FAQs

Can I book several vehicles on one ticket?

No, it's one vehicle per ticket. You would need to book a ticket per vehicle.

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Travelling with a bicycle

Dover to Calais/Dunkirk & Dieppe/Newhaven On our UK – France routes we are only able to accept 1 passenger per bicycle, therefore this means you can’t turn up with a suitcase, pet or even another person in your basket.

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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.

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Are passengers without a vehicle allowed on the ship?

On our Dover - Calais/Dunkirk routes we are unable to accept foot passengers due to operational reasons. In order to use this service, you must have a vehicle.

On Dieppe - Newhaven route you are allowed to travel as a foot passenger or with a vehicle.

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Can I book tickets on the day of the departure?

Yes you can book a ticket at port on the day of departure. But for the best prices and in order to make sure there is availability we do advise to prebook.

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Is there age restrictions / do you offer unaccompanied minor service?

Unfortunately, we do not offer an unaccompanied minor service due to security regulations. A parent or guardian must accompany people under the age of 18 years. Young people between the ages of 16 years and 17 years can travel alone on a ferry crossing if the parent or custodial parent has given written permission for it. Failure to produce this letter at check-in may result in refusal of travel.

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Traveling as a foot passenger

Dover to Calais/Dunkirk

On our Dover - Calais/Dunkirk routes we are unable to accept foot passengers on these routes. To use this service, you must have a vehicle.

Dieppe – Newhaven

On Dieppe - Newhaven route you are allowed to travel as a foot passenger. Below is some useful information you will need to be aware if in preparation of your journey with us.

• Check-in time; 90 minutes before departure.
• All luggage must be labelled and must not be left unattended on board our ships.
• Luggage larger than cabin baggage (56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm) must be placed in the luggage trolley. Please note that the trolley will be inaccessible for the entire journey.
• If you have a transport connection, it is important to consider the time required to collect your luggage and pass through the Immigration Controls. (For a problem-free journey, it is recommended that you allow a minimum of 45 minutes after the ship's arrival time).
• If you are travelling with your pet, please present at the Terminal with the necessary documents, for more information : Pet Travel | DFDS. A DFDS employee will accompany you and your pet to the kennels in which your pet will travel (reservation only by telephone on 03 305 878 787)
• If you are carrying a bicycle, it must be dismantled, stored in a bag and placed in the luggage trolley (otherwise, boarding will take place at the motorised vehicle counters and you will be charged the difference in fare).

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.

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My payment didn't go through, what happened?

We only accept certain payment types, please make sure you are using one of these when making your booking. If the issue persists please contact your bank for further details.

How much does it cost to change the date and how do I do it?

For Dover - Calais/ Dunkirk route amendments can be made online on My Booking page. This will show you any amendment fees and difference in fare price, before confirming the change.

On Dieppe - Newhaven route please contact us:
From France (+33) 0 809 541 891
From UK (+44) 0 3305 878 787 or newhaven-dieppe@dfds.com

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Will I receive a refund if I cancel?

Please see the T&C you agreed to when making the booking. Any refund to which you are entitled under the cancellation policy must be made in writing within three months of the date of your cancellation.

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I'm trying to amend my booking online, but I can't do it. What do I do?

If you are unable to make the amendment online please check that the change meets our teams and conditions.

If you question is about Dover - Calais/Dunkirk route you can contact us on +443448486090 or dover.pax@dfds.com (Calls cost 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge.)

On Dieppe - Newhaven route please contact us:
From France (+33) 0 809 541 891
From UK (+44) 0 3305 878 787 or newhaven-dieppe@dfds.com

What kind of ID/documentation do I need to travel?

UK citizens: Passport
EU/Schengen countries: Passport
FR citizens: Passport
Other countries: Passport and valid visa for the country you are entering

It is your own responsibility to make sure you follow the government rules around travel. DFDS aren't liable if you get refused travel.
Information for entering France
Information for entering the UK
Visiting the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

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Do I need to bring my booking confirmation?

You can either bring your booking confirmation or have your booking number ready for the check-in staff.

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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.

What's the address of the terminal?

Dover:
Eastern Docks, Dover
Kent
CT16 1JA
United Kingdom

Dunkerque:
Port 5670 Terminal Car Ferry
Route de la Maison Blanche
F-59279 Loon-Plage
Dunkerque
France

Calais:
Terminal Car Ferry
Gare Maritime Est F-62100
Calais
France

Dieppe:
Ferry Terminal 7
Quai Gaston Lalitte
76200 Dieppe
France

Newhaven:
Newhaven Ferry Port, Rail Approach
Newhaven, East Sussex
BN9 0DF

All port addresses can be found on our terminals page.

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When do I need to check-in?

Dover - Calais/Dunkirk route check-in normally closes 45min before departure.

Dieppe - Newhaven closes 90 minutes before departure.

Please check your booking confirmation for check-in and boarding times. Please be aware of traffic and high volumes in peak season.

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What happens if I am running late?

Please contact to check-in and we can amend your booking so you don't lose your ticket. Normally we would try to get you on the next available sailing.

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Where can I find information about travel updates?

You can find travel updates on our travel updates page and Twitter page. 

What forms of payment are accepted on the ferry?

Cash is accepted in GBP and EUR, and only on the Dover - Calais/Dunkirk route there is a currency exchange onboard where you can change any currency. Most major credit cards are accepted onboard including MasterCard and Visa. Ferries on Dieppe - Newhaven route do not have currency exchange.

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Is there an ATM onboard?

We don't have an ATM onboard. You can pay by card, please see payment types available.

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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 of your needed luggage out of your vehicle as you will not be able to return to it during the crossing.

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Can I bring my suitcase onboard?

For Dover - Calais/Dunkirk route please leave your baggage in your vehicle and bring only needed items. On Dieppe - Newhaven foot passengers must leave big baggage pieces in the trolly next to shuttle bus and if you are travelling with vehicle please leave your baggage in the vehicle and bring only needed items.

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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.

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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.

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Is there Wi-Fi onboard?

We do offer free Wi-Fi on board. Telenor Maritime on Dover - Calais/Dunkirk and Marlink on Dieppe - Newhaven is the service provider and you can access it via your phone when logging onto the Wi-Fi or in the Guest Service Centre onboard.

Please ensure you're using the correct settings on your phone and deactivate roaming, or there is a risk you’ll be invoiced to your phone bill.

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Can I use my own data connection onboard?

Please be aware that the ships have a functioning satellite network Telenor Maritime, from which higher tariffs apply for making and receiving calls. Please contact your telephone company for a more detailed overview before using it.

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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.

https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain
https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/volume-and-value-based-customs-and-tax-allowances

Can I travel with pets?

Yes, you can travel with a pet but they will remain in the vehicle. 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. On Dieppe - Newhaven route we also offer kennels for foot passengers travelling with pets (limited availibility).

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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.

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Is my pet allowed in public areas?

All pets must remain in the vehicle during the crossing, unless they are classed as a guide dog or service animal. Paperwork will need to be provided.

Do you offer a range of food for different health and lifestyle requirements? (glutenfree/lactose/vegan)

We can offer a range of different meal options onboard. If you have any specific requests please let us know so we can advise the ship in advance.

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Is there a lift on the ferry?

Yes, we do have lifts on our ferries. If you require to be parked near one, you must let us know at the time of booking.