Ferry operator
Irish Ferries
The Irish operator in profile - Calais - Dover, ships, check-in, pets and fares
- Part of the Irish Continental Group, headquartered in Dublin, on the Channel since June 2021
- Calais - Dover in around 90 minutes with up to 20 departures a day, a vehicles-only route
- Check-in in Calais 60 minutes before departure with a car or motorcycle, 90 minutes with a pet
About Irish Ferries
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About Irish Ferries
Irish Ferries is the ferry division of the Irish Continental Group, headquartered at the port of Dublin. The company was founded in 1973 as Irish Continental Line and took over the state-owned B&I Line in 1992; its core routes run from Dublin to Holyhead, Rosslare to Pembroke, and Dublin to Cherbourg. The operator joined the Channel in June 2021 with the Dover - Calais route, on which it now offers, by its own account, up to 20 departures a day. By November 2024, Irish Ferries had carried more than 657,000 cars between Ireland, the UK and France, according to its own figures.
Ships
On Calais - Dover, Irish Ferries runs three ships: the Isle of Inishmore, built in 1997, with room for around 2,200 passengers and 855 cars; the Oscar Wilde, built in 2010, for up to 2,000 passengers; and the Isle of Innisfree, built in 1991, which joined the route in December 2021. On board there are restaurants, a shop, free Wi-Fi, the Club Class lounge and the Pet Den for dogs. The Irish Sea flagships, the Ulysses and the W.B. Yeats, do not sail to England.
Routes to England
Of the routes compared on this site, Irish Ferries operates only Calais - Dover: around 90 minutes across the Channel, with up to 20 departures a day, as a vehicles-only route with no foot passengers or bicycles. The operator specialises in cheap day returns, valid for up to 24 hours from the outbound crossing's scheduled arrival and booked at least 24 hours in advance. If you want to compare this route with the other two operators, see the route overview and the profiles of DFDS and P&O Ferries.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
With a car or motorcycle, you must have checked in an hour before departure; with a pet, at least 90 minutes beforehand, as the pet passport and other documents are checked. All travellers need a passport, see our entry requirements guide. Motorhomes and caravans are classed by length and height, with the combination's total length counting for caravans; details are in our motorhome guide. Motorcycles are secured on the vehicle deck by the crew. Up to five pets per booking can travel: in the vehicle with water, food and a window left slightly open, or in the Pet Den, an indoor area with access to an outdoor walkway, where dogs must stay on a lead and under supervision, and restricted breeds must wear a muzzle. If you're travelling with a dog in a sidecar or trailer, book the Pet Den, since the animal can't stay on the motorcycle. More in our dogs and pets guide.
Tickets and fares
On Calais - Dover, Irish Ferries offers three fares: Economy, a saver fare with no refund; Flexi, refundable and rebookable for a fee, allowing travel up to four hours before or after the booked departure; and Flexi+, with a Club Class lounge, free changes before departure and travel up to twelve hours before or after the booked time. Cancellations under the Flexi fare are refunded to your card more than 24 hours before departure, or as travel credit within 24 hours. Prices are shown in the booking window, and the price overview compares all England routes.
FAQ Irish Ferries
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Irish Ferries
Which route does Irish Ferries sail to England? +
Only Calais - Dover on the Channel, taking around 90 minutes with up to 20 departures a day. The operator's other routes connect Ireland with Wales and France.
Which ships does Irish Ferries operate on Calais - Dover? +
The Isle of Inishmore, the Oscar Wilde and the Isle of Innisfree, three ferries with restaurants, an onboard shop, a Club Class lounge and a Pet Den.
When do I need to be at the port with Irish Ferries? +
With a car or motorcycle, an hour before departure; with a pet, at least 90 minutes beforehand, since animal documents are checked. Departures are shown in the timetable.
Can I travel with Irish Ferries as a foot passenger? +
No, on Calais - Dover Irish Ferries carries vehicles only, and bicycles can't be booked either. On this route, only P&O Ferries takes you across the Channel without a car.
Does Irish Ferries carry pets? +
Yes, up to five animals per booking. The dog can stay in the vehicle with water, food and a window left slightly open, or travel in the Pet Den, an indoor area with outdoor access where animals stay on a lead and restricted breeds must wear a muzzle. Entry rules are explained in our dogs and pets guide.
What fares does Irish Ferries offer? +
Economy, a non-refundable saver fare; Flexi, refundable and rebookable for a fee, allowing travel up to four hours before or after the booked departure; and Flexi+, with a Club Class lounge, free changes and travel up to twelve hours before or after departure. Prices are shown in the booking window, and a comparison is in the price overview.