Photo: Abishanth Ahilan / UnsplashDFDS
From the operator
Regular offers on cosmetics, perfume, confectionery and alcohol on the crossing to Dunkirk.
Book with DFDS
Book direct with DFDS. No fees from Ferryu.
- Crossing time
- About 2 hours
- Operator
- 1
Checked against dfds.com on 11 November 2026
The Dover to Dunkirk ferry takes about 2 hours with DFDS.
Are you planning a drive over to France? The Dover to Dunkirk ferry is sailed by DFDS, with crossings taking from just two hours.
DFDS run up to 22 sailings throughout the day and night, 7 days a week, so you have plenty of choice when picking a time that suits your plans.
- Crossings take from just two hours.
- Up to 22 sailings throughout the day and night, 7 days a week.
- First ferry 02:00, last ferry 23:59.
- Vehicle travel only. Foot passengers can't use this route.
- Bicycles, motorbikes, vans and motorhomes can travel.
At a glance
- Crossing
- About 2 hours
- Dover to Dunkirk
- Vehicles
- Vehicles only, no foot passengers
- DFDS
- Arrives
- Dunkirk
- France
Who sails this route
Photo: Abishanth Ahilan / UnsplashSailing with DFDS
DFDS operate up to 22 sailings throughout the day and night, 7 days a week. The first ferry is at 02:00 and the last at 23:59, so early starts and late departures are both possible.
You can't travel as a foot passenger on this route. You can only travel with a vehicle. Along with your car, you can take your bicycle, motorbike, van or motorhome.
Compare sailings on Ferryu, and book early for the best choice of times.
Before you travel
DFDS say their Dunkirk port is less than 30 minutes from the Belgium border, worth knowing if your plans take you that way. Whichever direction you're sailing, be sure to check in good time.
When you arrive in Dunkirk
Colourful houses along the harbour front in DunkirkPhoto: Alexander Van Steenberge / Unsplash 
A sailing ship moored in front of Dunkirk's colourful harbour housesPhoto: Alexander Van Steenberge / Unsplash 
Boats in the marina at DunkirkPhoto: Andrew Perabeau / Unsplash 
A tall ship in a harbour basin in DunkirkPhoto: Alexander Van Steenberge / Unsplash
Our Dunkirk port is less than 30 minutes from the Belgium border
Weather in Dunkirk
- Warmest month: August, average high 22°C.
- Wettest month: December, about 68 mm of rain.
- Sea at its warmest in August, about 20°C.
- Daylight: about 7h 57m in mid-December, 16h 31m in mid-June.
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Show the numbers
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Sea °C | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1 | 3.1 | 56.3 | 8.0 | 8h 23m |
| February | 7.6 | 3.1 | 47.4 | 8.0 | 9h 59m |
| March | 10.2 | 4.7 | 46.3 | 8.6 | 11h 46m |
| April | 13.4 | 6.6 | 43.9 | 10.6 | 13h 46m |
| May | 16.5 | 9.6 | 54.0 | 13.8 | 15h 30m |
| June | 19.2 | 12.2 | 54.3 | 16.8 | 16h 31m |
| July | 21.6 | 14.5 | 53.6 | 18.9 | 16h 08m |
| August | 21.8 | 14.7 | 63.2 | 20.0 | 14h 39m |
| September | 19.0 | 12.4 | 55.1 | 19.2 | 12h 44m |
| October | 15.0 | 9.5 | 64.6 | 16.1 | 10h 49m |
| November | 10.6 | 6.3 | 64.7 | 12.5 | 8h 59m |
| December | 7.7 | 3.8 | 68.3 | 9.4 | 7h 57m |
1991–2020 averages, ERA5 via Open-Meteo, read at the grid point nearest the port (7 km away). Sea surface: 2023–2024 averages from the Open-Meteo Marine Weather API, which has no sea temperatures before late 2022. Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th of each month at the port's latitude (51.03°N), calculated by Ferryu.
Questions answered
How long is the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk?
How often does the Dover to Dunkirk ferry sail?
Can I take my car or motorbike?
Can I travel as a foot passenger?
No, you need a vehicle on this crossing.
You cannot travel as a foot passenger on this route, you can only travel with a vehicle. (DFDS, dfds.com)
Can I bring my dog?
Yes.
Pet friendly; pets must remain in your vehicle. (DFDS, dfds.com)
What's on board?
Regular offers on cosmetics, perfume, confectionery and alcohol on the crossing to Dunkirk. (DFDS, dfds.com)
Plan your trip
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Plan a ferry day trip to France: Calais, Dunkirk and Dieppe compared, day trips from Portsmouth, what to do, foot passenger options, day trip offers and what to bring.
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Taking a dog on a ferry from the UK: GOV.UK pet travel rules for the EU, Ireland and Northern Ireland, plus where pets travel on each ferry operator.
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UK duty-free allowance when you come back by ferry
How much alcohol, tobacco and other goods you can bring back to Great Britain by ferry without paying tax or duty, the different rules for Northern Ireland, and France's allowances going the other way. Every figure from GOV.UK or official EU and French sources, checked 9 November 2026.
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Sixteen French ski resorts for a self-drive ski holiday, side by side: ski area, km of pistes, top altitude and 2026-27 season dates, plus France's winter tyre rules and the ferries that start the drive. From the resorts' own sites, checked 10 November 2026.
Compare routes to France
Crossing times and the lowest fare I found on each route. Fares change by date.
| Route | Operator | Crossing | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover to Dunkirk This route | DFDS | About 2 hours | – |
| Cork to Roscoff | Brittany Ferries | 14–15 hours | – |
| Dover to Calais | DFDS and P&O Ferries | 90–100 minutes | – |
| Dublin to Cherbourg | Irish Ferries | – | – |
| Newhaven to Dieppe | DFDS | 4–5 hours | £117 |
| Plymouth to Roscoff | Brittany Ferries | 5–11 hours | – |
| Portsmouth to Caen | Brittany Ferries | 6–8 hours | – |
| Portsmouth to Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries | 5–8 hours | – |
| Portsmouth to St Malo | Brittany Ferries | 9–12½ hours | – |
| Rosslare to Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries | 15–20 hours | – |
| Rosslare to Dunkirk | DFDS | – | – |
More ferries to France
More ferries from Dover
All ferries to France · More from Dover ferry port · More from Dunkirk ferry port
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