Calais city and Opal Coast in northern France

France → United Kingdom

Calais to Dover Ferry

Plan the crossing from Calais to Dover, with departure-port details, DFDS, Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries and onward travel after arrival.

Calais → DoverAbout 90–100 minutes

Compare Ferry Prices Plan Your Crossing

FerryEU booking search

Compare Calais to Dover tickets

Choose your route, travel dates, passengers and vehicle to compare current sailings and fares. Route selected: Calais to Dover. Search all ferry routes.

Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.

Route guide

Plan your ferry from Calais to Dover

The Calais to Dover ferry takes you from the French Channel coast to Kent in south-east England. It is a practical departure point after a stay in northern France or a longer European road trip, with Dover providing access to the Kent coast and onward journeys in Britain.

Begin with the journey to the ferry terminal in Calais. The town centre, railway stations and ferry check-in areas are separate parts of your itinerary. Follow the terminal instructions for your chosen operator and leave time for check-in, border processing and boarding.

Compare the complete fare for your passengers and vehicle, then check the arrival time in Dover against the next leg of your journey. The scheduled crossing is only part of the travel day: disembarkation and leaving the terminal also take time.

P&O advertises a crossing of around 90 minutes and DFDS publishes 100 minutes for Calais to Dover. Departure and arrival times are local: Dover is normally one hour behind Calais, so the difference between the clock times is shorter than the time spent at sea.

Travelling the other way? Read the Dover to Calais ferry guide.

Check Ferry Fares Compare ferry operators

Ferry companies

Ferry operators on the Calais–Dover route

Compare the operators and departures offered for your dates. The sailing result confirms the carrier, vessel and travel options for that journey.

P&O Ferries

P&O Ferries is listed in FerryEU’s guide to this crossing. Search the Calais to Dover direction to see which departures and ticket types are offered for your date.

Check the vessel, boarding arrangements at Calais, baggage allowance and any vehicle or accommodation options in the selected sailing. The return leg can have a different schedule or ship.

Cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and caravans
Foot passengers on selected sailings
Foot tickets should be booked online in advance

Compare Ferry Prices P&O Ferries guide

DFDS

DFDS is listed in FerryEU’s guide to this crossing. Search the Calais to Dover direction to see which departures and ticket types are offered for your date.

Check the vessel, boarding arrangements at Calais, baggage allowance and any vehicle or accommodation options in the selected sailing. The return leg can have a different schedule or ship.

Cars, motorcycles, bicycles and larger vehicles
Pets can travel when booked with a vehicle

Compare Ferry Prices DFDS guide

Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries is listed in FerryEU’s guide to this crossing. Search the Calais to Dover direction to see which departures and ticket types are offered for your date.

Check the vessel, boarding arrangements at Calais, baggage allowance and any vehicle or accommodation options in the selected sailing. The return leg can have a different schedule or ship.

Cars and motorcycles with flexible fare options
Pet arrangements for motorists and motorcyclists
Club Class and onboard food, drink and shopping

Compare Ferry Prices Irish Ferries guide

Departure and arrival ports

Departing Calais and arriving in Dover

Departure · France

Calais Ferry Port

Calais ferry terminal is on the eastern side of the city. The large passenger and vehicle complex is separate from Calais town centre and its railway stations. Follow the signs for the operator on your ticket.

For your Calais to Dover sailing, arrange your journey to Calais around the check-in deadline. The ferry may use a different entrance or terminal from other services at the same harbour. Check the boarding instructions before booking a connecting train, bus or taxi.

Foot-passenger travel is currently available through P&O Ferries and should be booked online in advance

Explore Calais port and destination guide

White Cliffs of Dover, castle and English Channel coast in Kent

Arrival · United Kingdom

Dover Ferry Port

Cross-Channel ferries arrive at the Eastern Docks in Dover, below the White Cliffs and east of the town centre. Plan the next leg of your journey from the ferry terminal; Dover Priory station is a separate connection.

After the ferry reaches Dover, allow time for disembarkation before a collection or onward connection. Check where passengers leave the terminal and whether your next stop is within walking distance or requires a transfer.

Passenger facilities include food outlets, toilets and free Wi-Fi
Pet exercise areas are available within the ferry terminal
The Port of Dover advises that there is no public long-stay parking inside the port; use an appropriate off-site provider if leaving a vehicle

Explore Dover port and destination guide

On board

Your Calais–Dover crossing

Use the facilities listed for the ship on your departure. Vessel assignments and onboard services can change.

Lounges & seating

Standard seating is included, while premium or Club-style lounge options are available on selected ships and fares.

Wi-Fi & family space

Wi-Fi and children’s facilities are available on many vessels. Check the assigned ship if a specific facility matters to your journey.

Seats and cabins

Compare the seating or cabin options offered on your chosen sailing. Check what is included in the fare and book the accommodation you need before travel.

Food and drink

Catering depends on the vessel and departure time. Check the ship’s facilities if you are relying on a meal during the crossing.

Before departure

Prepare for check-in at Calais

The Calais to Dover journey crosses between France and United Kingdom. Check the current entry and travel-document requirements for your nationality and itinerary, together with the operator’s boarding instructions.

Your departure terminal

Use the terminal named on the Calais booking confirmation. Plan the approach, parking or drop-off before departure; the town centre or railway station may be some distance from check-in.

Passenger and vehicle details

Check names and travel details before you arrive. If taking a vehicle, enter its full dimensions and include trailers, roof loads or rear-mounted equipment where required.

