Dover to Calais ferry: the three operators
The ferry from Dover to Calais is the shortest sea crossing between England and France. P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries sail it all year round, with dozens of departures a day and a crossing of about 90 minutes. We sailed with all three; this is how they compare.
The newest and most stable ships on the route, the P&O Pioneer and Liberté, with spacious car decks and the best facilities on board. The only operator that takes foot passengers, and dogs can join you in the Pet Lounge.
- Up to 12 sailings a day
- About 90 minutes
- From £63 (car and up to 9 people)
P&O offered us the best overall experience.
Three ships sailing around the clock on a vehicles-only route, with reasonable prices for food on board. In our test DFDS had the best WiFi and the best coffee of the three. Pets stay in the car.
- Around the clock
- About 100 minutes
- From £114 (car and up to 5 people)
The best coffee onboard.
Welcoming staff and a classic ferry feel on the Isle of Inishmore and the Oscar Wilde. The most sailings of the three, low day-return fares and a Pet Den lounge for dogs. Food on board is a little pricier.
- Up to 20 sailings a day
- About 90 minutes
- Day returns from £55
Charming traditional ferry
Rather take the train?
The Channel Tunnel is the fastest way across: Le Shuttle takes your car from Folkestone to Calais in 35 minutes, and Eurostar takes foot passengers from London St Pancras to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Our reviews and driving tips help you choose before you book.
Choose the right ferry company
⚠️ Pay attention to this
The ferry between Dover and Calais is the busiest link between the UK and mainland Europe. Three companies sail it all year round, from the Eastern Docks in Dover to the ferry terminal in Calais, and the same ships take you back from Calais to Dover. They are P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries.
The crossing takes about 90 minutes, or about 100 minutes with DFDS. Today’s departures are on our timetable, the official fares and ticket types on our prices page, and money-saving tips on the cheapest ferry to France. No car? P&O is the only operator that takes foot passengers.
Two trains run through the Channel Tunnel: Eurostar for foot passengers and Le Shuttle for travellers with a car, van, motorhome, caravan or motorbike, from Folkestone, about 10 miles west of Dover.
Make your reservation early, as prices can rise quickly as the ferries and trains fill up.
- From Folkestone to Calais
- Only with a vehicle
- 35 minutes
- From £59 per car (Day Trip)
- From London to Paris Gare du Nord
- Foot passengers
- About 2 hours 20 minutes
- Cheapest when booked early
- From London to Rotterdam/Amsterdam
- Foot passengers
- About 3 to 4 hours
- Cheapest when booked early
- The distance between Dover and Calais is 25.62 miles / 41.23 kilometres.
- The length of the Eurotunnel is just over 31 miles / 50 kilometres.
- The ferry crossing takes about 90 minutes (about 100 with DFDS); Le Shuttle takes 35 minutes.
Can you buy tickets at the port?
Yes, at the ferry companies’ desks in the port, but at a turn-up-and-go rate that is well above the online fare. For the lowest price, book online in advance. Our prices page explains the fares and ticket types.
Check-in
Check-in closes at least 60 minutes in advance for car drivers, and at least 90 minutes for foot passengers and for pets in the P&O Pet Lounge or the Irish Ferries Pet Den. On busy days, it is advisable to arrive at least two hours early, as check-in and customs can be particularly crowded during these times.
Please note: the check-in times on this page are an indication to help you estimate how much time to allow for your journey. Always follow the official information from the operator you travel with or the company you booked with.
Which company should I choose?
On a crossing of about 90 minutes, price matters most for many travellers, and the cheapest operator changes per day and per sailing. Compare all three for your date in the booking module at the top of this page. Looking for the best experience on board? See how we compared the ferry services after our own crossings.
Pets
All three take pets in a car. P&O has a Pet Lounge where your dog can stay with you (£15 each way), Irish Ferries has the Pet Den, and with DFDS pets stay in the car. Foot passengers cannot bring pets, guide dogs excepted. Your pet needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination and the right travel document, so check the current rules on gov.uk before you go.
Alternative crossings
Live in the south or west of England, or heading for Normandy, Brittany or the Netherlands? A longer crossing can save you hours of driving. All options are in our overview of alternatives to Dover-Calais.
Portsmouth / Plymouth to France ↗
- To Normandy and Brittany
- Day and overnight sailings
- Closer to western France
Dover – Dunkirk ↗
- About 2 hours
- Vehicles only
- Handy for Belgium and the Netherlands
Newhaven – Dieppe ↗
- About 4 hours
- Cars and foot passengers
- Closer to Normandy and Paris
Harwich-Hook of Holland ↗
- 2 sailings a day
- Day and overnight sailings
- Straight to the Netherlands
Calais-Dover.com offers a unique combination of in-house travel experience and booking technology. You can compare departures and prices with us in the booking module, but you can also read more about our own experiences with the three ferry services and the Eurotunnel. We have tried all the companies extensively and all photos and videos were taken by ourselves.
