Ferries

England has an extensive ferry system connecting to and from Europe. There are operations to 20 British ports, with around 20 car and passenger ferry services that travel regularly across the Channel and North Sea routes from many ports in northern and southern Europe, the businest route being between Dover & Calais. Because of the number of areas they reach, ferries can be convenient and economical for those travelling in cars or on foot, depending on your destination. Fares vary greatly according to the season, time of travel and duration of stay. The shortest crossings are not always the cheapest: you pay for the speed of the journey.

Crossing time vary from just over an hour on the shortest routes to a full 24 hours on services from Spain and Scandinavia. Most overnight sailings offer sleeping accommodation, but invariably you will have to pay extra for but, it is often worth booking a cabin on the longer trips to avoid feeling exhausted when you arrive.

Unfortunately the Hoverspeed services between  Dover/Newhave and Calais/Duinkirk/Ostende have now been discontinued, but there is now a seacat service between Dover and Boulogne (operated by Speedferries).

Prices vary enormously according to season. A foot passenger travelling in low season from Calais to Dover could pay as little as £1, whereas a couple taking a car to Bilbao could pay up to £1200 return.

For all your ferry ticketing requirments please click

The full ferry network is illustrated by the map below.