Travelling abroad with children often involves careful logistics, tight schedules, and strict luggage limits. For families heading to mainland Europe, taking the car on a ferry from England to France removes much of this traditional airport stress.
With regular departures from Kent, the Dover-France ferry routes provide a practical, flexible way to start a holiday, allowing parents to pack exactly what they need while offering children space to move around before the real driving begins.
Packing Without the Weight Restrictions
The most immediate benefit of a self-drive ferry holiday is the freedom to pack heavily. When you take your own vehicle, there are no restrictive weight limits, liquid rules, or expensive baggage fees. Families can easily fit in bulky essentials like pushchairs, travel cots, camping gear, and bicycles. You can also load up the boot with familiar snacks and toys to keep younger children entertained during the longer driving stretches on the continent. Heavy items stay safely locked in the car while you head up to the passenger decks.
Building a Natural Break into the Journey
Long car rides can be taxing for young passengers, but a ferry crossing naturally breaks up the trip. The crossing from Dover to Calais takes around 90 minutes, while the Dover to Dunkirk route takes roughly two hours. Rather than being strapped into a car seat or cramped in an aeroplane row, children can walk around the ship, look out at the sea, and use the onboard play areas.
The ship itself becomes part of the adventure. Instead of sitting in a crowded departure lounge, children can stand on the outer decks watching the White Cliffs of Dover slowly fade into the distance. Inside, family-friendly dining areas mean you can enjoy a hot meal together without the constraints of a fold-down tray table. This early break ensures everyone arrives on the continent fed, rested, and ready for the next stage of the journey.
Taking the Family Dog
For many families, a holiday isn’t complete without the dog. Ferries offer a much simpler route for pet travel compared to flying. Depending on the operator and the route, dogs can either stay securely in your vehicle or travel in dedicated pet lounges. Taking the ferry means your pet stays with you for the journey to the port, experiences a short crossing, and arrives in France ready for a coastal walk. Always check the latest UK and EU pet travel regulations regarding animal health certificates and vaccinations before booking.
Easy Arrival in Calais or Dunkirk
Both Calais and Dunkirk are exceptionally well-equipped for families arriving by car. If you take the ferry to Calais, you have immediate access to the wide sandy beach of Calais Nord, complete with playgrounds and the famous mechanical Dragon of Calais—a guaranteed hit with kids.
If you want an easy win on your first day, the Nausicaá National Sea Centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer is only a thirty-minute drive south of Calais. As one of the largest public aquariums in Europe, it is an ideal first-day activity that requires very little driving. Alternatively, if you opt for Dunkirk, the coastal suburb of Malo-les-Bains offers a gentle, expansive shoreline perfect for a relaxed afternoon building sandcastles.
Keeping the First Driving Day Short
When travelling with younger children, the key to a stress-free start is limiting your mileage on day one. Fortunately, the coastal region of Hauts-de-France is packed with family-friendly campsites, holiday parks, and hotels just a short distance from the ports. Keeping the first drive under an hour allows the designated driver to comfortably acclimatise to driving on the right-hand side of the road, while the kids can quickly transition from the ferry to the swimming pool.
Tips for a Smooth Family Crossing
Planning ahead makes all the difference when travelling with children. Booking your tickets in advance using comparison platforms like Ferryhopper allows you to secure the most convenient sailing times for your family’s routine.
Pack a Deck Bag: Put everything you need for the crossing—nappies, snacks, tablets, and light jackets—in one small bag to take upstairs. You cannot return to your car during the sailing.
Time Your Travel: Consider booking a crossing that aligns with lunch or a natural rest period.
Arrive Early: Leave plenty of time to navigate border control at the Port of Dover so you don’t feel rushed before boarding.
For families, the holiday truly begins the moment you drive onto the ship. By removing the hassle of airport queues and luggage restrictions, the ferry provides a calm and practical gateway to Europe.
