Ferry from the UK to France: complete guide for 2026

Discover all routes across the Channel! 🚢
Wed, 5 August 2026 The Ferryhopper Team

Ferries from the UK to France connect southern England with northern France throughout the year. From the ports of Dover, Newhaven, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole you can sail to Calais, Dunkirk, Dieppe, Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Saint-Malo and Roscoff, reaching the French coast in as little as 1.5 hr.

On Ferryhopper, you can compare all ferry crossings to France, check real-time prices and timetables, discover the latest offers, and book your ferry tickets online with no hidden fees.

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

Sunset view of the English Channel from the back stern of a ferry

Crossing the Channel and heading for France at sunset

Ferry routes from the UK to France

There are year-round ferry connections between the UK and France. Specifically, you can travel from the ports of Dover, Newhaven, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole in south England to Calais, Dunkirk, Dieppe, Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Saint-Malo and Roscoff in northern France.

Important: the Dover - France ferries operated by DFDS and Irish Ferries do not allow foot passengers, only travellers with vehicles.

Ferries from Dover to Calais

The Dover - Calais ferry route is served with around 20 daily crossings, usually every hour. The ferry trip takes around 1 hr 30 min and ticket prices start at around €90 per car. This route is served by both DFDS and Irish Ferries.

Ferries from Dover to Dunkirk

You can travel by ferry from Dover to Dunkirk up to 10 times a day. The journey takes about 2 hr and ferry tickets cost from about €100 per car. This route between England and France is operated by DFDS.

Ferries from Newhaven to Dieppe

There are usually up to 4 daily crossings on the Newhaven - Dieppe ferry route, which is served by DFDS. The journey typically takes 4-5 hr and tickets cost from around €40.

Panoramic view of beach and city of Dunkirk, France

Welcome to Dunkirk!

Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen

You can travel on the Portsmouth to Caen ferry up to 3 times a day throughout the year. The journey is operated by Brittany Ferries and usually takes around 4.5 hr, while tickets cost from around €44.

Ferries from Portsmouth to Cherbourg

Brittany Ferries serves the Portsmouth - Cherbourg ferry route all year round, with 1-2 weekly departures depending on the season. The ferry trip takes 7 hr 45 min to 8.5 hr and ticket prices start from about €50.

Ferries from Portsmouth to Le Havre

The Portsmouth - Le Havre is operated seasonally, from March to September, with up to 7 weekly crossings. The journey with Brittany Ferries takes 6.5-10.5 hr and tickets are priced from about €44.

Ferries from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo

You can travel with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo all year round, usually with 7 weekly crossings in the high season and 1-2 weekly departures the rest of the year. The ferry trip normally takes 10.5-11 hr and tickets cost from around €120 including a cabin.

Tip: you can compare travel times and ticket prices on crossings from Portsmouth in our dedicated Portsmouth - France ferries page.

Ferries from Plymouth to Roscoff

The Plymouth - Roscoff ferries travel seasonally, with Brittany Ferries operating the route between April and October, with 1-2 daily crossings, 6 days a week. The journey takes 5 hr 15 min to 9.5 hr and ticket prices start from about €44.

Ferries from Poole to Cherbourg

The Poole - Cherbourg ferries operate all year round, with 1 daily crossing that usually takes 4 hr 45 min. The route is served by Brittany Ferries and ticket prices start from around €44.

Aerial view of low tide at Calais, France

Low tide at the beach of Calais

Tickets, offers & discounts for UK - France ferries 2026

UK - France ferry ticket prices

Ferry ticket prices from the UK to France usually start at around €40 to €120, depending on the route and whether you’re travelling with a vehicle. Here are some indicative starting prices:

  • Dover - Calais: from €90 with a car
  • Dover - Dunkirk: from €100 with a car
  • Newhaven - Dieppe: from €40
  • Portsmouth - Caen: from €44
  • Portsmouth - Cherbourg: from €50
  • Portsmouth - Le Havre: from €44
  • Portsmouth - Saint-Malo: from €120, including a cabin
  • Plymouth - Roscoff: from €44
  • Poole - Cherbourg: from €44

The most budget-friendly UK - France ferry route is typically Newhaven - Dieppe, with prices starting at around €40 for a single passenger. On the Dover routes the cost is per vehicle, which can include up to 9 passengers.

Keep in mind that these prices are indicative for standard bookings. If you’re travelling as a family or group of friends and sharing a car or cabin, the overall cost per person can be lower, as the vehicle fee 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.

Good to know: for your return trip, don’t forget to look into our blog on France - UK ferry schedules.

Offers and discounts

When you travel by ferry from England to France, you can take advantage of the regular discounts that ferry companies offer every year. These discounts are applied automatically when you book through Ferryhopper, so you’ll always get the best available price.

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.

You can keep an eye out on Ferryhopper for the latest special offers on UK - France ferries. The ferry companies often have early-bird discounts for bookings made well in advance, so planning ahead is often the best way to secure lower ferry ticket prices.

View of port in Cherbourg, France

The sleepy harbour in Cherbourg

On-board services & amenities

The conventional ferries serving the UK - France ferry routes are equipped with modern amenities and services, ensuring a smooth and relaxing journey across the Channel. Onboard, you will typically find:

  • Comfy air-conditioned lounges and seating on 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 everything from cosmetics and perfume to sweets and alcohol
  • Car decks for transportating of vehicles
  • Free Wi-Fi hotspot to stay connected during the trip

The ferries serving longer crossings tend to have a wider range of entertainment, which may include video-on-demand platforms, cinema and TV lounges, disco clubs, live music and video game areas, as well as wellness facilities, including indoor pool, spa, massage and beauty treatments.

