Search live Dover to Dunkirk ferry prices
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The Dover to Dunkirk ferry
DFDS is the only operator from Dover to Dunkirk. The crossing takes two hours, and DFDS advertises up to 22 crossings a day. Its timetable for the week of 14 October 2026 shows 10 departures from Dover, from 02:00 to 22:00, mostly two hours apart.
You need a vehicle: DFDS does not take foot passengers on this route. Pets stay in the car. DFDS lets you travel up to 4 hours either side of your booked time if there is space, and check-in closes 60 minutes before departure.
Dunkirk or Calais? DFDS's Dunkirk crossing is about 20 minutes longer than its 100-minute Calais crossing. DFDS says the port is under 30 minutes from the Belgian border, so it can save driving if you are heading for Belgium or the Netherlands.
- 2-hour crossing with DFDS, the only operator
- Up to 22 crossings a day; 10 from Dover in the week checked
- Vehicles only: no foot passengers
- Under 30 minutes from the Belgian border (DFDS)
Dover to Dunkirk ferry times
| Direction | Sailings | Usual departure times | Crossing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover to Dunkirk | Up to 22 a day; 10 in the week checked | 02:00, then 06:00 to 22:00 every 2 hours | 2 hours |
Departures are from DFDS's timetable for the week of 14 October 2026. Check-in closes 60 minutes before each sailing.
Source: dfds.com, checked 14 October 2026. Timetables change by season; the search shows the sailings for your date.
What to know about the Dover to Dunkirk crossing
- Foot passengers
- Not carried. DFDS says you can only travel with a vehicle on this route. (dfds.com)
- Check-in
- Closes 60 minutes before departure. (dfds.com)
- Changing your sailing
- You can travel up to 4 hours either side of your booked time if there is space. (dfds.com)
- Pets
- Pets stay in the vehicle during the crossing. Extra charges and conditions may apply. (dfds.com)
- What affects the fare
- The date, the departure time and your vehicle. DFDS's lead fare is for a car with up to five people, one way. (dfds.com)
- Passports and entry
- For France, your UK passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. Short stays are limited to 90 days in any 180. Under the EU Entry/Exit System, a first visit means registering fingerprints and a photo. If you leave through Dover, gov.uk says this is done at the border before you leave the UK. Children aged 11 or under do not give fingerprints. (gov.uk)
Where the ferry leaves from and arrives
- Dunkirk
- DFDS says the port is less than 30 minutes from the Belgian border. Its Dunkirk guide calls the town the northernmost in France and puts it about six miles from the border. (dfds.com)
Alternatives to the Dover to Dunkirk ferry
- Dover to Calais: About 20 minutes shorter, with three operators and foot passengers on P&O Ferries.
- Newhaven to Dieppe: DFDS from Newhaven to Normandy in about 4 hours.
Ports & operators on this route
Dover to Dunkirk ferry — common questions
How long is the Dover to Dunkirk ferry?
Two hours, according to DFDS.
What are the Dover to Dunkirk ferry times?
DFDS's timetable for the week of 14 October 2026 has 10 departures from Dover: 02:00, 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00 and 22:00. Times change by date, so search yours.
How many ferries a day go from Dover to Dunkirk?
DFDS advertises up to 22 crossings a day. In the week of 14 October 2026 its timetable showed 10 from Dover.
Who runs the Dover to Dunkirk ferry?
DFDS. No other company sails the route.
How can I get a cheap ferry from Dover to Dunkirk?
Fares change with the date, the departure time and your vehicle. DFDS quotes its lead fare for a car with up to five people, one way. Compare dates and times in the search on this page.
Can I travel as a foot passenger from Dover to Dunkirk?
No. DFDS says you can only travel with a vehicle on this route. Foot passengers can cross with P&O Ferries from Dover to Calais.
Is Dunkirk or Calais better from Dover?
Calais is about 20 minutes quicker with DFDS and has three operators. Dunkirk is under 30 minutes from the Belgian border, which can save driving if you are heading for Belgium or the Netherlands.
Can I take my dog on the Dover to Dunkirk ferry?
Yes. Pets stay in your vehicle during the crossing.
What time should I check in?
DFDS closes check-in 60 minutes before departure. French border and Entry/Exit System checks are done in Dover before you board, so allow extra time.
Related ferry routes
Where these facts come from
Checked by the CheapFerries editorial team on 2026-10-14. Operators change timetables and rules, so confirm details for your sailing when you book.
- dfds.com www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-france/dover-dunkirk
- dfds.com www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-france/dover-calais
- dfds.com www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/destinations/france/dunkirk
- gov.uk www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements
- gov.uk www.gov.uk/entry-exit-system