The Port of Calais

As France leading passenger port and the second largest in Europe, Calais handles over 10 million passengers each year due to its privileged location so close to England. 

Calais operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and operates up to 50 crossings a day to Dover with three ferry companies, ‘P&O Ferries’, ‘LD Lines /DFDS Seaways’ and ‘MyFerryLink’ providing services. In addition to the ferries, the Eurotunnel "Le Shuttle" service provides 54 daily crossings between Calais and Folkstone

Cross channel operators	Departure	Destination	Daily Crossings	Duration
P&O Ferries	Dover	Calais	23	1h 30min
DFDS Seaways	Dover	Calais	10	1h 30min
Myferrylink	Dover	Calais	8	1h 30min
Eurotunnel	Folkstone	Calais	54	35min

Calais Ferry Port by Car

The ferry port of Calais is conveniently connected to the main European motorway networks by means of three adjacent motorways. The A216/E15 heads South to Paris and then onto the centre of France, the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. The A16/E40 feeds East into Belgium, Holland and Germany and onwards into the rest of Northern Europe and the A16 heads west towards Normandy and the towns of St Malo, Boulogne along the Atlantic coast.

Got to Calais too early? - See what we recommend

· Take the Petit Train De Calais on its 45-60 minute tour around the city. Relax and unwind as the train visits six stops including the beach, Meuseum of Fine Arts, the Notre Dame Church, the Citadelle and the Town Hall.

· The beach at Calais. Wide, with fine golden sand and great views of the ferries going in and out and on a clear day views across the Channel to Dover. Loads to do even on a Sunday. The large children's play park along the esplanade is particularly good and free parking, a good helping of reasonably priced frites followed by an ice-cream only adds to the enjoyment

· Second World War Museum. Housed in a former German bunker, this museum holds a collection of items from all nationalities involved in the Second World War.

· Calais Wine Superstore - A huge choice of wines and some beers and if you spend £400 or more you get a free Eurotunnel ticket. The pre order is all ready for collection and can be changed if not satisfied after tasting. The price of some wines was half the price of the Eurotunnel shops

· Visit the Le Channel restaurant in the Boulevard Resistance. If you want to experience a great french meal at a very affordable price this is the place. Right in the heart of Calais, with a great view of the ferry's coming in and out if you nab a spot by the window.

Updated: 21 December 2024

by Paul Quigley