Road delays on the way to the jetty
You are driving to catch a boat and want a margin that does not waste your morning.
Build your margin from the road you actually drive: check the route at the hour you will be on it, add a margin for a stop and a slow stretch, and then add your jetty buffer on top. Decide in advance the point at which you will call the operator. That way you act calmly, not in a panic.
This page shows how to put those pieces together. For the bigger picture, see our guide to the journey in four legs, and our page on how early to arrive at the jetty.
How do you build the margin?
Work it out from the boat time backwards, using your own figures at each step.
- Start with the operator’s check-in cut-off for your boat.
- Subtract your jetty buffer for parking, bags and queues.
- Subtract the drive time shown by a maps app for the hour you will actually travel.
- Subtract a margin for a meal, fuel, toilet stop and a slow stretch.
- The result is the latest time you should leave. Choose a time earlier than that.
Do the sum again for a bad day. If you only just make it on a bad day, move your departure earlier or consider a night closer. Our page on planning a buffer between your flight and island transfer shows the same method for flights.
What makes a road slower than the app says?
Several things can stretch a normal drive. Think about which apply to your route.
- School holidays and long weekends, when many groups travel at once.
- Festival periods, when traffic leaves cities together.
- Heavy rain, flooding or roadworks on a single-lane stretch.
- A crash that closes a lane for a while.
- Towns on the way where a market or school run slows the road.
Check the route before you leave and again halfway. If a long delay shows up, treat it as a trigger for the next step.
When should you call, and what do you say?
Set a rule before you leave: “If I am not past [place] by [time], I call the operator.” That removes the guesswork when you are tired.
When you call or message, give these details:
- Your name and booking reference.
- Where you are and how long you think you need.
- What you want: to hold your seat, or to move to a later boat.
A script to adapt: “Hello, we are booked on the [time] boat to [island], reference [number]. The road is slow and we are now at [place]. We expect to arrive at [time]. Can you hold our seat or move us to a later boat?” Keep the reply.
What if you will clearly miss the boat?
Do not drive faster. Tell the operator, ask about the next boat and plan a night near the jetty. Our guide on what to do if you miss the last boat walks you through the steps, and our page on whether you can rebook a missed boat the same day covers the questions.
Keep calm and keep your passengers calm. Speeding to save a boat puts the whole trip at risk.
A better fit if…
Leaving very early, with a wide margin, may be a better fit if:
- you travel on a holiday weekend or a festival period.
- the road is long, unfamiliar or through weather-prone areas.
- you travel with children or older parents.
A night near the jetty may be a better fit if the drive is long and the boat is early. Send us your route and we will help you choose.
Common questions
How much extra time should I allow for road delays?
There is no standard figure. Check your route in a maps app at the hour you will drive, think about holidays and roadworks, and add a margin for a stop. Then add your jetty buffer on top. If the total feels uncomfortable, leave earlier or sleep nearer.
What if I am stuck in traffic and will miss check-in?
Message and call the operator or resort as soon as you see the delay, not when you are already late. Give your name, booking, location and a new arrival time. Ask whether they can hold your seat or move you to a later boat.
Is it better to drive overnight or leave early in the morning?
It depends on how rested you are and who is driving. Tiredness is a real risk on long drives. We cannot call any route safe, so if you are doubtful, a night near the jetty is a kinder choice than a rushed start.
Should I rely on a navigation app's arrival time?
Use it as a guide, not a promise. Apps can miss closures, floods, accidents and holiday queues. Check the route before you leave and again halfway, and keep your margin even if the app shows green.