Ferry travel can be a convenient way to explore the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, particularly if you want to take your own car. Instead of comparing individual ferry operators separately, Direct Ferries allows travellers to compare routes, sailing times, operators and fares in one place.
From quick Channel crossings between Dover and France to longer journeys from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Spain, there are plenty of routes to consider. The right crossing depends on where you are starting, your final destination, travel dates and whether you are travelling by car or as a foot passenger.
Dover to Calais: Best for a Quick France Trip:
Dover to Calais is one of the most popular ferry routes between the UK and France. Direct Ferries currently lists crossings with DFDS, Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries, with the fastest sailings taking around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Calais is particularly convenient for travellers heading into northern France or continuing by car toward Belgium and other parts of Europe.
Why Consider It:
- Short Channel crossing
- Frequent daily sailings
- Suitable for cars and foot passengers
- Convenient access to northern France
- Several operators to compare
This route is particularly useful when you want to spend less time on the ferry and more time at your destination.
Dover to Dunkirk: An Alternative Channel Route:
Dover to Dunkirk provides another way to cross the Channel by car. Direct Ferries currently lists up to 63 weekly sailings on this route, with crossings taking around two hours.
Dunkirk is close to Calais and offers straightforward onward connections toward Belgium and the Netherlands. Direct Ferries also highlights it as an alternative that can sometimes offer lower fares or less congestion than Dover to Calais, depending on travel dates.
Why Consider It:
- Useful alternative to Calais
- Convenient for Belgium and the Netherlands
- Regular sailings
- Suitable for car travellers
Newhaven to Dieppe: Best for Normandy:
Newhaven to Dieppe can be a good option for travellers heading toward Normandy and western France. Direct Ferries currently lists around 17 weekly sailings, with crossings taking approximately four hours.
Dieppe provides access to destinations including Rouen and other parts of Normandy, while Newhaven can be convenient for travellers coming from areas around Brighton and southern England.
Why Consider It:
- Convenient access to Normandy
- Alternative to Dover
- Suitable for vehicles and foot passengers
- Useful for travellers from southern England
Portsmouth to Caen: Best for Normandy Road Trips:
Portsmouth to Caen is another popular option for reaching Normandy. Direct Ferries currently lists around 20 weekly sailings, with the crossing taking roughly 5 hours 45 minutes.
The route can be particularly useful for road trips around Normandy, including visits to Bayeux and the D-Day landing beaches.
Why Consider It:
- Direct access to Normandy
- Useful for longer French road trips
- Car and foot passenger options
- Convenient for historical and countryside itineraries
Portsmouth to Santander: Best for Spain by Car:
For travellers who want to drive through Spain without taking a long road journey across France first, Portsmouth to Santander provides a direct sea connection.
Direct Ferries lists regular UK-to-Spain services operated by Brittany Ferries. The Portsmouth to Santander crossing takes around 32 hours 48 minutes in the current schedule, with two sailings per week listed.
Although considerably longer than a Channel crossing, travelling overnight can reduce the amount of driving required once you arrive in Spain.
Why Consider It:
- Direct UK-to-Spain connection
- Useful for road trips
- Bring your own car
- Avoids a long drive through France
- Suitable for extended holidays
Portsmouth to Bilbao: Another Route to Spain:
Portsmouth to Bilbao is another option for reaching northern Spain by ferry. Direct Ferries currently lists around two sailings per week, with the journey taking approximately 34 hours.
Bilbao is well positioned for exploring northern Spain and provides access to destinations across the Basque Country and beyond.
Why Consider It:
- Direct access to northern Spain
- Useful for longer European road trips
- Convenient if you want to explore the Basque region
- Allows you to bring your vehicle
Plymouth to Santander: Shorter UK-to-Spain Option:
Plymouth to Santander is currently the shortest of the three direct UK-to-Spain routes listed by Direct Ferries. The crossing takes approximately 21 hours, with two weekly sailings shown in the current schedule.
This route can be particularly attractive for travellers starting in southwest England who want to reduce the amount of driving before reaching Spain.
Why Consider It:
- Shorter crossing than Portsmouth-Spain routes
- Convenient for southwest England
- Direct access to northern Spain
- Suitable for car-based holidays
Holyhead to Dublin: Best for Ireland:
Holyhead to Dublin is a major ferry connection between Great Britain and Ireland. Direct Ferries currently lists around 37 weekly sailings operated by Irish Ferries and Stena Line, with the crossing taking approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.
It is particularly useful for travellers bringing a car to Ireland, allowing you to continue your road trip directly after arriving in Dublin.
