Dover to Calais Ferry from £83: Prices, Times & Best Options (2026)Planning a trip to Europe this summer? Skip the airport queues and take the car instead.
The Dover to Calais ferry is the UK’s most popular route to France, taking around 90 minutes, with prices from £83 and 40+ sailings per day.
Prices and schedules updated for 2026 travel.
It’s the shortest crossing between England and France, and the most frequent. Whether you’re taking a family holiday, a city break, or driving down through Europe, this route is hard to beat.
If you want a no-fuss crossing with the flexibility to travel at your own pace, this is the route.
It’s the shortest crossing between England and France, and the most frequent. Whether you’re taking a family holiday, a city break, or driving down through Europe, this route is hard to beat.
If you want a no-fuss crossing with the flexibility to travel at your own pace, this is the route.
Fares start at around £83 one way for a car and passengers, typically on late-night or very early-morning sailings.
For most travellers, expect to pay:
Tip: Economy tickets (available with DFDS) let you travel up to 4 hours either side of your booked departure, subject to availability. Useful if your plans might change, or you just want the option to leave earlier.
In short, most travellers pay around £120–£160 one way for a standard daytime crossing.
Three operators run the Dover to Calais route:
| Operator | First Sailing | Last Sailing |
| DFDS | ~01:00 | ~23:30 |
| P&O Ferries | ~01:00 | 23:55 |
| Irish Ferries | 00:20 | ~22:45 |
The route effectively runs 24 hours a day. All three operators take around 90 minutes; there’s no meaningful difference in crossing time between them. In practice, the choice usually comes down to price and departure time; all three offer a similar crossing experience.
Yes, but usually by £10–£30 on the same day, depending on timing and availability.
Shopping across all three operators, rather than going directly to one, is the easiest way to find the best fare for your travel dates.
Standard fares cover the car and all passengers. Extras vary by operator:
Foot passenger travel: currently, P&O Ferries is the main option on this route; pre-booking is essential as places are limited
The Port of Dover ferry terminal is located just off the A20 in Dover. By car, follow the boat signs to the ‘Eastern Docks’ – all three operators, P&O, DFDS and Irish Ferries, are found here. Use postcode CT16 1HZ for your sat nav. For foot passengers arriving by public transport, Dover Priory train station is just over 1 mile from the port.
Port of Dover – View Larger Map
The Calais ferry terminal (Port Boulogne) can be found just outside of Calais on the N216. From the main A16/E40 motorway, looks for the green signs to ‘Calais Port – Car Ferry’. Again, all three ferry operators can be found here. The entrance for foot passengers is by the ‘Cousteau’ bus stop and the free Balad’in shuttle bus runs from the centre of Calais to here roughly every 12-20 minutes.
Port of Calais – View Larger Map
Check in times vary, from 45 minutes up to 90 minutes before the sailing. Check with your ferry operator for their specific minimum arrival time at the port.
Personal allowances for alcohol and tobacco when travelling to mainland Europe are much lower than they used to be when the UK was a member of the European Union. According to the UK Government website, you are currently allowed to bring the following into the UK without paying import VAT or duty:
Around 90–100 minutes, depending on the operator and conditions.
DFDS, P&O Ferries, and Irish Ferries all operate this route.
Yes. P&O Ferries is currently the main foot passenger option on this route. You must pre-book; spaces are limited, and walk-up travel isn’t guaranteed.
Yes. All passengers (including children) must carry a valid passport. EU ID cards are not accepted for UK residents.
Yes, all three operators allow pets, but the paperwork has changed since Brexit. GB-issued pet passports are no longer valid. You now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of your departure date. Your pet must also be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before travel. Check requirements with your vet well in advance.
Restaurants and cafés, lounges, free Wi-Fi, outdoor decks, and duty-free shopping. Premium lounges are available on most vessels for an extra fee.
Yes, Dover has both short- and long-stay car parks, plus several independent providers nearby which are often cheaper. Book in advance during the summer.
For most travellers, Calais is the better choice, with more departures, more operators, and usually cheaper. But Dunkirk is a useful fallback if Calais sailings are busy or prices spike.
The DFDS terminal is located just to the West of Dunkirk. The address is Terminal Car Ferry, Port 5670, Rte de la Maison Blanche, 59279 Loon-Plage, France. There are white ‘Car Ferry’ signs on the exit from the main A16/E40 motorway.
DFDS Dunkirk Ferry Terminal – View Larger Map
Both get you across the Channel, but they’re quite different experiences.
| Ferry | Eurotunnel | |
| Crossing time | ~90 minutes | ~35 minutes |
| Price | Usually cheaper | Usually more expensive |
| Operators | 3 (more deals) | 1 |
| Onboard experience | Walk around, restaurants, sea views | Stay in your car |
| Frequency | 40+ per day | ~22 per day |
The Eurotunnel is genuinely fast; you’re travelling under the sea at around 200 km/h, and if you’ve never done it, it’s worth experiencing once. But for value, flexibility, and the onboard experience (especially with kids or on a longer trip), the ferry wins for most people. If you’re travelling with kids, pets or a packed car, the ferry is usually the easier and more comfortable option.
Both get you across the Channel, but they’re quite different experiences.
| Ferry | Eurotunnel | |
| Crossing time | ~90 minutes | ~35 minutes |
| Price | Usually cheaper | Usually more expensive |
| Operators | 3 (more deals) | 1 |
| Onboard experience | Walk around, restaurants, sea views | Stay in your car |
| Frequency | 40+ per day | ~22 per day |
The Eurotunnel is genuinely fast; you’re travelling under the sea at around 200 km/h, and if you’ve never done it, it’s worth experiencing once. But for value, flexibility, and the onboard experience (especially with kids or on a longer trip), the ferry wins for most people. If you’re travelling with kids, pets or a packed car, the ferry is usually the easier and more comfortable option.
Although the Dover to Calais and Dunkirk routes are the most popular and busiest, there are many other ferry routes between southern England and France. Depending on your destination, these routes can be quicker and more convenient, and make for a more relaxing journey.
Quickly compare prices and offers on these and alternative routings to see how much you can save!
Other Ferry Routes to FranceAlthough the Dover to Calais and Dunkirk routes are the most popular, and busy, there are many other alternative ferry routes between the South of England and France. Depending on your destination, these routes can be quicker, more convenient and make for a more relaxing journey.
Quickly compare prices and offers on these and alternative routings to see how much you can save!
It’s a legal requirement in France and many other European countries to carry a number of items of safety equipment in your car with you. There can be very hefty fines (sometimes on the spot) if you’re stopped by the Police and you don’t have these items in your car.
In France, it is a legal requirement to have reflective jackets and other items of safety equipment in your car.
It’s a legal requirement in France and many other European countries to carry a number of items of safety equipment in your car with you. There can be very hefty fines (sometimes on the spot) if you’re stopped by the Police and you don’t have these items in your car.
