Dover to Dunkirk as a foot passenger: not possible, and what to do instead
DFDS carries vehicles only on the Dover to Dunkirk route. Without a car, motorbike or bicycle you cannot board, even with a ticket. If you want to reach France without your own transport, you have three options: P&O from Dover to Calais, the coach, or the Eurostar.
Why no foot passengers?
DFDS operates the route for vehicles and their occupants only: check-in from the car, waiting in the car, driving aboard. The same applies on the way back from Dunkirk to Dover. The terminal at Loon-Plage is in the port area, 15 km from Dunkirk station and the town centre.
Option 1: P&O from Dover to Calais
From Dover, P&O Ferries carries foot passengers to Calais. The crossing takes an hour and a half. In Dover, the foot passenger terminal is at Eastern Docks; a shuttle bus takes you from the terminal to the ship. Dover Priory station is a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the port. In Calais a shuttle bus runs between the ferry terminal and Calais Ville station.
- Get to DoverSoutheastern trains from London St Pancras reach Dover Priory in just over an hour. Walk or take a taxi to Eastern Docks.
- Check in at the foot passenger terminalBe there at least 90 minutes before departure: foot passengers check in earlier than cars, and pass French passport control in Dover.
- Crossing and arrivalAn hour and a half at sea. In Calais, the shuttle bus takes you to the terminal and on to Calais Ville station for trains to Lille and Paris.
Dover to Calais on foot: times and shuttle buses
More on the choice between the two ports on Calais or Dunkirk; coach and Eurostar sit with all routes side by side.
Current times, fares and the shuttle buses are on our sister site: Dover to Calais foot passengers.
Option 2: the coach
FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus run from London Victoria to Paris, Lille, Brussels and Amsterdam. The coach crosses via Calais on the ferry or through the tunnel; you stay on board and have nothing to arrange at the port. Allow 8 to 12 hours and a fare that is often below a train ticket.
Option 3: the Eurostar
The fastest way without a car: Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille in 1 hour 30, Paris in 2 hours 20, Brussels in 2 hours and Amsterdam in 4 hours. More expensive than the coach, but no changes and no port. Book early; fares climb as the date approaches.
The options side by side
| Ferry Dover to Calais (P&O) | Coach | Eurostar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| London to Paris | 6 to 7 hours, with changes | 8 to 10 hours | 2 hours 20 |
| Changes | Train, taxi, shuttle, ship, shuttle, train | None | None |
| Luggage | What you can carry | Suitcase in the hold | Two cases plus hand luggage |
| Bicycle | Yes, as a vehicle | Usually not | Limited, book ahead |
Questions about foot passengers
Can I take a bicycle?
Yes. A bicycle counts as a vehicle; you check in at the booths and ride aboard with the cars. Book the bicycle in advance as your vehicle type.
Can someone drop me at the port and I continue on foot?
No, for the same reason: you cannot board without a vehicle. From Dover to Calais you can, with P&O.
Does DFDS take foot passengers to Calais?
No, DFDS Dover to Calais is vehicles only as well. On Calais, P&O Ferries is the operator for foot passengers.