There is no long-stay car park inside Dover ferry port. If you leave the car behind and walk on, you park outside the port and take a free shuttle to the terminal, from about £9 a day. Calais port only has free short-term parking in front of the terminal. Below are your options, and a calculator that shows whether parking beats taking the car.
Can you park at Dover ferry port?
No. The Port of Dover has no parking for ferry passengers who leave their car behind. There is only a drop-off area in front of the Passenger Terminal, where you can drop off or collect foot passengers. If you need parking for a ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, book an independent car park outside the port that runs a shuttle to the terminal.
Cruise passengers are the exception: they can use the official valet parking at the Dover Cruise Terminal. That is a different part of the port, and it is not open to ferry travellers.
Ferry parking near Dover
The Port of Dover itself refers ferry travellers to Relyon Parking, at Poulton Close (CT17 0HL), about 3 miles from the port. The site is staffed day and night, the compound is patrolled, and a free shuttle takes you to the terminal; one bus also carries bicycles, and wheelchair-accessible minibuses are available if you ask when booking. When you come back, you let them know you have arrived and the shuttle picks you up. Parking costs £9 a day, with a minimum of £30 for up to three days (prices October 2026).
Other private car parks and driveways in Dover can be cheaper, but check these points before you book:
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Shuttle included | Without one you walk to the port with your luggage |
| Distance to the port | A short transfer saves time on an early sailing |
| 24/7 access | Your ferry can be late, or you may come back in the middle of the night |
| Security | Look for a staffed or patrolled compound if you stay away several nights |
| Vehicle type | Vans, motorhomes and trailers are not accepted everywhere |
Walking on after you park? On Dover to Calais only P&O Ferries takes foot passengers; DFDS and Irish Ferries only carry travellers with a vehicle or a bicycle. Check in at the P&O desk in the Passenger Terminal at least 90 minutes before departure. Fares and sailings are on our foot passenger page, and the terminal itself is explained in our guide to Dover ferry port.
Park in Dover or take your car? Cost calculator
Enter how long you are away and how many people travel. The calculator compares parking near Dover plus P&O foot passenger tickets with taking your car by ferry or Le Shuttle, and shows up to how many travellers parking stays cheaper.
Estimate based on: off-site parking near Dover from about £6 a day, £9 a day at Relyon (minimum £30) and around £14 for spaces close to the port; P&O foot passenger fares from about £32 each way; car fares each way from £63 (P&O Ferries, up to 9 people) and £114 (DFDS, up to 5 people); Irish Ferries same-day returns from £55 (up to 5 people); Le Shuttle per car each way from £59 (Day Trip), £98 (Short Stay Saver) and £124 (Standard). Busy-period surcharges are estimates. Always check the live price before you book.
Dover cruise parking
Sailing on a cruise ship instead? The Dover Cruise Terminal at the Western Docks (CT17 9DQ) has official on-site valet parking, run by Cruise and Passenger Services (CPS). It works like this:
- Drive straight to the cruise terminal, where CPS staff check your booking and car.
- Your car is photographed for security and you get a barcode receipt.
- You go to cruise check-in while CPS parks the car in the secure car park.
- When you return, you collect your keys and are directed to your car.
Bookings and prices are on the official Dover cruise parking page ↗.
Parking at Calais ferry port
In front of the ferry terminal in the port of Calais (285 avenue du Mérite Maritime) there is free parking for dropping off and for short stays, handy if you collect someone off the ferry. The port has no car parks for medium or long stays, so leaving your car in Calais while you cross on foot is not an option at the port itself.
| Parking type | Dover ferry port | Calais ferry port |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-off | Yes, in front of the Passenger Terminal | Yes, free |
| Short stay | No | Yes, free |
| Long stay | No, use an off-site car park with shuttle | No |
| Cruise parking | Yes, valet at the Cruise Terminal | Not applicable |
Taking the car after all? Our guide to the crossing by car explains the ferry and Le Shuttle with a car, and the prices page shows what each operator charges.
Questions about parking
Is there long-term parking at Dover ferry port?
No. Ferry travellers park at an independent car park outside the port, such as Relyon, and take the free shuttle to the terminal. Only cruise passengers can park inside the port.
How much does ferry parking in Dover cost?
Relyon charges £9 a day with a minimum of £30 for up to three days. Smaller car parks and private driveways in Dover can be a little cheaper, often without a shuttle. Spaces close to the port cost more.
Can I leave my car in Calais and cross on foot?
Not at the port: Calais ferry port only has free drop-off and short-stay parking. Most travellers who walk on start in Dover, where they park off-site and cross with P&O Ferries.
Is parking and walking on cheaper than taking the car?
For one or two travellers on a short trip, often yes. With more people the car fare is shared and taking the car usually wins. The calculator above works it out for your trip.
Walking on, or taking the car?
Book a P&O foot passenger ticket, or compare the car fares of P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries in one overview.