How Long Is The Ferry From Dover To Calais

How long does the Dover to Calais ferry take?

How long is the ferry from Dover to Calais? The ferry crossing time from Dover to Calais is approximately 1h 30m.

Is ferry cheaper than Eurotunnel?

Ferry or Eurotunnel: which one is cheaper? – How much does the ferry to France from the UK cost? Dover – Calais ferry tickets start at around €36 for foot passengers and at about €80 for passengers who travel with a vehicle. On the other hand, prices for the Eurotunnel start at over €100 for a one-way drive to France from the UK.

How long does DFDS ferry from Dover to Calais take?

Dover To Calais Ferries | Cross The Channel | DFDS Ready to explore Europe? Start your journey with DFDS’ Dover-Calais ferries – 30 daily sailings in just 100 minutes, plus tons of shopping onboard and onshore! Visit fantastic France hassle-free. Plan the perfect itinerary through or take a more eco friendly approach by using guide to EV charging points across Europe.

Great destinations within driving distance of ports Save up to 50% vs UK high street on duty free Travel Guarantee – rebook for free if travel is impacted by Covid-19. Valid for crossings take before 30 Sept 2023 Travel +/- 4 hours either side of your booked sailing time. Subject to availability

• Week 31
• Regular sailings for the current week listed in local time
• Please note that timetables may change subject to weather conditions.

Whether you’re onboard, at the port or sitting on the sofa, it’s never been easier to browse and buy Duty Free. Our service lets you browse hundreds of beers, wines and spirits online, reserve and arrange a pick-up time to suit you! It’s easy:

• Reserve your Duty Free Shopping online
• Select a convenient collection time
• Collect from our Dunkerque Duty Free Shop

Our and Duty Free Shops have thousands of great deals on alcohol, Lego, confectionery and toys. Plus, the shops are right by the loading lanes for our ferries so it’s easy to fill your boot with bulk buys on Duty Free. Onboard, you can spend your sailing browsing the designer perfumes, cosmetics and technology in our Duty Free Sea Shops with savings of up to 50% vs UK high street. Many people ask ‘how long is the ferry from Dover to Calais’ and are delighted to hear it takes only 100 minutes. It’s our fastest crossing and it gives you more time to  at your leisure.

1. There’s also plenty to keep everyone entertained as you sail, visit the onboard Duty Free shop, for savings of up to 50% vs UK high street, enjoy a bite to eat and have the kids let off some steam in our Pirates’ Island play area.
2. We also have seasonal special offers so keep checking our website or sign up to our e-newsletter.
3. For more inspiration on places to visit when you take the Dover to France ferry or things to do on your trip, take a look at our Travel Guide pages or our itineraries below:

With DFDS, it’s easy to sail from Dover to France. Our routes include crossings from Dover to Calais and, as well as, all with comfortable onboard facilities so you can really relax and enjoy the journey. Enjoy a bite to eat and take the kids to the soft play area or even explore outside on deck.

• We are proud to have been nominated as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator 2023 by the World Travel Awards.  
• This year, we’re taking a moment to celebrate and recognise the reasons why we continue to get nominated – and win this award – year after year the amazing people behind every journey.  
• Help us shine a spotlight on our staff and vote for DFDS.

The DFDS ferry from Dover to Calais takes just 100 minutes. Please note that sailing times may vary due to weather conditions. The quickest way to travel to France by ferry with DFDS is to take the Dover-Calais crossing. We operate up to 30 daily sailings between England and France on this ferry route, and a further 24 sailings a day on our Dover-Dunkirk ferry route.

Travel with DFDS by ferry from Dover to Calais from £68 for a car plus 4 passengers one way. Check out our for our latest deals. Please note this price is subject to availability and change. DFDS operates up to 30 daily sailings from Dover to Calais. Enjoy a comfortable crossing with excellent onboard facilities.

With DFDS, your holiday starts the moment you step onboard! Ferries travel between Dover and Calais from early in the morning to late at night, 7 days a week, meaning you can choose a date and time that is convenient for you. Please note that timetables may change subject to weather conditions and crossings are subject to availability.

How long is the ferry across the English Channel?

