Calais or Dunkirk: which ferry from Dover?
Both ports sit on the same A16, 40 km apart, and both ferries leave from Dover Eastern Docks. Calais is shorter and sails far more often; Dunkirk is quieter and closer to Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Here is the difference in one table, then the third option: the tunnel.
The difference in short
| Dover to Dunkirk | Dover to Calais | |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | DFDS | DFDS, P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries |
| Crossing | 2 hours | 1 hour 30 |
| Sailings a day | up to 11 each way | up to 30 each way |
| From-price, car + 5, one way | £99 (DFDS) | £99 (DFDS), P&O and Irish Ferries priced separately |
| Foot passengers | No | Yes, with P&O |
| Driving on to Brussels | 150 km, 1 h 45 | 200 km, 2 h 15 |
| Driving on to Paris | 290 km, 3 h | 290 km, 3 h |
| Queues at check-in | Quiet, one operator | Busy in the holidays |
| Departure in England | Dover, Eastern Docks | Dover, Eastern Docks |
Which is quicker, door to door?
The crossing to Dunkirk takes half an hour longer than to Calais. Heading north to Belgium or the Netherlands, you win that half hour back on the road, because Dunkirk is 40 km closer. Heading south to Paris or the Loire, Calais and Dunkirk come out level. What tips it is the port: in Dunkirk you are done with an hour before departure, while in Calais the holiday queues at French passport control can add an hour.
| London to Brussels, door to door | Via Dunkirk | Via Calais |
|---|---|---|
| Drive to Dover | 2 h 00 | 2 h 00 |
| At the port before departure | 1 h 00 | 1 h 00 to 1 h 30 |
| Crossing | 2 h 00 | 1 h 30 |
| Drive on to Brussels | 1 h 45 | 2 h 15 |
| Total | 6 h 45 | 6 h 45 to 7 h 15 |
Choose Dunkirk if
- you are heading to Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany or Scandinavia: toll-free on the A16 and E40, half an hour shorter;
- you want a quiet port with short queues and one operator;
- you travel with a motorhome or caravan and would rather not sit in the Calais crowds;
- the fare on your date is lower; that is often the case, because the route has less demand.
Choose Calais if
- you travel without a vehicle: only P&O from Calais carries foot passengers;
- you want flexibility: with three operators and up to 30 sailings you rarely miss a boat;
- you are heading south on the A26 to Reims, Dijon or the Alps;
- you want the shortest crossing, an hour and a half.
Everything about the Calais side, the three operators and the port of Calais is on our sister site calais-dover.com.
Or the tunnel?
With LeShuttle you drive onto the train at Folkestone and off again at Coquelles, next to Calais, 35 minutes later. Up to four departures an hour, no seasickness, but no restaurant and no deck: you stay with your car in the carriage. Fares are usually above the ferry, especially at short notice. For pets the tunnel is the calmest option, because they stay in the car with you.
| Ferry to Dunkirk | LeShuttle to Calais | |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing | 2 hours | 35 minutes |
| Check-in | 60 min before departure | at least 1 hour before departure |
| On board | Restaurant, shop, open deck | In your car in the carriage |
| Arrival | Loon-Plage, straight onto the A16 | Coquelles, straight onto the A16 |
More on the tunnel, its fares and the terminals: chunnel.co.uk.
Questions about Calais or Dunkirk
Is Dunkirk cheaper than Calais?
The DFDS from-price is the same on both routes, £99 per car with five people. Day by day it differs: with less demand, Dunkirk is often a little cheaper on busy dates. Compare both for your date on prices and booking.
Can I go out via Dunkirk and back via Calais?
Yes. In the booking module tick “Different return route”. Both ports are on the A16, 40 km apart.
Are the ships different?
DFDS uses similar ships on both routes: restaurant, café, shop and open deck. P&O sails Calais with the new Pioneer and Liberté, the largest ships on the Channel.
Which port is easier with a caravan or motorhome?
Dunkirk: one operator, wide lanes and short distances on site. See car, motorhome or caravan.