Ferries to the UK from France
Select departure from “France” to compare ferry routes to your destination
Ferries to England from France
Sailing to the UK from France. Planning a trip to the UK? France offers numerous ferry routes, giving you plenty of options to cross the Channel.
Departure Ports in France
You can sail from various French ports, including:
- Calais and Dunkirk (short crossings to Dover).
- Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre, Roscoff, and Saint-Malo.
UK Destinations
French ferries connect to major UK ports, such as:
- Dover (from Calais or Dunkirk).
- Portsmouth, Poole, Plymouth, and Newhaven (from ports in Normandy and Brittany).
Choose Based on Your Route
Whether you're travelling from Normandy, Brittany, or crossing the North Sea, there’s a ferry option to suit your starting point and destination, ensuring a smooth and convenient journey to the UK.
If you're planning a trip to France, we recommend checking out our ferry guide from the UK to France.
Map: crossings from France to England
Ferry Routes from France to the UK
The ferry map offers a clear overview of where you can board ferries from various regions in France. Key departure points include:
- Roscoff, Caen, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Dieppe, Saint-Malo, Dunkirk, and Calais.
These ports connect to a range of destinations in the UK, making it easy to choose the route that best fits your travel plans.
About the crossings to England
Ferry Operators and Routes from France to the UK
You can travel with familiar ferry operators such as DFDS, P&O Ferries, Brittany Ferries, Irish Ferries, and Condor Ferries. With at least 10 routes from France to southern UK, there’s an option to suit every budget and preference.
Why Choose a Ferry?
- Flexibility: Choose quicker daytime sailings or opt for night crossings to sleep and arrive refreshed.
- Direct Connections: In addition to UK routes, there are also direct sailings from France to Ireland.
Plan Your Journey
Check the ferry map for all available crossings and select the one that best fits your schedule and destination. Affordable and convenient travel across the Channel is just a ferry ride away! 🚢
Via the Strait of Dover: Ferries to the UK
The routes across the Strait of Dover are the most popular and well-known ways to travel from France to the UK.
Key Operators and Routes
- Operated by P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, and DFDS Ferries.
- Takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Offers up to 35 combined crossings daily.
Dunkirk to Dover:
- Operated by DFDS Ferries, with very frequent sailings.
- Takes around 2 hours.
Why Choose These Routes?
These are the shortest and fastest crossings between France and the UK, perfect for a quick and convenient journey. With numerous daily departures, you’ll have plenty of options to suit your schedule.
Ferries to the UK from Normandy, Brittany/Bretagne, and Southwest France
Daily ferries depart from Saint-Malo, Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, and Roscoff, connecting various regions of France to the UK.
Popular Routes
From Brittany/Bretagne:
- Ferries from Roscoff, Cherbourg, or Saint-Malo sail to Plymouth or Portsmouth.
From Normandy:
- Ferries from Cherbourg and Caen head to Portsmouth, offering convenient access to southern England.
Destinations
Most routes lead to Portsmouth, with some ferries docking at Plymouth and Poole, depending on your departure port.
These routes provide flexible options for travellers heading to the UK from western and southwestern France.
On board impression and route maps
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- On this map you can see all the crossings from the UK / England to France – From Dover, Portsmouth, Newhaven, Poole & Plymouth to France.
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- Dover to France crossings captured
Prices and availability for the crossings
Additional Information
When travelling on crossings between France and the UK, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Bring your passport: Since Brexit, a driver's licence or ID card is no longer sufficient for travel.
- Download entertainment in advance: On longer night crossings, it’s a good idea to download series or movies beforehand, as Wi-Fi on board can be expensive, and roaming in international waters is costly.
- Foot passengers: Not all ferries accept foot passengers, so check ahead of time.
- Travelling with young kids on a night ferry? We’ve got some helpful tips for travelling with kids here.
- Remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road after disembarking. It can be a bit confusing for the first 10 minutes, but you'll adjust quickly.
- Worried about getting seasick? In this article, you’ll find some tips to help prevent it.
Luggage & Pets
On most ferries, there are no restrictions on the amount of luggage you can reasonably bring. Pets are allowed, but additional fees apply, and they must stay in designated kennels on board. For some destinations, pets need to meet specific requirements, such as certain vaccinations and a pet passport. You can find country-specific regulations and company policies in this post.
Tips for ferry travellers
I am looking to book a ferry from Caen to Portsmouth for two adult foot passengers June 25
Need help thx
Hi Donna,
We somehow missed your reply – did you figure out already or can we assist?
Best regards