Dover to Calais ferries connects southern England with France. The Dover Calais ferry is operated by P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, and DFDS Seaways. P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways sail up to 38 times per day with an approximate journey time of 90 minutes.

P&O Ferries have 5 different ships on crossing the channel including Spirit of Britain, Spirit of France, Pride of Burgundy, Pride of Kent and Pride of Canterbury. Meanwhile, DFDS Seaways has 3 ships including the Côte Des Dunes, Côte Des Flandres, and Calais Seaways.

You can book a cheap ferry from Dover to Calais with Irish Ferries, DFDS or P&O Ferries.

Dover Calais ferries are used for carrying foot passengers, passenger vehicles, and also carrying commercial vehicles. Ferries are large enough to accommodate all sorts of vehicles including motorbike, motorhome, caravan, car, bus, and vehicles with a trailer.

The crossing is one of the most popular and busiest ferry routes in the world. Millions of passengers travel on the route each year due to the number and speed of crossings.

Both Dover and also Calais lie along the narrowest part of the English Channel and have the shortest crossing times available. Dover ferry port lies in Kent on the southeast coast of England. Calais ferry port is the most northern port in France and lies in the Pas-de-Calais department.

How to Book a Cheap Ferry from Dover to Calais

There are a number of things you can do to book a cheap ferry from Dover to Calais but some of the best ways are listed below.

  • Decide what time of day to travel. Early mornings and later evening sailings can be cheaper
  • Book your ferry as early as possible
  • Follow us for cheap ferry deals and offers

Ferry from Dover to Calais

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Dover to Calais Ferry Foot Passenger

It is possible to travel from Dover to Calais as a foot passenger but only with P&O Ferries. Neither Irish Ferries no DFDS Seaways offer foot passenger services.

Check-in for foot passengers close 90 minutes prior to departure so ensure you get to the ferry port nice and early.
A dedicated shuttle bus will leave when check-in closes and will drop you off at the ferry.

Foot passengers can disembark the ferry 30 minutes after it lands and so please ensure you keep this in mind when arranging onwards travel.

One thing to keep in mind is that there are only a small number of ferries on the timetable that offer foot passenger services. These can be found on the P&O Website.

Dover to Calais Route FAQ’s

Our Dover Calais FAQ’s section helps you to find answers to the most commonly asked questions about the route.

Who operates the route from Dover to Calais?

Both DFDS and P&O Ferries operate the crossing, each using a number of ferries.

How long is the Dover Calais crossing?

The crossing takes approximately 1 hours and 30 minutes however this is dependant upon the time of day.

How many crossings are there per day?

P&O Ferries sail 23 times per day whilst DFDS sail 15 times per day on their ferry timetables.

What time is the first crossing from Dover to Calais?

The first crossing leaves at 00:45 with DFDS and at 01:00 with P&O Ferries but times do vary depending upon the time of year.

What time is the last crossing from Dover to Calais?

The last crossing leaves at 23:05 with DFDS and 23:45 with P&O Ferries but times do vary depending upon the time of year.

Where can I find out more about the return route?

The return Calais to Dover route details can be found by clicking here.

Visit Dover

Dover can be found in the south east of England in the county of Kent. The port lies on the narrowest point in the English Channel between England and France and ships have been known to cross from here since Roman times.

In 1606 the then King of England, James 1st created a harbour although Dover’s strategic importance has always been well known. The port’s closeness to France and Europe means that it has always been a possible target for invasion. In the 11th Century, Dover castle was built and it is the largest medieval castle in England. Although fortifications are known to have existed on the site for many years prior to Dover castle being built, the current castle is definitely not to be missed when visiting Dover.

Along with the castle, Dover is well known for its tunnels buried within the cliffs. Used during WW2 for planning and defense the tunnels once housed a number of Allied forces and are filled with history. The National Trust has recently worked on the Fan Bay deep shelter and tours are conducted in Spring – Autumn with parking available at the White Cliffs of Dover visitors centre.

For those interested in finding out a little more about Dover’s history, a trip to the Dover Museum is a must. The museum takes you on a trip through Dover’s past and is even home to a bronze age boat.​​​

Visit Calais

Calais is a city with a rich cultural heritage which can be found in the Nord Pas de Calais department of France.

The port has been an important trade and passenger port for many centuries due to its closeness to England although those travelling to, or from the city should ensure they stay to take in some of the history and culture.

Calais is divided into two parts, the new town, and the older town. The old town, known as Calais-Nord, is located on an island and is surrounded by a series of canals and harbours. The modern town part of town is better known as St-Pierre and lies to the south. Within the cities boundaries, you’ll be able to discover museums, restaurants, cafes, shops, and attractions. One of the most popular attractions called the Belfries is also a UNESCO world heritage site and was built originally to protect the city and port from invasion.

Other interesting attractions include a WW2 Museum (the Musee de la Guerre), Fort Risban, and the Eglise Notre-Dame which is a 12th Century Roman Catholic Church.​​​