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Channel crossing

The length of a Channel crossing varies depending on the route. However, expect a journey of no more than a few hours, while some routes can take as little as 35 minutes subject to the sea and weather conditions. 

A Channel crossing is perhaps the most relaxing of ways to travel. Self-drive motorists simply arrive at the harbour and drive on board the ship. After parking their vehicle, travellers are then free to move up on deck to take advantage of the vessel’s leisure facilities.

On the journeys to France, cross Channel ferries provide restaurants, bars, cafes, viewing decks, discount shopping areas and video arcades. Longer journeys include cinemas and nail bars, while overnight journeys feature discos, cabaret and other entertainment.

And when the ferry does arrive in port, it’s a simple task to return to the car, disembark from the ferry and continue to your destination.

Channel crossing departures and destinations

The majority of Channel ferries operate between the South of England and Northern France.

Depending on the operator, that means leaving from Dover, Poole, Portsmouth, Ramsgate, Newhaven or Plymouth in England.

In France, ports include: Calais, Dunkirk (Dunkerque), Boulogne, Dieppe, Le Havre and Saint Malo.

An average sailing time, which varies depending on weather and sea conditions, is around an hour. Passengers travelling on short routes such as Dover to Calais, and those using high-speed catamaran vessels, can often arrive in little more than half an hour.

Due to the shortness of the journey, both in terms of time and distance, there are multiple Channel crossings every day, carrying travellers on foot and in vehicles.