How long does a cross Channel ferry take? – A Dover to Calais crossing takes around 1 and a half hours whereas the Portsmouth to Santander ferry will take almost 24 hours, so bear this in mind when planning your trip.

Is Eurotunnel quicker than ferry?

What’s the quickest way to drive to France? – The quickest way to cross the channel is using Eurotunnel, which takes around 35 minutes compared to the 90-minute crossing of the quickest cross-Channel ferry from Dover to Calais. However, be aware that regardless of which crossing method you choose, you will need to arrive ahead of your departure time to check-in, so factor that in when planning your route to the terminal.

Is there a ferry from England to France takes 90 minutes?

Dover ⇄ Calais – Dover to Calais is the most popular ferry route for vans, rigids and artics to travel from England to France. It offers the most flexible option for travelling to all other areas of France. DFDS Seaways sail from Dover to Calais 10 times per day, which takes around 90 minutes and tickets are all open so you can travel on the first (and most convenient) ferry after you have arrived at the port.

Can you stay in your car on a ferry to France?

Do you stay in your car on the ferry and Eurotunnel? – When you travel by Eurotunnel, you stay in your car throughout the journey. Travelling by ferry is different as you don’t stay in your car and can start your holiday as soon as you step on board. With plenty of space both in the ferry and on the outside decks, you can find a comfortable seat, refuel with a drink and something to eat, and pick up some treats from our World Duty Free shop.

Can I take food to France on the ferry?

“What foods can I take to France from UK?” – Travelers can take a wide range of foods from the UK to France as long as they are for personal consumption and do not exceed the allowed quantities. However, it is important to check the latest food import regulations to ensure that the items you plan to bring are allowed.

What is the longest free ferry ride?

Kootenay Lake Ferry – Ferry Landing Road, Balfour, BC The ferries in our region are free, including the tourist attraction, the Kootenay Lake Ferry, which is the longest free ferry in the world. It’s a 35-minute journey covering 8km, and operates year round. EV Charging station avaialble at the Kootenay Bay Ferry Terminal.

What is the quickest ferry from England to France?

What is the quickest ferry to France? – Dover to Calais is the quickest ferry crossing to France. This route takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.2 operators sail on this route with 25 daily sailings. The next quickest route is Dover to Dunkirk, which takes approximately 2 hours, with 12 daily sailings.

Is it worth visiting Calais?

Unlike Dover, its counterpart on the other side of the channel, Calais feels positively booming. It’s got an added new attraction in the form of a giant dragon which strolls the seafront and its buses and boats are now free for everyone. It makes a great weekend destination, perfect for stocking up on wine and cheese, and dining in its excellent restaurants.

Can you see France from Dover?

Dover Strait
View from France across the Strait of Dover towards the English coast
Location	North Sea – English Channel (Atlantic Ocean)
Coordinates	51°00′N 1°30′E  /  51.000°N 1.500°E
Type	Strait
Basin countries	France United Kingdom
Min. width	20 miles (32 km)
Average depth	150 feet (46 m)

The Strait of Dover or Dover Strait ( French : Pas de Calais French pronunciation: ​ – Strait of Calais ), is the strait at the narrowest part of the English Channel, marking the boundary between the Channel and the North Sea, separating Great Britain from continental Europe,

1. The shortest distance across the strait, at approximately 20 miles (32 kilometres), is from the South Foreland, northeast of Dover in the English county of Kent, to Cap Gris Nez, a cape near to Calais in the French département of Pas-de-Calais,
2. Between these points lies the most popular route for cross-channel swimmers,

The entire strait is within the territorial waters of France and the United Kingdom, but a right of transit passage under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea allows vessels of other nations to move freely through the strait. On a clear day, it is possible to see the opposite coastline of England from France and vice versa with the naked eye, with the most famous and obvious sight being the White Cliffs of Dover from the French coastline and shoreline buildings on both coastlines, as well as lights on either coastline at night, as in Matthew Arnold ‘s poem ” Dover Beach “.

Can you see France from England?

Can you see the coast of France from England? – Yes, you can see the coast of France from England. At its closest point, England is 23 miles away from France across the English Channel. On a clear day it is possible to make out the French coastline from some areas in England.

What is the shortest cross-Channel ferry?

