Ferry to Calais from Dover

Tickets, Prices & Schedules

You can travel by ferry from the port of Dover in southeastern England, UK, to the port of Calais in northern France all year round. DFDS and Irish Ferries provide crossings every hour throughout the day that take 1.5 hr to cross the Channel, with ticket prices starting at around €90.

Find updated info, compare ferry schedules, companies and prices, and book your ferry from Dover to Calais online on Ferryhopper with no hidden fees.

Discounts

Take advantage of the available discounts and travel by ferry to Calais from Dover with lower-cost ferry tickets. Ferry companies offer special discounts for specific passenger categories, such as:

  • Children up to 15 years old
  • Families with children 

Note: Children under 3 years can usually travel by ferry to France from Dover for free. Keep in mind that available discounts can vary from one ferry operator to another.

On-board services and amenities

Ferries to Calais from Dover offer a variety of amenities to ensure a smooth and relaxing journey.

Onboard, you can enjoy spacious seating areas, Wi-Fi access, bars and restaurants serving drinks, snacks, and meals, and shops selling duty-free goods.

Some ferries also include designated play areas for children and kennels for pets.

Find out more about the high-end amenities onboard the Dover to Calais ferry on our dedicated blog.

Cabins and accommodation

Since the ferry trip from Dover to Calais is only 1.5 hours, cabins are not available.

You can usually choose between a business lounge seat, which is available for an additional fee, and a deck-lounge seat, which is included in your ticket.

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.
  • On Irish Ferries, passengers traveling by car may bring as much personal luggage as they can fit into their vehicle.

Traveling with pets

You can travel with your pet on most ferries from Dover to Calais. Make sure you carry your pet’s passport and health documents with you.

Usually pets need to stay in your vehicle during the trip but some ferries also have designated pet-friendly kennels, typically available for an additional fee. 

Note: each ferry company has its own pet policy, so make sure to check it or contact the company before your trip.

Useful tips for your ferry trip to Calais from Dover

Here are some travel tips for your ferry trip from Dover to Calais:

  • Make sure to arrive at the Dover port well in advance. Check-in closes 90 min prior to the scheduled departure time for foot passengers and 60 min prior for all other categories of traffic. The dedicated shuttle bus for foot passengers will leave when check-in closes (90 minutes before your sailing).
  • Since there is a 1-hour time difference between the UK and France, don’t get confused with your arrival time!
  • Remember that to travel from the UK to France, you will need a valid passport.
  • Dover - Calais is the fastest ferry crossing from the UK to France. The proximity of the two ports makes Calais a popular destination for a great weekend trip to France from Dover by ferry.
  • Keep in mind that you can only travel with a vehicle on the Irish Ferries and DFDS trips across the Channel. P&O Ferries also allows foot passengers. 
  • Don't forget to also book your return tickets in advance from Calais to Dover for a hassle-free trip.

Where to take the ferry from Dover to Calais

Ferries from Dover to Calais depart from the port of Dover in southeastern England, which is one of the world's busiest passenger ports.

Dover is around 112 km from London and you can get to the port by car in less than 2.5 hr, via the M20, which merges into the A20 at Folkestone. You can also travel from London to Dover by train. Dover Priory is the nearest train station to the Dover ferry terminals. You can walk from the station to the Passenger Terminal in about 25 min.

If you are travelling to Calais as a foot passenger, you will get to the Passenger Terminal building at Dover’s Eastern Docks first. You will then take a shuttle bus from the Passenger Terminal building to your ferry.

You will find all necessary amenities in the Passenger Services Building (PSB), located on the west side of the port. Facilities include cash and currency services, toilets, cash points, vending machines, free Wi-Fi access, restaurants, and a games room.

Where does the ferry arrive in Calais?

Ferries from Dover arrive at the Gare Maritime Est terminal in the port of Calais, located a few minutes’ drive from the city centre.

If you're travelling with a vehicle, follow the signs for the A16 and A26 motorways to continue your journey. These motorways connect Calais to Paris, Lille, and other destinations in France and continental Europe, such as Belgium, the Netherlands and countries further south.

There are fuel stations, rest areas, and supermarkets located within a short distance of the port, so you can easily stock up before continuing your journey.

Foot passengers can take a shuttle service from the ferry terminal to the Calais Ville train station. From there, you can take a TER regional train to destinations such as Lille, Dunkirk, and Boulogne-sur-Mer. 

Buses also depart from outside the terminal for Calais city centre, where you can find hotels, car rental agencies, and other travel services. 

How long is the ferry ride from Dover to Calais?

The Dover to Calais ferry time is approximately 1 hr 30 min, but can vary depending on the season, vessel, ferry operator, and weather conditions.

Dover - Calais ferry companies

Dfds Dfds Irish Ferries Irish Ferries

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FAQs

Yes, you can travel with your vehicle on ferries from Dover to Calais, including cars, motorhomes, buses and motorcycles. Prices vary depending on the size and dimensions of the vehicle, as well as the season and ferry company.

Here are some indicative prices:

  • Cars: From around €55
  • Van: From around €70
  • Motorbike: From around €32
  • Motorhome: From around €70

Note that you can only travel with a vehicle on Irish Ferries and DFDS trips across the Channel. P&O Ferries allows foot passengers. 

Useful info: Remember that you will be driving on the right-hand side of the road once you arrive in France!

No, you can’t stay in your car during the ferry crossing between Dover and Calais.

Once the vessel has left the port, you are not allowed to remain on the car park deck for safety reasons.

However, you can return to your vehicle a few minutes before reaching the port of Calais, following the crew's instructions.

The vessels operating the route from Dover to Calais are normally conventional ferries. The fastest ferry to Calais takes about 1.5 hours.

The distance between the port of Dover in the UK and the port of Calais in France is around 27 nautical miles (approximately 50 km).

All passengers travelling by ferry from Dover to Calais will need a valid passport. British citizens entering the Schengen area must have a passport issued within the last 10 years that is valid for at least 3 months beyond their departure date from the EU.

Visitors from the UK can usually stay in the Schengen area (including France) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or similar purposes.

Keep in mind that travel rules may change over time, so we always recommend checking them with the relevant authorities before your travel date.

When travelling from Dover to Calais by ferry you will need your UK driving licence, a valid motor insurance policy that covers driving in Europe and your V5C vehicle registration document. Make sure you have the originals with you, as photocopies are not accepted during checks.

If you are travelling in a hired, leased or company car, or if the vehicle is not registered in your name, you will usually need a VE103/VE103B 'Vehicle on Hire' certificate, or written permission from the owner or leasing company confirming that you are permitted to take the vehicle abroad.

Bear in mind that driving rules can change over time. Before you travel, we recommend checking the latest guidance on the UK Government’s 'Driving in the EU/France' pages and contacting your ferry operator.

Find detailed answers to all your questions about ferry ticket changes, cancellations and refunds.

Remember that you can also use Ferryhopper's online booking modification service, available with certain ferry companies.

Related ferry schedules

Dover
Dover