Ferry crossings Dover-Calais
Dover-Calais is the fastest and cheapest crossing between the UK and France. Three companies operate on this route.
New, modern, and stable ferries (truly impressive vessels) with spacious car decks and plenty of onboard facilities. Perfect for travelers with pets too. Often the most affordable choice as well.
- Up to 11 crossings per day
- 90 minutes
- 1 pers. by car: ± £100 to £199
P&O offered us the best overall experience.
The widest choice of departures on functional and well-maintained ships. DFDS has been a reliable ferry service provider for years, offering some of the most reasonable prices for onboard dining.
- Up to 15 crossings per day
- 100 minutes
- 1 pers. by car: from ± £99
The best coffee onboard.
Welcoming staff and a charming old-school ferry experience, thanks to the older vessels’ unique character. Onboard dining prices are somewhat higher than average.
- Up to 14 crossings per day
- 90 minutes
- 1 pers. by car: ± £100 to £156
Charming traditional ferry
Rather take the train?
The Channel Tunnel is the fastest way across: Le Shuttle carries cars from Calais to Folkestone in just 35 minutes, while Eurostar takes foot passengers straight to London. See how the trains compare with the ferry before you book.
Choose the right ferry company
⚠️ Pay attention to this
The ferry service between Dover and Calais provides an important connection between mainland Europe and the United Kingdom. Three ferry companies operate the route from England, providing a regular schedule throughout the year. These are P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries.
The Dover to Calais crossing usually takes around 1.5 hours, depending on weather conditions and the type of ferry. It is advisable to book in advance, especially during busy periods. This means you are assured of a place on board and you don’t pay too much.
There are two train connections that go through the Channel Tunnel. The Eurostar for foot passengers and The Shuttle for travellers with a car, van, camper, caravan, motorcycle or bicycle.
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 min.
- 1 pers. by car: ± £97 to £284
- From London to Paris Gare du Nord
- Foot passengers
- ±2 hours and 15 min.
- 1 person: ± £48 to £231
- From London to Rotterdam/Amsterdam
- Foot passengers
- ±3 h 15 min. to 3h 50 min.
- 1 person: ± £48 to £231
- 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 crossing takes approximately 90 minutes, though it is slightly longer with DFDS.
Can you buy tickets at the port?
Tickets can be purchased at the ferry companies’ Travel Centers. All ferry companies charge a Turn-Up and Go rate at the port. That is a premium rate and also more expensive than the internet rate. To get the lowest price, it is better to book online in advance.
Check-in
Check-in closes at least 60 minutes in advance for car drivers, and at least 90 minutes for foot passengers. 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?
For a crossing of only 1.5 hours, a low price is an important component for many. You can compare all providers in the booking module. Those looking for the best experience can take a look at the page where we compared the ferry services after our trips.
Pets
All companies allow pets on board if they have a pet passport. P&O has very extensive facilities on the Pioneer and Liberté ships. Irish ferries allow a dog on board, but the facilities are limited. With DFDS, pets have to stay in the car.
Alternative crossings
Around the Calais-Dover ferry service, there are several other crossings that might also be of interest to you.
Portsmouth / Plymouth to France ↗
- up to 20 crossings per day
- from 240 minutes
- 1 person, 1 car: £95-£113
Dover – Dunkirk ↗
- 8 – 11 crossings per day
- 120 minutes
- 1 person, 1 car: £77-£159
Newhaven – Dieppe ↗
- 3 crossings per day
- 4 hours
- 1 person, 1 car low: £50 to £65
Harwich-Hook of Holland ↗
- 2 crossings per day
- 6.5 hours or 8.5 hours (at night)
- 1 person, 1 car: £107 to £276
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.
