Ferry vs Eurotunnel to France - UK Driver's Comparison 2026
Updated 29 March 2026
There are two ways to get your car to France: ferry or Eurotunnel. The best choice depends on your budget, schedule, and whether you are towing a caravan. Here is the full comparison.
Quick comparison
| Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle) | Dover-Calais Ferry | Long-route Ferry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossing time | 35 minutes | 90 minutes | 6–14 hours |
| Total port time | ~90 minutes | ~3 hours | Varies |
| Off-peak price | From ~£30 | From ~£30 | From ~£80 |
| Peak price | Up to £200+ | Up to £200+ | Up to £300+ |
| Stay in car? | Yes | No (leave car on deck) | No (cabin available) |
| Dogs | Stay in car | Stay in car on deck | Cabin/kennel options |
| Caravans | Yes (size limits) | Yes | Yes |
| Departures | Up to 4 per hour | Multiple daily | 1–2 daily per route |
| Flexibility | Good (frequent departures) | Good | Poor (fixed schedule) |
Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle)
How it works
You drive your car onto a train carriage at Folkestone and stay in your car for the 35-minute tunnel crossing. You drive off in Coquelles (near Calais) on the other side.
Pros
- Fastest crossing — 35 minutes terminal to terminal
- Stay in your car — no need to climb stairs or find your vehicle on a car deck
- Frequent departures — up to 4 per hour at peak times
- Weather-proof — unaffected by rough seas
- Best for dogs — your dog stays with you in the car the entire time
- Flexible booking — can often move to an earlier departure if you arrive early
Cons
- No facilities during crossing — you sit in your car for 35 minutes
- Folkestone only — one departure point in the UK
- Price can spike — peak dates sell out early and prices rise sharply
- Size restrictions — height limit of 1.85m for standard carriages. Taller vehicles and caravans need specific allocations
Best for
Short trips, day trips, people who want speed, dog owners, those who get seasick.
Dover-Calais ferries
Operators
- P&O Ferries — most frequent service
- DFDS — competitive pricing, good ships
- Irish Ferries — newer ships, competitive fares
How it works
Drive onto the ferry at Dover, park on the car deck, go upstairs to the passenger areas for the 90-minute crossing. Return to your car when the ship docks in Calais.
Pros
- On-board facilities — restaurants, shops, bars, children’s play areas
- Fresh air — you can go on deck
- Stretch your legs — good for breaking up a long drive
- Competitive pricing — often cheaper than Eurotunnel at peak times
- Caravan-friendly — no height restrictions (within reason)
Cons
- Slower — 90 minutes crossing plus boarding/disembarking time (3 hours total)
- Rough weather — crossings can be rough in the Channel, and occasionally cancelled
- Boarding process — driving onto the car deck can be stressful, especially with a caravan
- Finding your car — you need to remember your deck and position
Best for
Families with children, people who enjoy the crossing experience, budget travellers booking off-peak.
Long-route ferries
Routes
- Portsmouth to Caen (Brittany Ferries) — 6 hours
- Portsmouth to St Malo (Brittany Ferries) — 11 hours (overnight)
- Portsmouth to Le Havre (Brittany Ferries) — 8–9 hours (overnight)
- Poole to Cherbourg (Brittany Ferries) — 4.5 hours
- Plymouth to Roscoff (Brittany Ferries) — 6 hours
- Newhaven to Dieppe (DFDS) — 4 hours
Pros
- Saves driving time — you arrive further into France, avoiding the Calais-Paris motorway toll
- Overnight option — sleep on the ship and arrive rested. No need for a hotel stop
- Closer to western France — much better for Brittany, Normandy, the Loire, and the Atlantic coast
- Cabin accommodation — comfortable for families with young children
Cons
- More expensive — cabin crossings add significantly to the cost
- Less frequent — typically 1–2 departures per day
- Less flexible — miss your sailing and you may wait 24 hours
- Longer commitment — 6–14 hours on a ship
Best for
Trips to western or south-west France, families who want to avoid a full day of motorway driving, those who enjoy the sea crossing.
Tips for booking
- Book early — the best prices go first, especially for school holidays and summer weekends
- Be flexible on dates — shifting by one day can save 30–50%
- Compare across operators — use directferries.co.uk or aferry.co.uk to compare
- Check the Eurotunnel FlexiPlus — the premium ticket includes lounge access and priority boarding, sometimes worth it at peak times
- Book a cabin on overnight ferries — the reclining seat option sounds cheaper but a bad night’s sleep ruins day one of your holiday