Dover - Calais
Ferry to France
Dover - Calais
Ferry to France
Ferries from Dover to Calais are operated by 3 ferry companies; Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries & DFDS Seaways. The journey usually takes around 1 hour 35 minutes. There are currently 174 weekly sailings on this ferry route, with 25 daily sailings on average throughout the year. Prices start from as little as £21 for footpassengers, with an average price of £161 when travelling by car.
Dover to Calais ferries are provided by 3 ferry companies: Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries & DFDS Seaways, offering 25 daily and 174 weekly sailings. Bear in mind, the Dover to Calais ferry timetable can change throughout the seasons, with more options available in the summer months.
Dover to Calais ferries run all year round: Irish Ferries operates 61 sailings per week. P&O Ferries operates 73 sailings per week. DFDS Seaways operates 76 sailings per week.
Taking the ferry from Dover to Calais is a great choice if you want to take a day trip to France. With its short journey time and frequent daily crossings, you'll arrive in no time; if you take your own car, caravan or rental, you also get the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace and can easily travel even further inland.
Top Tip: We'd recommend getting the first ferry there and the last ferry back to really make the most of your time in Calais; why not visit Town Hall or spend the day relaxing on the beach? If you've got a night to spare, the ferry is a great time saver for a short break or weekend getaway.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our blog.
Taking your vehicle on board ferries between Dover and Calais is easier than you think. Car ferries are operated throughout the week by Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries & DFDS Seaways, with the average cost of taking a car being £154.
Is it your first time travelling with a car on a ferry? Here are some helpful tips:
Speed limits in France for cars:
Top tip: on this route, you’ll pay the same price for your car, no matter how many passengers you bring, making it great value for a group or family trip.
Did you know?
In our guide section & blog, you can find various articles on car ferries, transporting a bicycle & everything you need to know about taking your caravan or camper across the sea. Why not check out these topics:
Dover to Calais ferry prices typically start from £21. The average price is typically £161. The average price for a foot passenger on the ferry from Dover to Calais is £61 & the average price for a car is £154.
While you can often turn up on the day and book a ferry, prices increase as sailings fill up, so booking in advance (at least 48 hours, ideally earlier) is the most reliable way to secure the lowest fares. There are also limited seats available, so spontaneous trips may not be possible during busy periods.
We also offer a 5% discount for Students and graduates on ferry tickets. Students will need to register with our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You'll then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Also Read: Budget-friendly ferry travel: discounts and special offers on ferry tickets
Each operator and vessel has different extras and ticket types, so keep an eye out for what's important to you.
| P&O Ferries | DFDS Seaways | Irish Ferries | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luggage | No specific limit | No specific limit | 2 suitcases per person, each weighing no more than 22kg |
| Ticket Types | Flexi, Standard | Economy, Flexi | Economy, Flexi |
| Check-In | When you're checking in at the port, you'll need to show a printed or electronic copy of your confirmation email to pick up your ticket. | When you're checking in at the port, you'll need to show a printed or electronic copy of your confirmation email to pick up your ticket. | When you're checking in at the port, you'll need to show a printed or electronic copy of your confirmation email to pick up your ticket. |
| Pets | In the vehicle, or for an extra charge, in the pet lounge (advance booking required) | You can keep your pet in the vehicle or in a pet-friendly kennel. | Depending on availability and ship, the options are: In the vehicle, in a carrier/kennel, in the "Pet Den" (a dedicated lounge for animals), or a cabin |
| Seating Options | There are spacious lounges with seating, as well as an exclusive Club Lounge for extra comfort and sea views | A range of cabins are available on board, including an all-inclusive Premium Lounge at an additional cost | Inside, outside and window cabins are available, along with Club Class cabins which offer extra amenities |
| Amenities on board | Duty-free shops, restaurants, quiet lounges, children's entertainment and free WiFi | Duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, children's play areas and free WiFi | Free WiFi with paid upgrade options, a variety of lounges, restaurants and bars, plus duty-free shops |
Good to know:
The Eurotunnel is the most common alternative to the ferry. While it's quicker than the ferry, it can be more expensive and is often busier, so it's good to compare schedules and prices to get the best option.
Dover also offers routes to Dunkirk, which can be a nice option for getting to Belgium and exploring more of Europe, as well as having nice connections to the rest of France.
Also read:
Find out more about alternative routes & options for travelling to France from the UK below.
