Dover to Calais ferry
There are dozens of ferries going back and forth on the Dover-Calais route every day. Both DFDS, P&O Ferries, and Irish Ferries sail on this route and in total offer up to 55 daily crossings.
On this page, you will find practical information about the ferry to Calais and Dover. Do you have to book through P&O or DFDS, for example? And are there good alternatives for this crossing?
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Map Dover-Calais ferry
Dover-Calais availability and costs
Depending on how (with or without a car, caravan, etc) and when (high or low season) you make the crossing, costs associated with the crossing can vary. 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):
- 1 adult foot passenger (P&O only): £30
- Car+ 2 adults: £74
- Motorhime+ 2 adults and 2 childeren: £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 also simply choose to book directly with the ferry operator via the buttons below.



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 per day. 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 quickly buy a bike before they depart with DFDS.
Due to Brexit, passport controls can take up to 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 do?, Ferrygogo.com[3]Traffic Chaos in Calais, Ferrygogo.com Fortunately, the trip usually just goes according to schedule.
Timetable Dover – Calais
The timetable may be subject to changes, 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
There are plenty of good alternatives to this crossing that can fit into your schedule as well. 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
There are a number of questions that 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 |
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↑2 | Dover Queue, What do do?, Ferrygogo.com |
↑3 | Traffic Chaos in Calais, Ferrygogo.com |