Ferry from Dover to Calais
Ferries to Calais from Dover
Dozens of ferries operate daily on the Dover-Calais route. DFDS, P&O Ferries, and Irish Ferries serve this route, offering up to 35 crossings each day. The Dover to Calais ferry is the quickest and shortest route to France across the English Channel.
Plenty of Choices!
If the ferry is fully booked, no worries—there are plenty of options and alternatives. You can travel from Calais to Dover with DFDS, P&O Ferries, and Irish Ferries.
Another option is to sail from Dunkirk to Dover, which involves a shorter drive in France but a longer sail across the Channel.
Map: ferry route from Dover to Calais
About this crossing
The map shows the route for the Dover to Calais crossing and vice versa. This is the main ferry route between France and the UK, with ferries sailing back and forth frequently. From Dover, you also have the option to sail to Dunkirk.
The Calais-Dover route is very popular for Brits travelling to mainland Europe. Likewise, the UK welcomes many passengers from France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands on this route.
On this page you can find all our routes from the UK to France.
Crossing from Dover to Calais
Irish Ferries, DFDS & P&O Ferries all sail on the route from Dover to Calais. The best alternative is Dover Dunkirk wich is also listed here.
The Crossing in Brief
- Route: England (Dover) ➜ France (Calais)
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Ferry Operators: DFDS, P&O Ferries, and Irish Ferries
- Compare Crossings: Direct Ferries
- Best Alternative: Dover – Dunkirk (120 minutes)
Tickets for the crossings
On board
There’s plenty to do on board, although the journey is relatively short, so you won’t need much. There are restaurants for food and drinks, usually a children’s play area, a lounge, a designated area for pets, and a spacious outdoor deck where you can spend some time.
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- Dover to Calais route map
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- Dover to France crossings captured
Everything you need to know when taking the ferry to Calais
Three companies operate on the Dover-Calais and Calais-Dover routes, offering prices that are quite similar across all crossings. Each company provides over 10 daily crossings between the UK and France. However, note that DFDS does not accept foot passengers, while P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries do.
Prices for P&O Ferries and DFDS are typically close, while Irish Ferries may appear slightly more expensive, though the difference is usually only a few pounds. All three companies maintain a busy and regular schedule, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
You can purchase ferry tickets either directly from P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, or DFDS, or customise your trip using the module below.
Ferry schedule/timetable
It’s important to arrive well in advance, especially on this busy route. All ferry operators recommend arriving at least 90 minutes before departure, particularly during peak season and if travelling by car.
Check-in generally closes 45 minutes before departure, so be sure to be on time. Your reservation is for a specific crossing, and missing your ferry does not automatically allow you to board the next one.
Also, remember the time difference between France and England. If travelling as a foot passenger, P&O Ferries is likely your best option.
Timetable Dover – Calais – P&O Ferries Dover to Calais
| Operator | Departure | Arrival | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| P&O | 3:10 | 5:40 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, SUn |
| P&O | 6:00 | 8:30 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| P&O | 8:25 | 10:55 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| P&O | 10:05 | 12:35 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| P&O | 12:05 | 14:35 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| P&O | 13:45 | 16:15 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| P&O | 15:25 | 17:55 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| P&O | 17:25 | 19:55 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| P&O | 19:05 | 21:35 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| P&O | 20:45 | 23:15 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| P&O | 22:40 | 1:10 | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
Timetable Dover – Calais – DFDS ferries Dover to Calais
| Operator | Departure | Arrival | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| DFDS | 0:10 | 2:40 | Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| DFDS | 1:40 | 4:10 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat |
| DFDS | 4:40 | 7:10 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat |
| DFDS | 7:40 | 10:10 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| DFDS | 9:10 | 11:40 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| DFDS | 10:40 | 13:10 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| DFDS | 12:55 | 15:25 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| DFDS | 14:25 | 16:55 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| DFDS | 15:55 | 18:25 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| DFDS | 18:10 | 20:40 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| DFDS | 19:40 | 22:20 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| DFDS | 21:10 | 2:40 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sun |
Timetable Dover – Calais – Irish Ferries Dover to Calais
| Operator | Departure | Arrival | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Ferries | 1:25 | 3:55 | Mon, Tue, We, Thuu, Fri, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 2:55 | 5:25 | Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 4:40 | 7:10 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat |
| Irish Ferries | 6:15 | 8:45 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 7:50 | 10:20 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 9:30 | 12:00 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 11:05 | 13:35 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 12:45 | 15:15 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 14:25 | 16:55 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 16:00 | 18:30 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 17:35 | 20:05 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 19:10 | 21:40 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 20:45 | 23:15 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 22:15 | 0:45 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| Irish Ferries | 23:50 | 2:20 | Mon, Tue, We, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
Additional Information
Calais Port
Calais Port Terminal address:
- P&O: P&O Ferries, 285 Avenue du Mérite Maritime, 62105 Calais, France.
- DFDS: DFDS Terminal Car Ferry Gare Maritime Est 62100 Calais, France.
- Irish Ferries: Port Boulogne Calais, 62100, Calais, France.
Dover Port
Dover ferry terminal address:
- Dover Ferry Terminal, Travel Centre,
- Eastern Docks, Dover, Kent, CT16 1JA UK
Luggage and Pets
A big advantage of travelling by ferry is that it's much easier to bring more luggage and pets compared to travelling by train or plane. Specifically, DFDS allows you to bring up to 50kg of luggage, while P&O Ferries has no luggage limit. Irish Ferries is also quite flexible, with the only condition being that your luggage must fit in your car.
Fastest Crossing over the Channel
As you may know, this is the shortest crossing from England to France. Covering approximately 26 miles, the journey takes about 90 minutes.
More Sailings in Summer/Peak Season
There is both a peak and off-season for crossings between Calais and Dover. During peak season, ferries run more frequently; we’ll update the timetable accordingly.
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.
