Ferries to France
The complete guide to getting you and your car across the Channel — routes, operators, prices, and the tips that save you time and money.
Getting to France from the UK is easier and cheaper than most people think. With over a dozen ferry routes, plus the Eurotunnel, there is a crossing to suit every budget, schedule, and starting point — whether you are driving down from Scotland or heading straight from the south coast.
The golden rule? The crossing you choose depends on where your gite is. If you are heading to Brittany, sailing from Portsmouth or Plymouth saves you hundreds of miles of French motorway driving. If you are heading to the Dordogne or the south, the short Dover–Calais crossing gets you onto the French autoroute network fastest. And if you are heading to Normandy, you might wake up in Caen harbour with your destination just minutes away.
Below you will find every route compared, honest advice on each operator, and the booking tips we have learned from years of crossing the Channel ourselves.
All Routes at a Glance
Every ferry and tunnel crossing from the UK to France, compared.
| Route | Operator | Crossing Time | Frequency | Price Guide | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover → Calais | P&O Ferries | 1h 30m | Up to 23 daily | £70–£180 | Quickest crossing, most frequent sailings |
| Dover → Calais | DFDS | 1h 30m | Up to 12 daily | £60–£170 | Often cheaper than P&O on the same route |
| Dover → Dunkirk | DFDS | 2h | Up to 12 daily | £55–£160 | Slightly cheaper, quieter port than Calais |
| Folkestone → Calais Tunnel | Eurotunnel Le Shuttle | 35m | Up to 4 per hour | £80–£250 | Fastest crossing, stay in your car, all-weather |
| Newhaven → Dieppe | DFDS | 4h | 2–3 daily | £70–£200 | Good for London/SE, arrives in charming Normandy port |
| Portsmouth → Caen (Ouistreham) | Brittany Ferries | 6h (day) / 7h (night) | 2–3 daily | £100–£300 | D-Day beaches, Lower Normandy, overnight option |
| Portsmouth → Le Havre | Brittany Ferries | 5h 30m (day) / 8h (night) | 1 daily | £100–£300 | Overnight crossings, Upper Normandy, Paris access |
| Portsmouth → St Malo | Brittany Ferries | 11h (overnight) | 1 daily (seasonal) | £150–£400 | Wake up in beautiful St Malo, straight into Brittany |
| Portsmouth → Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries | 3h (fast) / 6h (cruise) | 1–2 daily | £100–£280 | Cotentin peninsula, western Normandy |
| Poole → Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries | 4h 30m | 1 daily (seasonal) | £100–£280 | SW England access, quieter than Portsmouth |
| Plymouth → Roscoff | Brittany Ferries | 6h (day) / 8h (night) | 1 daily (seasonal) | £120–£350 | SW England, straight into western Brittany |
| Rosslare (Ireland) → Cherbourg | Stena Line | 16h | 3 per week | £150–£400 | Direct Ireland–France without going via UK |
Which Route Should I Take?
Heading to Brittany?
Take Portsmouth–St Malo (overnight, wake up in one of France's most beautiful walled cities) or Plymouth–Roscoff if you are in the south-west. Both put you straight into Brittany with zero motorway driving.
Browse our Brittany holiday homes →Heading to Normandy?
Take Portsmouth–Caen — the overnight crossing means you arrive fresh in the morning, right in the heart of Normandy. Perfect for the D-Day beaches, Mont Saint-Michel, and the Cotentin peninsula.
Browse our Normandy holiday cottages →Heading to the Dordogne, South of France, or Central France?
Take Dover–Calais or Eurotunnel for the quickest crossing, then use the excellent French autoroute network. Calais to the Dordogne is about 7 hours; to Provence about 9 hours. The short crossing maximises your driving time on good French roads rather than bobbing about on the sea.
Browse our Dordogne holiday rentals →Heading to the Loire Valley or Poitou-Charentes?
Either Portsmouth–Le Havre (then A28/A10 south) or Portsmouth–Cherbourg. Both avoid the long drive down from Calais. Alternatively, the fast Dover–Calais crossing plus A26/A10 is competitive if you prefer a shorter sea crossing.
Browse our Loire Valley holidays →Want the quickest possible crossing?
Take Eurotunnel Le Shuttle — 35 minutes, you stay in your car, and departures run every 30 minutes at peak times. It is the most expensive per crossing, but factor in the cabin you do not need to book and the time you save, and it often works out similar.
