DFDS Ferries: Complete UK Routes Guide 2026

DFDS Ferries is Europe’s leading ferry operator, providing four essential routes from the UK to France and Holland. As the exclusive operator of the Newhaven to Dieppe route and offering the highest frequency Dover to Calais service, DFDS connects British travelers to the continent with up to 52 daily departures.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about DFDS ferries, including all UK routes, ships, facilities, prices, and booking strategies. Whether you’re planning a day trip to France, a family camping holiday in Normandy, or a business trip to Amsterdam, this guide will help you choose the right DFDS ferry crossing.

Last updated: December 2025

🚢 DFDS Ferries at a Glance

UK Ferry
Routes

Daily Dover
Departures

100 mins

Fastest
Crossing

From £89

Car + 4
Passengers

✅ Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator – World award winner 2025
✅ Modern fleet – purpose-built ships with excellent facilities
✅ Vehicle travel – cars, motorhomes, motorcycles welcome
✅ Pet friendly – dogs, cats, and small pets welcome
✅ Award-winning service – consistently high customer ratings

DFDS operates four strategic ferry routes from the UK, connecting England to France and Holland. Each route serves different regions and travel needs.

Route	Duration	Frequency	From Price	Best For
Dover to Calais	100 mins	Up to 30/day	£89	Fastest to France, day trips
Dover to Dunkirk	2 hours	Up to 22/day	£89	Belgium, Northern France
Newhaven to Dieppe	4 hours	2-4/day	£87	Paris, Normandy, Brighton area
Newcastle to Amsterdam	16h 45m	Daily	£69	Holland, overnight crossing, Northern UK

Prices shown are for car + 4 passengers, one-way, low season. Book 3+ months ahead for best prices. Newcastle-Amsterdam price is per person based on 4 sharing with car.

The Dover to Calais route is DFDS’s busiest and most frequent ferry crossing, offering up to 30 departures per day during peak season.

Route Overview:

Distance: 27 nautical miles (shortest Channel crossing)
Duration: 100 minutes (1 hour 40 minutes)
Frequency: Up to 30 sailings daily (peak season)
Ships: 5 modern ferries including DFDS Calais Seaways, Dover Seaways, Côte des Dunes, Côte des Flandres
Capacity: Up to 1,000 passengers and 180 cars per sailing
Price range: From £89 (car + 4 passengers)

Why Choose Dover to Calais:

✅ Fastest Crossing: Just 100 minutes across the English Channel – perfect for day trips or when time matters.

✅ Maximum Flexibility: Departures every 30-60 minutes during peak hours. Miss your ferry? Catch the next one.

✅ Gateway to Europe: Calais connects directly to French motorways – reach Paris in 3 hours, Belgium in 1 hour.

✅ Competitive Pricing: High frequency means competitive fares. From £89 when booked in advance.

Onboard Facilities:

Multiple restaurants and cafés with hot meals and snacks
Extensive duty-free shopping (save up to 50% vs UK high street)
Kids’ play areas with soft play and video games
Premium lounges (£15-25 per person)
Free Wi-Fi throughout the ship
Outdoor decks with seating
Wheelchair accessible facilities on all decks

⚠️ Important: Dover to Calais does not accept foot passengers. You must travel with a vehicle on this route.

Best For:

Day trips to France, reaching Paris quickly, travelling to Belgium or Netherlands, business travelers needing flexibility, families wanting frequent departure options, anyone prioritizing speed over price.

DFDS’s Dover to Dunkirk route offers a quieter alternative to the busy Calais crossing, with modern ships and excellent facilities.

Route Overview:

Distance: 47 nautical miles
Duration: 2 hours
Frequency: Up to 22 sailings daily
Ships: Modern fleet including Côte des Dunes, Côte des Flandres (launched 2021-2023)
Price range: From £89 (car + 4 passengers)

Why Choose Dover to Dunkirk:

✅ Quieter Port: Dunkirk is less congested than Calais – easier navigation, simpler parking, shorter queues.

✅ Direct to Belgium: Better route for Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent. Avoid Calais port traffic entirely.

✅ Newest Ships: Modern fleet with contemporary design, excellent facilities, and smooth sailing.

