Offers

3 Day Short Break

From
£119
per car + up to 4 people*
UK Spring Short Breaks 3-day Hero

3 Day Short Break to France

Pack up the car and start exploring with DFDS on a short break to France. Whether you're shopping at local markets or exploring the history of Dunkirk, with DFDS new experiences across the channel are closer than you think.

Plus, when you spend €150 on your return in our Duty Free store, you’ll get a free day trip** to use for another time!

Fancy a longer stay? Take a look at our 5-day short break from just £149.

Travel with your vehicle

Unlimited luggage

Reserve & Collect Duty Free

  • From £119 per car + up to 4 people*

  • Book by 28 December 2026, travel by 31 December 2026

Terms and Conditions

*Lead in price based on return fare for a standard car carrying up to 4 passengers on Dover-France routes, returning 72 hours post-departure, and including ETS charge as of 1st January 2024.

**This offer excludes cigarettes and tobacco products. Only redeemable on purchases made at Calais Port Shop and Dunkerque Port Shop.

Journeys are subject to availability and usual DFDS terms & conditions apply.

Timetables

To view our timetables, please click here.

How to spend 3 days in France

Our port cities of Calais and Dunkirk are great places to visit, with a host of museums, historic sites and cosy cafes to discover.

On a 3 day break, you can explore more than you think! Whether you’re looking to sample some regional cuisine, shop at the local markets or discover historical sites, there are plenty of opportunities to do that and more in Calais and Dunkirk. Or why not head further down the coast for a 3 day beach break?

Plus, all our ports have great transport links to wider Europe. Belgium is less than 30 minutes from Dunkirk port - the perfect place to indulge in a fusion of vibrant culture and delicious cuisine.

Find the best things to do in France and more on our dedicated Travel Guide pages below.

DISCOVER EUROPE WITH DFDS

Duty Free at DFDS

Before you drive onboard for your return journey, don’t forget to stop by our Duty Free Shops at our Calais and Dunkirk ports.

With savings of up to 50% vs UK high street on premium spirits, wines and beers, it’s the perfect opportunity to stock up!

What’s more? If you spend €150 in the DFDS Duty Free store and you’ll receive a free day trip to France**!

Travel again, on us to explore the local region, or return to the shop to re-fill your boot with brilliant deals.

You can also browse our products online, reserve what you fancy and collect at a time to suit you. Check out our Reserve & Collect service to reserve your duty free now.

**This offer excludes cigarettes and tobacco products. Only redeemable on purchases made at Calais Port Shop and Dunkerque Port Shop

Our Offers

Couple on a DFDS trip

Day Trip to France

Sail to Calais or Dunkirk in around 2 hours for a full day of exploring & shopping, returning refreshed in the afternoon or evening. Experience an enriching day in France and fill your boot with Duty Free savings!

From

£55

per car + up to 4 people*

South England coastline in Autumn promo

5 Day Short Break to France

Looking for the perfect getaway that still offers enough time to immerse yourself in full holiday mode? Our 5-day short break is the ideal choice – sail from Dover to the Calais or Dunkirk ports in 2h or under.

From

£149

per car + up to 4 people*

Ferries to France promo

UK – France Ferry Crossings

Sail from either Dover or Newhaven to one of 3 ports in France and embark on a road trip this summer. Hit the open road to discover everything Europe has to offer.

From

£89

per car + up to 4 people, one way*

Destinations

Eiffel Tower, France

France Travel Guides

With 3 relaxing routes to France, it’s easier than ever to visit the landscapes and historic cities of this amazing country.

View of Bruges on the water

Belgium

Characterised by picturesque, medieval town centres and extraordinary landscapes, Belgium boasts an endless list of things to do.

Ferries to France

With DFDS, it’s easy to sail from Dover to France. Our routes include crossings from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk, as well as Newhaven to Dieppe, all with comfortable onboard facilities so you can really relax and enjoy the journey.

Enjoy a bite to eat and take the kids to the soft play area or even explore outside on deck.

With DFDS your holiday starts as soon as you set sail.

Only vehicle travel is permitted on our Dover - France routes. Foot passengers are not permitted.

Set sail with Ferries to France

Proudly named the World’s Leading Ferry Operator

We are also proud to announce that we have been nominated as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator 2026 and this amazing journey continues, first and foremost, thanks to you.

To our loyal passengers who put their trust in us, our valued partners and our hard-working colleagues: this nomination is also yours. You are the heart of DFDS and today, we’d like to say THANK YOU.

Let's continue to create beautiful memories and cross the finish line together.

Find out moreVote now
Couple on deck onboard DFDS ferry taking a selfie

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FAQs

Our short break offers are available on both our Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk routes, subject to availability.

The journey time will depend on which route you are travelling. The sailing from Dover to Calais takes approximately 100 minutes, whereas Dover to Dunkirk is a slightly longer journey time of 2 hours. Both offer quick and convenient routes to France and beyond.

Accommodation is not included in the price of our 3 day short break offer, however, we have a number of partners offering carefully selected hotels and recommended attractions. Find out more about our partner offers here.

A short break is the perfect opportunity to explore new destinations and experience different cultures. With DFDS, you can travel to a variety of destinations in Europe via our ports in France, so booking your crossing today is the best way to start planning your trip. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a fun-filled family adventure, there’s something for everyone on the continent.

If you’re looking for a cheap weekend break from the UK for under £150, our 3 day short break offer is the perfect choice. From £119, you can enjoy a relaxing journey to the continent and have plenty of time to reach a variety of popular European cities and experience everything they have to offer.

There are many amazing locations in Europe that make great long weekend getaways, with cities like Paris, Lille and Bruges being popular choices amongst travellers and within driving distance of our French ports. If you’re looking for something less well known, consider going off the beaten path – from Dunkirk, explore the stunning seaside towns of De Panne and Zeebrugge in Belgium or, from Calais, visit the coastal town of Wissant, the historic city of Arras, or the fishing port of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Take a look at our handy travel guides to discover more destinations to explore.

If you're looking for a beach break within driving distance of Calais or Dunkirk, the French coast has plenty of options to offer. Some popular destinations include the lively beach town of Le Touquet, the picturesque fishing village of Étretat, and the charming resort town of Cabourg. With their stunning beaches, great restaurants, and plenty of outdoor activities, these destinations are perfect for a quick getaway. And with DFDS ferries to France, operating from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk, you can easily reach these destinations in just a few hours.

Prices are subject to availability. Telephone booking fees apply. Terms and conditions apply.