Duty Free

Day Trip to Kent

From
€63
per car + up to 4 people*
Couple on a DFDS trip

1 day short break to the UK

Looking for a perfect day out for the whole family? Discover a taste of the beauty, history, and culture of Great Britain with our special day trip offer.

Set sail from France on a round trip to Dover, Kent, and forge unforgettable memories onboard with exceptional facilities to enhance your day trip experience.

Need longer to explore? Extend your stay in the UK with our 3 day or 5 day short breaks.

Short crossings

Excellent Onboard Facilities

Reserve & Collect Duty Free

  • Great destinations close to our Dover port

  • Book by 30 December 2026, travel by 31 December 2026.

Terms and Conditions

*Lead in price based on 2024 sailings, return day trip fare for a standard car carrying up to 4 passengers on Dover-France routes, including ETS charge.

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

Timetables

To view our timetables, please click here.

How to spend a day in Great Britain

Embark on a magical day trip to the heart of Kent - known as the Garden of England, the iconic cliffs that guard the coastline set the scene for an epic day out.

Enjoy a serene voyage with your loved ones from Calais or Dunkirk, with timetables to suit your schedule. Whether you want a leisurely day driving around the stunning south coast or just a quick trip to get a taste of British culture in one of Kent’s quaint towns, we've got you covered.

Discover the ancient corridors of Dover Castle, perched atop the cliffs offering panoramic views and centuries of history, or head to Canterbury to stroll amongst its cobbled streets and historic city walls.

A spot of afternoon tea or exploring the countryside is the perfect way to spend the rest of your day in the UK before returning to Dover in time for a sunset view over the cliffs, a fitting end to your unforgettable adventure in England.

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

Fancy a longer exploration? Check out our 3 day short break from just €130.

Our Short Breaks

Short breaks - 3 Day

3 day UK short breaks

Discover the beauty of Great Britain with DFDS on a 3-day short break. Explore Dover, Canterbury, London & more, sailing from France to Dover.

From

€121

per car + up to 4 people*

South England coastline in Autumn promo

5 day UK short breaks

Discover the magic of Great Britain with DFDS on a 5-day short break. Explore Kent, East Sussex, London & more, sailing from France to Dover.

From

€165

per car + up to 4 people*

Discover the Garden of England

A Castle in Kent

Kent

Known as the Garden of England, Kent is renowned for its natural beauty.

Dover castle on top of a hill

Dover Castle

Dover castle, the medieval military stronghold, is the largest castle in England.

A view of Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury

Rich in history - Canterbury is a must for those wishing to immerse themselves in the culture of one of England's most famous cities.

Duty Free Allowances

DFDS offer unlimited baggage allowance which means you can fill your boots with great duty free deals.

What you can bring back to the UK

  • 18 Litres of wine
  • 42 litres of beer
  • Up to £390 worth of non-alcoholic goods

For more information on what you can bring into the UK and Europe check out our Duty Free FAQs.

Duty Free Allowances in the UK

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

FAQs

Absolutely! With DFDS, you can book a return ferry journey to either Calais or Dunkirk, giving you the perfect opportunity to explore France and stock up on your favourite brands in Duty Free in just one day.

Dover to Calais is the fastest ferry to France. This route takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes operating up to 30 daily sailings. The next fastest ferry crossing to France is Dover to Dunkirk, which takes approximately 2 hrs with 24 daily sailings. Please note that timetables may change subject to weather conditions.

A day trip to France with DFDS is sure to be an unforgettable experience. From discovering traditional French cuisine, sampling local wines with the help of our expert Duty Free Port Shop team, and exploring stunning cities like Dunkirk and Calais, there’s something for everyone on this exciting day trip. Plus, you will have ample opportunity to visit our onboard Duty Free shops during your crossing, as well as our Dunkerque and Calais port shops before your return crossing.

When travelling back into the UK, the new allowance have increased the amount of goods you’re allowed to bring with you. The wine Duty Free allowance is up to 18 litres, and beer is 42 litres. The Duty Free spirit allowance is now up to 4 litres of strong liquor. See a full list of allowances here.

Generally, ferry Duty Free shops offer a range of products including alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, and other luxury items, and prices may be cheaper compared to traditional retail stores due to tax exemptions. In DFDS Duty Free stores, you can save up to 50% vs UK high street prices.

Our Dunkerque Duty Free Shop is open daily from 008:00-22:00 French time, and our Calais Duty Free Shop is open 09:30-22:00 French time. We also have onboard shops so you can shop Duty Free on all ferry crossings of the Channel and the North Sea.

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