Calais Ferry

Calais Guide

The Port of Calais is the fourth largest in France, but the busiest in terms of passenger traffic, and the nation’s main ferry gateway to and from England. Situated on the northern coast, Calais lies just 20.7 miles from Dover across the English Channel, while the Eurotunnel terminal can be found four miles further west in Coquelles.

Calais ferry port is also the busiest for car transportation on mainland Europe, with over 10 million passengers travelling through every year. Not just a highway for tourism, the annual freight traffic through Calais reaches over two million units, while the total amount of annual freight tonnage soars at nearly 43 million.

In 2015, a new €800 million project came into effect which aims to double the port’s capacity, addressing the projections for a 40% growth in cross-channel traffic by 2030, an increase in ferry sizes and a new set of international environmental standards. Planned to reach completion by 2021, the scheme will make it easier than ever to travel by ferry to Calais.

Ferries from Calais are operated by some of Europe’s leading ferry operators, including DFDS and P&O Ferries, operating up to 88 crossings daily, taking 90 minutes to Dover. A quicker option, Eurotunnel links Calais with Folkestone, also in Kent, in just 35 minutes up to 50 times each day.

What to do in Calais?

More than just a ferry terminal, Calais possesses some lovely attractions which may persuade you to stick around for a while before heading further afield. Of the millions of people travelling via Calais each year, only a select few choose to stay. At the very least, Calais is a convenient starting point for discovering the beautiful Cote d’Opale.

Well worth visiting are the fantastic textiles museum showcasing the town’s long history of lace making, featuring a century-old mechanical loom; the World War II Museum and the famous ‘Burghers of Calais’ statue, a compelling commemoration to those attacked by England in 1347. Of course, one of the finest natural attractions is Calais Beach, lined with pretty cabins offering a great viewpoint for the myriad car ferries.

Situated in the northern section of the town, the Calais ferry port address is 62100 Calais, France. This means if you’re driving from Paris, you should follow the A26 and E15, while drivers from Normandy should take the A16 and E402. Travelling from Calais ferry port to the Calais train stations is also simple, with regular courtesy buses offering transfers to Gare Calais-Ville and Gare Calais-Frethun.