There’s nothing like the adventure of taking a ferry to France, with its great food, wonderful history and scenic landscapes (just don’t tell ’em we said that). But with so many ferry ports in France and a range of cross-channel ferry routes to choose from, how do you know which one is best for you? And how do you find the cheapest ferry tickets? Sacre Bleu!
But don’t panic, Bruno, because in this guide I’ve done all the hard work for you to save you the time and effort. We’ll cover everything you need to know about all ferries to France, including which companies operate each route and how to book the best value tickets. So grab your baguettes and get your towels ready, cos we’re about to go port-to-port on a ferry to France…
FERRIES TO FRANCE FROM THE UK
The British ports
When planning your trip, the first step is deciding which British ferry port to depart from on your way to France. You’ve got five options, and all are located along the south coast of England. From west to east, these are:
- Plymouth (Devon)
- Poole (Dorset)
- Portsmouth (Hampshire)
- Newhaven (East Sussex)
- Dover (Kent)
Each port serves different ferry routes to France, so the best choice for you will depend on 1) where you’re coming from; 2) the French port you’re aiming for, and; 3) whether you prioritise the cheapest or quickest options.
You can choose the most direct route, a slower crossing with an overnight stay on-board, or just the cheapest ticket you can find. If you’re all about price, being flexible with which British port you depart from means you’re far more likely to find cheaper tickets.
Ferry ports in France
There are eight ferry ports in France that serve routes to and from the UK. Again, moving from west to east, these are:
- Roscoff (Brittany)
- St. Malo (Brittany)
- Cherbourg (Normandy)
- Caen (Normandy)
- Le Havre (Normandy)
- Dieppe (Normandy)
- Calais (Hauts-de-France)
- Dunkirk (Hauts-de-France)
Choosing the right French ferry port for your arrival is arguably more important than your British departure port. You’ll either be choosing somewhere that gets you to your campsite, gite or hotel the quickest, or you’ll be strategically selecting a port that enables you to stop somewhere nice en-route for an overnight stay.
What each French ferry port is best for?
- Caen/Cherbourg – best for: Bayeux and the Bayeux Tapestry, D-day beaches & tours, driving time to Paris approx 3hrs (Caen) or 4 hrs (Cherbourg).
- Le Havre/Dieppe – best for: Honfleur, the city of Rouen (Joan of Arc), closest ports to Paris (equidistant at approx 2.5 hrs driving time).
- St Malo- best for: Le Mont Saint Michel, St Malo (well, obviously!), Dinan, Rennes, and Vannes in Brittany.
- Roscoff – best for: Morlaix, Quimper, lovers of onions.
- Calais/Dunkirk – best for: Lille, Belgium and the Netherlands, the Somme Region, approx 3 hrs 15 mins driving to Paris.
For anyone interested, I’ve written a detailed guide on what to see and do in Normandy.
UK TO FRANCE FERRY ROUTES MAP
To give you a clear visual of all the options for traveling to France by ferry, here’s a map I made showing the key UK ferry ports and their corresponding French ferry ports…
FERRIES TO FRANCE: WHO OPERATES EACH CROSSING?
You have a choice of 10 different ferry routes between the UK and France, and these are operated by five different companies: P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Irish Ferries, Brittany Ferries, and Condor Ferries. The following table outlines precisely which company operates which ferry route to France:
A note on Portsmouth ferries
As one of the busiest ferry ports in the UK, Portsmouth offers the largest number of cross-channel ferry routes. The Hampshire city on the south central coast of England, provides four different ferry routes to France, including three to Normandy (Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre) and one to Brittany (St Malo).
Portsmouth is the main hub for Brittany Ferries, who are in fact the only cross-channel ferry operator that use Portsmouth as a departure point. Portsmouth ferries are an ideal choice for those traveling from London and the Midlands, as the city is easily accessible via the M25 and the A3, with just over an hour’s drive south of London.
HOW TO BOOK A CHEAP FERRY TO FRANCE?
Now that you’ve decided which ferry works best for you, the next step is checking prices and booking your ticket. To get the best deal, I recommend going directly to the ferry operator’s website. Booking directly with P&O, DFDS, Irish Ferries, Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries, should not only get you the best prices, but also the best customer service should you need to make changes to your trip or have any issues during your journey.
Just like booking flights, the key to finding the cheapest ferry tickets to France is booking in advance. Companies release their cheaper seats and cabins early, so the sooner you plan your trip, the better your chances of securing low-cost tickets. You can also compare prices using a ferry aggregator like Direct Ferries, as they often feature exclusive deals and discounts across multiple operators.
What's the cheapest ferry to France?
If price is the all important factor for you, then the Dover to France ferries will almost always be the cheapest, as the journey time is way shorter compared with all other routes. DFDS Seaways offer both Dover to Calais, and Dover to Dunkirk ferry routes, while P&O and Irish Ferries both offer Dover to Calais crossings.
FERRIES TO FRANCE: FAQ
Requirements for driving in France
If you’re planning to bring your car with you on the ferry (as most people usually do), French law requires all drivers to carry certain items in their vehicle, and failure to do so could result in a fine. To be compliant, you need to get hold of a European Driving Kit, which covers everything you’ll need, including:
- Reflective vest
- Headlight deflectors & bulb kit
- Magnetic UK car sticker
- Warning triangle
- Breathalyzers (in case you can’t resist a cheeky glass of Vin de Pays with your lunch)
This isn’t optional, by the way – these items are required not just in France, but also several other European countries including Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria, and Poland. So if you’re planning on driving in any of these countries, use your headlight deflectors and your car sticker, and make sure that the other items are at least ready for inspection by local police in case you get stopped or have an accident/breakdown.
So, which ferry route should I take?
Choosing the right ferry to France for you will depend depend mostly on where you’re traveling from, and where you plan to explore. If you’re pretty flexible though, I’m a big fan of WW2 history, and I have nostalgic memories of childhood visits to Mont Saint Michel, so my top picks are St Malo or one of the Normandy ferry ports like Caen or Cherbourg to visit the D-Day landing beaches.
If you’re bringing your own car or you prefer to hire one on arrival, you can pretty much head to any of the French ports though, as northern France has so many worthwhile places to visit, including Morlaix, Dinan, Honfleur and Rouen to name a few.
UK TO FRANCE FERRIES: OUTRO
With so many potential UK to France ferries to choose from, there’s really no excuse not to pop over and visit our Gallic neighbours. Furthermore, taking a ferry to France is often even quicker than flying, so besides being way more fun, it’s also much better for the environment.
The northern regions of Brittany and Normandy both punch well above their weight culturally and gastronomically and I’ve enjoyed many happy family ferry holidays to both over the decades. But even if you plan to drive straight down to Paris, the south of France, or further afield, choosing the right ferry route will get your holiday started the right way.
Before you travel, make sure to check out my list of ferry travel requirements to avoid any surprises at the port. And if you’re considering taking a ferry to other European countries, be sure to explore my other detailed guides on ferry routes across Europe.
Just as I did in the early 90’s, dig out your Sony Walkman and cassettes, and rock out to this belter while cruising through the French countryside – Bon voyage, mes amis!
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