Ferry from Dover to Bruges
There is no direct ferry to Bruges but if you live in the south of England and are travelling to Bruges, there’s a good chance you’ll be boarding a ferry in Dover. It is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to travel to Bruges from the UK.
Routes
Our experience
This is the only cross-Channel route we haven’t personally sailed, so we can’t offer a first-hand opinion.
Our experience
We’ve sailed with every ferry operator on the Dover–Calais route ourselves. We were particularly impressed by P&O Ferries thanks to its competitive fares, modern ships, clean facilities, spacious outdoor decks, and overall comfort. For most travellers heading to Belgium, this is often the fastest and most affordable option.
Ferry services from Dover to Bruges
Three ferry operators currently sail from Dover. P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries operate routes to Calais, while DFDS sails to both Calais and Dunkirk. Together, they offer departures throughout the day, making Dover the busiest ferry port between the UK and mainland Europe.
Map with suggested Dover – Bruges ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Dover to Bruges, with crossing times, fares and the ports they sail from. Tap a route for details, tap a port for its sailings, or zoom in for more.
Onboard experience
Dover–Dunkirk is often recommended for Bruges because of its proximity to Belgium. The crossing takes around two hours and is designed primarily as a transport link rather than a cruise experience.
By car
Travelling to Bruges by car is straightforward. After arriving in France, you’ll mainly follow motorways towards the Belgian coast. There are no toll roads for passenger cars in Belgium, and Bruges is well connected to both Calais and Dunkirk. Traffic is usually light outside holiday periods, although delays can occur around Dover and during busy summer weekends.
| Arrival Port | Drive to Bruges |
|---|---|
| Dunkirk | ~45 min |
| Calais | ~1 hour |
| Hook of Holland | ~2 hrs 30 min |
Compare & book
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By campervan
Motorhomes are welcome on all ferry routes. Bruges is a particularly popular destination for camper travellers, with several campsites and motorhome facilities located near the city. Many visitors choose to stay just outside the centre and explore the historic city on foot or by bicycle.
Still weighing up your options?
We have sailed nearly every one of these crossings ourselves, and the photos on this site are our own. Tell us where you are starting and we will point you to the smartest way across.