Travel documents

Use current official guidance for documents, entry permissions and any vehicle or pet requirements that apply to your journey. Requirements depend on your circumstances and can change.

After arriving

Continue your journey from Dover

Dover’s main attractions are spread between the town, castle and cliffs, with rail connections making London and the wider Kent coast easy to reach.

Central Dover and the marina are walkable, although the castle and cliffs involve steeper routes.

Direct and connecting rail services link Dover with London and other Kent destinations.

A car is ideal for combining the ferry with Deal, Canterbury, Folkestone or a wider south-east England road trip.

For an onward connection from Dover, include time to leave the ship and terminal. Check local transport for the actual arrival day, especially if the ferry arrives early in the morning or late at night. A nearby hotel or a later connection may give more flexibility if the crossing is delayed.

Explore Dover

Other ferry options

Compare routes for your Calais to Dover journey

Search nearby dates and compare the complete journey when considering another crossing. Different ports can change your transfer time, onward drive or overnight plans.

Boulogne-sur-Mer → DoverAnother crossing arriving in Dover. Compare the port access and sailing dates.View route Dunkirk → DoverAnother crossing arriving in Dover. Compare the port access and sailing dates.View route

Return journey: Dover to Calais · Browse all ferry routes

Common planning questions

Calais to Dover ferry FAQs

How long is the ferry from Calais to Dover?

P&O publishes around 90 minutes and DFDS 100 minutes for Calais to Dover. Check the duration for your selected operator and sailing, and add time for check-in, border processing and disembarkation.

Why do Calais to Dover arrival times look unusually early?

Timetables use local time at each port. Dover is normally one hour behind Calais, so a 90-minute crossing can show only a 30-minute difference between the displayed departure and arrival times.

Which ferry operators should I compare for Calais to Dover?

FerryEU’s guide to this crossing lists P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries. Search the Calais to Dover direction and your travel date to confirm which operators and departures are available.

Where do I check in for the ferry from Calais?

Can I travel with a vehicle or as a foot passenger?

Check the travel categories offered for the selected Calais to Dover departure. The choices depend on the operator and vessel; do not assume every sailing accepts both vehicles and foot passengers. Enter all travellers and the correct vehicle dimensions before comparing fares.

How can I find the best Calais to Dover ferry fare?

Compare the dates and departure times that work for your trip. Check the total for passengers, any vehicle and accommodation, then compare ticket flexibility and the onward journey from Dover. Prices depend on the sailing and available capacity.

How do I continue my journey after arriving in Dover?

Dover’s main attractions are spread between the town, castle and cliffs, with rail connections making London and the wider Kent coast easy to reach. Allow time to disembark and reach your onward transport before a timed connection.

Can I book the return ferry from Dover to Calais?

Use the return-trip option in the search and check both directions and dates before booking. The Dover to Calais guide covers the opposite departure port. Availability and sailing times can differ between the two legs.

Choosing this crossing for a UK journey

The Dover–Calais corridor suits a self-drive journey when frequent departures and a short sea crossing matter. Calais gives access to northern France and onward routes towards Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany; it is less direct for western Brittany than a western Channel arrival.

P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries offer different passenger and fare arrangements on this corridor. Foot passengers should check P&O’s eligible sailings: a car-ferry route does not automatically accept walk-on travel with every operator. Compare the total for your party and vehicle, then add the check-in and border-control time.

Travelling in the other direction?

Dover to Calais ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.

Departing from Calais

Use the terminal or pier named on your operator confirmation. The published departure is the sailing time; check-in and vehicle acceptance close earlier. If reaching Calais by train or bus, allow for the transfer from the station to the harbour and for luggage handling.

Foot-passenger travel is currently available through P&O Ferries and should be booked online in advance

Calais destination and port guide

Arriving in Dover

Start your onward itinerary at the actual landing point in Dover. Leave time to unload before a timed collection, train or island bus. If the ferry arrives late in the day, check the final public-transport departure or arrange a transfer in advance.

Passenger facilities include food outlets, toilets and free Wi-Fi
Pet exercise areas are available within the ferry terminal
The Port of Dover advises that there is no public long-stay parking inside the port; use an appropriate off-site provider if leaving a vehicle

Dover destination and port guide

Arriving in the United Kingdom

Plan this direction as an arrival into the UK. British and Irish citizens do not need a UK ETA; other travellers must check whether an ETA, visa or existing immigration permission is required. Keep the document linked to any permission available at check-in. Vehicle and foot-passenger exit arrangements may be different after landing.

Read the UK ferry documents guide

Passengers, vehicles and the fare

Select the correct passenger category before comparing Calais to Dover fares. A passenger-only boat cannot take a car, and a vehicle ferry may still have limited bicycle or foot-passenger availability. The travel modes shown in the facts panel should be checked against the specific sailing.

For a vehicle booking, give the full height and length including a roof box, rear rack or trailer. Where accommodation is offered, check whether a cabin or seat is required and whether meals are included. Request mobility assistance and any pet space before completing the booking, because these can have separate capacity limits.

Prices depend on the date, passenger mix, vehicle and ticket conditions. Compare the complete return cost and the amendment or cancellation terms. No fixed fare on this guide should replace a dated quote.

Car and motorhome planning · Travelling without a car · Taking a pet

Plan with current information

Ready to plan your crossing?

Find Calais to Dover ferry tickets

Check the sailing from Calais, arrival in Dover and travel options before confirming your reservation.

Compare Prices & Book