FerryGoGo Irish Ferries France deals (2026): top picks for Dover–Calais, plus a useful ‘plan ahead’ option
Irish Ferries has a few standout deals for travel to France right now, especially if you’re doing a quick Channel hop via Dover–Calais. Below are the offers we’d actually bookmark, plus one ‘pay a deposit now’ option that’s handy if you’re planning further ahead.
At a glance (best-value picks)
| Best for a quick day out | £44 day return Dover–Calais (car + up to 5 passengers). Book by 24 March 2026. Travel 5 Jan – 26 March 2026. |
| Best for a long weekend | 3-day short break from £118 return Dover–Calais. Book by 27 June 2026. Travel 5 Jan – 30 June 2026. |
| Best for a proper mini-break | 5-day short break from £148 return Dover–Calais. Book by 25 June 2026. Travel 5 Jan – 30 June 2026. |
| Best for planning ahead | €300 deposit to France to reserve a sailing for travel from 1 January 2026. Balance due at least 60 days before departure. |
Ferrygogo tip: If you want the ‘what’s the smoothest way to cross?’ version first, read our comparison here: We tried every way to cross the Channel (Dover–Calais). For practical route basics (ports, timings, check-in), see our Dover–Calais route overview. If you’re still deciding between routes, start with ferries to France from the UK.
Top pick #1: £44 ‘day return’ Dover–Calais
This is the one for a ‘France in a day’ reset. You cross, explore for a few hours, then head back the same day. Irish Ferries advertises £44 return based on a car + up to 5 passengers. The return is mandatory, and the day trip is typically valid for up to 24 hours from the scheduled arrival time of the outward sailing.
- Book by: 24 March 2026
- Travel window: 5 January – 26 March 2026 (inclusive)
- Best for: a family day out, a ‘foodie run’, or a quick change of scenery
Top pick #2: short breaks on Dover–Calais (3 days or 5 days)
If you’d rather turn it into a proper mini-break, the short-break fares are usually where the best value sits. Irish Ferries lists:
- 3-day short break from £118 return. Book by 27 June 2026. Travel 5 Jan – 30 June 2026.
- 5-day short break from £148 return. Book by 25 June 2026. Travel 5 Jan – 30 June 2026.
Who these suit: travellers who want a long weekend in northern France, or to add Belgium, without the ‘day trip rush’. Pick an early outbound and a later return, and you’ll feel like you’ve actually had time on the ground.
Planning ahead: €300 deposit to France
If you’re booking further ahead (especially for Ireland–France sailings), Irish Ferries also promotes a €300 deposit option to reserve your sailing for travel from 1 January 2026. The outstanding balance needs paying at least 60 days before departure. The booking isn’t confirmed until the final payment is made.
How to book (quick steps)
- Choose the format that fits your plan: ‘day return’, ‘3-day short break’, or ‘5-day short break’.
- Price up a couple of nearby dates. The cheapest fares can be limited by availability.
- Double-check the duration rules so your return remains valid (especially on day return and short break tickets).
Key conditions (plain English)
- Offers are subject to availability and can be changed or withdrawn by the operator.
- Day return and short break fares often require booking at least 24 hours in advance.
- Vehicle exclusions apply on some deals (for example, caravans/motorhomes/vans on day return fares).
- Always confirm the fare rules during booking before paying. Duration limits matter.
