Photo: Abishanth Ahilan / UnsplashDFDS
From the operator
Limited capacity for pet travel on the Rosslare-Dunkirk route.
Book with DFDS
Book direct with DFDS. No fees from Ferryu.
- Operator
- 1
- Sailings
- 5 a week
Checked against dfds.com on 9 November 2026
Are you thinking of taking the ferry from Rosslare to Dunkirk? DFDS sail this route, and it's a handy way to get from Rosslare to France by sea.
The DFDS ferry from Rosslare to France takes just under 24 hours. DFDS typically operate five sailings per week from Rosslare to Dunkirk, so it's worth comparing your options on Ferryu before you book with the operator.
- DFDS sail from Rosslare to France in just under 24 hours
- Typically five sailings per week from Rosslare to Dunkirk
- Four meals at the self-service restaurant are included in your fare on the Rosslare–Dunkirk crossing
- Limited capacity for pet travel on the Rosslare-Dunkirk route
At a glance
- Sailings
- 5 a week
- DFDS
- Arrives
- Dunkirk
- France
Who sails this route
Photo: Abishanth Ahilan / UnsplashSailing with DFDS
DFDS typically operate five sailings per week departing from Rosslare and arriving in Dunkirk. The crossing from Rosslare to France takes just under 24 hours, so it's a good idea to plan ahead and book early for the best choice of sailings.
On your Rosslare–Dunkirk crossing, four meals at the DFDS self-service restaurant are included in your fare.
Travelling with a pet? DFDS have a limited capacity for pet travel on the Rosslare-Dunkirk route, so be sure to check availability in good time.
Before you travel
The DFDS terminal in Rosslare is at Rosslare Harbour, Calafort Ros Láir, Ballygillane Big, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Be sure to check in good time and have your booking details to hand when you arrive.
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
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1 | 3.1 | 56.3 | 8.0 |
| February | 7.6 | 3.1 | 47.4 | 8.0 |
| March | 10.2 | 4.7 | 46.3 | 8.6 |
| April | 13.4 | 6.6 | 43.9 | 10.6 |
| May | 16.5 | 9.6 | 54.0 | 13.8 |
| June | 19.2 | 12.2 | 54.3 | 16.8 |
| July | 21.6 | 14.5 | 53.6 | 18.9 |
| August | 21.8 | 14.7 | 63.2 | 20.0 |
| September | 19.0 | 12.4 | 55.1 | 19.2 |
| October | 15.0 | 9.5 | 64.6 | 16.1 |
| November | 10.6 | 6.3 | 64.7 | 12.5 |
| December | 7.7 | 3.8 | 68.3 | 9.4 |
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.
Questions answered
How long is the ferry from Rosslare to Dunkirk?
The ferry from Rosslare to France takes just under 24 hours. (DFDS, dfds.com)
How often does it sail?
5 a week.
typically five sailings per week departing from Rosslare and arriving in Dunkirk. (DFDS, dfds.com)
Can I bring my dog?
Yes.
Limited capacity for pet travel on the Rosslare-Dunkirk route. (DFDS, dfds.com)
Plan your trip
Top 10 Things To Do In Dunkirk
The best things to do in Dunkirk: the beaches at Malo-les-Bains, the Dunkirk 1940 museum, the belfry, the port museum and the 2027 carnival, with opening times and prices from the official sites.
Day trips to France by ferry
Which ferry crossings suit a day trip to France, the operators' own day trip offers, what to bring and a simple plan for the day. Every fact comes from the operators or GOV.UK, checked 10 November 2026.
Lille Christmas Market 2026
Lille Christmas market 2026: dates and opening hours, the big wheel on the Grand'Place, and how to get there from the Calais and Dunkirk ferries for a day trip or a weekend.
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.
Compare routes to France
Crossing times and the lowest fare I found on each route. Fares change by date.
| Route | Operator | Crossing | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosslare to Dunkirk This route | DFDS | – | – |
| Cork to Roscoff | Brittany Ferries | 14–15 hours | – |
| Dover to Calais | DFDS and P&O Ferries | 90–100 minutes | – |
| Dover to Dunkirk | DFDS | From 2 hours | – |
| Dublin to Cherbourg | Irish Ferries | – | – |
| Newhaven to Dieppe | DFDS | 4–5 hours | £117 |
| Plymouth to Roscoff | Brittany Ferries | 5–11 hours | – |
| Poole to Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries | About 5 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 | – |
More ferries to France
More ferries from Rosslare
All ferries to France · More from Rosslare ferry port · More from Dunkirk ferry port