Your Channel Ferry Guide

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By Direct Ferries Team 3 July 2025
Brittany Ferries ship sailing in the sea

Fancy sailing across the Channel? Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly break or just want to take the scenic route, getting a ferry is a great way to cross the Channel. On board, you'll find comfy seats with space to stretch and sunny open decks with sea views, along with duty-free shops, restaurants and entertainment to keep you occupied from departure to arrival. 

Cross-Channel ferries are also an easy, practical and convenient way of travelling from England to France or vice versa. Plus, it means you can take your car or camper and plenty of luggage with you too. Getting a Channel ferry is also an adventure in itself, making the journey just as exciting as the destination.

Here's everything you need to know about crossing the Channel by ferry:

Channel ferry routes

Whether you fancy exploring England's sunny south coast with the kids in tow or you're after a romantic trip to the breathtaking Normandy region, with so many different Channel ferry routes to choose from, you're bound to find one that suits your plans.

You can get ferries to and from UK ports such as Dover, Poole, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Newhaven. In France, you can get ferries to and from ports including Calais, Dunkirk, Cherbourg, Dieppe, Caen, Roscoff, St-Malo and Le Havre. 

boats docked in Cherbourg port

Popular Channel ferry crossings to France

Popular Channel ferry routes to France include:

Popular Channel ferry crossings to England

Popular Channel ferry crossings to England include:

ferry sailing in the sea with cliffs to the left

Channel ferry operators

Channel ferry crossings are usually operated by the following ferry companies:

How long does the Channel ferry take?

The duration of the Channel ferry crossing all depends on which route you take. The quickest ferry route is between Dover and Calais with a duration of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, whereas the longest Channel ferry route is from Portsmouth to St Malo with a journey time of around 10 hours 51 minutes.

Travelling with a vehicle on cross-Channel ferries

Another great thing about getting a Channel ferry rather than flying is that you can take your vehicle with you. This gives you the ultimate freedom whilst you're there, allowing you to explore at your own pace and create an itinerary that works for you.

campervan parked next to a tree on the beach

Travelling with a campervan

Travelling with a camper on the ferry from France or England is the perfect way to add a bit of adventure to your trip. A popular choice for families and those on a budget, campers are a great low-cost option as you don't have to pay for accommodation when you're there. They're also perfect for self-catering holidaymakers. And with plenty of campsites across Europe, you'll be spoiled for choice on where to stay. Whether you fancy the countryside or the coast, the choice is yours! You can read more about travelling Europe with a campervan here.

Itinerary inspiration

Taking your vehicle on a Channel ferry to France or England gives you the perfect opportunity to embark on a road trip. Just drive off the ferry and head to your next destination.

Planning your journey? Here's some inspiration...

France:

Ferries to Dieppe, Caen and Cherbourg are your gateway to the Normandy region of France. From either of these ports you can easily go on to explore destinations in Normandy such as Mont-Saint-Michel with its incredible abbey, Bayeux where you'll find the Bayeux Tapestry, the historic city of Rouen, Honfleur with its beautiful old port and the D-Day Landing Beaches.

On the other hand, ferries to St Malo provide the perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful region of Brittany. Highlights in Brittany include the walled city of St-Malo itself, the medieval town of Dinan, the bustling capital of Rennes, and Carnac with its prehistoric standing stones.

If you fancy heading further afield, why not get a ferry to Dunkirk and pop over the border to Belgium? Bruges is less than an hour's drive away and from here, you can carry on to Ghent and Brussels too. 

cobbled street in Brittany

England:

You can get a Channel ferry from France to Dover, Poole, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Newhaven. These destinations are all located on the south coast of England, making it easy to explore the south. However, with England's great transport links you can easily head up north, too.

Ferries to Poole are perfect if you're looking to explore the Jurassic Coast and all that Dorset has to offer, with beautiful places like Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove just a short drive away. Meanwhile, ferries to Plymouth are great if you fancy uncovering Cornwall's gems. Highlights in Cornwall include Land's End, picturesque fishing villages like St Ives and breathtaking beaches including Kynance Cove. 

Prefer the buzz of a city? Ferries to Newhaven are great if you fancy exploring Brighton, whilst ferries to Dover are ideal if you're wanting to head north to London.  With direct connections, you can be in the capital in around 2 hours. From here, you can go on to explore popular cities such as Birmingham and Manchester too. 

Durdle Door

Book your Channel ferry tickets

It's easy to book your Channel ferry tickets at Direct Ferries. Just select your desired route in our Deal Finder to see live pricing and availability. Channel ferry costs tend to vary depending on the time of year you travel, whether you're travelling with a vehicle and how many passengers there are. We recommend booking your cross Channel ferry in advance to get your Channel ferry tickets at the cheapest price.

So, are you ready for an exciting adventure? Book your cross-Channel ferry today.

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