The Operators
An honest look at each company and what to expect.
Brittany Ferries
The largest operator on western Channel routes. Known for excellent on-board dining, comfortable cabins, and a distinctly French atmosphere. Their ships are essentially floating hotels — the overnight crossings are genuinely enjoyable rather than just a means of getting there.
Routes: Portsmouth–Caen, Portsmouth–Le Havre, Portsmouth–St Malo, Portsmouth–Cherbourg, Poole–Cherbourg, Plymouth–Roscoff
DFDS
Danish-owned operator running the busiest short-sea routes. Modern ships with good facilities, often the cheapest option on the Dover–Calais/Dunkirk crossings. Their Newhaven–Dieppe route is a hidden alternative that avoids the M25 entirely.
Routes: Dover–Calais, Dover–Dunkirk, Newhaven–Dieppe
P&O Ferries
The most frequent sailings on the Dover–Calais route, departing up to every hour at peak times. Familiar British brand with reliable service. Their Club Lounge upgrade is worth it for a quieter crossing with free drinks and snacks.
Routes: Dover–Calais
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Not a ferry but the fastest way across — 35 minutes from motorway to motorway. You stay in your car on the train, which means no sea-sickness, no weather delays, and pets travel with you rather than in kennels. Departures every 30 minutes at peak.
Routes: Folkestone–Calais
Stena Line
The main option for travellers from Ireland wanting to reach France directly without transiting through the UK. An overnight crossing that saves a day of driving.
Routes: Rosslare–Cherbourg
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle — Ferry Alternative
Eurotunnel is not a ferry — it is a drive-on, drive-off train that carries your car through the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes. You stay in your vehicle the entire time.
The advantages are significant: no sea-sickness, no weather cancellations, departures every 30 minutes at peak times, and you are on the French motorway within minutes of arriving. For anyone who finds ferry crossings tedious or uncomfortable, it is transformative.
The disadvantages? It is usually the most expensive option, the Folkestone terminal can get congested at peak times, and there is no opportunity to stretch your legs, eat a proper meal, or let children run around — unlike a ferry where the crossing is part of the holiday.
Pros
- 35 minutes crossing
- No sea-sickness
- All-weather reliable
- Pets stay with you
- Very frequent departures
Cons
- Usually most expensive
- Stay in your car
- Peak queues at terminal
- No overnight option
- Folkestone access only
Best For
- Travelling with pets
- Short breaks / weekends
- Nervous sailors
- Speed over comfort
- SE England departure
Booking Tips That Save Real Money
Book early for summer
July and August crossings sell out fast and prices double. Book 3–6 months ahead for the best fares. Shoulder season (May, June, September) is dramatically cheaper.
Travel midweek
Friday and Saturday departures command premium prices. Travel on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and you will often save 30–50% on the same crossing.
Compare all operators
Dover–Calais is served by both P&O and DFDS. Prices can vary by £50+ for the same day. Always check both before booking.
Consider overnight crossings
An overnight ferry replaces a night in a hotel AND hundreds of miles of driving. Brittany Ferries' Portsmouth–Caen or Portsmouth–St Malo sailings are superb value when you factor in the accommodation.
Flexi fares are worth it
Most operators offer a flexible fare that lets you change your crossing time or date for free. The small premium is cheap insurance if your plans change — and they often do on holiday.
Think about the drive, not just the crossing
A £50 cheaper crossing from Dover might cost you £60 in extra French motorway tolls and fuel to reach the same destination. The total journey cost is what matters, not just the ferry ticket.
Taking Your Dog to France
France is one of Europe's most dog-friendly countries, and all the major ferry operators and Eurotunnel welcome pets. Here is what you need to know:
Documentation
Your pet needs a valid Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your vet, issued no more than 10 days before travel. They must be microchipped and have a current rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel). Keep the paperwork with you — it will be checked.
On the ferry
Most ferries require pets to stay in your vehicle on the car deck, or in dedicated pet-friendly cabins (Brittany Ferries offers these on some routes). You can visit your pet during the crossing on most services. P&O and DFDS have pet exercise areas on the short crossings.
Eurotunnel
Pets travel in the car with you for the entire 35-minute crossing — no separation, no kennels, no stress. This is the easiest option for anxious dogs and is why many pet owners swear by the tunnel.
Ready to book your French holiday?
Find your perfect gite, then book the crossing to match. No booking fees. Direct with owners. Just France.