SeaFrance in Port of Calais

The English cross channel ferry ports serve as gateway to UK, and the mainland Europe in France and Spain. The major ports on the UK side of the Channel are the Dover, Plymouth, Poole, and Portsmouth, while in the mainland Europe the major ports are Bilbao, Calais, Cherbourg, Dunkerque, Roscoff, and Saint Malo. All these ports serve both foot and car passengers and freight ferries serving the UK to France and Spain routes. If you’re travelling from UK to France or Spain, the regular ferry ticket price will depend on your port of destination: the shorter the route the cheaper the ticket link in the Dover-Calais route.

The UK Cross Channel Ferry Ports

The short trip between Dover and Calais makes the Dover port in UK one of the busiest ferry crossing ports in the world. The foot, car, and freight ferries operating from Dover are LD Lines, Norfolkline, P&O Ferries, and SeaFrance going to the mainland ports in Boulogne, Calais, and Dunkerque. The port has complete amenities, ATM outlets, money changer, and even a long- and short-term car park building near the Eastern Docks. The Plymouth and the Portsmouth ports in UK are the second busiest being home to the Royal Navy and cross channel ferries to France and Spain also.

Mainland Europe’s cross channel ferry ports

Equally busy as the Dover port is the Calais port in France being the number one gateway to mainland Europe from the United Kingdom. The port is just minutes away from the town center so that you can start your French escapade within minutes upon docking on the port. And a network of highways and railways in the port connects you to other major French cities such as Paris, too. In Spain, the busiest connector port is Bilbao, which receives ferries from Ireland and United Kingdom.

Other cross channel ferry ports options

For tourists to Europe planning on a mini cruise or cross channel ferries trip, it pays to be familiar with all the ports in northern Europe. You need an English Channel ferry port map and a complete ferry port description that will introduce you to all major ports in Europe.

While familiarizing yourself with the different English Channel ports, take time to read about major ferry operators in the area and check about ferry offers you can avail in your travel. Knowing the different cross channel ferries will help you familiarize your travel and choose the best ferry rides during your trip to northern Europe.