How long does it take to cross the Channel by Ferry? – The fastest ferry across the Channel is the ferry from Calais to Dover. This route takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and is available to book all year round with Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways.

• Alternatively, you can travel from France to England via the Eurotunnel between Calais and Folkestone,
• This takes approximately 35 minutes and is open throughout the year.
• Cross Channel ferries can take anywhere between 35 minutes to 7 hours and 59 minutes on the ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre,
• The sailing duration for a ferry to England or a ferry to France is vastly different depending on what destination you depart from.

Our longest ferries are from Poole to Cherbourg, which can take anywhere between 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 40 minutes, and the ferry from Portsmouth and Plymouth. Ferry times can vary due to a number of factors, such as weather conditions, but we will always try to give you the most up-to-date information.

What is the best ferry across the English Channel?

10 Cross-Channel Ferries (and alternatives) Taking a cross-channel ferry – or train via the Channel Tunnel – to France can be a great start to a family holiday on the Continent. There are plenty of options to get you across the channel, as many different ferry companies go to France, and on Cheap 4 Ferries you can compare them all.

Depending on where you live, or where you are travelling on to, some ferry to France routes might be better suited to you than others. For pure speed, Eurotunnel is a great option, while for a fast ferry it’s hard to beat everyone’s favourite Dover to Calais route. But if your holiday is in Brittany for instance, perhaps a longer, more leisurely car ferry to France or Spain followed by a shorter drive would be a more relaxing start to your holiday.

Here are a few cross-channel options to consider. is the best known of all the cross-channel routes and is also the most frequent ferry crossing. Dover-Calais ferries are operated by and, and both offer top quality modern ferry travel with restaurants, amusements and duty-free shops. While the Eurotunnel may be faster, Dover-Calais is still the fastest cross-channel ferry option. For an alternative ferry to France from Dover, is often one of the cheaper options. The port of Dunkirk can often be less busy than Calais and if you intend to travel to or through Belgium, Dunkirk will be the more convenient arrival port. This route is operated by, with comfortable, modern cross channel ferries offering restaurants, shops and amusements. Whilst we often consider Dover-Calais to be the typical cross-channel ferry route, alternatives like are still very popular ferry routes for many in Wales and south-western England, for whom it’s a convenient port. run up to 2 crossings a day, with a journey time of around 6 hours. has been operated by for more than 30 years, and it remains their most popular route. The ferry journey from Portsmouth-Caen takes slightly longer than the one to Le Havre, at nearly 6 hours. The ferry is a great route to take if you are visiting Brittany, as you might expect from ! They offer up to 2 crossings per day, which take approximately 3 hours. The ferry from is a long overnight channel crossing. While it might be slower, the ferry is spacious and the extra time allows you to get a full night’s sleep ahead of the rest of your journey. A great ferry crossing for visiting western France, the Portsmouth ferry to St Malo is operated by, with up to 7 crossings a week, taking around 12 hours. is a good option for those living slightly further north, on the south-east coast of England. offer up to 2 crossings per day on this route, with a journey time of around 7 hours. Note: while this route is a great option for Holland and parts of Belgium and Germany, it would be a longer onward car journey to most of France, and involve crossing two extra country borders. route is operated by, who run up to 7 crossings per week, with a journey time of around 14hrs. This is an overnight sailing which includes cabin accommodation and features extensive onboard entertainment. The route is a very popular option for those in the North East of England wishing to travel to Holland.

Is Eurotunnel worth it?

What is the best way to cross the Channel, the tunnel or the ferry? Does comfort win over speed, while Eurotunnel is faster, is it better than the ferry? – I’ve lost count at how many times I’ve travelled across the Channel using all the various routes available but which one is best does depend on your travelling strategy! We’re regular tunnel users, probably doing three to four return trips a year, even through lockdown as we have French residency and were still able to travel.

We’ve also travelled via Portsmouth Le Havre a few times as well as Newhaven Dieppe as both Portsmouth and Newhaven are far closer to Worthing, our home in the UK, unlike Dover, but they don’t offer the flexibility of times so much, and crossings are longer, plus Portsmouth dog cabins do get booked up way in advance! Timing flexibility is more important on the return leg as driving back you have to build a buffer in case there are traffic travel issues as missing the crossing means you’ll have a long wait till the next one, hence the tunnel and Dover ferry options can be better.

