Folkestone - Calais
Ferry to France
Folkestone - Calais
Ferry to France
Fares for the Folkestone to Calais crossing usually range somewhere between $144* and $1419*. Most travellers pay around $786* for a Folkestone Calais ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $144*. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $770*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked August 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Folkestone Calais route generally kick off from Folkestone at around 00:05, and the last departure of the day is usually around 23:57.
You certainly can — with a short crossing and sailings running daily, Folkestone to Calais is an easy day trip. Taking a vehicle, where possible, gives you the freedom to explore a bit further once you land.
Yes, LeShuttle carries vehicles on the Folkestone to Calais route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Folkestone to Calais ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Folkestone and Calais.
No, foot passengers can't currently travel on sailings between Folkestone and Calais.
Pet owners are in luck — LeShuttle allows pets on board between Folkestone and Calais. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $665.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked August 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Folkestone to Calais route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Folkestone to Calais crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Folkestone to Calais on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Folkestone to Calais ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Folkestone - Calais Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Price with Car | $770 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $240 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $748 | |
| Folkestone - Calais Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Destination | France |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | LeShuttle |
| Average Price | $786 |
| Average Pet Price | $665 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 38 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 260 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 35 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 35 m |
| First Ferry | 00:05 |
| Last Ferry | 23:57 |
| Distance | 45 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
The town of Folkestone is located on the south east coast of England in the county of Kent. Located around 70 miles to the south east of London, Folkestone has a small port and is easily accessible by god road and rail links. A major landmark in the town is The Leas, which are cliffs that are located above the town's beach. Also in the town, visitors will find a Mertello Tower which is a small defensive fort that was built in the 19th century and stands on the cliffs above Copt Point. The tower was principally constructed as part of England's defences against Napoleon but has since had several other uses. It has been Coast Guard lookout, a family home, a golf clubhouse and a World War II mine control post. Today, the tower is a visitor centre. Located just outside of the town is the southern end of the Kent Down Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is a haven for walking, cycling, horse riding and nature watching.
The small harbour at Folkestone is mainly used by fishing and pleasure boats with cross channel ferries having stopped using the port in 2000. The English end of the Channel Tunnel is located at nearby Cheriton.
The French city of Calais is located in the Nord-Pas de Calais department of north west France and is the closest port in France to England. The Strait of Dover, which lies across the English Channel on the UK mainland, is around 32 km from Calais and on a clear day the famous White Cliffs of Dover can be seen from Calais as can the Calais coast from the cliffs. Calais has been an important maritime hub for commerce and tourism between France and England for many years and the town itself is divided into two parts. The old town, Calais-Nord, is located on a man made island that is surrounded by canals and harbours. The modern town, St-Pierre, is located to the south of the old town. The city is moving away from just being home to the busy port and is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination in itself. It has a long and rich cultural heritage, a number of museums and a lively nightlife. A popular attraction in the city are its Belfries which are siege towers that were built to protect the city from marauders, and are today declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ferries to England depart Calais on average every 30 minutes, with a crossing time to Dover of around 75 minutes.
