Ferries to Calais

The ferry port of Calais lies in northern France at the narrowest point of the English Channel and is the most important crossing point to England. From here you can reach two destinations: Dover by ferry in 1.75 hours and Folkestone by shuttle train in 30 minutes. Together the services add up to as many as 156 departures a day. The crossing is served by DFDS, Eurotunnel, Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries. One thing to note: the ferry and the shuttle train do not leave from the same place.

Getting there and the terminal

The ferry terminal's address is 285 Avenue du Mérite Maritime in Calais. You reach it directly from the A16/A26, or from the town centre by following the car ferry signs. The site takes in the old Calais 1 platform and the Calais 2 extension; since October 2021 all traffic in and out has run through the new part of the port. There are parking spaces before the controls, and DFDS also lists free short-stay spaces in front of the terminal building. The shuttle train to Folkestone, by contrast, leaves from the LeShuttle terminal in Coquelles: A16, exit 42, then follow the signs for Tunnel sous la Manche.

Check-in

The port requires you to check in 60 minutes before departure, and up to two hours ahead in high season. DFDS gives the same deadline: check-in normally closes 60 minutes before the scheduled departure, and in peak season the operator advises 120 minutes because the controls take time. What follows: report at the desk without leaving your vehicle, pass the French and British border controls, then line up in the lane named on your booking. You cannot travel this route on foot, as DFDS carries no foot passengers on Dover-Calais.