Dover to Calais ferry

Ferry Companies for Dover to Calais

	Operator	Frequency	Duration
DFDS		14 ferries a day	1 hour 30 minutes	More
P&O Ferries	P&O Ferries	13 ferries a day	1 hour 30 minutes	More
Irish Ferries	Irish Ferries	14 ferries a day	1 hour 30 minutes	More

Ferries from Dover to Calais

Ferries navigating the Dover to Calais route serve as a pivotal link connecting the United Kingdom and France, offering seamless passage across the English Channel. Operated by renowned ferry companies such as DFDS, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries, these crossings feature frequent daily departures, providing a crucial transportation lifeline for both passengers and vehicles. The Dover-Calais ferry service, with its efficient and direct sailings spanning approximately 90 minutes, presents an indispensable travel option for commuters, tourists, and freight alike. Notably, these ferries offer an array of onboard amenities, ensuring a pleasant journey and contributing to the seamless flow of transportation and trade between these key European destinations.

Timetables for ferries from Dover to Calais

Ferries from Dover to Calais take just 1.5 hours to cross the Channel (depending on weather conditions). All routes are direct and non-stop. Both the Port of Dover and the Port of Calais have terminal buildings with a full range of facilities that includes check-in booths, toilets, ATMs, payphones and a selection of shops and refreshment options. Schedules may vary throughout the year depending on weather conditions and tide tables.

Timetables DFDS Seaways Dover - Calais

Timetables P&O Ferries Dover - Calais

Timetables Irish Ferries Dover - Calais

Ferry Calais to Dover - Overview

DFDS Seaways, a European shipping giant, boasts over 150 years of ferry and freight expertise. Recognised for its dependability and sustainability, the company links the UK, Scandinavia, and Northern Europe. Its contemporary fleet guarantees passengers' comfort and swift cargo management. Through innovation and environmentally conscious methods, DFDS remains a premier option for smooth European transit.

• DFDS Sailings per Day: 14 sailings per day or more


• Traveling as a foot passenger: Not possible

DFDS Seaways Ships:

• Calais Seaways: Vessel capacity of up to 2000 voyagers and 600 vehicles, reaches speeds of 21 knots, shopping venues, onboard food and drink, comfortable seating areas for relaxation, extensive outside decks, children's play area, games arcade onboard, free Wi-Fi facilities for passengers.


• Malo Seaways: Passenger capacity up to 400 passengers, kid’s play area, shop and café with a bar and sea view, onboard cabins, reserved seating, self-service restaurant, snack bar, café, shopping area, designated kids' area with a soft play zone, onboard arcade area with various video and racing games for older children and teenagers, full mobility access with elevator access to all decks for passengers with mobility needs.


• D Class: D Class cabins and reserved seating options, family-friendly self-service restaurant offering affordable meals, bistro with full table service and an excellent menu, fast food options, lounge bar, wide TV screens for news and sports updates, Costa Coffee, Bistro Bar on deck 7 for a more ambient atmosphere, onboard shopping, information desk, bureau de change, ATM, facilities catering to families, D Class vessels equipped to accommodate disabled passengers.


• Seven Sister: Choice of 50 en-suite cabins, free standard seating options, relaxed self-service restaurant, panoramic bar, onboard shopping, brightly-colored play-zone for younger children to enjoy, video games and cartoons to entertain older children, specially adapted cabin available for passengers with reduced mobility.


• Pearl Seaways: Wide variety of cabin options available with range from top-tier Commodore Deluxe to budget-friendly standard cabins, All-you-can-eat buffet, steakhouse, cafés, bars, tax-free shopping, live bands and various entertainment options during the overnight sail on selected routes, Kidz’ club for children's entertainment managed by professional entertainers, elevators providing full access to all areas, wheelchair-accessible cabins can be pre-booked, assistance required due to a step to the elevator when embarking and disembarking the ship.