Obviously travelling in a car via the tunnel can be better, as if you turn up early then, outside of peak season you could get on an earlier one, though in a van, classed as a high sided vehicle that is often not the case. And, of course, there’s the crossing time, tunnel vs ferry, the ferry is 90mins vs tunnel 35mins and loading/unloading times are faster.

However, if you’re prepared to pay, you can cut these down. Eurotunnel Flexiplus is an expensive option though but at peak times can well be worth it. And, of course, if the weather is rough then the tunnel again is the best option. Also in choosing your modus operandi much will depend on your travelling strategy and time of year, as well as in or out of High Season.

I know many people who prefer to drive in a more comfortable sedate way, maybe even doing an overnight near Dover, then taking a later crossing after lunch and then stopping overnight around Reims / Troyes. If doing the above then the ferry is the obvious choice as you are not in a mad rush and if repeating the process for the return journey then, again, you’re not beholden to the pressures of travelling at peak time.

1. We normally leave from Worthing and drive down direct from Calais in one hit with only one or two brief stops for dogs and petrol in around nine hours, so leaving Calais at 10:00 local time we then rock up around 19:00, weather traffic conditions being OK.
2. I should also add that we do not travel at weekends in the high season, and over the years we’ve found that out of high season travelling on a Sunday is good as truck numbers are greatly reduced.

However, leaving Calais at 10:00 involves turning up at Folkestone/Dover at circa 07:00 for a 08:00 departure, which in turn usually means leaving Worthing 05:15 so an early start, and I do find that by 12:30 passing Reims I might ask my wife to take over the driving for a couple of hours I have a nap.

• And that’s how it’s been for many a year, along with similar tactics on the return leg leaving Serre Chevalier at 06:00 for a departure around 17:00.
• As I mentioned, we have done the Newhaven Dieppe ferry but always found that their departure times, along with a four-hour crossing are not conducive to driving down in one hit.

And Portsmouth Le Havre is good as you arrive fresh after an overnight ferry but, especially with dogs, this gets very booked up, so it’s not too flexible as you have to book a long time in advance. Then if you have a repeat of Storm Eunice and Franklin, your travel plans can be somewhat curtailed.

Again, it comes down to being flexible, I recently travelled after the above-named storms but looked at the forecast before deciding on which route to take. Sometimes it seems that there’s no advantage financially to booking a return journey, so one option, if the weather is suspect, is to book the tunnel on the outward date and then wait and see what the weather is like for the return leg before deciding.

As for which is cheapest, that is a real “how long is a piece of string question”. As I’ve alluded to, flexibility is the key to crossing the channel be it by ferry or Eurotunnel. Also, as I mentioned above, when I travelled last time I checked the forecast and I decided on the ferry, and I booked the Club Lounge as well as Priority Boarding, and the same for the return leg.

My round trip on the ferry with the above was £289 the Eurotunnel was nigh on a £100 more*. I have just looked at making another booking while researching/checking this article and the prices for the return crossing were now similar, ferry £342 vs tunnel £330. However, if I added Flexiplus to the tunnel booking it increased to £652! *My round trip was Calais/Folkestone Folkestone/Calais Club Lounge / Priority Booking vs Flexiplus As you can see from the above figures there is a heavy premium to travelling Flexiplus on the Tunnel, but is it worth it? With new checks a result of a Covid and Brexit at the tunnel, the Flexiplus lanes are undoubtedly a major advantage, that’s of course if they are open! And being able to board the next train is great.

I have yet to test the ferry priority boarding in anger as when I used it the terminal was not busy. Plus I do not know if it would enable me to get through check-in any faster and then on to the queues for Border Control. And I have to say that the new Ferry Terminal at Calais is massive, and the signage needs to be a lot better, especially when it’s quiet as there was no other traffic to follow and I found myself going in the direction of the old terminal.

1. I was told that I was not the first to have done this.
2. What I do know is that I was first on to the ferry and first off and for the return leg, Dover Calais I did show up within an hour and there was no real waiting, though again I was travelling early and well out of peak times.
3. Once onboard, the Club Lounge comes into its own! Eurotunnel vs the Ferry which is the best – YouTube Style Altitude 60 subscribers Eurotunnel vs the Ferry which is the best Style Altitude Watch later Share Copy link Info Shopping Tap to unmute If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.

