Ferry from London to Calais
From London, the quickest route to Calais runs via Dover, just under two hours away by car. The Channel crossing itself takes around 90 minutes, the fastest way to get your car onto French soil. It’s the obvious pick if you’re starting in the capital and heading for northern France or Paris.
Routes
Our experience
We have sailed Dover–Calais with every operator on the route. P&O Ferries stood out for us: competitive fares, modern ships and plenty of clean, comfortable space inside and out on deck. For most travellers heading to France, it’s usually the quickest and best-value way across.
Ferry services from London to Calais
Ferries from Dover to Calais are operated by P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. Together they offer up to 50 sailings per day, making it the busiest ferry route between the UK and France.
Map with suggested London – Calais ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from London to Calais, with crossing times, fares and the ports they sail from. Tap a route for details, tap a port for its sailings, or zoom in for more.
Onboard experience
Although the crossing takes only around 90 minutes, all operators provide comfortable onboard facilities, including cafés, restaurants, shops and outdoor decks. P&O Ferries operates the newest ships on the route, while DFDS and Irish Ferries continue to sail a number of older but regularly refurbished vessels.
Travelling from London to Dover without a car
High-speed Southeastern trains connect London St Pancras with Dover Priory in just over an hour, while slower direct services also depart from London Victoria and Charing Cross. From Dover Priory station, the ferry terminal is around a 25-minute walk, with taxis and local buses available for travellers carrying luggage.
By car
Dover is the nearest ferry port to London and can usually be reached in around two hours by car. With up to 50 daily sailings operated by three ferry companies, departures are available throughout the day, giving drivers plenty of flexibility when planning their journey.
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Still weighing up your options?
We have crossed the Channel to France more times than we can count, on most of the routes and with most of the operators. Tell us where you are starting and we will point you to the smartest way across.