• Princess Seaways: Range from value-for-money cabins to luxurious ones, restaurants include 7 Seas Buffet, Blue Riband à la carte restaurant and Explorer's Steakhouse, café, various bars, onboard shopping, onboard cinema, casino, ‘Kidz' Club for children's entertainment, games room with video games and a cinema for older children, wheelchair-friendly with elevators to most decks, specially adapted disabled cabins available upon request, including sea view and inside options.


• Côte d'Albâtre: Choice of 50 cabins, all of which are en-suite, high quality sleeper seats set over 2 lounges (1 private and 1 in an open area) and recline fully to turn into 2.1m long horizontal beds, free standard type seats, onboard food and drink in self-service restaurant with children’s menu and vegetarian options, onboard shopping, areas for children with play-zones, video games and cartoons, cabin adapted for passengers with reduced mobility.


• C Class: Self-service restaurant offering vegetarian and children's options, cafes and bars, onboard shopping, dedicated soft play area for children, arcade area with various video and racing games for older kids, lift access parking, passenger lifts for free movement between decks, wheelchair-accessible public toilet facilities.


• King Seaways: Cabin options range from value-for-money cabins to extra special accommodations, restaurants offering diverse dining experiences - 7 Seas Buffet, Blue Riband restaurant, Explorer's Steakhouse, cafés and various bars - Sports Bar and Neptune Sky Bar, onboard shopping, onboard cinema, casino, 'Kidz' Club: Safe and enjoyable play area for children and games room with video games and a cinema for older children, wheelchair-friendly with elevators to most decks, specially adapted disabled cabins available upon request.


• Crown Seaways: Wide variety of cabin options available, range of restaurants all-you-can-eat buffet, tasty steakhouse, cafés and bars, onboard shopping, live bands and various onboard entertainment during the overnight sail on selected routes, Kidz’ Club for children's, elevators providing full access to all areas of the ship.


• Norman Voyager: Variety of 4 berth inside and outside cabins available to suit different budgets and requirements, cabins for passengers with disabilities, spacious Seaside and Horizon Lounges featuring comfortable reclining seats, onboard food and drink in Le Bistro du Norman and Shamrock Pub. onboard shopping, WiFi.

P&O Ferries

P&O Ferries, a prominent British shipping company with over 180 years of history, manages vital ferry routes linking the UK with Europe. Their contemporary fleet caters to passengers and freight, providing comfortable travel facilities and effective cargo services. Well-known for its reliability, P&O Ferries continues to be a pivotal facilitator of smooth travel and trade throughout Europe.

• P&O Ferries Sailings per Day: around 13 sailings per day


• Traveling as a foot passenger: Possible

P&O Ferries Ships:

• European Causeway: Onboard food and drink - Fables restaurant, Poets Bar and Costa Coffee, onboard shopping, dedicated space for children for coloring and playing.


• European Endeavour: Comfortable en-suite 2 & 4 bed cabins, inside cabins or cabins with a sea view, reclining seats provided with pillows and blankets, meals included in the price of the journey - complimentary tea, coffee, and fruit juice available throughout the sailing, onboard shopping, bureau de change, no elevators to the main passenger areas - access is by a staircase, potential unsuitability for individuals with mobility issues, disabilities, or young children due to limited accessibility.


• European Highlander: Fables restaurant offering delicious food options, Poets Bar and Costa Coffee, onboard shopping, dedicated space for children for coloring and playing.


• Norbank: Comfortable en-suite 2 bed cabins available, Meals included in the price of the journey - complimentary tea, coffee, and fruit juice available throughout the crossing, Bureau de Change, no elevators to the main passenger areas - access is by a staircase, potential unsuitability for individuals with mobility issues, disabilities, or young children due to limited accessibility.


• Norbay: Comfortable en-suite 2 bed cabins available, Meals included in the price of the journey - complimentary tea, coffee, and fruit juice available throughout the crossing, Bureau de Change, no elevators to the main passenger areas - access is by a staircase, potential unsuitability for individuals with mobility issues, disabilities, or young children due to limited accessibility.


• P&O Liberté: Onboard food and drink, onboard shopping.