Dover to Calais: Alternative Ferry Routes
Alternative Channel Ferry Routes with Brittany Ferries
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| Dover - Calais Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | £61 | |
| Average Price with Car | £154 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | £78 | |
| Average Campervan Price | £216 | |
| Average Cabin Price | £218 | |
| Dover - Calais Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Destination | France |
| No. of Operators | 3 |
| Operators | Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries & DFDS Seaways |
| Average Price | £161 |
| Average Pet Price | £206 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 25 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 174 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 1 h 35 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 40 m |
| First Ferry | 00:15 |
| Last Ferry | 23:55 |
| Distance | 33 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
"VERY IMPRESSED "
"Vive La France"
"Perfect"
"All good!"
| The port of Dover | |
|---|---|
| How to get to Dover | By car: take the M20 until you reach Folkestone. Continue on the A20 until you get to Eastern Docks roundabout. Once there, take the first left into the ferry terminal. By coach: you can get a coach from London Victoria to Dover. The journey takes around 2 hours 30 minutes. By train: trains are also available from London to Dover Priory. These are operated by Southeastern trains. The train station is located around 1.5 miles from the port. |
| How to get around Dover | Dover has a great bus service operated by Stagecoach, connecting some of Dover's main tourist sites. However, if you want to explore the region fully, we'd recommend bringing or renting a car. |
| Port Address | Eastern Docks, Dover, Kent, CT16 1JA |
| Port Amenities | At Dover ferry port you’ll find a range of amenities including information desks, currency exchange desks and toilets. There are also comfortable waiting areas and cafes where you can grab a drink and a snack. |
| Accessibility | Accessible toilets, ramps, and induction loops |
| Port Check-In | P&O Ferries: Car/Caravan/Foot Passengers: arrive 90 minutes before departure DFDS Seaways: Car/Caravan: arrive at least 120 minutes before check-in closes Irish Ferries: 60-90 minutes before departure depending on the vehicle |
| The port of Calais | |
|---|---|
| Travelling on from Calais | By car: The town centre of Calais is only a 5-10 minute car ride from the port. Driving to Paris takes about three hours via the A26 and A1, Lille 1 hour 15 minutes, and Dunkirk is only a short 40 minutes via the A16. By train: Calais Ville, located in the town of Calais, is the nearest train station to the ferry port. You can take the free shuttle bus or local bus line 1. The ride takes about 10 minutes. By bus: Operators such as P&O Ferries provide bus services for foot passengers, connecting the ferry terminal with the centre of Calais and the train station. |
| Port Address | Gare Maritime Est, Calais, France |
| Port Amenities | At Calais ferry port you'll find information desks, currency exchange counters, toilets and comfortable waiting areas. There is also a selection of shops and cafes. |
| Accessibility | Accessible ramps, lifts and rest areas; support for passengers with reduced mobility is available on request |
| Deboarding | Deboarding usually takes around 30 minutes. During busier times in the summer or public holidays, or if you are travelling with a pet or vehicle, we recommend planning about an hour. |
Also read: Ferry ticket types: Which one is right for me?
Famous for its rugged coastlines, medieval towns and wartime history, Northern France is a destination that belongs on everyone's bucket list. From the scenic seafront of Dieppe to the D-Day landing beaches around Caen, the walled port city of Saint-Malo and the island abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, the North of France is as beautiful as it is fascinating.
Are you travelling by car or caravan? (Which is super easy if you're taking the ferry!) Then why not travel on?
Just a little further inland, Paris, the romance capital of the world, awaits. Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, take a peek at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or wander in royal footsteps at the Palace of Versailles, all easily reachable in just a few hours from Calais. (If you're not taking your own vehicle, no problem; Calais offers great public transport connections to the rest of France. The direct TGV to Paris only takes 1 hour 40 minutes.)
So whether you're a seasoned visitor or it's your first trip to France, the North offers something for everyone. Plan a history-filled road trip, a romantic city break or a fun-packed family holiday (Disneyland Paris is only a 40-minute car ride from the capital!), the ferry to Calais is the perfect starting point!
And to make your trip even easier, here are some helpful tips to get you started:
The best time to visit Calais is in spring or late summer, when the weather is mild and the crowds are thinner. July and August are the warmest months, but also tend to be the busiest.
Best time to go: April–October
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | 8°C | 8°C | 11°C | 13°C | 16°C | 19°C | 21°C | 21°C | 19°C | 16°C | 12°C | 9°C |
| Calais | 8°C | 8°C | 11°C | 14°C | 17°C | 19°C | 22°C | 22°C | 20°C | 16°C | 11°C | 8°C |
*Average daytime high
Here are a few things to bear in mind before going on board:
Looking for more tips? If you’re still struggling to decide where in France to holiday or are looking for some inspiration, why not check out our France guide and our top list of places to visit in France.
