Frequently Asked Questions

The cheapest option depends on where you're starting from and your destination in France. For most journeys from South East England, the Dover-Calais ferry or Eurotunnel are the most affordable. If you're in Western England, Portsmouth or Plymouth ferries can work out cheaper than driving to Dover. Flying with car hire is often competitive for destinations in southern France. Use ChannelHop to compare all options for your specific journey.

Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle) prices vary by season and booking date. Off-peak crossings start from around £89 for a standard car, while peak summer prices can reach £249 or more. The crossing itself takes just 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais. Booking well in advance typically gives the best prices.

Ferry prices vary by route, operator, and season. Short crossings like Dover to Calais start from around £55 off-peak. Longer routes like Portsmouth to St Malo can cost £200-£450 for a car. Popular operators include P&O Ferries, DFDS, and Brittany Ferries. Crossing times range from 90 minutes (Dover-Calais) to 11 hours (Portsmouth-St Malo).

For northern France destinations (Paris, Normandy, Brittany), driving via tunnel or ferry is usually cheaper, especially for families. For southern France (Nice, Marseille, Toulouse), flying with car hire can be more economical when you factor in fuel, tolls, and accommodation for the long drive. ChannelHop calculates both options so you can compare directly.

French motorway (autoroute) tolls add up quickly on long drives. For example, Calais to Nice costs roughly £80-£100 in tolls one way. Calais to Paris is around £20-£25. Tolls are charged per section and vary by vehicle class. You can avoid tolls by taking national roads, but this adds significant time to your journey.

To drive in France you need: a valid UK driving licence, vehicle registration document (V5C), valid MOT certificate, motor insurance certificate (with proof of cover for France), and a valid passport. Since Brexit, UK citizens don't need a visa for stays under 90 days. You should also carry a warning triangle and hi-vis jacket in the car.

There are 9 main ferry routes: Dover to Calais (P&O/DFDS, 90 min), Dover to Dunkirk (DFDS, 2 hrs), Portsmouth to Caen (Brittany Ferries, 6 hrs), Portsmouth to Cherbourg (Brittany Ferries, 3 hrs), Portsmouth to St Malo (Brittany Ferries, 11 hrs), Portsmouth to Le Havre (Brittany Ferries, 8 hrs), Poole to Cherbourg (Brittany Ferries, 4.25 hrs), Plymouth to Roscoff (Brittany Ferries, 6 hrs), and Newhaven to Dieppe (DFDS, 4 hrs).

From Calais, driving to the south of France takes approximately 9-12 hours depending on your destination. Calais to Nice is around 1,100 km (11-12 hours), Calais to Marseille is about 1,000 km (9-10 hours). These times don't include rest stops, which are recommended every 2 hours. Many travellers break the journey with an overnight stop around Lyon or the Loire Valley.

Yes, the Eurotunnel crossing is significantly faster at just 35 minutes compared to 90 minutes for the shortest ferry (Dover-Calais). However, you need to factor in check-in time (arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for both). The total time difference is smaller once you include boarding and disembarking. Ferries offer more space to move around, eat, and relax during the crossing.

Yes, pets can travel to France via both ferry and Eurotunnel. Your pet needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a vet within 10 days of travel. On the Eurotunnel, pets stay in the car. On ferries, policies vary — some have dedicated pet areas or kennels, while others require pets to stay in vehicles.