Irish Ferries sails from Dover to Calais up to 20 times a day with two ships, the Isle of Inishmore and the Oscar Wilde. The crossing takes about 90 minutes, the route is for vehicles only, and same-day returns start at £55 for a car with up to five people.
Irish Ferries Dover to Calais at a glance
| Ships | Isle of Inishmore and Oscar Wilde |
| Sailings | Up to 20 a day in each direction |
| Crossing time | About 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Check-in | At least 60 minutes before departure, 90 minutes with pets |
| Foot passengers and cyclists | Not accepted on this route |
| Fares from | £55 for a day return, car and up to 5 people, Tuesday to Thursday (£93 on other days) |
Tickets and prices
Irish Ferries uses dynamic pricing, so the fare for the same car can differ a lot per sailing. What moves the price:
- Your vehicle. Travelling with a car is the base fare; a van, motorhome or caravan costs more, and so does a high vehicle.
- When you sail. Weekends and school holidays are the most expensive; early morning and late evening sailings are often the cheapest.
- When you book. The earlier, the cheaper, as fares rise when a sailing fills up.
- Ticket type. For a day trip the day return is the cheapest option: from £55 for the car on Tuesdays to Thursdays and £93 on other days, back within 24 hours. For a few days away there are short-break returns: 3 days from £110 (out on a Tuesday) and 5 days from £147 (October 2026).
Not sure which operator is cheapest for your date? Our guide to the cheapest ferry to France explains how to compare.
⚠️ Check your confirmation email: you may have to submit extra passenger information up to 24 hours before departure, which is shared with the British authorities.
Timetable
Irish Ferries sails Dover to Calais from early morning to late evening, in both directions. Departure times change with the seasons, so instead of a printed table we keep one live overview: see today’s Irish Ferries departures on our timetable page. Delays and cancellations appear on our sailing updates page. Mind the time difference: France is one hour ahead, so you arrive in Calais 2 hours 30 minutes after leaving Dover by the clock.
Check-in with Irish Ferries
1. Check-in
The Irish Ferries booths are well signposted in both the port of Dover and the port of Calais, with signs above the road and the Irish Ferries name painted on the lane. Show your booking reference and the passports of everyone in the car. You get a boarding card to hang on your rear-view mirror. Check-in closes 60 minutes before departure, or 90 minutes when you travel with pets.
2. Border control
After check-in you pass the border control. From Dover that is the French border police, so you arrive in Calais without further checks. From Calais you pass the French exit check and then UK Border Force, who also check the UK ETA of travellers without a British or Irish passport. Security staff may pick out vehicles for a search.
3. Boarding
Drive to the lane number on your boarding card and wait there. Boarding is announced; staff then guide you onto the car deck. Once you have parked, take what you need for the crossing, because the car deck is closed while the ship is at sea.
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.
On board Irish Ferries
Both ships have the usual facilities for a short crossing. Pets can stay in your car or come with you to the Pet Den, the dedicated lounge for dogs, cats and other small pets; registered assistance dogs are welcome everywhere on board.
- 🍴 Restaurant and café
- 🛒 Tax-free shop
- 🐾 Pet Den lounge
- 📶 Free WiFi
- 🧒 Kids corner
- 🎮 Games area
- ℹ️ Reception
- 🚚 Truckers lounge
Photos on board Irish Ferries
We took these photos during our test crossing in May 2024 on the Isle of Innisfree, which Irish Ferries has since replaced with the Isle of Inishmore and the Oscar Wilde. Read how Irish Ferries scored against the others in our ferry comparison.
Questions about Irish Ferries Dover to Calais
Can I travel as a foot passenger with Irish Ferries from Dover?
No. Irish Ferries does not take foot passengers or cyclists on Dover to Calais. On foot you can only cross with P&O Ferries; see our foot passenger page.
Can I take my dog on Irish Ferries?
Yes. Your dog can stay in the car or join you in the Pet Den lounge on board. Check in at least 90 minutes before departure when you travel with a pet, and make sure its papers are in order.
How long is the Irish Ferries crossing from Dover to Calais?
About 1 hour 30 minutes. Because France is one hour ahead, the arrival time on your ticket is 2 hours 30 minutes after departure.
How many Irish Ferries sailings are there a day?
Up to 20 a day in each direction, from early morning to late evening, shared between the Isle of Inishmore and the Oscar Wilde.
Other operators on the route
Irish Ferries is not the only operator on the route: compare every Dover to Calais ferry, or view the alternatives below.
- About 90 minutes
- Also takes foot passengers
- Car fares from £63
- About 100 minutes
- Vehicles only
- From £114 (car and up to 5 people)
- 35 minutes, from Folkestone
- Vehicles only
- From £59 (Day Trip)
Book Irish Ferries from Dover
See the departure times and fares of Irish Ferries for your date, or check how the three operators compare.