- Must visit
Cité de la dentelle et de la mode de Calais
Major lace and fashion museum in a converted factory, explaining Calais's textile heritage through machinery, dress and design displays.
Omio recommends booking the ferry as it is the most popular option from Dover to Calais among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the ferry with prices starting from £26. For those with little time consider booking a coach which can get you there in 1h 30m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of £26, and a coach costs an average of £62.
Distance: 43 km
| Coach | Most popular Ferry |
|---|---|
£62 Average Price | £39 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 34m Average total duration 1h 34m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular ferry company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Compare ferry and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Dover to Calais run on average 1 times per day, taking around 1h 30m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £62 but you can travel from only £26 by ferry.
There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 01:25, the last at 04:40. The fastest coach covers the 43 km distance in 3h 15m.
Distance 43 km |
Average bus duration 1h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price £62 |
Buses per day 1 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 3h 15m |
First bus 1:25 |
Last bus 4:40 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of Calais — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Calais trip today.
Major lace and fashion museum in a converted factory, explaining Calais's textile heritage through machinery, dress and design displays.
Fine arts museum with works on Rodin, local history and temporary exhibitions, set near the town hall in central Calais.
Second World War museum inside a former German naval bunker, presenting occupied Calais through objects, documents and immersive spaces.
Long seafront promenade and beach area for walking, sea views and sunsets, popular with visitors and locals in all seasons.
Central square lined with historic buildings and cafés, close to the watchtower and old quarter, with a lively local atmosphere.
Landscaped park around the town hall and museum quarter, good for a short walk and close views of major civic landmarks.
A hearty fish soup from the Opal Coast, made with local fish and served with rouille and bread. A classic northern seaside speciality.
Fresh mussels cooked with white wine, cream, garlic or shallots. Widely eaten in coastal Pas-de-Calais and closely tied to local brasseries.
A rich fish stew from nearby Boulogne-sur-Mer, made with several fish, potatoes and aromatic broth. A signature dish of the wider Côte d’Opale.
Refined dining room near the seafront with contemporary French cooking, attentive service and a calmer atmosphere.
Established seafood restaurant by the port, known for fish, shellfish and a relaxed maritime setting.
Casual crêperie and cider spot offering savoury galettes and sweet crêpes, well suited to an easy meal in town.
Calais is moderate by French standards, with fairly priced meals and local transport, while hotels can rise in peak ferry and summer periods.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for very good restaurant service. Taxis may be rounded up; cafés often just keep the small change.
Calais is an important entry point for travellers visiting France and mainland Europe from Britain. The town is small, but has a number of hotels and restaurants, and is well connected to other parts of the country. Visitors from Britain enjoy affordable bus trips from Dover to Calais daily.
On a straight line, Dover and Calais are only about 31.4 miles apart across the English Channel. The time taken on the Channel Tunnel, which passes underneath it, is subject to the route taken. Buses provide one of the cheapest and smoothest travel experiences between the towns. There is one coach from Dover to Calais each evening.
Bus journeys from Dover to Calais take about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The trips are direct, and they only take place in the night. Travellers gather at the departure station before 9:30 p.m. The bus arrives in Calais at about 2:00 a.m.
Only one bus from Dover to Calais is available per day. It departs Dover at around 9:30 p.m. The operators of the coach require travellers to show their ID or passport when boarding. Passengers can cancel or exchange their tickets up to 30 minutes before departure. However, refunds come in the form of travel vouchers.
Departure bus station: The bus from Dover to Calais picks passengers at the Eastern Docks, Dover. The coach stop is at 53 George St Dover Kent CT17 0EG, United Kingdom. It's only a mile away from the centre of Dover. To get to the port from the coach station, a taxi takes about 3 minutes, and walking just a quarter of an hour. Buses are cheap, but trips from town average 8 minutes, including transfer times. They operate throughout the week and depart three times a day.
