How Slower Travel Helps Our Autistic Teen – Intentional Family Travel That Starts with Calm

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Why Slower Travel Helps Our Autistic Teen Begin the Holiday with Calm

When people hear we drive from Ireland to France every summer, they often picture chaos: long journeys, endless packing, tired kids, stressed parents. But for us, slower travel helps our autistic teen—and all of us—begin our holiday with calm. In fact, it’s become one of the best parts of the experience.

Each June, we load up our electric car, secure our dog in the back, and head to Dublin Port for the ferry to Cherbourg. We book a cabin, bring just what we need, and settle into the slower rhythm of a 17–18 hour crossing. No airport queues. No luggage restrictions. Just time, space, and a sense of peace.

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Why the Ferry Works for Our Family

Our family includes two teens—one of whom is autistic—and a very loved dog. We’ve learned through experience that flying rarely offers the peaceful start we need.

Why ferry travel is our calm alternative:

• No security lines or gate changes
• Bring our own car (and whatever fits in it)
• Pet-friendly options (kennels or cabins)
• A quiet cabin to retreat to
• Relaxed onboard dining, shops, and spaces
• The holiday begins as soon as we board

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Setting the Tone with Club Class

This year, we’re trying Club Class on the outward journey. Not something we usually do, but it’s an intentional choice: the start of the holiday sets the tone.

For our neurodivergent teen, slower travel helps reduce stress, especially in unfamiliar environments. Club Class offers:

• A quieter lounge
• Reserved seating
• Complimentary drinks and snacks
• Wi-Fi and charging ports
• A calm atmosphere for settling in

We won’t use Club Class on the way back—we’ll be more relaxed by then and our regular cabin is perfect for that stage of the trip.

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Our Onboard Routine

Over the years, we’ve found a rhythm that works:

• Drop bags in the cabin
• Settle the dog in kennels
• Find our quiet corner (Club Class or lounge)
• Play UNO or read while sipping wine
• Kids enjoy their Switch or a movie
• Dinner (either our own picnic or ferry food)
• Walk on deck
• Early bedtime (with seasickness tablets taken 2 hours before sailing)

The ferry offers plenty of entertainment—cinemas, play zones, live acts—but we tend to keep to our own space and enjoy the quiet.

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Traveling with a Dog on the Ferry

Our dog isn’t an assistance animal, but he provides a lot of emotional support, especially for our children. He’s part of our family, and ferry travel makes it easy to include him.

• Irish Ferries: Dogs stay in kennels, accessible at set times. Staff are kind and helpful.
• Brittany Ferries: Offers pet-friendly cabins, which is ideal if you want your dog with you the whole time.

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Time Breakdown of a Ferry Journey

Yes, ferry travel takes longer. But it’s worth every minute.

• 30 minutes from home to Dublin Port
• Check-in and boarding within the hour
• Overnight crossing (17–18 hours)
• Wake up, have breakfast, disembark in Cherbourg
• Drive 6–7 hours to our destination

Compare that to airport stress—security, delays, baggage issues, car rentals—and it’s no contest.

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Other Reasons We Love Slower Ferry Travel

• Pack what we need: No baggage weight limits.
• Bring home wine: A small but welcome luxury.
• Flexibility: We control the route, pace, and stops.
• Neurodivergent-friendly: We meet many families like ours choosing the ferry for a calmer experience.

One of the best purchases I’ve made for our ferry trips (also perfect for flying)is a brilliant 10kg cabin backpack—it fits everything I need for hand luggage-only travel, especially on budget airlines. Here’s a very similar one I love with great reviews and loads of room.

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Our Experiences with Irish Ferries and Brittany Ferries

We mostly use Irish Ferries for routes to both the UK and France. Our favorite ship is the W.B. Yeats—modern, spacious, and reliable. Staff are consistently excellent. One time, after a ship change and illness on my part, they went above and beyond with upgrades and thoughtful service.

Brittany Ferries is also excellent, especially from Cork to Brittany. But the extra drive time to Cork from our home makes the Dublin–Cherbourg route our usual choice.

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Ferry Travel Isn’t for Everyone—But It’s Perfect for Us

Ferry travel may be slower, but that’s exactly why it works. Slower travel helps our autistic teen—and the rest of us—start our holiday feeling calm, supported, and connected.

From the moment we drive onto the ship, we can exhale. The holiday has begun.

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Further Reading: Expert Tips on Calm and Intentional Travel

Here are some excellent articles on traveling simply and intentionally with families:

• Why Travelling Slowly Makes Us Happier – BBC Travel
• A Family’s Guide to Sensory-Friendly Travel – National Geographic
• How to Travel with Kids and Actually Enjoy It – The Guardian

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This is Part 3 of our Slow and Intentional Travel Series.

• Read Part 1: What Slow and Intentional Travel Looks Like for Our Family
• Read Part 2: Our Calm and Detailed Packing List for a Slow Summer in France

Chat soon,

Ciara