France → UK
Calais → Dover
The return leg of Europe’s busiest ferry corridor, from Calais back to Dover across the Strait of Dover. UK border checks are completed in Calais before boarding (juxtaposed controls), so you drive straight off onto the A20/M20 on arrival.
Calais to Dover ferry at a glance
The ferry from Calais to Dover takes 1h 30m across the Strait of Dover, operated by P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. Both vehicles and foot passengers are carried. Typical frequency: very frequent sailings around the clock; combined, operators offer dozens of departures a day.
Crossing times and frequencies are typical figures and vary by season. Confirm the current timetable with the operator or booking partner before you travel. Route facts last reviewed 2026-10-15.
Sources: poferries.com · poferries.com · dfds.com · help.irishferries.com · How we verify
Return crossing: Dover to Calais
P&O Ferries and DFDS and Irish Ferries also sail Dover to Calais, taking 1h 30m – 1h 40m. For foot passengers the times differ by direction. P&O’s foot-passenger sailings leave Calais at 09:50, 15:00 and 19:00, and Dover at 09:45, 13:40 and 16:40.
Calais to Dover ferry timetable & sailing pattern
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).
| Operator | Sailings | Crossing | Published times |
|---|---|---|---|
| DFDS | Up to 30 a day | About 1 hour 40 minutes | Calais departure times are shown when you book. No foot passengers. |
| P&O Ferries | Up to 11 a day | About 1 hour 30 minutes | Foot passengers: 09:50, 15:00 and 19:00 from Calais. |
| Irish Ferries | Up to 20 a day | About 1 hour 30 minutes | Departure times are shown when you book. |
Return: For foot passengers the times differ by direction. P&O’s foot-passenger sailings leave Calais at 09:50, 15:00 and 19:00, and Dover at 09:45, 13:40 and 16:40.
Timetables change by season and date. Check exact departures for your travel date on the official timetable.
Official P&O Ferries timetable →Check prices & book on P&O Ferries →Source: P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries route pages. Verified 2026-10-15.
Maritime Crossing Route Map
Interactive sea passage between Calais and Dover
Ready to cross from Calais to Dover?
Book your crossing with P&O Ferries: live fares, availability and sailing times.
Operators on This Route
| Operator | Crossing Time | Vessels |
|---|---|---|
| P&O Ferries | 1h 30m | P&O Pioneer, P&O Liberté, Spirit of Britain |
| DFDS | 1h 30m | Côte des Dunes, Côte des Flandres |
| Irish Ferries | 1h 30m | Isle of Inishmore, Oscar Wilde |
Route Features
Vehicles
Cars, campervans, and motorbikes accepted
Foot Passengers
Walk-on passengers welcome
Pets
Pets allowed with valid documents
Distance
26 nautical miles
Getting There & Onward Transport
- Arrive at Dover Eastern Docks with direct access to the A20 and M20 towards London
- Dover Priory station (about 1.5 miles) has High Speed trains to London St Pancras
- Calais port connects directly to the A16 (Paris, Belgium) and A26 (Reims) motorways
Tips for the Calais to Dover Crossing
- Arrive at least 45–60 minutes before departure; queues at the border booths can be longer at weekends and in school holidays.
- Most tickets let you catch an earlier or later sailing on the day if space is available. Check your operator’s flexibility rules.
- Duty-free is not available between France and the UK, but tax-paid shopping is on board.