Tips for crossing the Channel - travelling to France (and Spain) by ferry

Tips for crossing the Channel - travelling to France (and Spain) by ferry

1. Dover to Calais
The Dover to Calais route is the most popular and quickest ferry crossing from the UK to France. It is currently operated by three companies – Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries and DFDS* Seaways.  This route offers up to 30 daily sailings and takes approximately 90 minutes, making it a swift and convenient option for campervan travellers. The port facilities at Dover and Calais are well-equipped to handle campervans, providing easy boarding and disembarkation. Once in Calais, you’re perfectly positioned to start your European adventure, with easy access to major motorways.

2. Dover to Dunkirk
Another excellent option is the Dover to Dunkirk route, operated by DFDS* Seaways. This crossing takes around two hours and offers up to 12 sailings per day. Dunkirk’s port is less busy than Calais, which can make for a more relaxed boarding experience. Dunkirk is also well-connected to the French road network and is particulalry well placed to take you east towards Belgium and beyond. 

3. Newhaven to Dieppe
For those looking for a more relaxed and scenic route, the Newhaven to Dieppe crossing is ideal. Operated by DFDS*, this ferry route takes about four hours and there are 3 sailings per day, one of which is overnight and takes 5 hours. It is a great gateway to the Normandy region, offering picturesque countryside and quaint villages. The port facilities in Newhaven and Dieppe are well-suited for campervans, and are much quieter than Dover and Calais.

4. Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole to France (and Spain)
Brittany Ferries operates from the UK and has a number of routes to France with ports in Caen, Le Harve, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff.  These crossings take between 5 and 8 hours depending on the route, with both daytime and overnight sailings available. The overnight sailings are particularly convenient, and the cabins are comfortable, allowing you to rest and arrive in France ready to start your adventure.  Brittany ferries feel like a mini cruise with restaurants, bars, sun decks and many other facilities. It is also possible to sail to Santander and Bilbao in Northern Spain for an even bigger adventure!

5. Eurotunnel
Eurotunnel is operated by Le Shuttle and can whizz you from Folkstone to Calais in 35 minutes.  You drive your campervan directly onto a train and stay with your vehicle throughout the journey - you can get out to go to the toilet or stretch your legs. It's often the most expensive option but it's very fast and convenient.

Tips for a Smooth Ferry Crossing with a Campervan

• Book in Advance: Ferry services can be busy, especially during peak travel seasons. Booking early ensures you secure a spot for your campervan.
• Check Vehicle Dimensions: Ensure your campervan’s dimensions are accurately recorded, including any items on the roof or bike racks, when booking to avoid any boarding issues.
• Vehicle Preparation: You need to make sure your vehicle is equipped with the necessary items for driving in Europe. A full list can be found here: RAC Checklist.  If you have hired a campervan with Campervantastic and booked European Cover we will make sure your campervan is fully prepared.
• Arrive Early: Arrive at the port at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure to allow ample time for passport control, check-in and boarding. During busy times, such as the beginning of the school Summer holidays, we would recommend at least 2 hours as the queues can be huge!  Don’t panic if you are queueing and miss your ferry they will put you on the next one.
• Prepare for Security Checks: Have your travel documents, vehicle registration, and any necessary paperwork ready for inspection.  You may need to open the sliding door or side window for any passengers in the back to show their faces at passport control. They will usually also want you to show them that your Gas bottle is switched off. Be ready – Pringle tubes, headphones and drinks bottles rolling out is not a good look!
• Book a cabin: On longer routes consider booking a cabin during the daytime (they are often quite cheap) as it is convenient to dump your stuff, have some peace and quiet and take a little snooze!  On overnight ferries it's great to get a good night's sleep especially if you have a long drive the next day.
• Be prepared: Driving onto the ferry always seems to take ages but once you are parked on deck getting out of your campervan and into the boat is often very rushed.  Get everything you want to take onto the boat ready in advance – remember you can’t return to your vehicle once the boat has set sail. You may also want to fold in your wing mirrors and disable the vehicle alarm.
• Take note: All the parking areas have numbers/letters telling you what deck you are on and where you are parked, take a photo of this so that you can find your vehicle easily on arrival.
• Set the SatNav: In most UK ports you will clear French passport control before you board the ferry which means that when you drive off the ferry you will be straight on the road and on your journey.  Set the SatNav for your next destination and, if your vehicle allows, set your speedo to kms while queueing to board so that you’re ready!