Brighton to Dieppe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide 2026

Brighton to Dieppe: Quick Reference Guide

How to Get from Brighton to Dieppe: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The journey from Brighton to Dieppe is straightforward and stress-free. Follow this step-by-step guide for a smooth journey.

The first leg of your journey is a train ride from Brighton to Newhaven Town station.

Which Brighton Station to Use:

Brighton station (main station) is the primary departure point. It’s centrally located and well-connected to all parts of the city. Brighton station is served by Southern Railway with direct services to Newhaven Town.

Train Service Details:

• Operator: Southern Railway
• Journey time: 27-35 minutes (average around 30 minutes)
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes throughout the day
• Weekend service: Approximately every 30 minutes
• Cost: Around £10 return, £5-7 single (prices vary)

Buying Train Tickets:

You can purchase tickets at Brighton station ticket office, from ticket machines, or online via the Southern Railway website or Trainline app. Advance booking is not required for this journey, but buying a return ticket saves money compared to two singles.

Platform Information:

Newhaven services typically depart from platforms 3, 4, or 5 at Brighton station. Check the departure boards upon arrival. The platforms are well-signposted and easily accessible.

Journey Experience:

The train follows the scenic south coast route, passing through Falmer (home to Brighton University and the Amex Stadium), Lewes (the historic county town), and Southease before arriving at Newhaven Town. On a clear day, you’ll catch glimpses of the South Downs National Park.

This is the easiest part of the journey — Newhaven Town railway station is located very close to the ferry terminal.

Walking Route:

Exit Newhaven Town station and the ferry terminal is approximately 250 metres away — around a 3-minute walk. Follow the clear signage marked “Ferry Terminal” or “Newhaven Port”. The route is flat, paved, and fully accessible for wheelchairs and those with reduced mobility.

What You’ll See:

As you walk from the station, you’ll see the ferry terminal building ahead of you. The two DFDS ferries — Côte d’Albâtre and Seven Sisters — are often visible in the harbour, especially if you’re arriving for an afternoon or evening sailing.

Check-In Location:

Head to the passenger terminal building. For foot passengers, check-in is on the ground floor. Present your ferry booking confirmation (printed or on your phone) and your passport at the check-in desk.

Timing:

DFDS recommends arriving at the ferry terminal 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time. This allows ample time for check-in, passport control, and boarding.

Once you’ve checked in, you’ll wait in the departure lounge until foot passengers are called to board.

Boarding Process:

When foot passengers are called (typically 30-40 minutes before departure), you’ll be directed to a shuttle bus that transfers you from the terminal directly to the ferry. The bus ride takes about 2 minutes along the jetty to where the ferry is docked. You must be able to carry your own luggage, as no trolleys or luggage carts are provided for foot passengers on the shuttle bus.

Ferry Facilities Onboard:

Once aboard the Côte d’Albâtre or Seven Sisters, you’ll find:

• Comfortable reclining seats in multiple lounges (every seat has USB-C charging)
• 7 Seas Restaurant with panoramic windows and table service
• Lighthouse Café (self-service) and Horizon Restaurant (pizzas, pastas)
• Beachy Head Bar with floor-to-ceiling windows
• Children’s play area with soft play equipment and video games
• Duty-free shop (138m²) selling cosmetics, perfumes, alcohol, tobacco, and souvenirs
• Free Wi-Fi (too slow for streaming, but good for browsing and messaging)
• Wheelchair-accessible toilets on Decks 6 and 7
• Lifts connecting all passenger decks

Private Cabins:

Cabins are available from £32 (in addition to your ferry fare), ideal for the overnight sailing or if you want privacy and quiet during the journey. Book cabins in advance as availability is limited — only 50 cabins per ship.

Crossing Duration:

The ferry crossing takes approximately 4 hours. The overnight sailing (23:00) takes approximately 5 hours, arriving in Dieppe at 05:00 French local time.

Time Zone Change:

Remember that France is 1 hour ahead of the UK. When you depart Newhaven at 09:30 UK time, you’ll arrive in Dieppe at 14:30 French time (13:30 UK time + 1 hour). Your phone should automatically adjust.

When the ferry docks in Dieppe, foot passengers disembark after vehicle passengers have departed. Follow the signs to the passenger exit.

