Dover to Dunkirk Ferry services are operated by DFDS Seaways (formerly known as Norfolk Line Ferries).
The crossing time on the DFDS ferry takes a little longer at 2 hours than the crossing to Calais (1 ½ hours) and quite a bit longer than Eurotunnel to Calais (35 minutes) but it is pretty much often the cheapest way to cross the channel. The motorway links are great from the Dunkirk ferry port so it sometimes pays to go to Dunkirk if you’re going further afield as DFDS can provide really good value fares even in the peak summer months.
DFDS ferries run up to 12 crossings a day on this route and their ships are modern, large and light with plenty of space and as they only take car and freight bookings on this route there are never coach loads of kids running about, personally a big plus! Food services are available, it’s not gourmet fare but it’s good value and definitely up to standard.
DFDS Dover Dunkirk route does not take foot passengers – as there is no public transport service to or from Dunkirk port like there is in Calais there is probably not much call for such a service.
The port terminal is in the middle of an industrial estate and there’s nothing else around once you get there, so don’t bank on getting there early and finding somewhere to sit and enjoy a meal or shopping while you wait. Instead, if you have the chance pop into Dunkirk itself about 12 miles away – there are plenty of great restaurants, a lively shopping centre and you’ll find its a really fun place to visit.
DFDS offers a service that they is really efficient with quick loading and unloading, friendly staff, good ships and good value for money.
From February 2012 DFDS partnered with LD lines to operate crossings between Dover and Calais in addition to their Dunkirk route.
