Calais city and Opal Coast in northern France
France → United Kingdom

Calais to Dover Ferry

Plan your Calais to Dover ferry journey with departure-port guidance, operator information and onward travel from Dover. Compare sailings and fares for your travel dates.

Calais → DoverAbout 90–100 minutes
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Check Calais to Dover ferry prices & availability

Choose France as your place of departure, then select Calais - Dover. If the ports are grouped under an island or region, choose that place of departure or “Show all routes”. Enter your dates and confirm the direction shown before booking. Search all ferry routes.

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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.

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 passenger ferryP&O Ferries

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
DFDS passenger ferryDFDS

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
Irish Ferries passenger ferryIrish Ferries

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
Departure and arrival ports

Departing Calais and arriving in Dover

Calais city and Opal Coast in northern France
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

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.

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

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?

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. Use the terminal and check-in deadline specified on your booking confirmation.

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.

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.

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