Customs and Immigration:

After Brexit, UK citizens now require passport checks when entering France. Have your passport ready. EU citizens can use the EU lanes for faster processing.

From Dieppe Port to Town Centre:

Option 1 – Walk (20-30 minutes):

Exit the port and turn left onto Quai Henri IV. Follow the waterfront past the fishing port and harbour. Continue straight until you reach Boulevard de Verdun, which leads into the town centre. The walk is flat and scenic, passing Dieppe’s historic seafront.

Option 2 – Shuttle Bus to Train Station (€3 adult, recommended):

The Grisel shuttle bus runs from the ferry terminal to Dieppe train station (Gare de Dieppe). Journey time is 15-20 minutes. Adult fare is €3, children €1.50, under-3s free. Cash euros only — cards are not accepted. Buy your ticket on the bus.

Option 3 – Taxi (€10-15):

Taxis are available at the port exit. Ango Dieppe Taxi: +33 (0)2 35 40 40 00. A taxi to Dieppe town centre or train station costs approximately €10-15. Journey time is 5-10 minutes depending on traffic.

Dieppe Train Station:

Dieppe’s SNCF train station (Gare de Dieppe) is approximately 2km from the ferry terminal. From here, direct trains run to:

• Paris Gare Saint-Lazare: 2 hours 30 minutes, frequent daily services
• Rouen: 45 minutes, connecting to Paris and other French cities
• Le Havre: 2 hours, for onward ferry connections

Continuing to Paris:

If your final destination is Paris, the total journey time from Brighton to Paris via Dieppe is approximately 7.5 hours:

• Brighton to Newhaven: ~30 minutes
• Newhaven to Dieppe: 4 hours
• Dieppe port to train station: 30 minutes (including walk/bus)
• Dieppe to Paris: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Total: approximately 7 hours 30 minutes (allowing for connections)

This compares favourably to the Eurostar route (Brighton to London St Pancras + Eurostar to Paris = approximately 5-6 hours) and is significantly cheaper, especially for advance bookings. See our complete Brighton to Paris guide below.

Brighton to Newhaven Train Timetable

Southern Railway operates frequent services between Brighton and Newhaven Town throughout the day. Below is a typical timetable showing service patterns.

Connecting with Ferry Departures:

Allow approximately 30 minutes for the train journey from Brighton, plus 3 minutes to walk to the terminal. DFDS recommends arriving 90 minutes before departure.

Train times are approximate — always check live departures on the Southern Railway website or National Rail before travel. Aim to arrive at the terminal at least 90 minutes before departure where possible.

Ferry Timetable: Newhaven to Dieppe

DFDS Seaways operates regular ferry services from Newhaven to Dieppe throughout the year. Below are the standard sailing times.

All Dieppe arrival times shown in French local time (1 hour ahead of UK). Always confirm your specific sailing time when booking.

During summer school holidays (typically July-August), DFDS increases capacity with up to 4 daily sailings on weekends:

Brighton to Dieppe: Complete Cost Breakdown

Understanding the total cost of travelling from Brighton to Dieppe helps you budget accurately and find the best deals.

Ferry fares are for one-way crossing only. Vehicle bookings include all passengers. Add train costs for total Brighton to Dieppe journey cost.

Note: All 20% discounts apply to the crossing fare only (not cabins or pets). All discounts must be booked by phone. Lead passenger must present proof of eligibility at port. Discounts cannot be combined with each other.

Why Choose Brighton to Dieppe Over Other Routes?

The Brighton to Dieppe ferry route offers several unique advantages compared to other cross-Channel options.

If your final destination is Paris, here’s how the Brighton to Dieppe route compares to Eurostar:

Travelling as a Foot Passenger from Brighton

The Brighton to Dieppe route is particularly well-suited for foot passengers. Here’s everything you need to know about car-free travel.

Why Travel as a Foot Passenger?

💰 Cost Savings:

Foot passenger travel is significantly cheaper. A return journey can cost as little as £80-100 (including trains), compared to much more with a car.

🅿️ No Parking Costs:

Avoid parking fees in Brighton and in France. City centre parking in Paris costs €30-50 per day alone.