✅ More Relaxed: Less commercial feel than Calais. More space, less crowded, family-friendly atmosphere.

⚠️ Important: Dover to Dunkirk does not accept foot passengers. You must travel with a vehicle on this route.

Best For:

Traveling to Belgium (Bruges, Brussels, Ghent), avoiding Calais congestion, families preferring a quieter crossing, those wanting modern ship facilities, Northern France destinations without Calais traffic.

DFDS is the exclusive operator of the Newhaven to Dieppe route, providing a direct link from Brighton and the South Coast to Normandy and Paris.

Route Overview:

Distance: 81 nautical miles
Duration: Approximately 4 hours (times may vary with tides)
Frequency: 2-4 sailings daily (up to 4 in summer)
Ships: Côte d’Albâtre and Seven Sisters
Unique feature: Only DFDS route with overnight sailings
Price range: From £87 (car + 2 passengers)

Why Choose Newhaven to Dieppe:

✅ Perfect from Brighton: Just 12 minutes by train from Brighton to Newhaven. No M25 stress.

✅ Direct to Paris: Only 2.5 hours by train from Dieppe to Paris. Total journey 7 hours from Brighton.

✅ Normandy Gateway: Straight into Normandy – D-Day beaches, Étretat, Rouen all within easy reach.

✅ Foot Passenger Friendly: Excellent for travelers without cars. Train connection makes it seamless.

Cabins Available:

Private cabins can be booked for £20-60. Ideal for overnight crossings or families wanting privacy. Cabins include comfortable beds and en-suite facilities on some ships.

Best For:

Brighton/Sussex residents, Paris-bound travelers (Eurostar alternative), Normandy tourists, foot passengers, camping holidays in Normandy, avoiding M25 traffic entirely, more scenic leisurely crossing.

📍 See Full Guide: For complete Newhaven to Dieppe information including timetables, prices, and booking strategies, visit our detailed Newhaven to Dieppe ferry guide.

DFDS’s Newcastle to Amsterdam route offers a unique overnight ferry experience, connecting Northern England and Scotland directly to Holland.

Route Overview:

Distance: 240 nautical miles
Duration: 16 hours 45 minutes
Frequency: Daily departures both directions
Ships: Princess Seaways and King Seaways (large cruise ferries)
Departure time: Evening (arrive Amsterdam morning)
Price range: From £69 per person (based on 4 sharing cabin with car)

Why Choose Newcastle to Amsterdam:

✅ Save Accommodation: Overnight crossing = no hotel needed. Wake up in Amsterdam refreshed.

✅ Northern Convenience: Perfect for Scotland and Northern England. Avoid 300+ mile drive to Dover.

✅ Mini-Cruise Experience: Excellent facilities including restaurants, cinema, bars, entertainment.

✅ Gateway to Europe: Amsterdam connects to Germany, Belgium, France via excellent motorway network.

Best For:

Northern England/Scotland residents, Amsterdam city breaks, Holland flower tours, traveling to Germany via Holland, avoiding long UK drives, those wanting a mini-cruise experience, families who enjoy overnight ferry travel.

DFDS competes with other ferry operators on some routes. Here’s how they compare:

Factor	DFDS	P&O Ferries	Brittany Ferries
UK Routes	4 routes	2 routes	8 routes
Dover Frequency	52/day ⭐	23/day	N/A
Newhaven-Dieppe	✅ Exclusive	❌	❌
Newcastle-Amsterdam	✅ Exclusive	❌	❌
Price Range	£-££	£-££	££-£££
Best For	Frequency & Choice	Dover Only	Western France

Get the best prices and smoothest booking experience with these strategies.

Where to Book DFDS Ferries:

1. DFDS.com (Official Website) – RECOMMENDED

Best price guarantee
Manage booking online easily
Official promotions and early bird deals
DFDS Plus loyalty points
Direct customer service

2. Comparison Sites (Direct Ferries, AFerry, Ferry Savers)

Compare multiple operators at once
Sometimes exclusive discounts
Single search across all routes
Note: Check cancellation terms carefully

How to Get the Best DFDS Prices:

📅 Book 3-6 Months Ahead: Save 30-50% compared to last-minute bookings. Dover routes especially competitive.

