Taking the ferry to France is a very different experience from flying. You keep your own car, there is no baggage limit to worry about, and the trip starts the moment you drive aboard. DFDS runs three routes from England to France, and the right one depends on where you live, where you are heading, and how much time you want to spend at sea.
This guide compares Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk and Newhaven to Dieppe using the information on the DFDS website as of 26 October 2026. Prices shown are “from” prices and change with the date, vehicle and availability, so use them only as a starting point.
Check DFDS Ferry Times and Prices
In this guide
The Three Routes at a Glance
| Route | Crossing time | Sailings per day | Lead-in price (one way) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover to Calais | 1 hour 40 minutes | Up to 30 | GBP 114 for a car and up to 5 people | 27 nautical miles |
| Dover to Dunkirk | 2 hours | Up to 22 | GBP 114 for a car and up to 5 people | 47 nautical miles |
| Newhaven to Dieppe | Around 4 hours (5 on some overnight sailings) | Up to 6 depending on season | GBP 117 for a car and 4 people | Not stated |
The lead-in prices on DFDS pages are based on a standard car and include the emissions trading scheme charge on the Dover routes. Other pages for the same routes may quote different starting prices because they use different assumptions, so always compare on the live booking page for your own date.
Dover to Calais: The Fastest and Most Frequent
DFDS describes Dover to Calais as its fastest crossing between the UK and France, at 100 minutes, with up to 30 sailings a day. The first ferry listed leaves at 00:10 and the last at 21:10. If you miss your slot, you can travel up to four hours before or after your booked time, subject to availability.
On the Dover routes you can only travel with a vehicle. Foot passengers are not permitted. Pets can come along, but they must stay in the vehicle during the crossing. Check-in closes 60 minutes before departure, and DFDS advises allowing 120 minutes before check-in closes to get through the controls.
Dover to Dunkirk: A Little Longer, a Little Further North
The Dunkirk crossing takes two hours and offers up to 22 sailings a day, from 02:00 to 23:59 for the first and last. DFDS points out that the port is less than 30 minutes from the Belgian border, which makes it a sensible choice if you are heading to Belgium, the Netherlands or northern France.
Like Calais, it is vehicle only, and you can also travel with a bicycle, motorbike, van or motorhome. The same facilities apply on board, including the 7 Seas Restaurant, a Premium Lounge on selected crossings, the Pirates’ Island play area for children and free onboard WiFi.
Newhaven to Dieppe: The Gateway to Normandy
The Newhaven to Dieppe route suits travellers in the south of England who want to reach Normandy without driving to Kent. DFDS says it is the only cross-channel ferry operator on this route. The crossing takes around four hours, and the page lists a restaurant, a shop, play areas and a bar with floor-to-ceiling windows.
This route has some features the Dover ones do not. Foot passengers can travel, with large luggage left in the dedicated storage onboard. A 20 percent concessionary reduction is listed for seniors over 60, students aged 18 to 27, young people aged 18 to 25 and passengers with a disability, applied to the crossing only. The page says these bookings must be made by telephone or at the ferry terminal. Priority Boarding is offered at GBP 20 per car and crossing, limited to eight vehicles per sailing.
Duty Free and Onboard Facilities
On the Dover routes, DFDS says you can save up to 50 percent against UK high street prices on perfume, cosmetics, confectionery, electronics and alcohol. The onboard shop is open for 30 minutes per crossing, and the number of passengers entering is limited. At the port there are Duty Free shops in Calais and Dunkirk, and a Reserve and Collect service lets you choose products online and pick them up on arrival.
For food, the onboard restaurants serve Harry Ramsden’s fish and chips, curry, vegetarian options and cooked breakfasts. The 7 Seas Restaurant and the Lighthouse Cafe are listed as open around the clock, while the Horizon is open from April to August and during UK school holidays.
If France Is Not the Plan: Newcastle to Amsterdam
DFDS also runs an overnight ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, with a crossing of around 16 hours 45 minutes. Departure is at 17:00 each day, with check-in opening at 14:00 and closing at 16:15. You can travel with or without a vehicle, and the page lists a lead-in price of GBP 74 per person based on four people sharing an inside cabin with a car, one way.
Which Route Should You Pick?
- Shortest crossing: Dover to Calais at 100 minutes.
- Heading to Belgium or the north: Dover to Dunkirk, according to DFDS’s own description.
- Normandy and western France: Newhaven to Dieppe.
- No car: Dover routes are vehicle only, so consider Newhaven to Dieppe or Newcastle to Amsterdam.
- Flexibility: the Dover routes allow travel up to four hours either side of your booked time, subject to availability.
Before You Book
You need a valid passport to travel between the UK and France, and it must be shown at check-in. Book ahead for the best choice of crossings, since last-minute availability can be limited, particularly in school holidays. Timetables and prices are subject to availability and weather.
You can check live ferry times and fares for your own dates on the DFDS ferry booking pages.
Details were taken from the DFDS website on 26 October 2026 and may change. Prices are lead-in fares, not guaranteed. Some links in this article are affiliate links.
