Ferry

February Half Term

Travel Information

Helping you on your way to a great getaway

Sail into your Getaway with ease from Port of Dover!

Ferry travel from the Port of Dover is a favourite choice during school holidays, and it’s easy to see why! With fresh sea air, stunning white-cliff views, and a smooth, affordable crossing, it’s the perfect way to start your trip to Europe.

We’ve worked closely with our partners to make sure everything runs smoothly during peak times, so you can enjoy a hassle-free journey from start to finish.

When you arrive at the Port of Dover, you’ll go through border controls and check-in with your ferry operator before having time to grab a coffee, pick up a holiday read, take your dog for a quick stroll, or even sort out some last-minute currency.

Then, just hop aboard, relax, and enjoy the journey!

With great food, entertainment, and plenty of space to stretch out (no cramped legroom here!), you’ll be in France before you know it—ready to drive straight off the ferry and continue your adventure.

Travel advice

Non-British citizen passport

For non-British citizen passport holders, we recommend using the following link from the French government website to check if you need a visa to enter France: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/visa-wizard

Please ensure your visa requirements are up to date and check the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting before you travel. For more information: Travelling to the EU and Schengen area – GOV.UK

Cars

Car passengers

To ensure you have the smoothest journey to and through the port, there are several things that you can do to be prepared;

Please travel to the Ferry Terminal via main routes only, to avoid causing traffic delays for yourself and local residents.
If you’ve booked your ticket with a 3rd party Ferry Company, e.g Direct Ferries or AFerry, please check your booking details and ensure you proceed to the correct ferry operator booth after you have cleared Border Control.
Allow plenty of time for your journey and arrive no more than 2 hours before your allotted sailing.
Please ensure you have sufficient food, snacks and entertainment with you.
Facilities including toilets and pet welfare zones will be also available ahead of border controls.
Please have passports open and ready before border controls to ensure the quickest transit and reduce the waiting time for other vehicles.
A full range of amenities are available in the Passenger Services Building after you have checked in with your Ferry operator, before you board.

Cars

Your journey through the port

Port of Dover – Ferry Terminal entrance / marshalling

Toilets
Water
Pet welfare
Passenger champions

Police aux Frontières / Border Force

Passports open & ready for inspection

Ferry Operators – Check In

Passports open & ready for inspection
Booking details available

Port of Dover – Passenger Services

Toilets
Food
Drinks
Pet exercise area

Ferry Operators – Ferries

Toilets
Food
Drinks

Coach Processing for 13 and 14 February

Coaches do not arrive more than two hours before their scheduled sailing time. Coaches arriving earlier than this will be triaged and turned away in order to better control arrival flows.
Coaches will be triaged into EU, non‑EU, and school group categories, allowing for more efficient processing through the border.
Coach passengers have their passports ready before disembarking, to help minimise delays during border checks.

Coaches