeable than in summer, but sites are generally less busy and the atmosphere in Irish towns changes pleasantly in the run-up to Christmas.
How should you choose your crossing to Ireland?
Compare the overall cost, not just the child fare
Start by checking the routes available on your dates, then compare the total price for the whole family. The cheapest crossing is not always the best option if it means a long drive to the port, an extra night in a hotel or an inconvenient arrival time.
Also consider the duration, boarding times, type of ship and sleeping arrangements. With young children, a cabin can be a worthwhile additional cost on an overnight crossing. It helps preserve the whole family’s sleep and allows you to begin your first day in Ireland in better conditions.
If your dates are not yet certain, look closely at the change and cancellation rules for your chosen ticket. The promotion is available across all ticket types, but their flexibility may vary.
Life on board with children
A journey that begins before you reach Ireland
Brittany Ferries highlights ships designed for families, with play areas, video game rooms, a cinema and several dining options on certain crossings. The exact facilities depend on the ship: check its information page before departure if a particular amenity matters to your children.
Pack a small bag that is easy to access during the crossing, containing warm clothes, motion sickness medication if recommended by your doctor or pharmacist, quiet games and overnight essentials. Once the car has been parked in the garage, access to it may be prohibited during the crossing.
An offer to calculate according to your family’s make-up
Potentially greater savings with several children
The financial benefit logically increases with the number of eligible children, but only a quote will reveal the final price. The vehicle, cabin and additional services can account for a significant share of the total. The offer is therefore most attractive when it already matches your preferred way of travelling.
For a family already planning to reach Ireland by car during autumn or winter, the promotion can reduce the budget without changing the trip. For a short city break without a vehicle, it is still worth comparing the ferry with flying, taking into account luggage, transfers to the port or airport, and timetables.
Take advantage of the free children offer and get 10% off with Guide Irlande.com!
Until when can you book?
A deadline set for 21 September at 23:59
The date to remember is not the travel date, but the booking date. Tickets must be purchased before Monday 21 September 2026 at 23:59, for departures between 16 October 2026 and 22 February 2027. A booking made after this deadline will not automatically qualify for the free child fare.
Before payment, check that the discount appears in the price breakdown, along with the charges for extras and the ticket conditions. A promotion used well lowers the bill; a rushed booking with an unsuitable cabin or timetable can have the opposite effect.
