FAQs
Rosslare - Dunkirk
Frequently asked questions
Booking Tickets
What details do I need to provide when making a booking?
To make a booking with us, we will ask for the following details: Full name, address, email, telephone number and details of the passengers traveling. When booking with us you will need to inform us of the full name and date of birth of all the individual passengers travelling on the booking. All names must be in accordance with each individual’s passport. It is always the passenger’s responsibility to supply us with the correct name and date of birth. Please ensure you make us aware at the time of booking if you require any additional assistance or are travelling with reduced mobility.
When will I receive my tickets?
DFDS do not issue paper tickets. You will receive an e-mail booking confirmation which is valid as a travel document once payment has been received. All meals are included.
Can I book several vehicles on one ticket?
No, it's one vehicle per ticket. You would need to book a ticket per vehicle.
How do I know which category my car belongs to?
Please make sure you know the height and length of your vehicle including any extra bike racks or roof boxes and choose the vehicle type and size that matches. Vehicles declared incorrectly at the time of booking risk being refused boarding or may be subject to additional charges at the port.
Traveling as a foot passenger
On our Rosslare - Dunkirk routes we are unable to accept foot passengers. To use this service, you must have a vehicle.
What are the recognised forms of ID?
It is compulsory for all passengers (including babies) to have their own valid passport or officially recognised European Union I.D. card when travelling to and from Ireland or France. In some cases, a visa may also be required. If you are driving a vehicle, you will also need a valid driving licence. If you are a UK passport holder travelling into an EU member country (except Ireland), as of 1 January 2021, you must make sure your passport:
- is valid for at least three months from the date you will leave the EU member country, unless the person has an EU-issued residence permit or an EU long-term visa.
- should be issued within the previous ten years upon the date of arrival.
- It is your responsibility to make sure your passport is valid to travel to/from the EU.
- French people not resident in the United Kingdom and entering UK territory will have to carry a passport. The identity card will no longer be accepted as a travel document.
- For French people resident in the UK who have settled or pre-settled status, the identity card will remain valid until 2025. Note: If you have a passport and an identity card, you are strongly advised to travel with the identity document that is linked to your resident (settled or pre-settled) status in the UK.
It is responsibility of each passenger, parent, guardian or group leader to ensure that the documentation is valid and readily available for inspection at check-in. DFDS does not accept any liability in this regard. The onus is on the passenger to ensure that the documentation is correct.
Non-EU nationals should check with the French Embassy or with the Irish Embassy before travelling as they may need a visa as well as a passport. A visa can take several weeks to obtain so please make the necessary arrangements well ahead of your travel date.
Passengers who turn up at our ports without a valid passport or an officially recognised European Union ID card (and a visa if required) will not be allowed to travel and / or enter either France or Ireland.
Pre-departure boarding of a DFDS vessel is conditional on the passenger(s) being in possession of valid documentation to comply with the immigration laws of the country of destination. This is the personal responsibility of the passenger.
DFDS shall also be entitled to recover from the passenger(s) all fines and/or other costs incurred on it by reason of the passenger's failure to produce immigration documentation satisfactory to the relevant authorities.
Drivers of vehicles must carry and be able to produce a valid driving licence. Failure to do so may prevent entry into Ireland or France. For more specific information see:
Paying For Your Booking
Payment of journeys and other products must be made when you book unless otherwise noted. The confirmation advice is only valid in combination with the credit or debit card used for payment and, therefore, you must bring that credit or debit card with you to check-in.
The booking is only binding with DFDS when payment has been received. You can pay with selected credit / debit cards and online payment methods.
Can I reserve a ticket and pay for it later?
You can't reserve DFDS tickets as we work with a flexible price system so you would have to pay at time of booking.
Can I pay at port?
DFDS cannot take payment for Dunkirk – Rosslare crossings at port, please do not present yourself at check-in without a reservation.
How do I amend my booking?
To amend your booking please login to your account, or contact us via e-mail at: travel.sales@dfds.com
Up to what point can an amendment be made to a booking?
You can make amends to bookings up to 2 working days before your date of departure.
What happens if I want to cancel my booking?
Our cancellation policy is subject to our Long Sea Route terms and conditions, in the event of a cancellation initiated by you the charge is 100% of total fare.
Can I view my booking online?
Yes, bookings can be viewed online.
Can I bring my travel cot to use on the ferry?
You are only allowed to use a travel cot in our premium cabins due to space allowance and health and safety regulations. Please note that there is limited space even in the premium cabins, so it might not be advisable. We do offer bed rails for children and infants, please ask at Guest Service Centre when you're onboard.
Is there a limit to how many people can stay in a cabin?
You cannot over occupy on our cabins unless it is by 1 infant (Up to 2years of age), and the infant would have to share with the parents.
Is it necessary to bring identification when checking in and or boarding?
All travellers will need a valid passport of form of ID. If you are not able to show a valid passport or form of ID you will be refused at check-in.
When do I need to check-in?
Please check in no later than 2 hours prior to departure. We recommend you arrive no earlier than 3 hours prior to departure.
Carriage of Gas and Fuel
If your vehicle is fitted with gas cylinders, up to 3 gas cylinders may be carried, the combined weight of which must not exceed 47 kg; Butane/Propane (for lighting, cooking or heating purposes only), or Propane/Helium. The transport of jerry cans on-board is specifically forbidden, full or empty.
What is the baggage allowance?
There is no weight limit of your baggage when travelling by ferry with DFDS. You do however need to be able to safely handle everything yourself.
Ferry ports, terminals, and timetables
What are the terminal addresses?