🍂 Travel Off-Peak: October-April prices 40-60% lower than July-August. Midweek cheaper than weekends.

🎓 Use Discounts: Students 5%, seniors/youth/disabled 20% (phone booking +44 33 058 787 87).

📧 Email Alerts: Sign up for DFDS emails to receive exclusive early bird offers and flash sales.

🚶 Foot Passengers: Newhaven to Dieppe and Newcastle to Amsterdam welcome foot passengers. Dover routes require a vehicle.

↔️ Be Flexible: Sometimes sailing one day earlier/later saves £20-40. Use DFDS flexible dates tool.

DFDS ferries offer excellent facilities across all routes, with modern ships and comprehensive amenities.

🍽️ Dining Options

Self-service restaurants
À la carte dining (some routes)
Cafés and snack bars
Full English breakfast
Kids’ meal deals

🛍️ Shopping

Duty-free shops
Up to 50% off UK prices
Perfume & cosmetics
Alcohol & tobacco
Confectionery

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Facilities

Soft play areas
Video game zones
Baby changing rooms
Kids’ menus
Family seating areas

♿ Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible
Lifts to all decks
Accessible toilets
Assistance available
Priority boarding

🐕 Pet Travel

Pets stay in vehicle
Visit anytime
Onboard kennels (foot passengers)
Pet cabins available
£30 per pet each way

📶 Connectivity

Free Wi-Fi
Charging points
Work-friendly spaces
Mobile signal (varies)
Business lounges

Which DFDS ferry route is cheapest?

Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk typically offer competitive prices, starting from £89 for a car plus 4 passengers when booked 3+ months in advance during off-peak season (October-April). Newhaven to Dieppe starts from £87 for car plus 2 passengers and offers excellent value for Brighton residents and those heading to Paris or Normandy.

Can I travel as a foot passenger on DFDS ferries?

Foot passengers are welcome on Newhaven to Dieppe and Newcastle to Amsterdam routes. However, Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk require passengers to travel with a vehicle – foot passengers are not permitted on these routes. Newhaven to Dieppe is particularly foot passenger-friendly with a train station just 2 minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal.

How early should I book DFDS ferries?

Book 3-6 months in advance for the best prices, especially for school holidays and summer travel (July-August). Dover routes can fill up quickly on weekends. For off-peak travel (October-April), you can often book 4-6 weeks ahead and still get good prices. Last-minute bookings are possible but typically cost 30-50% more.

Can I take my dog on DFDS ferries?

Yes, DFDS is pet-friendly. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are welcome for £30 per pet each way. Vehicle passengers’ pets stay in the vehicle (you can visit anytime during the crossing). Foot passengers can use free onboard kennels or book pet-friendly cabins. Pets must be booked in advance and require proper documentation (post-Brexit: microchip, rabies vaccination, Animal Health Certificate).

What’s the fastest DFDS ferry crossing?

Dover to Calais is the fastest, taking 100 minutes (1 hour 40 minutes). This is the shortest Channel crossing and DFDS’s flagship route with up to 30 departures daily. Dover to Dunkirk takes 2 hours, Newhaven to Dieppe averages 4 hours, and Newcastle to Amsterdam is an overnight crossing of 16 hours 45 minutes.

Do DFDS ferries have cabins?

Cabins are available on Newhaven to Dieppe (£20-60 extra) and Newcastle to Amsterdam routes (included in fare). Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk do not have cabins as these are short daytime crossings. Newcastle to Amsterdam cabins include comfortable beds, en-suite facilities, TV, and air conditioning.

What are DFDS check-in times?

For vehicle passengers, check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. DFDS recommends arriving 90 minutes before departure during busy periods (May-September and school holidays). Foot passengers should arrive 60-90 minutes before departure. Newcastle to Amsterdam passengers should arrive 60-90 minutes early due to overnight boarding procedures.

Ready to Book Your DFDS Ferry?

Compare routes, check live availability, and book your crossing today

Book DFDS Ferry Now

Book direct for best price guarantee and easiest booking management