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Can you go on the Eurotunnel without a car?

Can you go on Eurotunnel without a car? Yes, it is possible to use the Eurotunnel without a car. You can do this by taking a shuttle service. The Eurotunnel shuttle service operates between Folkestone in the UK and Coquelles in France.

How far underwater is the Eurotunnel?

How deep is the Channel Tunnel? At its deepest, the tunnel is 75 metres (246 feet) below the sea level. That’s the same as 107 baguettes balancing on top of each other. The English Channel is much deeper than the tunnel, with its deepest point measuring 175 meters (574 feet) below sea level.

Do you need a passport to go from Dover to Calais?

Dover / Calais route: It is compulsory for all passengers (including babies) to have their own valid passport or officially recognised European Union I.D. card when travelling to and from Britain or France. In some cases, a visa may also be required. If you are driving a vehicle you will also need a valid driving licence,

is valid for at least three months from the date you will leave the EU member country, unless the person has a EU-issued residence permit or an EU long-term visa. should be issued within the previous ten years upon the date of arrival. It is your responsibility to make sure your passport is valid to travel to/from the EU. French people not resident in the United Kingdom and entering UK territory will have to carry a passport. The identity card will no longer be accepted as a travel document. For French people resident in the UK who have settled or pre-settled status, the identity card will remain valid until 2025. Note: If you have a passport and an identity card, you are strongly advised to travel with the identity document that is linked to your resident (settled or pre-settled) status in the UK.

UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements French Government: https://uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918

Non-EU nationals should check with the relevant embassy before travelling as they may need a visa as well as a passport. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. You can cross the UK border using a valid passport which should be valid for the whole time you are in the UK.

have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit have a frontier worker permit are an S2 Healthcare Visitor are a Swiss Service Provider

In these cases, you can continue to use your national ID card to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025. Passengers who turn up at our ports without a valid passport or an officially recognised European Union ID card (and a visa if required) will not be allowed to travel and / or enter either France or Ireland.

What is the cheapest route to France from UK?

Frequently Asked Questions – The cheapest crossing is the ferry from Dover to Calais, Depending on how busy it is, DFDS or P&O is the cheapest option. The shortest crossing is between Dover and Calais. This ferry sails a distance of approximately 41km to France.

• The boats then take 1.5 hours.
• Because of this short distance, it is one of the busiest routes in the world.
• The fastest ship that sails across the channel is the Condor Voyager.
• It achieves maximum speeds of 42 knots or 78 kph.
• It used to sail to Normandy but nowadays this ferry is leased by Brittany Ferries to Condor Ferries and sails towards the Channel Islands.

As a result, the Condor Liberation is now the fastest boat sailing from England to France. It has a maximum speed of 39 knots and sails from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in 3 hours.

Can I go to France as a foot passenger?

To travel as a foot passenger to France you must ensure you passport reflects the below criteria: Must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

How long is Eurotunnel from Dover to Calais?

Advantages – Speed of travel is the obvious advantage of using the Channel Tunnel, with a crossing time of just 35 minutes. In contrast, a Dover to Calais ferry will take 90 minutes to cross the English Channel. There are also up to four departures per hour, while motorway to motorway access makes it quick and easy to continue your journey upon arrival.

Is it worth visiting Calais?

Unlike Dover, its counterpart on the other side of the channel, Calais feels positively booming. It’s got an added new attraction in the form of a giant dragon which strolls the seafront and its buses and boats are now free for everyone. It makes a great weekend destination, perfect for stocking up on wine and cheese, and dining in its excellent restaurants.

How long does Eurotunnel take Calais to Dover?

The best place to begin a French road trip adventure is from Calais, but the port-city is much more than just a gateway to France, it has a variety of attractions and sights worth seeing. So, whether you plan to use it as a launchpad, or soak up what Calais has to offer, one thing is for sure – LeShuttle gets you across the Channel faster than a ferry from Dover to Calais!

How long is Eurostar from Calais to Dover?

The Calais to Dover train travel takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes, no matter when you leave.