Ferries to France from the UK
Ferry crossings from England to France
With 10 ferry routes connecting southern England to France, you can travel to the regions of Hauts-de-France, Normandy, and Brittany from ports such as Dover, Portsmouth, and Plymouth.
Our route map and booking engine make it simple to compare options, including faster crossings, budget-friendly fares, and night ferries for added convenience. In addition, we’re happy to share ferry travel experiences and provide tips for travelling to France by ferry.
Ferry route map UK to France
About the crossings
The most popular route to France is the Dover to Calais crossing, as it offers the shortest journey. However, this isn't the ideal choice for everyone. Some may prefer a longer ferry trip to arrive further south. Also, an overnight crossing can be a comfortable option. You can sleep on board and wake up refreshed the next morning. This way, you're ready to continue your journey to your destination in France or beyond. Brittany Ferries offers several night crossings focusing on routes to Normandy and Brittany.
Since there are many routes and even more providers to choose from, we'll first highlight the key perks of some options before diving into the specific details of individual crossings.
- Ferries from Dover to Hauts-de-France are the shortest and most affordable.
- Ferries to Normandy ports (Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre, and Dieppe) offer longer crossings but take you further south in France.
- Arrival ports Le Havre and Dieppe are close to Paris.
- Cherbourg and Caen are convenient for journeys to southern France.
- Ferries to Brittany are typically overnight crossings.
The Strait of Dover Ferries
The ferries from Dover operate frequently and are quite similar in terms of price and speed. We've tested them all, and thanks to their new ships, we found that P&O provided the best overall quality and comfort experience.
Strait of Dover crossings, in short:
- Dover to Calais: 3 companies – over 30 sailings daily – 90-minute crossing.
- Dover to Dunkirk: 1 ferry company – up to 8 sailings daily – 120-minute crossing
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- Dover to France crossings captured
England to Normandy ferries
The ferry services to Normandy arrive in Dieppe, Le Havre, Caen, or Cherbourg. While the journey is longer than the Dover-Calais or Dover-Dunkrik route, it’s shorter than the crossings to Brittany. Normandy provides a convenient entry point into northern France, making it an excellent choice for further travel within the region or beyond.
Brittany Ferries crossings in short:
- Portsmouth – Caen: Brittany Ferries’ most popular crossing – day or night options – is approximately a 6-hour crossing. 3 daily sailings,.
- Portsmouth – Le Havre: daily sailing – 6 hours – day crossing.
- Portsmouth to Cherbourg: Day and night crossings are available. This is also an ideal route for travelling to the south of France.
- Looking for all the crossings from Portsmouth to France?
England to Brittany ferries
The crossings to Brittany are relatively long crossings on cruise ferry ships, offering a comfortable option for several types of travellers:
- Those from Cornwall and Devon heading to France
- Travellers specifically visiting Brittany
- People who prefer a longer overnight crossing can continue their journey in France well-rested the next day.
On board the ferries 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.
Prices and availability for the crossings to France
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.
Travelling through France
Most people make the ferry crossing with their car, but it's important to note that while the roads in France are generally good, many are toll roads. The costs aren't high individually, but they can add up significantly on a long drive to the South. Google Maps has a function that allows you to avoid toll roads, which can help save some money!
If you're not travelling by car, you can opt to explore France by train. The country is well-known for its efficient TGV connections. Many stations are easily accessible from some of the ports of arrival, or you could consider taking the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel. Once in Paris, you can either switch to other connections or explore the city.
Fastest ferry route uk to france
Hi Kenneth,
That would be the Dover to Calais crossing – approx 90 mins.