Dover to Calais
Just twenty miles from Dover is the French port of Calais and the Dover Calais ferry route lets you choose from a load of sailings each and every day. So you can pretty much leave and return whenever you want. To get the lowest fares you should book early.
With a crossing time of around and hour and the a half, the Dover to Calais ferry is the easiest, most convenient and cheapest way to get from southern England to Northern France. Because England and France have fantastic motorway systems, once you get to Calais you could easily explore other French regions and maybe even Holland, Belgium and Germany to your hearts content.
The channel ferry route – from Dover to Calais leaves from the Eastern Docks in Dover. The docks have convenient connections with bus, rail and road transport.
Remember that you need to arrive early to be able to check in. Cars and vans need to check in half an hour before departure, for foot passengers it’s three quarters of an hour.
Directions to Dover Port
How to get there – set your satnav to CT16 1JA:
The official address of Dover docks is –
Travel Centre, Eastern Docks, Dover
Kent CT16 1JA
If you are travelling in a car then the Dover ferry terminal is about one mile from the Centre of Dover. You can easily get to it from the M20 and from the M2.
On the approaches to Dover, just make sure that you look out for signs to ‘Dover Ferry Terminal’ – they are clearly marked. Once you enter Dover port itself, look for the signs regarding vehicles and reservations and simply join the appropriate queue.
If you want to leave your car at Dover ferry port then there is plenty of short-stay and long-stay parking available at the entrance to Dover port. Charges can vary so try to check before you get there.
If you want to travel by train then the nearest main train station is the Dover Priory station which is approximately three kilometers from Dover port. Travel time from London is around two hours and you can catch trains from mainline stations London Victoria and Charing Cross.
There is a frequent bus service operating from the train station to the port and its very reasonably priced.
If you are travelling by coach – there is a frequent, convenient service for both arrivals and departures operated by National Express. If you take the coach from London Victoria it will take you about two and a half hours to get to Dover port.
Channel Crossing for all the family
Whether you’re a family looking to keep the kids entertained, or a couple hoping to enjoy a relaxing break, you’ll find a day trip to France offers something for everyone.
A channel cruise from Dover to Calais is the perfect way to enjoy a cheap day trip to France. Whether you’re planning a quick booze cruise to stock up on all those grocery and alcohol bargains, or are in the process of renovating a property, Calais is the perfect place to save money. With several large Hypermarkets and DIY stores, you’ll find many items at significantly cheaper prices than the UK.
Around Calais
If you fancy going slightly further afield, the Nord-Pas de Calais region has plenty to offer. Recommended places to visit include:
Boulogne-sur-Mer
Why not try Northern France’s most popular tourist attraction, Nausicaä – France’s National Sea discovery Centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer, approximately 45 minutes drive from Calais. We recommend a stroll around the architectural beauty of Boulogne’s old ramparts, before sampling the local cuisine in one of the town’s great cafés or restaurants.
Le Touquet
Less than an hour’s drive from Calais, Le Touquet’s miles of sandy golden beaches are best visited during the summer months, with virtually every conceivable outdoor activity catered for. The more adventurous can experience the thrill of sand yachting on one of the longest beaches in Northern France, whilst the town’s bespoke boutiques and gastronomic cuisine make it ideal for couples wishing to relax – you’ll discover why it’s known as ‘Paris by the Sea’!
St. Omer
The Flemish town of Saint-Omer stands on a hillside on the edge of the River Aa marshes, less than 30 miles from Calais. The large square in the town holds a weekly market on Saturday mornings, selling fresh local produce from the farms on the marshes. A branch of the river runs through the lower part of the town and a boat trip is an ideal way of seeing the 13th Century Abbey, houses and remarkable open countryside.
