Calais or Dunkirk: which ferry from Dover?
Both ports sit on the same A16, 40 km apart, and both ferries depart from Dover Eastern Docks. Calais has three operators and up to 30 sailings a day; Dunkirk has one operator, up to 11 sailings, and is 40 km 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 |
| Lowest fare, 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 |
| Operators at the port | one (DFDS) | three |
| Departure in England | Dover, Eastern Docks | Dover, Eastern Docks |
Which is quicker, door to door?
The crossing to Dunkirk takes 30 minutes longer than to Calais. Heading north to Belgium or the Netherlands, the 40 km shorter drive from Dunkirk makes up that half hour. Heading south to Paris or the Loire, the two ports are level. Check-in for both ports is at Dover Eastern Docks; the walk-through is on check-in step by step.
| 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 prefer a port with one operator;
- the fare on your date is lower; compare both routes for the same day.
Choose Calais if
- you travel without a vehicle: only P&O from Calais carries foot passengers;
- you want flexibility: three operators and up to 30 sailings a day;
- you are heading south on the A26 to Reims, Dijon or the Alps;
- you want the shortest crossing, an hour and a half.
You book with our partner DirectFerries.
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. Pets stay in the car with you. Fares are set per departure; compare them on chunnel.co.uk.
| 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 lowest DFDS fare is £99 on both routes, per car with up to 5 people. On a given date it varies by sailing; 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 Pioneer and Liberté, two double-ended ferries introduced in 2023.
Which port is easier with a caravan or motorhome?
Dunkirk: one operator, wide lanes and short distances on site. See car, motorhome or caravan.