• Pride of Bruges: Variety of cabin options - En-suite cabins, Premier cabins and Club cabins, wide variety of restaurants - Four Seasons carvery, Mayfair's Langan's Brasserie, Costa Coffee and bars, onboard Shopping, Sunset Show Bar, cinema, casino, main lounge offering dancing, bingo, quizzes, and live music, commission-free bureau de change and ATM, play areas, supervised painting, drawing sessions, video game technology, free children's entertainers onboard during summer holidays, mobility-impaired vehicle passengers located near entrances on car decks for elevator access, elevators for full accessibility, specially adapted cabins with wider doorways available.


• Pride of Burgundy: Due to short journeys, no passenger cabin options are available, reserved seating can be booked, Club Class Lounge seating can be pre-booked for a touch of luxury, quick bites, bar options, and coffee shop, onboard shopping, commission-free foreign exchange at the bureau de change, ATM, dedicated kids play area for children to enjoy and burn energy, onboard video arcade suitable for both young and older children, specially adapted for travelers with restricted mobility, shopping, dining, and seating areas are wheelchair-friendly, staff available on the vehicle deck to assist passengers with special requirements if requested in advance.


• Pride of Hull: Standard cabins: 2 or 4 berth bunk beds, inside or outside with a sea view. Premier cabins: 2 or 5 berth inside or outside with a sea view. Club cabins: Sea view, more spacious, with extra amenities like TV, telephone, tea/coffee facilities. Cabins are en-suite with a shower room and WC, including towels and bed linen. Coffee shop, Four Seasons with carvery and buffet-style dining, Langan's Brasserie with a first-class menu, bars including the Sky Lounge with scenic views, onboard shopping, cinemas, live cabaret shows, and a casino, bureau de change with commission-free services and ATM, varied activities for children, including play areas, video spots, and supervised creative activities, free children's entertainers during summer holidays and modern video game technology available. Pride of Hull is accessible for passengers with limited mobility or in wheelchairs, vehicle passengers with mobility impairments located near entrances on car decks for elevator access.


• Pride of Rotterdam: Standard cabins: 2 or 4 berth bunk beds, inside or outside with a sea view. Premier cabins: 2 or 5 berth inside or outside with a sea view. Club cabins: Sea view, more spacious, with extra amenities like TV, telephone, tea/coffee facilities. Cabins are en-suite with a shower room and WC, including towels and bed linen. Coffee shop, Four Seasons with carvery and buffet-style dining, Langan's Brasserie with a first-class menu, bars including the Sky Lounge with scenic views, onboard shopping, cinemas, live cabaret shows, and a casino, bureau de change with commission-free services and ATM, varied activities for children, including play areas, video spots, and supervised creative activities, free children's entertainers during summer holidays and modern video game technology available. Pride of Hull is accessible for passengers with limited mobility or in wheelchairs, vehicle passengers with mobility impairments located near entrances on car decks for elevator access.


• Spirit of Britain: No cabins available, seating is offered in the Club Class Lounge. Pre-book for a luxurious experience, including complimentary amenities like champagne, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and newspapers served by friendly staff. Food Court, Brasserie, onboard coffee shops including Costa Coffee, bars, during summer months, an alfresco bar is available. Onboard shopping, free WiFi, a commission-free bureau de change, ATM, various onboard activities for children, including play areas and quieter spaces for video watching, during summer holidays, children's entertainers and supervised activities are provided, allowing parents some leisure time.


• Spirit of France: Choice of bars and restaurants, food court, The Brasserie with high-quality food and wine, onboard coffee shops including Costa Coffee, bar, family lounge, onboard shopping, onboard activities for children include play areas and quieter spots for watching videos, during summer holidays, children's entertainers and supervised painting or drawing sessions provided, allowing parents leisure time. Staff available to meet and assist customers with wheelchairs on the vehicle deck upon request. All shopping, dining, and seating areas onboard Spirit of France are wheelchair friendly.

Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries is a significant maritime company that connects Ireland, the UK, and France. They offer dependable passenger and freight services using contemporary vessels, guaranteeing seamless travel and trade between these nations. Renowned for prioritising customer satisfaction, Irish Ferries plays a vital role in enabling crucial connections across these regions.

• Irish Ferries Sailings per Day: around 14 sailings per day


• Traveling as a foot passenger: Not possible

Irish Ferries Ships:

• Dublic Swift: 500 passengers, onboard amenities mentioned in the text: restaurant, bar/lounge area, free WiFi, en suite cabins for a comfortable night’s sleep.


• Epsilon: 500 passengers, onboard amenities mentioned in the text: restaurant, bar/lounge area, free WiFi, en suite cabins for a comfortable night’s sleep.


• Oscar Wild: Bright, airy cabins, stylish lounges, wide choice of entertainment, various dining options, great levels of comfort, luxurious ship sailing between Ireland and the U.K., impressive amenities from the moment you step on board.


• Isle of Innisfree: Well-equipped and modern car ferry, possible upgrade to the luxurious Club Class Lounge, wide range of bars, brasseries and cafes, onboard shopping, play area for kids with films, games, and toys.


• W. B. Yeats: Multiple lounges, entertainment options, free Wi-Fi access for all passengers, cinema facility, designated children’s area, fantastic outer deck space, diverse cabin options catering to different traveler needs and budgets.


• Isle of Inishee: Onboard cabins, reserved seating, wide range selection of freshly made food including hot and cold beverages from Cafe Lafayette or Boylans Brasserie, duty free onboard shopping, designated smoking areas, currently cannot accept wheelchair passengers.


• Isle of Inishmo: Air conditioned, en-suite cabins, onboard food and drink in the exclusive Kilronan Motorist's Club lounge, films and games in the children’s play area, onboard Shopping, possible upgrade to the luxurious Club Class lounge.


• Ulysses: Largest car ferry in the World - capacity for 1342 cars and 2000 passengers. Onboard facilities include restaurants, cinemas, TV lounges, video and electronic games, children's play area, two large lounge bars, shop, club class lounge.

How to find cheap ferries from Dover to Calais

The cost of ferries from Dover to Calais ranges from around £50 to over £70 per passenger. There may be additional charges for vehicles depending on their dimensions. To find the cheapest ferry journey from Dover to Calais be flexible about the day of the week and the time of day you travel. The cheapest ferries are often on Saturdays while early morning departures are less expensive than ferries that depart later in the day. You can also save money on ferries from Dover to Calais by booking online in advance. In peak periods, this is always advisable on this popular route.

How long is the ferry journey from Dover to Calais

The distance from Dover to Calais is just under 21 miles (18 nautical miles, 34 km) and the actual crossing time takes just 1.5 hours. When planning your travel schedule remember to leave time for check-in, port security and passport control as well as for driving onto the ship and parking your vehicle. Check-in times are normally one hour prior to departure although check-in booths and terminals at Dover are open 24 hours a day. On arrival at the Port of Calais, it can take some time for all vehicles to leave the ferry and there will also be passport and vehicle security checks.

What do you need to know before travelling by ferry from Dover to Calais

Departure port: DFDS ferries from Dover to Calais operate from the Port of Dover, easily accessible via the A2 from the M20. The terminal boasts various amenities like check-in booths, ticket desks, restrooms, ATMs, currency exchange, WiFi, charging points, lounges, payphones, a games room, shops, vending machines, and cafes. Passengers with limited mobility have full access, with induction loops and accessible toilets. Requesting additional assistance before travel is recommended.

Arrival port: Upon reaching the Port of Calais, accessible via the French motorway network, passengers have the option to leave their cars for a visit to central Calais, facilitated by regular buses. The port features WiFi, ATMs, currency exchange, tourist information, restrooms, showers, charging points, waiting areas, vending machines, shops, and cafes. Step-free access and accessible toilets are available throughout the terminal. Requesting further assistance in advance, ideally during the Dover to Calais ferry reservation, is advisable.

Popular Questions - Ferries Dover to Calais