Rosslare: Rosslare Harbour, Calafort Ros Láir, Ballygillane Big, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Dunkirk: Terminal Car Ferry, Port 5670, Route de la Maison Blanche 59279 Loon-Plage France
All port addresses can be found on our terminals page.
Are there parking options at the terminal?
Rosslare: The port has 24-hour parking available within 5 minutes from the building. The port also offers disabled parking closer to the main terminal building, and a pick-up and drop-off zone directly outside the building. The cost of parking ranges depending on how long you’re staying.
Dunkirk: In front of the main office we have a car parking for customers. This is private parking (DFDS) and is free for short term stays.
What forms of payment are accepted onboard?
Our restaurants, bars and shops accept cash payments in Euros and a wide range of credit card and debit card options are also available.
May I bring my own food and drink onboard?
Passengers are not allowed to bring their own food and drink on board for personal consumption in public areas. Any personal food and drink being consumed in public areas on board may be confiscated. You are not permitted to bring alcohol onboard. Baby and infant food is exempt from this rule.
What is included in my Inclusive meals onboard?
All crossings include access to our buffet style restaurants, with soft drinks such as juice e.g. cordial and tea/coffee included.
A total of four meals are served onboard during the crossing.
Our chefs onboard will happily accommodate any dietary requirements and preferences.
Is there a Wi-Fi available onboard?
Wi-Fi packages are available to purchase at Guest Information onboard Athena & Optima Seaways.
Is there entertainment onboard?
Our long crossing provides you a chance to relax at sea. We recommend that you make the most of this time by bringing your own entertainment with you on the journey, such as books, laptops, movies, and games for children.
Is smoking allowed?
Smoking is prohibited onboard unless you are in a designated area on the outside deck. There will be signs onboard to show you where you can and can't smoke. You can also ask our crew for further details.
Can I stay in the car during the crossing?
Due to health and safety reasons, you will not be able to stay in the vehicle as the car deck has to be locked during the crossing. Please make sure you get all your needed luggage out of your vehicle as you will not be able to return to it during the crossing.
What forms of payment are accepted on the ferry?
Cash is accepted in EUR, and there is a currency exchange onboard where you can change any currency. Most major credit cards are accepted onboard including MasterCard and Visa.
Are there medical facilities onboard?
All our crew are first-aid trained. We do not have any medical facilities onboard, so you need to make sure you are fit and well to travel. We do recommend that you have travel insurance in case of emergency.
What is my Duty Free Allowance?
When purchasing Duty Free, there is a limit to the number of products you can bring back. Take a look at our handy infographic for clear information on how much Duty Free you can land. Your Allowance will vary depending on whether you are travelling to an EU country from the UK or returning to the UK from the EU.
Can I travel with pets?
Yes, you can travel with a pet. Pets are only allowed in a pet-friendly cabin Pets need to be booked onto the ticket and this can only be done by contacting us. For more information visit our pet travel page.
What documents do I require for my pet?
Your pet needs a valid passport that is aligned with government pet travel rules of the country you are travelling to and from. Please see more information on our pet travel page.
Is my pet allowed in public areas?
All pets must remain in the pet friendly cabin, kennel, or in the vehicle unless they are classed as a guide dog or service animal. Paperwork will need to be provided.
Do you offer wheelchair cabins?
We do have wheelchair accessible cabins, both inside and seaview. These are not bookable online, please contact us for further details or call us on 03448486090.
I am on medication that needs to be refrigerated, where can I do this?
To allow you to store medication please let us know at the time of booking to give the ship advance notice and approval.
Is there a lift on the ferry?
Yes, we do have lifts on our ships. If you require to be parked near one, you must let us know at the time of booking.
How do I contact lost property?
Please contact us via e-mail at: ireland.francebookings@dfds.com
As you may have heard in the media, several changes are coming to how the European Union and United Kingdom control their borders.
EES
The EU is introducing the European Entry Exit System (EES), an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of European countries. The date of commencement is to be confirmed. More details can be found on the official Entry/Exit System website.
ETIAS
In the future, most non-EU citizens will be required to have a travel authorisation (ETIAS) to enter most European countries. The date of commencement is yet to be confirmed. More details can be found on the official ETIAS website.
UK ETA
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation is a new requirement for people who do not need a visa to come to the UK. It gives you permission to travel to the UK, and it is electronically linked to your passport. It is currently due to come into force in November 2023. However, it is being introduced on a rolling basis, with EU citizens not currently expected to be affected until later in 2024. Full details can be found at the UK ETA website.
Please note that the new controls only affect our non-Schengen routes (i.e. UK routes and Rosslare – Dunkerque).
DFDS is fully preparing for the arrival of these new measures, cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure that we continue to carry our passengers on their journeys without major disruption.
We will inform you of the travel requirements that will be applicable to you where those are known at the time of booking. We will contact you with details of any updated information after booking. However, please note that it is the responsibility of passengers to ensure that they are in permission of the correct documentation and completed relevant formalities.
DFDS ferry mobile app
The DFDS app is your ideal travel companion.
- View live departures and arrival times
- Access your booking pass
- Keep up to date with the latest travel announcements
- Follow your journey with your personalised itinerary
- Find information about onboard facilities
- Find directions to your DFDS terminals
Simply log into the app using your booking number to access these great features.
Championing the Seas!
We're elated to announce that DFDS has once again retained its title as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator at the 2024 World Travel Awards.
This accolade wouldn’t have been possible without you, our loyal passengers. Thank you for recognising the hard work of our exceptional team members who are dedicated to ensuring each voyage is as exceptional as the next.
Your ongoing support is the anchor to our success.