Why Consider It:
- Frequent sailings
- Relatively short crossing
- Useful for Ireland road trips
- Car and foot passenger options
Fishguard to Rosslare: Convenient for Southern Ireland:
Fishguard to Rosslare provides another direct connection between Wales and Ireland. Direct Ferries currently lists around 13 weekly sailings, with Stena Line operating the route.
Rosslare can be useful if your itinerary focuses on southeastern Ireland rather than Dublin.
Harwich to Hook of Holland: Best for the Netherlands:
For travellers heading to the Netherlands, Harwich to Hook of Holland provides a direct ferry connection from England. Direct Ferries lists up to 14 weekly sailings on the route, with a scheduled crossing time of around 7 hours 15 minutes.
The overnight option can be useful for road trips because you can travel while sleeping and continue driving after arrival.
Why Consider It:
- Direct connection to the Netherlands
- Useful for European road trips
- Overnight travel options
- Suitable for vehicle travel
Hull to Rotterdam: Another Netherlands Connection:
Hull to Rotterdam is another option for travellers in northern England. Direct Ferries currently lists around six weekly sailings, with journeys taking approximately 11 hours 30 minutes.
This route can be particularly convenient if you are starting in northern England and want to avoid driving south to reach a Channel port.
Popular UK Ferry Routes at a Glance:
| Route | Approx. Crossing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Dover – Calais | 1 hr 30 min | Quick trips to France |
| Dover – Dunkirk | 2 hrs | France, Belgium and Netherlands |
| Newhaven – Dieppe | 4 hrs | Normandy |
| Portsmouth – Caen | 5 hr 45 min | Normandy road trips |
| Holyhead – Dublin | 3 hr 30 min | Ireland |
| Fishguard – Rosslare | Varies | Southern Ireland |
| Harwich – Hook of Holland | 7 hr 15 min | Netherlands |
| Hull – Rotterdam | 11 hr 30 min | Northern England to Netherlands |
| Plymouth – Santander | 21 hrs | Southwest England to Spain |
| Portsmouth – Santander | 32 hr 48 min | Spain road trips |
| Portsmouth – Bilbao | 33 hr 58 min | Northern Spain |
Times are approximate and based on current Direct Ferries route information; schedules can change by sailing and season.
How to Choose the Right Ferry Route:
Consider Your Starting Point:
The closest ferry port is not always the best option. Compare the sailing time with the amount of driving required to reach the port.
For example, someone travelling from northern England may find Hull to Rotterdam more convenient than driving south to Dover, while travellers in southeast England may prefer Dover for quick Channel crossings.
Think About Your Final Destination:
Choose the arrival port based on your complete journey rather than the ferry crossing alone. Dover to Calais may be convenient for northern France, while Portsmouth to Caen can provide easier access to Normandy.
For Spain, choosing Santander or Bilbao can also affect the amount and direction of onward driving.
Compare Several Operators:
Some routes have multiple operators, giving you the opportunity to compare departure times and fares. Dover to Calais, for example, is currently served by DFDS, Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries.
Direct Ferries allows you to compare available options before booking.
Ways to Find Better Ferry Deals:
Direct Ferries recommends comparing different travel dates, with midweek travel and periods outside school holidays generally offering better opportunities for lower fares.
When comparing crossings, look beyond the basic ticket price. Check whether you are travelling with a car, the number of passengers, cabin requirements and any flexibility options.
Smart Tips:
- Compare multiple departure dates before booking.
- Check both direct and alternative ferry routes.
- Compare operators on routes served by multiple companies.
- Consider the driving distance to and from each port.
- Check vehicle dimensions when travelling by car.
- Look at crossing times as well as ticket prices.
- Consider overnight sailings for longer journeys.
- Book ahead when travelling during busy holiday periods.
- Check cancellation and flexibility conditions before payment.
- Compare return fares with two separate one-way bookings where appropriate.
Find the Right Crossing for Your Trip:
Direct Ferries covers a wide network of UK routes, including crossings to France, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and destinations within the UK. Its comparison tools can make it easier to look at different operators, departure times and routes before making a booking.
The best route depends on your itinerary. A short Dover crossing can be ideal for a quick European road trip, while a longer Portsmouth or Plymouth sailing can reduce the amount of driving required for Spain. For Ireland and the Netherlands, choosing a port closer to your starting point can make the overall journey more convenient.
The Bottom Line:
The best UK ferry route through Direct Ferries depends on where you are travelling from, where you want to go and how much driving you want to do after reaching the port. Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk are useful for France and continental Europe, while Portsmouth and Plymouth offer longer connections toward Spain. Holyhead and Fishguard provide convenient routes to Ireland, while Harwich and Hull connect England with the Netherlands.
Comparing routes rather than simply choosing the most familiar port can help you find a sailing that fits your travel time, budget and road-trip plans.
