The Cheapest Way to Get to France from the UK

The cheapest single crossing is typically a Dover to Calais or Dover to Dunkirk ferry booked well in advance during off-peak months (January to March), which can cost as little as £39-£55 for a car with passengers. However, the cheapest overall journey depends on your starting point and French destination. If you live far from the south-east, a western ferry port or even flying may work out cheaper once you factor in fuel costs to reach Dover.

Generally, no. Standard ferry crossings on the Dover-Calais route are usually £20-£60 cheaper than the equivalent Eurotunnel crossing, particularly at off-peak times. Eurotunnel prices start from around £89 and can exceed £249 in peak summer, while ferry prices start from roughly £39-£55. However, the Eurotunnel saves time (35 minutes vs 90 minutes), which some travellers find worth the premium. Eurotunnel also uses less fuel since your engine is off during the crossing.

January through March offers the lowest prices across all crossing types, with ferries from £39 and Eurotunnel from £89. Mid-week travel (Tuesday to Thursday) is also significantly cheaper than weekends. School holiday periods, particularly late July through August and half-terms in October and February, see the highest prices. Booking 6-8 weeks ahead typically secures the best rates for any time of year.

For destinations within 300 miles of Calais (Paris, Normandy, Brittany, the Loire Valley), driving via ferry or tunnel is almost always cheaper, especially for families. For southern France destinations like Nice, Marseille, or Toulouse, flying with car hire often works out more economical once you add up fuel (£100-£150), tolls (£60-£100), and potentially an overnight stop (£60-£100) for the long drive south. ChannelHop compares both options for your specific route.

For a return trip to northern France (e.g., London to Paris), budget roughly £150-£300 for the crossing (return), £50-£80 for fuel, and £20-£30 for tolls. For southern France, expect £150-£300 for the crossing, £200-£300 for fuel, £120-£200 for tolls, and potentially £60-£120 for an overnight stay each way. These are estimates for a standard car with two adults. Booking in advance and travelling off-peak can reduce crossing costs by 30-50%.

On the Eurotunnel, pricing is per vehicle regardless of the number of passengers (up to 9), so children effectively travel free. On ferries, car bookings on the Dover-Calais route typically include all passengers in the vehicle price. However, on longer ferry routes like Portsmouth to St Malo or Caen, you may need to book a cabin, and child fares apply for cabin berths. Children under 4 often travel free on longer routes, while ages 4-15 receive discounted fares.