The Passenger Services Building East, where travellers meet soon after check-in and buying tickets, is at the eastern side of the port. Facilities include vending machines, unisex restrooms, toilets for disabled persons, wheelchair-friendly ramps, cash point, eateries, and free WiFi. There are also induction loops to amplify sound for people with hearing impairment. Management advises people with special needs or reduced mobility to communicate about their unique requirements in advance.
Arrival bus station: Avenue du Commandant Cousteau 62100 Calais is the address for Calais Terminal Ferry where the bus from Dover to Calais ends the journey. The facility is in the northern part of the city, and it has direct links to motorway A16 and A26. A taxi ride to the centre of Calais takes about 5 minutes. There's also a mini-bus service that ferries passengers between the ferry terminal to the city. Opposite the station building is an expansive parking area for drivers intending to stay for a long time.
The Calais Terminal Ferry has a cashpoint, bureau de change, showers and toilets, a restaurant, bar, ticket offices, and car hire services. There's also free WiFi extended to all waiting areas in the facility.
BlaBlaBus is the coach company that offers unmatched bus transport service from Dover to Calais. The coach makes one trip per night. The bus is reliable and quite affordable. Trips to Calais from Dover take approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The bus from Dover to Calais leaves Dover Eastern Docks at around 9:30 p.m. every day and arrives in Calais Terminal Ferry at around 2:00 a.m. Journeys are direct, and ticket prices may vary with days.
BlaBlaBus began in 2018 after the acquisition of SNCF's OUIBUS by BlaBlaCar. Its official launch was in June 2019. Since its inception, the company runs an extensive long-distance bus network across Europe and France. It offers economical travel services to its more than 70 million subscribers. The provider operates along the routes previously dominated by OUIBUS. It makes more than 15,000 trips across more than 300 European destinations.
At times, BlaBlaBus gives promotions and discounts to passengers. The company advises travellers to book their tickets in advance since journeys can become pricier as the travel date approaches.
You can quickly identify BlaBlaBus coaches by their red colour. They come with several luxurious onboard facilities including Free WiFi, USB ports, air conditioning, clean toilets, and reclining seats. Travellers can stream their favourite shows on their devices.
There's room for baggage in BlaBlaBus coaches. Passengers can keep two items in the hold, one of which can be a folded bike packed in a protective bag. Hold items must not exceed 20 kg and the sum of their width, length, and height must be at most 200 cm. You can stow hand luggage in overhead racks or under your seat.
Te disabled and people with reduced mobility are welcome to travel with BlaBlaBus. They receive assistance from the crew when boarding the bus. The company advises such individuals to contact its staff beforehand to prepare for their journey. BlaBlaBus doesn't transport pets, but they allow assistance dogs for the visually impaired so long as their owners bring proper documentation.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dover to Calais by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Calais, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Dover to Calais buses use the Dover, Eastern Docks (Foot Passenger Terminal) to Calais, Port - P&O Ferry station pair. Use this guide to compare Dover and Calais bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Dover, Eastern Docks (Foot Passenger Terminal) is 2 km from Dover city centre. Public transport options include:
Dover, Eastern Docks (Foot Passenger Terminal) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Basic food outlets available within the terminal.
Wi-Fi is available at Dover, Eastern Docks (Foot Passenger Terminal). ATMs are aTMs are located near entry points of the terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Dover, Eastern Docks (Foot Passenger Terminal).
Available at Dover, Eastern Docks (Foot Passenger Terminal): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dover, Eastern Docks (Foot Passenger Terminal): Wheelchair accessible routes are available.
Calais, Port - P&O Ferry is 2 km from Calais city centre. Public transport options include:
Calais, Port - P&O Ferry has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Calais, Port - P&O Ferry. ATMs are available at Calais, Port - P&O Ferry.
Ticket office support is available at Calais, Port - P&O Ferry.
Available at Calais, Port - P&O Ferry: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Calais, Port - P&O Ferry: Basic access for individuals with disabilities.
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