Dover-Calais
From: €36,00
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Dover to Calais ferry
Dozens of ferries go back and forth on the Dover-Calais route daily. Both DFDS, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries sail on this route and, in total, offer up to 55 daily crossings. The ferry from Dover to Calais is the quickest and shortest route to France over the English Channel by ferry.
On this page, you will find practical information about the ferry to Calais and Dover. For example, do you have to book through P&O or DFDS? And are there suitable alternatives for this crossing?
Map Dover-Calais ferry
The Calais-Dover route is very popular for Brits travelling to mainland Europe. But also the other way around, Great Britain can welcome many travellers from, among others, France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Not only is it easy to board your transport, but the ferry is also a green alternative to the plane. [1]Ferry Emissions Research: Carbon Footprints Compared, Ferrygogo.com On this page, you will find a lot of information and tips about this ferry service.
Dover-Calais availability and costs
Crossing costs can vary depending on how (with or without a car, caravan, etc.) and when (high or low season) you make the crossing. Below is an indication of the costs and prices of these crossings. Generally, the earlier you book, the cheaper it is. In addition, there are sometimes offers that you can take advantage of. For the Dover-Calais crossing, we booked tickets with the following prices (one way):
- one adult foot passenger (P&O only): £30
- Car+ two adults: £74
- Motorhome + two adults and two children: £115
P&O Ferries vs DFDS vs Irish Ferries
The fastest and most convenient way to compare ferry tickets is usually by using the Direct Ferries booking engine. This website compares the three ferry operators + the Eurotunnel. Although it is an intermediate party, we found no difference in cost when booking a Dover-Calais ferry. However, if you don't want to use a company like this, you can book directly with the ferry operator via the buttons below.
You will see that the P&O and DFDS prices are very close to each other. Irish often seems a bit more expensive; the difference, however, is only a few pounds.
Departure, Sailing time and Arrival
Dover-Calais Schedule
DFDS makes the crossing up to 30 times a day. P&O up to 15 times a day and Irish Ferries around 11 times daily. So plenty of choices for your crossing. The biggest difference is that as a foot passenger, you can book with P&O and not with DFDS; DFDS expects you to bring a car, bike, or another form of transportation. There are even stories from passengers trying to buy a bike before they depart with DFDS quickly.
Due to Brexit, passport controls can take several hours on some of the busiest days. In 2022 this happened early in the summer in Dover and late summer in Calais.[2]Dover Queue, What do?, Ferrygogo.com[3]Traffic Chaos in Calais, Ferrygogo.com Fortunately, the trip usually goes according to schedule.
Timetable Dover – Calais
The timetable may change, so check this carefully when booking.
| Check in closes | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| 1:35 | 2:20 | 4:50 |
| 2:55 | 3:40 | 6:10 |
| 4:20 | 5:05 | 7:35 |
| 6:25 | 7:10 | 9:40 |
| 7:45 | 8:30 | 11:00 |
| 9:10 | 9:55 | 12:25 |
| 11:10 | 11:55 | 14:25 |
| 12:30 | 13:15 | 15:45 |
| 13:55 | 14:40 | 17:10 |
| 15:55 | 16:40 | 19:10 |
| 17:20 | 18:05 | 20:35 |
| 18:45 | 19:30 | 22:00 |
| 20:45 | 21:30 | 0:00 |
| 22:05 | 22:50 | 1:20 |
| 23:30 | 0:15 | 2:45 |
Timetable Calais – Dover
| Check in closes | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| 1:25 | 2:10 | 2:40 |
| 2:50 | 3:35 | 4:05 |
| 4:55 | 5:40 | 6:10 |
| 6:15 | 7:00 | 7:30 |
| 7:40 | 8:25 | 8:55 |
| 9:45 | 10:30 | 11:00 |
| 11:05 | 11:50 | 12:20 |
| 12:30 | 13:15 | 13:45 |
| 14:30 | 15:15 | 15:45 |
| 15:50 | 16:35 | 17:05 |
| 17:16 | 18:01 | 18:31 |
| 19:16 | 20:01 | 20:31 |
| 20:35 | 21:20 | 21:50 |
| 22:00 | 22:45 | 23:15 |
| 0:05 | 0:50 | 1:20 |
Alternative routes
Plenty of good alternatives to this crossing can also fit into your schedule. Popular ferry alternatives are Dover-Dunkirk and Newhaven-Dieppe. The Dover-Dunkirk brings you closer to Belgium and Holland, and Newhaven-Dieppe takes you further south in France.
Frequently Asked Questions
Several questions are frequently asked for the crossing between Dover and Calais
How long does the crossing to Dover and Calais take?
Why do people choose the ferry instead of the train?
Can I bring my pet on board?
Can you bring a bicycle on board the ferry?
References
| ↑1 | Ferry Emissions Research: Carbon Footprints Compared, Ferrygogo.com |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Dover Queue, What do?, Ferrygogo.com |
| ↑3 | Traffic Chaos in Calais, Ferrygogo.com |
Andy-Wox –
I’ve taken this route with Irish Ferries and with P&O Ferries, personally I liked P&O ferries more, most of all because it was a bit cheaper. Can’t say about DFDS however, I heard they are even better but I don’t have experience with this.
JW –
Good and quick way to travel from the UK to France and vice versa. Go prepared and check for traffic jams, but when informed it’s a good, comfortable and fast way of crossing the English Channel.
Tara-R –
This is nothing more then a transactional ferry, if you take this ferry and you expect luxury you must take a longer route. You’ll arrive on your destination before you know it.