Ferry from France to the UK: complete guide for 2026

Plan your ferry trip to England! 🚢
Mon, 9 March 2026 The Ferryhopper Team

Ferries from France to the UK operate year-round, linking the ports of Calais, Dunkirk and Dieppe with Dover and Newhaven in southern England. Crossings to Dover and Newhaven take as little as 1.5 hr, making it one of the quickest and most convenient ways to travel between the two countries.

Travelling by ferry is a comfortable and flexible way to cross the English Channel, whether you're heading to England for a short break or planning a longer trip across Great Britain.

Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip with the ferry from France to the UK in 2026.

Note: the France - UK ferry schedules for 2026 are available on our search engine as soon as ferry operators publish them.

View of ferry arriving in Dover

Set sail for England!

Ferry routes from France to the UK

You can travel all year round by ferry from France to the UK, with regular crossings from Calais, Dunkirk and Dieppe in northern France to the ports of Dover and Newhaven in southeast England.

Important: you can only travel with a vehicle on the ferries from France to Dover operated by DFDS and Irish Ferries.

Ferries from Calais - Dover

There are usually around 20 daily crossings on the Dover - Calais, with ferries usually departing every hour. The ferry trip lasts around 1 hr 30 min and tickets are priced from around €105 with a car. This route is served by both DFDS and Irish Ferries.

Ferries from Dunkirk to Dover

The Dunkirk - Dover route is normally operated up to 10 times a day by DFDS. The duration of the journey is about 2 hr and ticket prices start at around €100 with a car.

Ferries from Dieppe to Newhaven

You can travel by ferry on the Dieppe - Newhaven route with up to 3 daily crossings. The ferry trip typically lasts about 4-5 hr and foot passenger ticket prices start at around €40.

View of ferries in the English Channel and Dover in the distance

Ferry arriving in Dover

Tickets, offers & discounts for France - UK ferries 2026

France - UK ferry ticket prices

Ferry ticket prices from France to England in the UK usually start from €40 to €105, depending on the route and whether you’re travelling with a vehicle. Here are some indicative starting prices:

  • Calais - Dover: from €105, including a car
  • Dunkirk - Dover: from €100, including a car
  • Newhaven - Dieppe: from €40

The most budget-friendly UK - France ferry route for foot passengers is Dieppe - Newhaven, with prices for standard deck/lounge tickets starting at around €40, while cabin prices start at around €75.

If you are traveling with a vehicle, then the routes from Calais or Dunkirk to Dover are particularly popular, as the starting fares include car transport.

Keep in mind that if you’re travelling as a family or group of friends and sharing a car or cabin, then the overall cost per person will be lower, as the additional cost is split between passengers.

Your final ferry ticket price will depend on the exact route, ferry company, season, accommodation type (where applicable), and whether you’re travelling as a foot passenger or with a vehicle.

Tip: for the latest schedules and prices, compare all available France to UK ferry routes on Ferryhopper and book your tickets online with no hidden fees.

Offers and discounts

When travelling from France to the UK by ferry, you can take advantage of the regular discounts. While these discounts differ from one company to another, children under 16 often enjoy 50% off regular fares, while infants and toddlers up to 3 years old travel free of charge.

Additionally, the ferry companies also have special offers on UK - France ferries, such as early-bird discounts or lower prices for round-trip bookings. As such, planning and booking your ferry well in advance is the best way to secure the lowest ferry ticket prices for your trip.

These discounts and special offers are applied automatically when you book through Ferryhopper, so you’ll always get the best available price.

View of Dover Castle, England, UK

Dover Castle, perched atop the iconic White Cliffs

On-board services & amenities

The France - UK ferry routes are operated by conventional ferries with a range of modern amenities and services for a smooth and relaxing journey.

On board, you will typically find:

  • Comfortable seating in air-conditioned lounges and outer decks to enjoy the sea view
  • Restaurants, cafés and bars, which serve a range of drinks, snacks and meals (including vegetarian and child-friendly options)
  • Play areas with games to keep children entertained
  • Duty-free shops and kiosks selling cosmetics, perfumes, sweets and alcohol
  • Car decks for transporting vehicles
  • Free Wi-Fi hotspot to stay connected during the trip

Accessibility

The France - UK ferries are generally accessible to travellers with disabilities, featuring ramps and lifts between decks, as well as adapted amenities.

Boarding assistance is typically available upon request and prior notification to the ferry company before your journey.

Important: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so it is recommended to contact the ferry company at the time of booking for further details.

Cabins & accommodation

On Dieppe - Newhaven ferries, you can book cabins for 2-4 passengers for greater privacy and comfort. Typically, you can choose between:

  • Standard interior cabins
  • Exterior cabins with a sea view
  • Family cabins with a double bed, bunk beds, TV lounge, and a sea view
  • Business cabins with sofa, desk and a sea view
  • Cabins for passengers with disabilities
  • Pet-friendly cabins

All cabins have air conditioning, wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom.

