How to Book Ferry Travel England to France

Mont Saint-Michel is an hour's drive east of Saint-Malo, where ferries depart to Poole, Portsmouth and Weymouth.

Ferries depart from several points along England's southern coast to ports in France. Travelers visit cities and towns in Brittany, Normandy and Pas-de-Calais in northern France. The travel time between England and France is approximately two to three to ports in Calais and Normandy, and approximately five hours to destinations in Brittany. Passengers can travel on foot or with their vehicle on ferries to France, which feature on-board dining and sleeping accommodation on some vessels.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Ferries from Portsmouth travel to Caen in France. Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images

   Determine where in France you plan to travel. Ferries from England travel to Roscoff and Saint-Malo in Brittany in the north-west of France, and Boulogne and Calais in Pas-de-Calais in northern France. Ferries also operate to Caen, Cherbourg, Dieppe and Le Havre in Normandy, which are close to Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy. Normandy is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site at Mont Saint-Michel and is linked to the D-Day landings of Allied forces during World War II.

2. From Dover travelers can board ferries to Calais. Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images

   Choose a departure location from England based on your desired destination. Brittany Ferries operate services from Pymouth to Roscoff, from Poole to Cherbourg, and from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg and Saint-Malo. Condor Ferries has services from Weymouth and Poole to Saint-Malo, and from Portsmouth to Cherbourg. Celtic Link also provides ferries from Portsmouth to Cherbourgh, and Euroferries links Ramsgate to Boulonge. From Dover, ferries operated by P&O Ferries

   and SeaFrance travel to Calais. Norfolk Line (norfolkline.com) also links Dover with Dunkerque, and LD Lines operated ferries travel from Newhaven to Dieppe and Portsmouth to Le Havre.

3. Travelers can travel with or without vehicles on ferries across the English Channel. Bruno Vincent/Getty Images News/Getty Images

   Decide whether to travel with or without a vehicle. All ferries that traverse the English Channel allow passengers to travel on foot or with a vehicle. You should verify with the ferry service if there are any restrictions related to the size of your car before you travel.

4. Purchase your ticket online through the ferry company's website. All ferry companies operating between England and France allow travelers to purchase one-way and return tickets in advance from their websites. Purchasing your ticket online will ensure you save yourself a spot on your preferred crossing, especially since space can be limited during peak travel times. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the ferry company or at the ferry terminal on the day of your trip.

5. Travel to your departure point. On the day of your trip, plan sufficient time to check in for your ferry crossing. Ferry companies recommend that travelers arrive between 30 and 60 minutes before the departure time. Before traveling to the ferry terminal, verify how much time you should be at the port in advance of your departure time and print your ticket confirmation in order to board the ferry. You must also carry a current and valid passport when traveling to France, and you may require a visa depending on your citizenship.

Tips & Warnings

• If traveling by car, ensure that you give accurate information about your vehicle when booking your ticket online. This information is used to ensure there is sufficent space on the ferry for all travelers.

• This information is current as of June 2011. As routes are subject to change and may operate seasonally, travelers should visit the ferry company's website for up-to-date information before traveling.

References

• Brittany Ferries: Ferries to France
• Condor Ferries: Condor Ferries Timetable
• Celtic Link: About Celtic Link Ferries
• Euroferries: Travel Information
• P&O Ferries: Routes
• DFDS Seaways: Ferries to France

Resources

• SeaFrance: Before Taking Your Ferry to France
• LD Lines Network: Ferry Timetables for the LD Lines Network