🔄 Flexibility:

Easily adjust plans, change ferry times (subject to availability), and explore freely using public transport.

🚆 Public Transport Access:

Both Brighton and Dieppe have excellent connections, making car-free travel completely viable and often more convenient.

🌱 Environmental Impact:

Train and ferry travel produces approximately 60-70% lower carbon emissions than driving the equivalent route.

Luggage Guidelines for Foot Passengers

What You Can Bring:

Unlike airlines, ferries don’t have strict luggage limits. Foot passengers can bring as much luggage as they can comfortably carry themselves. Typically this means:

• 1-2 large suitcases per person
• Hand luggage/backpack
• Shopping bags or additional items

Important Luggage Rules:

• Large luggage (over 56cm x 45cm x 25cm) must be stored in designated baggage areas at the terminal and loaded onto the vessel — it will not be accessible during the crossing
• You are allowed 1 piece of hand luggage onboard with you
• You must carry your own luggage — no trolleys on shuttle bus
• Valuable items should stay in hand luggage with you

Practical Packing Tips:

• Use wheeled suitcases for easier handling across train + ferry
• Pack a small day bag for valuables and essentials during crossing
• If travelling with children, ensure they can manage their own small bag
• Consider a backpack for hands-free carrying

Brighton to Paris via Dieppe: Complete Journey Guide

For travellers heading to Paris, the Brighton to Dieppe route offers an affordable and scenic alternative to Eurostar.

Total Journey Breakdown: Brighton to Paris

This compares favourably to the Eurostar route (Brighton to London St Pancras + Eurostar to Paris = approximately 5-6 hours) and is significantly cheaper, especially for advance bookings.

Pet Travel: Brighton to Dieppe with Dogs & Cats

DFDS welcomes pets on the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry. Here’s a quick overview of travelling with your dog or cat.

Pet Travel Costs:

£20 per pet, each way (one-way crossing). This fee is fixed and applies in all seasons.

Pets Allowed:

• Dogs (all breeds) — onboard kennels available for foot passengers (3 kennels per ship, dogs only)
• Cats — must stay in vehicle or pet cabin
• Other pets — contact DFDS to confirm

Booking Requirements:

• Must be booked in advance — cannot be added at check-in
• Foot passengers with pets must book by phone: +44 33 058 787 87
• Fee applies to each animal, each direction

Pet Accommodation Options:

• Vehicle passengers: Pets stay in your vehicle (you can visit during the crossing — speak to crew at Guest Service Centre)
• Foot passengers with dogs: Onboard kennels (£20 per dog, bring own bedding) OR pet-friendly cabin (from £32 cabin supplement + £20 pet fee)

Required Pet Documents:

Since Brexit, UK pets travelling to the EU need:

• Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from vet (valid 10 days before travel)
• Microchip (ISO compliant)
• Rabies vaccination (current and at least 21 days old)
• Tapeworm treatment for dogs only (1-5 days before travel, recorded in AHC)

Guide Dogs & Assistance Dogs:

Registered guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge (the £20 pet fee does not apply) and can remain with their handler throughout the crossing in all passenger areas. Must be declared at booking with appropriate certification.

Accessibility: Travelling with Reduced Mobility

The Brighton to Dieppe ferry route is fully accessible for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility.

Brighton to Newhaven Accessibility:

• Brighton station has step-free access
• Newhaven Town station is accessible
• 3-minute walk (250 metres) to ferry terminal is flat and paved
• Dropped kerbs throughout

Ferry Terminal Accessibility:

• Step-free access throughout Newhaven terminal
• Automatic doors
• Wheelchair-accessible toilets
• Accessible check-in desks
• Staff assistance available

Onboard Ferry Accessibility:

• Passenger lifts connecting all decks
• Wheelchair-accessible toilets on Decks 6 and 7
• Designated wheelchair seating areas with USB-C charging
• Accessible cabins available (limited, book ahead)
• Wide doorways and turning circles throughout

Request Assistance:

Contact DFDS when booking to arrange assistance:

• Phone: +44 33 058 787 87
• Provide at least 48 hours notice (earlier strongly recommended)
• Specify mobility aids (wheelchair, scooter, walking frame)
• Disabled passengers receive 20% discount on the crossing fare (plus companion also gets 20%)