Dover – Calais
Ferries to France
Dover – Calais
Ferries to France
Depending on the season their are usually 31 daily and 215 weekly sailings between Dover and Calais. 3 ferry operators provide the ferries from Dover to Calais, P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways & Irish Ferries.Dover Calais ferries take around 1 hour 30 minutes. The ferry costs between $221 and $559, depending on ticket details. Prices exclude any service fees. Ferry timetables change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for ferries from Dover to Calais.
The earliest Dover Calais ferry typically departs Dover at about 00:15 and the last ferry usually leaves at 23:55.
Ferries from Dover to Calais sail in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The fastest ferry is approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. Ferry duration can vary by ferry provider and can be impacted by weather conditions.
There is 215 weekly sailings from Dover to Calais provided by P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways & Irish Ferries. Timetables can change from season to season.
P&O Ferries provide 75 sailings weekly. DFDS Seaways provide 76 sailings weekly. Irish Ferries provide 63 sailings weekly.
The price of a ferry from Dover to Calais typically range between $221* and $559*. On average the Dover Calais ferry is $417*. The cheapest Dover Calais ferry prices start from $221*. The average price for a foot passenger is $131*. The average price for a car is $400*.
Pricing will vary depending on number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days and exclusive of service fees, last updated April 25.
The distance between Dover to Calais is approximately 38 miles (61km) or 33 nautical miles.
Yes, Dover Calais ferries allow cars onboard with P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways & Irish Ferries between Dover and Calais. To view car ferry tickets and prices between Dover and Calais use our Deal Finder.
P&O Ferries allow foot passengers on Dover Calais ferries.
P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways & Irish Ferries allow pets on ferries from Dover to Calais. Please also note that your pet may have to stay in the vehicle during the journey.
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| Dover - Calais Route summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Country | UK | |
| Destination Country | France | |
| No. of Operators | 3 | |
| Operators | DFDS Seaways, Irish Ferries & P&O Ferries | |
| Average Price | A$253* | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 24 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 162 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 1h 30m | |
| First Ferry | 00:15 | |
| Last Ferry | 23:55 | |
| Distance | 32 nautical miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2024-11-05.
The English town and port of Dover is located in the county of Kent in the south east of England. The town lies on the English Channel coast at its narrowest point between England and France. This narrow stretch of the English Channel is called the Strait of Dover. In and around the town there are many things for visitors to see and do. In memory of the spot where Bleriot landed following the first cross channel flight in 1909, the Bleriot Memorial is an outline of the aircraft flown set into the ground. Also, and overlooking the town, is Dover Castle which is the largest castle in England. It was founded in the 12th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout its history.
The Port of Dover is the world's busiest passenger port, with 16 million travellers, 2.1 million lorries, 2.8 million cars and motorcycles and 86,000 coaches passing through it each year. It is the main port of departure for travellers from the UK to France and beyond into mainland Europe. Services are operated by P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways to Calais and Dunkirk.
The French city of Calais is located in the Nord-Pas de Calais department of north west France and is the closest port in France to England. The Strait of Dover, which lies across the English Channel on the UK mainland, is around 32 km from Calais and on a clear day the famous White Cliffs of Dover can be seen from Calais as can the Calais coast from the cliffs. Calais has been an important maritime hub for commerce and tourism between France and England for many years and the town itself is divided into two parts. The old town, Calais-Nord, is located on a man made island that is surrounded by canals and harbours. The modern town, St-Pierre, is located to the south of the old town. The city is moving away from just being home to the busy port and is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination in itself. It has a long and rich cultural heritage, a number of museums and a lively nightlife. A popular attraction in the city are its Belfries which are siege towers that were built to protect the city from marauders, and are today declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ferries to England depart Calais on average every 30 minutes, with a crossing time to Dover of around 75 minutes.
The ferry route between Dover and Calais operates throughout the entire year, ensuring consistent service regardless of the season. Travellers can count on this route to be available whenever they plan their journey, making it a reliable choice for year-round travel.
The ferry route between Dover and Calais offers cabins on board, providing a comfortable and private space for passengers during their journey.
