Traveling by Ferry to France from the UK and Ireland

For families and second-home owners from the UK, traveling by ferry to France remains an incredibly popular mode of transport. Not only can it be a cost-effective way to travel for families of four or more, but you can bring your transport (essential if you’re heading to rural areas of France), extra luggage and supplies, and the family pet.

Ferry travel also allows for relaxation en route. Duty-Free shops are back, and with restaurants onboard, it is an ideal way to spend part of your journey to France. You can even sleep your way across the channel in an en-suite cabin!

Available Ferry Routes to France

While routes and timetables may change throughout the year, these are the main ferry routes between France and the UK.

Brittany Ferries sail from Plymouth, Poole and Portsmouth on the South Coast to Roscoff, Saint-Malo, Cherbourg, Caen and Le Havre. Summer 2022 sees a new high-speed crossing from Portsmouth to Cherbourg – be in France in just 3 hours!

DFDS sail from Dover and Newhaven to Dieppe, Dunkirk and Calais.

Condor ferries sail from Poole to Saint-Malo.

Irish Ferries sail from Dover to Calais.

How long does it take to travel to France by ferry?

By far, the quickest crossing is Dover to Calais, taking just 90 minutes each way. Poole to Cherbourg is roughly 5 hours. Portsmouth to Caen is a very popular crossing which takes 6-7 hours. Portsmouth to Saint-Malo can take 11 to 12 hours.

Travelling to France by Ferry: The Journey

Most ferries operating on the English channel are large ships with cabins, seating areas, restaurants, shops, and a cinema.

Duty-Free

On-board shops once more have Duty-free bargains with alcohol, perfume, Lego, toys, technology, fashion and confectionary available. Companies are advertising savings of up to 50% on certain items compared to Uk High Streets and some operators are offering a ‘Click and Collect’ service online too.

See our article on Post-Brexit Customs Restrictions & Allowances Between France and the UK.

Traveling with children

Traveling with young children can be stressful. However, a ferry can provide a good distraction as there are often dedicated play areas, baby change and microwaves on board. Some companies even put on children’s entertainment in the Summer. For teens, there are often arcade game areas and, of course, free WiFi. Plus, most restaurants offer children’s meals.

Upgrade your experience

Some ferries offer Club Lounges with exclusive access, comfy seating, selected free drinks and snacks – it is worth enquiring as it really does offer an alternative experience.

Traveling with your dog

There are options to leave your dog in the car throughout the journey or to put your dog into an onboard kennel, or to book a pet-friendly cabin. Not all ferries have all options. It is wise to consider the needs of your pet and your family as to which provider best suits the needs of your dog.

Read our article Travelling by Ferry With Your Dog Between France and the UK

Booking Your Trip to France

Most ferry bookings can be made online via the above-linked websites – companies such as Direct Ferries also offer an easy way to find the available deals.expect to provide the details of all passengers (including pets) and ages, along with your car registration and details including length/height, and any trailers, caravans, or other attachements.

It’s important to remember that quite a few rules have changed for UK citizens travelling to France post-Brexit. To make sure you’re prepared, read our guides:

Everything You Need for Post-Brexit Travel Between France & UK: Document Checklist

Driving to France from the UK After Brexit: Your Pre-Travel Checklist

Confused About the EU’s 90/180 Day Rule? Here’s How it Works