There are no cabins on ferries from Calais or Dunkirk to Dover due to the short length of the trip. However Irish Ferries offers Club Class lounge seats on ferries, such as the Oscar Wilde and Isle Of Inishmore. These lounges are in an exclusive area on board and feature comfortable seating and sea views, Wi-Fi and complimentary drinks and snacks.

Luggage

Each ferry company has its own luggage policy:

  • On DFDS ferries, each passenger can carry up to 50 kg of luggage. The luggage must be taken by yourself from and on board. Note that there are no luggage carts.
  • When travelling with Irish Ferries, you may bring as many pieces of luggage as you can fit into your vehicle.

Pet travel

You can bring your pet with you on most France - Dover ferries, provided you include it in your booking. The ferries generally have designated pet-friendly areas, however pets are not allowed in lounges, dining areas or cabins.

Where do pets stay?

On the routes from Calais and Dunkirk to Dover, your pet can stay with you or in your vehicle for the trip. If you opt to keep your pet in your car, make sure to leave the window slightly open.

On the Dieppe - Newhaven ferries, you can also book a place for your pet in the on-board kennels or book a pet-friendly cabin.

During the trip, when not staying in your vehicle or the kennels, smaller pets must be kept in their carrier, while larger pets must wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead.

What travel documents do I need for my pet?

To travel on France - UK ferries with your pet, you’ll need to bring:

  • A microchip ID (the chip number must match the travel documents)
  • A valid EU Pet Passport (issued in the EU or Northern Ireland) or a GB Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
  • A valid rabies vaccination, administered at least 21 days before travel
  • For dogs, you will also need tapeworm treatment administered by a vet 1-5 days before your arrival

View of harbour at Newhaven, England, UK

The traditional fishing port of Newhaven in England

FAQs about France - UK ferries

Which ferry companies operate from France to the UK?

There are 2 ferry companies connecting France and the UK:

  • DFDS operates ferries from Calais and Dunkirk to Dover, as well as from Dieppe to Newhaven.
  • Irish Ferries mainly serves the Calais - Dover ferry route.

How long does the France - UK ferry trip last?

The duration of the France - UK ferry trip ranges from 1 hr 30 min to 5 hr, depending on the route and company. Here are indicative travel times for each route:

  • Calais - Dover : 1 hr 30 min to 1 hr 40 min
  • Dunkirk - Dover: about 2 hr
  • Dieppe - Newhaven: 4 hr to 5 hr

What is the fastest ferry from the UK to France?

The fastest ferry from France to the UK is the Calais - Dover route, which normally takes around 1.5 hr.

What is the cheapest ferry from France to the UK?

The cheapest France - UK ferry route is Newhaven - Dieppe, with foot passenger tickets priced from around €40, while tickets with a vehicle are usually just under €100.

However, if you are travelling with a motorbike, the tickets for the ferries from France to Dover routes start at around €60.

Is it cheaper to get the ferry or Eurotunnel?

It depends on whether you are traveling as a foot passenger or with a vehicle.

As a foot passenger, the Dieppe - Newhaven route is the most budget-friendly route, with tickets starting at around €40.

If you are travelling with a vehicle, the prices between France - UK ferries and the Eurotunnel are similar. However, the ferries typically offer greater value, with a more comfortable travel experience, multiple routes to choose from and over 30 daily crossings.

For more details, check out our blog on whether you should travel by ferry or Eurotunnel.

Do I need a passport on the ferry from France to the UK?

Yes, as you will be crossing the international border between France and the UK, you will need a valid passport, as national ID cards aren’t accepted for UK entry. Depending on your nationality, you may also require a visa or UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

If you’re bringing a vehicle, make sure you carry your driving licence, vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Can I travel on France - UK ferries with a vehicle?

Yes, the ferries travelling from France to the UK have car decks for transporting vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles and caravans. DFDS and Irish Ferries only allow passengers travelling with vehicles on routes to Dover.

Make sure to bring along your driver’s licence, as well as vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Sunset view of Newhaven Lighthouse in England, UK

The lighthouse in Newhaven at sunset

Book France - UK ferry tickets for 2026

Planning a trip across the Channel to the UK in 2026? Take a ferry from France to England, relax on board and arrive ready to explore Dover, the famous White Cliffs and beyond! You can also use our Map of ferries to visualise routes and plan your France - UK ferry trip with no hidden fees.

Find all available routes from northern France and Normandy, compare ferry companies and ticket prices, and book your ferry from France to the UK on Ferryhopper in just a few clicks!