Dover-Calais
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The Caravan to France (Calais-Dover)
f you want to go to England with your caravan, you basically have the same choice in transport options as if you only go with your car. However, if you want to go to France via the Eurotunnel, only a limited number of gas installations are allowed*. If you do need it, you have to make the crossing by ferry. The rules are usually a bit better on the ferry crossings.
- Official Caravan Rules DFDS Caravan
- Official Caravan Rules P&O Ferries Caravan
- Official Caravan Rules Eurotunnel
These guides will clearly point you in the right direction of regulations and rules based on Caravan travel across the channel.
The Camper & Caravan are the same in terms of costs with the ferries, so this article and this cost analysis is also valid for Campers.
Just like for crossings from Dover to Calais by car, we have listed the prices for you to make a crossing with a caravan or camper. This concerns the prices as stated in March 2023 for the period with departure July 16, 2023, and as the return date of July 29th for a car with the caravan for a family with two children.
Calais Dover, Caravan Pricing
| pricing (retour) | How long it will take | More info | |
| P&O + Caravan | ~ £ 250 | 90 min. | P&O Caravan info |
| DFDS + Caravan | ~ £ 150 | 90 to 140 min. | DFDS Caravan info |
| Eurotunnel + Caravan | ~ £ 400 | 35 min. + Checks |
The length of the caravan however has a major influence on the price of the crossing. The above example assumes a caravan of just under 6 meters in length. For example, with P&O there are extra costs for longer vehicles. We did not find any additional surcharges at DFDS and at the Eurotunnel.
Now the crossing by caravan via the Eurotunnel is expensive, and only for very long caravans, the price level becomes comparable to that of a ferry crossing.
In short: With a caravan, it is really better to take the ferry.
- Caravans that run entirely or partly on gas (LPG) cannot travel via the Eurotunnel but can travel via the Ferries. This must be stated at the crossing, and everything must be firmly secured and turned off during the crossing.
We carry both Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vehicles on board all our vessels providing the vehicle is a recognised manufactured model with standard specification. The gas cylinder MUST be switched off prior to embarkation.
Brittany Ferries
- If you travel with a caravan, you are also not allowed to take too much gas through the Eurotunnel.* This concerns a maximum of 47 kg of gas (+/- 93 liters) for one container and 50 kg of gas if several containers are present. The ferry services often have the same or similar rules. All gas bottles may not be connected and must be turned off.
- It is not allowed to camp in the camper or caravan during the ferry crossing. They get this question very often at the ferry services; this is absolutely not allowed.
- If you have something on your motorhome or caravan that ensures that the motorhome goes just over the 7-meter limit, you should really indicate this motorhome as 7 M+. (For example, a bicycle rack or a tow bar, or a drawbar.)
- Campers longer than 9 meters usually have to be booked through the freight departments, in which case you should contact DFDS, for example.
- Official P&O Ferries Caravan rules:
Before You Travel
Make sure you select the right option for your vehicle when making your booking, including the right size.
For example, you’ll need to include the extra length and height of your caravan attached to your car.
It’s a good idea to double check before you set off that you’re covered by travel and breakdown insurance for driving with a caravan or motorhome in Europe.
You should also make sure that all the vehicles you’re travelling with have had a full service.
P&O Ferries
