Most viewed routes
Dover Calais
Newhaven-Dieppe
Portsmouth-Saint Malo
Poole-Saint Malo
Portsmouth-Caen
Getting to France from the UK by ferry
If you want to take the ferry to France from the UK, then you have at least 10 routes from England to France. In some cases, several ferry companies operate on the route, so there are plenty of choices.
Depending on your departure and destination locations, there are, of course, many suitable crossings available on the route. You can conveniently use our handy ferry map for this. But also look further! Some boats sail much faster, and other ferries are cheaper. Or maybe you like to make a night crossing on which you can sleep? That saves another hotel.
You might also find these ferry guides interesting
Tickets for the 10 routes to France
Booking ferry tickets from the UK to France is easy with our online booking module. You can find and book your desired ferry crossing in just a few clicks by entering your travel dates and destination. The booking engine will show you all available options and good alternative routes!
Dover-Calais is the shortest crossing
The car ferry from Dover to Calais covers a distance of just 26 miles (42 km), making it the shortest route to France. The ferry journey takes only 90 minutes, and there are up to 35 departures per day during the summer season.
- All
- Night Crossings 🌔
Plymouth-Roscoff
Poole-Saint Malo
Poole-Cherbourg
Portsmouth-Saint Malo
Portsmouth-Cherbourg
Portsmouth-Le Havre
Portsmouth-Caen
The most favored routes to France are those crossing the narrowest part of The Channel.
Ferries from Dover to Calais stand out with their brief 1.5-hour crossing time and affordability compared to other French routes. However, potential delays at border checks can be a downside.
Although these ferries head to France, passengers often use them to travel to Belgium and Germany.
For those bound for France, the Dover to Calais ferry is a more sensible option than the Dover to Dunkirk ferry, which docks further north, near Belgium.
Ferries from London to Paris
Newhaven Dieppe is a great connection for those who want to travel from London to Paris. You travel with this ferry in a fairly straight line in the direction of the French capital. So you make fewer miles/kilometers and don't have to drive that far on this route.
This route is a very popular alternative to the ferries operating in the Strait of Dover. A good alternative is the ferry to Le Havre from Portsmouth.
Ferries from the UK to the south of France
There are no direct ferries to the South of France, but you can choose a ferry that to France that brings you in the right direction.
If you're traveling to the south of France and want to avoid the traffic around Paris, the boats from Portsmouth to Le Havre or Caen are a good choice.
Travelling through France
Traveling in France is very pleasant. In combination with the ferry, most people make the crossing with their own car.
PS. Do remember that you have to drive on the right side of the road!
The good roads are unfortunately not always free. In France, you travel a lot on toll roads. These do not cost much, but the amount can add up considerably over a long drive to the South. In Google Maps, a function allows you to avoid toll roads. That will surely help saving a bit!
If you don't go by car, you can choose to travel through France by train. The country is known for its good connections with the TGV. The stations are easily accessible from some ports of arrival, but you could also consider traveling through the Channel Tunnel with the Eurostar. In Paris, you can then change to other connections or get off.
Fastest ferry route uk to france
Hi Kenneth,
That would be the Dover to Calais crossing – approx 90 mins.