Cross channel ferry tickets, compare times and prices (2024)

FAQs

How much does a cross channel ferry cost? ›

The price of a ferry from Dover to Calais can vary between £60 and £252 depending on the operator, season and whether you are travelling with a vehicle. The average price of a foot passenger is £204, prices can range from £60 and £420. The average price with a car is £182. Car prices can range from £99 and £229.

Check Which Day Is Cheapest

Each port, route, and ferry company might have different most expensive days. Supposedly Tuesday & Wednesday are the cheapest days to sail, but always check for each journey. If you can't choose a cheaper day, then checking what time of day is cheaper is the next step.

While the ferry might be more expensive than EuroTunnel, once you add in the cost of fuel and tolls to drive through France, as well as a few campsites along the way, then the cost is suddenly about the same. And so it comes back to a question of convenience and time.

Tips For Cheaper Ferry Tickets

Book in advance - Generally, the lowest fares are available when you book in advance. So book as early as possible before your travel date. Short break offers - On a number of routes we offer discounted fares if you return to the UK within one to five days of your departure.

The fastest ferry across the Channel is the ferry from Calais to Dover. This route takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and is available to book all year round with Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways. Alternatively, you can travel from France to England via the Eurotunnel between Calais and Folkestone.

Regarding professional vehicles such as buses, trucks, vans, and minivans, you should contact the ferry operator to issue your ticket. Should I buy ferry tickets in advance? Yes, we recommend that you book your ferry tickets in advance.

Book As Early As Possible

This is especially important on bigger overnight journeys, as the cheapest cabins sell out first. Some ferry operators even offer a small discount for booking more than 60 days in advance.

If you're a frequent P&O Ferries traveller, you can save money by purchasing a season ticket. Regardless of whether you sail from Dover to Calais or across the North Sea, you'll pay less per trip and can take advantage of flexible travel benefits too.

Ferrysavers is the place to save money and book cheap ferries. With over 50 major European ferry companies to choose from, including DFDS Seaways, Eurotunnel, Brittany Ferries, Stena Line, Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries and Condor Ferries, Ferrysavers will compare the best deals on ferry crossings for you!

Can you stay in your car on a ferry? ›

No. For safety reasons all passengers must leave their vehicles and make their way to the lounges or open decks.

How long does a cross Channel ferry take? A Dover to Calais crossing takes around 1 and a half hours whereas the Portsmouth to Santander ferry will take almost 24 hours, so bear this in mind when planning your trip.

The Kootenay Lake Ferry is the longest free ferry in the world, and very easily one of the most gorgeous routes.

And, of course, there's the crossing time, tunnel vs ferry, the ferry is 90mins vs tunnel 35mins and loading/unloading times are faster. However, if you're prepared to pay, you can cut these down. Eurotunnel Flexiplus is an expensive option though but at peak times can well be worth it.

Schedule: Up to four departures per hour (from both directions) in bookable 2-hour windows, round the clock. Fares: One way fares start at £85. But you'd be smarter booking a round trip. Day trips and overnight stays start at £30 each way and short stays of up to five days start at £66 each way.

Folkestone Calais Eurotunnel Prices

The average price is typically £243*. The cheapest Folkestone Calais Eurotunnel prices start from £48*. The average price for a foot passenger is £144*. The average price for a car is £237*.

Taking a ferry is often a less expensive way to travel

More often than not, taking a ferry is cheaper than airfare, but it does take longer. On a trip from Rome to Split, Croatia, in May 2019, it would've taken us a little over an hour to get there on a plane and cost about $300 for the dates we were looking at.

Dover to Calais (France)

If you are looking for a cheap ferry to France this is an ideal option. The primary operators for these cross-channel ferries are P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways. With up to 53 crossings a day, it's quite easy to find the perfect time for you to cross.