Cross Channel
Ways to Cross the Channel
The shortest route to cross the Channel is from Dover to Calais. Cross Channel ferries operate throughout the day and there are almost 40 cross channel ferry journeys every day, operated by Seafrance Ferries and P&O Ferries. There are also cross channel ferries that run from Dover to Dunkirk, operated by Norfolk Line.
The fastest route to cross the Channel is through the Channel Tunnel. If you are taking your car, then you will need the "car train" which will take you and your car from Folkestone to Calais in 35 minutes. These trains are run by Eurotunnel. If you aren't taking your car across the Channel, then you can take the Eurostar passenger service, which runs from London to Paris as well as a host of other locations.
There are several other ways to cross the Channel. To help you decide on the best method for your journey see our comparison chart, and compare all cross channel crossings and operators.
The best ways to travel from Dover to Calais and to Cross the Channel
| Fastest | Cheapest | Most Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
 Eurotunnel takes just 35 minutes from Folkestone (near Dover) to Calais. Better still, the Eurotunnel Terminals are directly on the major road networks in England and France. Prices start at just £49 per car. Click here to find cheap deals and book tickets |
 The cheapest Channel ferry crossing from Dover is actually to Dunkirk, just a few miles from Calais. Crossings are available from Norfolk Line Ferries. Norfolk Line have up to 12 crossings a day from Dover to Dunkirk. Visit their web site here for all the best deals. Prices start at just £24 per car. Click here to book |
 Relax on the comfortable Eurostar train, then arrive in Paris 2 hours 15 minutes later. Eurostar trains depart from London, Ashford and Ebbsfleet, and stop in Calais, Lille, Paris, Eurodisney and beyond. Prices start at £59 return, London to Paris. Click here to book |
Compare Dover to Calais ferries and crossings
| Operator | Route | Journey Time | Frequency | Usual Prices From | Book Online | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&O Ferries
|
Dover to Calais | 90 minutes | Up to 23 crossings per day | £30 per car |
 | |
| How to find the best fares: P & O Ferries offer more ferry crossings to France than anyone else. Crossing times are 90 minutes, and cheap fares can be found if you book ahead, travel at off peak times, and book direct through their web site. | ||||||
| Operator | Route | Journey Time | Frequency | Usual Prices From | Book Online | Sea France Ferries
|
Dover to Calais | 90 minutes | Up to 15 crossings per day |
£29 per car |
|
| How to find the best fares: As with P&O, the best fares can be found if you book direct with the operator online. Also look for the later or earlier ferries, preferably on a week day, as these will be cheaper. Consider too a day trip fare, which will be cheaper and often include special deals. Sea France also offer good fares on their multi-ticket Carnets for frequent travellers. | ||||||
| Operator | Route | Journey Time | Frequency | Usual Prices From | Book Online | |
| Norfolk Line
|
Dover to Dunkirk | 2 hrs | Up to 12 crossings per day |
£24 per car |
| |
| How to find the best fares: Book direct with Norfolk Line, as they will have the biggest choice of the cheap deals and fares available. For the cheapest deals you will need to book in advance, and travel at off peak times. | ||||||
| Operator | Route | Journey Time | Frequency | Usual Prices From | Book Online | |
| Eurotunnel
|
Dover to Calais | 35 minutes | Up to 37 crossings per day |
£49 per car |
|
|
| How to find the best fares: As with many of the cross channel travel companies, by booking in advance and travelling at a quieter, off peak time, you are more likely to find the cheapest deals available. Click here to find some of the best deals and prices for Eurotunnel | ||||||
| Operator | Route | Journey Time | Frequency | Usual Prices From | Book Online | |
| Eurostar
|
London to Paris | 2 hrs 15 mins | 18 trains per day from London to Paris |
£59 return per person |
| |
| How to find the best fares: Eurostar offer 3 types of fare - Business, Leisure Select and Standard. The cheapest tickets are the Standard fares. If you can travel at off peak times, and don't have to have flexible travel times, then you will be able to find the cheaper deals. Book direct and online with Eurostar for the full range of deals and fares at the cheapest prices. | ||||||
| Operator | Route | Journey Time | Frequency | Usual Prices From | Book Online | |
| L D Lines
|
Dover to Boulogne | 1 hr 45 mins | Up to 6 crossings per day |
£24 per car |
| |
| LD Lines have been operating various ferry crossings for some time, but their Dover to Boulogne route is fairly new. Click here to find the best deals. | ||||||
"Dover to Calais - Find the best deals online"
Here at Dover to Calais we constantly check all travel deals from the ferry, train and coach companies who offer services from Dover to Calais. So you can be sure to find the right deals and prices for your trip.
Cross Channel Ferries, Trains and Car Trains
Cross Channel Ferries
The cross channel ferries are run by P&O, Seafrance and Norfolk Line. The services between Dover and Calais are run by P&O and Seafrance, and the service from Dover to Dunkirk is run by Norfolk Line. The ferry crossings take between 90 minutes and 2 hours. The ferries are comfortable and offer a great chance to unwind, eat and drink, do some shopping, or simply stretch your legs. A cross channel ferry journey can often come as a welcome break for a driver.
Cross Channel trains
If you don't need to take the car across the Channel, then by far the most relaxing journey will be on a Eurostar train. These are the passenger trains running through the Channel Tunnel. They run from London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet or Ashford in England, and whizz through the Channel Tunnel and on to a range of destinations including Paris, Calais, Lille, and Eurodisney Paris (also known as Disneyland Paris).
Cross Channel Car Trains
"Car trains" might not be the official term, but we think this best describes the trains run by Eurotunnel. These trains are also sometimes known as Le Shuttle or Chunnel Trains. The Channel Tunnel provides the link between UK and France. Using the Channel Tunnel couldn't be easier. Everything is run by Eurotunnel. Their Channel Tunnel trains are super fast and take thousands of passengers every day across the Channel (well, under it!) in just 35 minutes.
Cross Channel Prices
Compare all cross channel prices with our comparison chart above. We check all the cross channel companies to make sure we can bring you the best deals and prices. It is always advisable to book direct with the operators - P&O Ferries, Sea France Ferries, Eurotunnel Trains, Eurostar Trains, Norfolk Line - to find the cheapest deals. As the operator, they will always have the fullest range of fares and tickets available. Plus, they won't charge booking fees or other service charges.
To get the best fares and prices, it is always best to book in advance. And if you can, try to travel at off peak times. For example, Seafrance offer their cheapest fares on ferries that travel late in the evening, or early in the morning, as do Eurotunnel. These companies also offer some really cheap deals if you are making a cross channel day trip.
This week's Cheapest deals for travel from Dover to Calais
We constantly check all the channel crossing travel companies so we can bring you the best deals and cheapest prices on travel from Dover to Calais. See the best deals for this week below:
Dover to Calais - Ferries, Trains and Coaches
P&O Ferries | Sea France Ferries | Eurotunnel Trains | Eurostar Trains | Norfolk Line | LD Lines | National Express Coaches |