Accessibility

The UK - France ferries are generally accessible to travellers with disabilities, featuring ramps and lifts to move between decks, as well as adapted  seating and amenities in common areas. The vessels operated by DFDS and Brittany Ferries on the longer routes from the UK to France also feature wheelchair-accessible cabins.

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

Are there cabins on the UK to France ferry?

Yes, you can book a cabin for 2-4 passengers on most UK to France ferries. Depending on the route, vessel and operator, you can generally choose between:

  • Standard interior cabins
  • Exterior cabins with a sea view
  • Premium cabins and suites with extra room, additional amenities and a sea view
  • Cabins for passengers with disabilities
  • Pet-friendly cabins

All cabins have air conditioning, wardrobe and an en suite bathroom.

Keep in mind that there are no cabins on Dover - France ferries.

Can I book business-class seats?

Yes, on many UK to France ferries you can book a seat in their business-class or VIP lounge. When travelling with Irish Ferries and Brittany, you can usually reserve a seat in the Club Class lounge, which is in an exclusive area on board and features 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 trolleys.
  • When travelling with Irish Ferries, you may bring as many pieces of luggage as you can fit into your vehicle.
  • With Brittany Ferries, you can bring as many bags as you can carry on board by yourself, regardless of size or weight, at no extra cost. You can store your luggage in the baggage room, which remains closed until 20-30 min before arrival.

Pet travel

You can bring your pet on most UK - France 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?

Depending on the route, vessel and operator, your can stay with you, in your vehicle, in the on-board kennels or in a pet-friendly cabin. If you opt to keep your pet in your car, make sure to leave a window a bit open.

During the trip, when not staying in your vehicle, cabin or the kennels, smaller pets must be kept in a suitable 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 UK - France 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 and recorded in your pet’s passport or certificate.

If you’re travelling back from France to the UK with a dog, you’ll also need proof of tapeworm treatment, administered by a vet 1-5 days before arrival. This requirement does not apply when travelling from the UK to France.

View of the port of Dieppe, France

Arriving at the port of Dieppe on the coast of Normandy

FAQs about UK - France ferries

Where do ferries from the UK go in France?

Ferries from Dover sail to Calais and Dunkirk, ferries from Newhaven go to Dieppe, ferries from Portsmouth travel to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre and Saint-Malo, ferries from Plymouth travel to Roscoff and ferries from Poole go to Cherbourg.

Can I just turn up at the port and get a ferry from the UK to France?

Yes, but it’s not always the best option, especially during peak travel times such as weekends, holidays, or the summer months. While you can sometimes buy ferry tickets at the port on the day of travel, availability is not guaranteed.

For the best choice of departure times and fares, it’s generally recommended to book your UK - France ferry tickets on Ferryhopper well in advance. This way, you can compare routes and operators, find the best prices, and secure your spot before arriving at the port.

Do I need a passport for the UK - France ferry?

Yes, as you will be crossing the international border between the UK and France, you will need to bring along a passport that is valid for at least 3 months.

If you are a British citizen, you can typically stay in the Schengen area (including France) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or similar purposes.

How much is the cheapest ferry to France from the UK?

The cheapest route from the UK to France is the Newhaven - Dieppe ferry, with prices starting at around €40 as a foot passenger and just under €100 if you travel with a car.

However, if you are travelling with a motorbike, the prices for the Dover - France routes start at around €60.

How long does the UK - France ferry trip last?

The duration of the UK - France ferry trip ranges from 1 hr 30 min to 11 hr, depending on the route and company. Here are indicative travel times for each route:

  • Dover - Calais: from 1 hr 30 min to 1 hr 40 min
  • Dover - Dunkirk: about 2 hr
  • Newhaven - Dieppe: from 4 hr to 5 hr
  • Portsmouth - Caen: around 4 hr 30 min
  • Portsmouth - Cherbourg: from 7 hr 45 min to 8 hr 30 min
  • Portsmouth - Le Havre: from 6 hr 30 min to 10 hr 30 min
  • Portsmouth - Saint-Malo: from 10 hr 30 min to 11 hr
  • Plymouth - Roscoff: from 5 hr 15 min to 9 hr 30 min
  • Poole - Cherbourg: abour 4 hr 45 min

What is the fastest ferry from the UK to France?

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

Can I travel from the UK to France with a vehicle?

Yes, the ferries serving the UK - France routes have car decks for transporting vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, and caravans. Keep in mind that DFDS and Irish Ferries only allow travellers with vehicles on routes from Dover to France.

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

Which ferry companies operate from the UK to France?

There are 3 ferry companies connecting the UK and France:

  • Brittany Ferries operates routes from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Saint-Malo and Roscoff.
  • DFDS serves the routes from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk, as well as from Newhaven to Dieppe.
  • Irish Ferries mainly operates ferries on the Dover - Calais route.

Can I travel by train from the UK to France?

Yes, you can also travel to France from England with LeShuttle through the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais. The crossing takes around 35 min, with up to 4 departures per hour, making it faster than the Dover - Calais ferry. Keep in mind though that this is a vehicle train service and does not accept foot passengers. To decide which option best suits your trip, check out our guide to travelling between the UK and France by ferry or LeShuttle.

View of ferry from beach on the coast in northern France

A ferry approaching the sandy coastline of northern France

Book UK to France ferry tickets for 2026

Looking for a scenic escape to mainland Europe? All you need to do is hop on the ferry from England to France, enjoy the sea breeze, and arrive ready to explore Hauts-de-France, Normandy, Brittany and beyond!

You will find all available routes from England to northern France, compare companies, and book your ferry tickets quickly and securely on Ferryhopper. On our Map of ferries, you can visualise and plan the perfect UK - France ferry trip in 2026 with no hidden fees.