FerryConnect

UK → France

Dover → Calais

The busiest crossing between the UK and continental Europe. P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries cross the Strait of Dover in 1 hour 30 to 40 minutes, with departures around the clock.

⏱ 1h 30m – 1h 40m🚢 3 operators📅 Dozens of sailings a day around the clock: P&O up to 15, DFDS up to 30, Irish Ferries up to 20🚗 Vehicles accepted🐕 Pet friendly
Book with P&O Ferries→Book on Direct Ferries→

Dover to Calais ferry at a glance

The ferry from Dover to Calais takes 1h 30m – 1h 40m across the English Channel, operated by P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. Both vehicles and foot passengers are carried. Typical frequency: dozens of sailings a day around the clock: P&O up to 15, DFDS up to 30, Irish Ferries up to 20.

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: Calais to Dover

P&O Ferries and DFDS and Irish Ferries also sail Calais to Dover, taking 1h 30m. Return sailings run just as often. For foot passengers, P&O’s sailings leave Calais at 09:50, 15:00 and 19:00 (September 2026).

Calais to Dover ferry guide →

Dover to Calais ferry timetable & sailing pattern

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).

OperatorSailingsCrossingPublished times
DFDSUp to 30 a dayAbout 1 hour 40 minutesFirst ferry from Dover 00:10, last 21:10. No foot passengers.
P&O Ferries11 to 15 a dayAbout 1 hour 30 minutesFoot passengers: 09:45, 13:40 and 16:40 from Dover.
Irish FerriesUp to 20 a dayAbout 1 hour 30 minutesDeparture times are shown when you book.

Return: Return sailings run just as often. For foot passengers, P&O’s sailings leave Calais at 09:50, 15:00 and 19:00 (September 2026).

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 Dover–Calais route pages. Verified 2026-10-15.

Maritime Crossing Route Map

Interactive sea passage between Dover and Calais

📐 21 Nautical Miles
Dover⇄Calais
⏱ 1h 30m – 1h 40m · 📐 21 nm
© OpenFreeMap / OSM
⚡ Book direct with the operator

Ready to cross from Dover to Calais?

Book your crossing with P&O Ferries: live fares, availability and sailing times.

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Operators on This Route

OperatorCrossing TimeVessels
P&O Ferries1h 30mP&O Pioneer, P&O Liberté
DFDS1h 40mCôte des Dunes, Côte des Flandres
Irish Ferries1h 30mOscar Wilde, Isle of Inishmore

Route Features

🚗

Vehicles

Cars, campervans, and motorbikes accepted

🚶

Foot Passengers

Walk-on passengers welcome

🐕

Pets

Pets allowed with valid documents

📐

Distance

21 nautical miles

Getting There & Onward Transport

  • Dover Priory railway station connects to London St Pancras International via HS1 in 66 minutes
  • Calais-Ville railway station connects to Lille and Paris Gare du Nord
  • Direct motorway links onto the M20 (UK) and A16 autoroute (France)

Tips for the Dover to Calais Crossing

  • Arrive at the Eastern Docks no more than 2 hours before departure; queues peak on summer Friday and Saturday mornings and at the start of school holidays.
  • French passport control happens in Dover, so have every passenger’s passport ready at the border booths.
  • Vehicles with both EU and non-EU passengers are directed to the EES registration area once EES applies to tourist traffic at Dover.
  • Only P&O Ferries carries foot passengers; drivers can choose between P&O, DFDS and Irish Ferries.

Related Ferry Crossings

Return crossingCalais → Dover1h 30mAlso sails from DoverDover → Dunkirk2h · DFDSNearby alternative crossingNewhaven → Dieppe4h · DFDSNearby alternative crossingHarwich → Hook of Holland6h 30m – 8h · Stena LineNearby alternative crossingPortsmouth → Caen (Ouistreham)6h – 7h (day) / overnight · Brittany FerriesNearby alternative crossingHull → Rotterdam (Europoort)11h – 12h (overnight) · P&O FerriesNearby alternative crossingPortsmouth → CherbourgAbout 5h by day; about 7h 45m overnight · Brittany Ferries
⚓ Port of Dover guide⚓ Port of Calais guide⛴ All ferries from Dover🧭 Ferries from the UK to Europe🧭 Ferries from the UK to France🌊 English Channel ferries🗺 All ferries in United Kingdom🔎 Search all routes

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I arrive at Dover for my ferry?
The Port of Dover asks passengers to arrive at the Eastern Docks no more than 2 hours before their ferry departure, when you are processed at the French border in Dover. Arriving much earlier does not get you through faster at busy times.
Can I travel from Dover to Calais as a foot passenger?
Yes, but only with P&O Ferries. DFDS says foot passengers are not permitted on its Dover–France routes, and Irish Ferries carries passengers travelling with a vehicle. P&O foot-passenger check-in closes 90 minutes before departure.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and does it affect Dover?
EES is the EU’s biometric border system: British and other non-EU travellers register fingerprints and a facial photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, and the record lasts three years. It is free and done at the border, with nothing to submit in advance. Children under 12 are photographed but not fingerprinted. As of September 2026 the Port of Dover says the full EES process for tourist traffic has not yet been implemented there, so check the latest advice before you travel.
Do I need a passport for the Dover to Calais ferry?
Yes. French border checks take place in Dover before you board, and every passenger needs a valid passport. The separate ETIAS travel authorisation is not expected until autumn 2026 at the earliest.
How many ferries a day go from Dover to Calais?
As of October 2026, P&O Ferries runs a minimum of 11 sailings a day (up to 15), DFDS up to 30 and Irish Ferries up to 20, so there are departures around the clock.
How long is the ferry from Dover to Calais?
About 1 hour 30 minutes with P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries, and about 1 hour 40 minutes with DFDS (October 2026).
What times are the foot passenger ferries from Dover to Calais?
As of September 2026, P&O Ferries lists foot-passenger sailings from Dover at 09:45, 13:40 and 16:40. Tickets must be booked in advance and check-in closes 90 minutes before sailing. DFDS does not carry foot passengers on its Dover–France routes.
How often does the Dover to Calais ferry sail?
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). This is the pattern published in the P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries Dover–Calais route pages (checked 2026-10-15); confirm exact departure times on the official timetable before you travel.
Which ferry companies sail from Dover to Calais?
P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries operate this route. Compare sailing times and ticket types before booking, as they often differ between operators.
Can I take my car on the Dover to Calais ferry?
Yes. Vehicles are carried on this route. Book vehicle space in advance for peak dates, and check the operator’s height, length and trailer limits for campervans and larger vehicles.
Are dogs and pets allowed on the Dover to Calais ferry?
Pets are accepted on this route, subject to the operator’s rules (for example staying in the vehicle, kennels or pet-friendly cabins). International crossings also require the correct pet travel documents.
How far is Dover from Calais by ferry?
The sea crossing is about 21 nautical miles (roughly 39 km).