Port of Dover
The World’s Busiest Passenger Ferry Port
The Eastern Docks at the Port of Dover handle high-frequency cross-channel ferry services to Calais and Dunkirk. Operating 24/7/365, it is the primary maritime artery between the UK and continental Europe.
Ferries from Port of Dover
3 ferry routes on FerryConnect. Tap a route for timetables, operators and booking.
| To / from | Crossing time | Operators | Carries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calais | 1h 30m – 1h 40m | P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries | Cars & foot |
| Calais | 1h 30m | P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries | Cars & foot |
| Dunkirk | 2h | DFDS | Vehicles |
Sailing patterns from Port of Dover
- Dover → Calais
Dozens of sailings a day across three operators. P&O Ferries runs a minimum of 11 sailings a day (up to 15), crossing in about 1 hour 30 minutes. DFDS advertises up to 30 daily crossings (about 1 hour 40 minutes). Irish Ferries offers up to 20 sailings a day on Oscar Wilde and Isle of Inishmore (about 1 hour 30 minutes).
Only P&O Ferries carries foot passengers, on three sailings a day from Dover (09:45, 13:40 and 16:40 as of October 2026).
Source: P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries Dover–Calais route pages, checked 2026-10-15
- Calais → Dover
Many sailings a day across three operators. P&O Ferries runs up to 11 Calais–Dover sailings a day (about 90 minutes). DFDS advertises up to 30 daily Dover–Calais crossings (about 100 minutes). Irish Ferries offers up to 20 sailings a day on Oscar Wilde and Isle of Inishmore (about 1 hour 30 minutes).
Source: P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries route pages, checked 2026-10-15
- Dover → Dunkirk
Up to 22 DFDS crossings a day, around the clock. Each crossing takes about 2 hours.
Source: DFDS Dover–Dunkirk route page, checked 2026-09-28
Passenger Terminals
Ground Transport & Railway Links
Dover Priory railway station (1.5 miles) — High Speed 1 trains to London St Pancras in 66 mins
M20 / A20 direct motorway access
Local bus service connects Dover Priory station with the Passenger Terminal
Before You Travel
- Arrive at the Eastern Docks Ferry Terminal no more than 2 hours before your ferry departure (Port of Dover guidance).
- French border checks (and UK exit) take place in Dover before boarding, so every passenger needs a valid passport ready at the booths.
- EU Entry/Exit System (EES): British and other non-EU travellers register fingerprints and a photo on their first Schengen entry, valid for 3 years. It is free, with nothing to submit in advance, and children under 12 are not fingerprinted. As of September 2026 the Port of Dover says the full EES process for tourist traffic is not yet implemented at Dover.
- Vehicles carrying both EU and non-EU passengers are directed to the EES registration area.
- Foot passengers can only sail with P&O Ferries (Dover–Calais); DFDS and Irish Ferries carry vehicle passengers only.
Advice last reviewed 2026-09-24. Border rules change, so check official guidance before travelling.
Short and long-term secure multi-storey parking available at the Passenger Terminal. Pre-booking recommended during holiday seasons.
Sat-nav address: Eastern Docks, Dover, Kent CT16 1JA
Pod Point & BP Pulse rapid charging stations available in the Eastern Docks pre-boarding lanes and long-stay car parks.
Ferry Routes from Port of Dover
Dover → Calais
Crossing: 1h 30m – 1h 40m · P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries
Calais → Dover
Crossing: 1h 30m · P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries
Dover → Dunkirk
Crossing: 2h · DFDS
Port Logistics & Accommodation
Essential bookings for your crossing through Port of Dover.