England Ferry
Calais – Dover
The fastest ferry link between France and England, crossing the Channel in 90 minutes
- Up to 38 daily departures from early morning to late evening, 7 days a week
- The shortest Channel crossing in just 90 minutes with DFDS, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries
- Cars, motorhomes and motorbikes on board, plus foot passengers with P&O Ferries
Crossing the Channel
The shortest ferry crossing to England
The Calais - Dover route is the shortest crossing of the English Channel at around 90 minutes. Three ferry operators – DFDS, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries – run the route with up to 38 daily departures combined, so you will almost always find a sailing that fits your schedule. From Calais ferry port, you sail directly to Dover on England's south coast, from where London is around two hours away. On board you will find restaurants, shops and lounges; only P&O Ferries also carries foot passengers.
- Crossing time
- approx. 90 min
- Operators
- DFDS, P&O, Irish Ferries
- Frequency
- up to 38x daily
- From
- €32
- DFDS
- P&O Ferries
- Irish Ferries
Next departures
Route guide
Calais - Dover ferry at a glance
Everything about the Calais - Dover ferry route: getting to Calais ferry port, check-in and border checks, on-board facilities with DFDS, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries, vehicle and pet rules, plus onward travel from Dover.
Getting to Calais terminal
The ferry departs from Calais ferry terminal. Set your sat nav to "Car Ferry Terminal, Gare Maritime Est, 62100 Calais". From the A16 motorway, follow the N216 access road, which leads straight into the check-in area; all three operators use the same terminal zone. There is a free short-stay customer car park in front of the terminal building.
Check-in and border checks
For vehicles, check-in closes at least 60 minutes before departure with all three operators; Irish Ferries recommends 90 minutes if you are travelling with a pet or need assistance. Only P&O Ferries carries foot passengers, who should arrive at the terminal 90 minutes before departure. Bring a valid passport: after check-in in Calais, you go through both French and British border control, so allow at least two hours of buffer on busy days such as school holidays.
On board
Ships from all three operators run the route – DFDS sails the Delft Seaways, for example, while Irish Ferries operates the Oscar Wilde and the Isle of Inishmore. On board you will find restaurants and cafés (open around the clock on DFDS), duty-free shops, kids' areas and free Wi-Fi. DFDS offers a Premium Lounge with snacks and drinks on selected crossings, and P&O Ferries has an all-inclusive Club Lounge you can add when booking. Payment on board is cashless with all major cards; P&O ships also have a foreign exchange desk if you need to change money.
Vehicle, bike and pets
Cars, motorhomes, caravans and motorbikes can all travel; with DFDS and Irish Ferries, bringing a vehicle is a condition of booking, while P&O Ferries also carries foot passengers. If you are travelling by motorhome, see our Motorhome guide for details. Pets are welcome with all three operators and must be registered when booking; a valid EU pet passport is required. Pets usually stay in the vehicle during this short crossing, though P&O Ferries offers a free Pet Lounge on Calais - Dover and Irish Ferries has a Pet Den area. Find full details in our Travelling with Pets guide.
Arrival in Dover and onward travel
The ferry docks at Dover's Eastern Docks (Dover Ferry Terminal, Eastern Docks, Dover, Kent CT16 1JA). From the terminal, the A20 leads to the Eastern Docks roundabout and onward towards London, which you can reach in around two hours via the A2 and M2, or via the M20. There is no parking at the port itself. P&O Ferries foot passengers are shuttled from the terminal; the nearest train station for onward rail travel is Dover Priory.
Tickets and fares
Fares vary by operator. DFDS offers an Economy ticket (rebookable for a fee, travel up to four hours earlier or later, no refund on cancellation) and a flexible Premium ticket (free rebooking, travel up to 72 hours earlier or later, cancellation up to 48 hours before departure). Irish Ferries specialises in low-cost day returns, valid for a maximum of 24 hours from the scheduled arrival of the outbound crossing and bookable at least 24 hours in advance. You will get the best fares by booking early and choosing weekday sailings; the booking window shows current prices for your travel date, with an overview on the [prices page].
FAQ Calais - Dover
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Calais - Dover ferry route
How long is the ferry from Calais to Dover?+
The crossing from Calais to Dover takes around 90 minutes, making it the shortest route across the English Channel. Depending on the operator and weather conditions, crossing time can vary slightly; DFDS states up to 100 minutes on some sailings.
Which operators run the Calais - Dover route?+
Three operators run the route – DFDS, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries. Together they offer up to 38 crossings a day in each direction, from early morning to late evening. You can find exact departure times in the timetable.
How much does the Calais to Dover ferry cost?+
Prices depend on the operator, season, vehicle and how far in advance you book; the booking window shows the current starting price for your travel date. Irish Ferries specialises in low-cost day return crossings, while DFDS and P&O Ferries offer single and return tickets. Booking early and travelling on weekdays is usually cheaper. The booking window shows the current starting price for your travel date.
How early do I need to be at the port?+
For vehicles, check-in closes at least 60 minutes before departure with all three operators. Foot passengers with P&O Ferries should allow 90 minutes, as should anyone travelling with a pet on Irish Ferries. On busy days such as school holidays, arrive at least two hours ahead, since Calais requires both French and British border checks after check-in.
Can I travel as a foot passenger without a car?+
No, that is only possible with P&O Ferries. With DFDS and Irish Ferries, bringing a vehicle is a condition of booking.
Can I bring my dog or other pet?+
Yes, all three operators carry dogs and other pets; a valid EU pet passport is required. On this short crossing, pets usually stay in the vehicle, though P&O Ferries offers a free Pet Lounge on this route and Irish Ferries has a Pet Den area. Foot passengers cannot bring pets. Find details in our Travelling with Pets guide.
What facilities are on board?+
Depending on the operator and ship, you will find restaurants, cafés, bars, duty-free shops, kids' areas and free Wi-Fi. P&O Ferries offers an all-inclusive Club Lounge, while DFDS has a Premium Lounge with snacks and drinks on selected crossings.