Check-in and boarding

Dover - Dunkirk/Calais
Check in typically closes 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. In high season we advise customers to allow 120 minutes before check in closes to pass through all controls. Check in will close promptly, therefore, we advise customers to allow plenty of time prior to departure to pass through all controls. Please note check in & departure times are based on local time.

Dunkirk/Calais - Dover
Check in typically closes 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. In high season we advise customers to allow 120 minutes before check in closes to pass through all controls. Check in will close promptly, therefore, we advise customers to allow plenty of time prior to departure to pass through all controls. Please note check in & departure times are based on local time.

Newhaven - Dieppe
Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, therefore check in will close promptly. In high season we advise customers to allow 90 minutes before check in closes to pass through all controls. Please note check in & departure times are based on local time.

Dieppe - Newhaven
Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, therefore check in will close promptly. In high season we advise customers to allow 90 minutes before check in closes to pass through all controls. Please note check in & departure times are all based in local time.

All passengers must present relevant documents upon arrival to the terminal for check-in. These may include a valid passport, booking confirmation, documents for vehicle or pet travel, and/or other required documents, depending on the rules and regulations of country you are travelling to. Routine security checks of passengers, luggage and vehicles are carried out in all ports before you board the ship.

Children travelling with another surname
Parents with a different surname to their children sometimes have problems with checking their personal details at a port. If this is the case, we advise you to provide a letter of authorisation from the parental figure, to show you have permission to take the child abroad and provide their birth certificate.

Further information is available on our dedicated travelling with kids page

DFDS is committed to making travel on our services as comfortable as possible for all passengers, particularly those who may require additional assistance during their journey. Please contact us beforehand if you require any assistance during the check-in and boarding process. More information on accessibility can be found here.

All passengers must present relevant documents upon arrival to the terminal. These may include a valid passport, booking confirmation, documents for vehicle or pet travel, and/or other required documents, depending on the rules and regulations of the country you are travelling to.

Routine security checks of passengers, luggage and vehicles are carried out in all ports.

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.

Vehicle Passengers: The car check-in at the port of Dover, Dunkirk, Calais, Newhaven & Dieppe is very well signposted. First, drive to the check-in counter and keep your ID card / passport and, your visa (if applicable) and the booking confirmation ready. Once checked in you will proceed through security and drive onto the ship where our staff will instruct you and ensure that you park your vehicle correctly.

Foot Passengers: 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.

Newhaven - Dieppe: Upon arrival to the port we advise you to check in at the passenger terminal where our team will be there to assist you. Once checked in you will be invited to board where you will pass through security. After you have completed all controls you will use our passenger shuttle bus to board the ship.

If you are travelling with your dog, cat or other pet onboard our Newhaven - Dieppe route as a foot passenger you must ensure you have booked a kennel for your pet. Upon arrival to the port we advise you to check in with your pet at the passenger terminal. Once all checks are completed you will board via our passenger shuttlebus, which will take you directly to the ship, where our team will greet you to assist & direct you to our pet Kennels.

Further information is available on our page dedicated to pets

Portsmouth - Jersey - Portsmouth

Recommended Arrival Time: Vehicles: 180 minutes before Departure. Foot Passengers: 90 minutes before departure

Check in for vehicle & bicycle passengers closes 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Check-in for foot passengers closes 40 minutes prior to departure. Check in will close promptly, therefore, we advise customers to allow plenty of time prior to departure to pass through all controls. Please note check in & departure times are based on local time.

Jersey - St Malo - Jersey

Recommended Arrival Time: Vehicles: 180 minutes before Departure. Foot Passengers: 90 minutes before departure

Check in for vehicle & bicycle passengers closes 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Check-in for foot passengers closes 40 minutes prior to departure. Check in will close promptly, therefore, we advise customers to allow plenty of time prior to departure to pass through all controls. Please note check in & departure times are based on local time.

Jersey – Poole - Jersey

Recommended Arrival Time: Vehicles: 180 minutes before Departure. Foot Passengers: 90 minutes before departure

Check in for vehicle & bicycle passengers closes 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Check-in for foot passengers closes 40 minutes prior to departure. Check in will close promptly, therefore, we advise customers to allow plenty of time prior to departure to pass through all controls. Please note check in & departure times are based on local time.

Guernsey - Jersey

Recommended Arrival Time: Vehicles: 180 minutes before Departure. Foot Passengers: 90 minutes before departure

Check in for vehicle & bicycle passengers closes 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Check-in for foot passengers closes 40 minutes prior to departure. Check in will close promptly, therefore, we advise customers to allow plenty of time prior to departure to pass through all controls. Please note check in & departure times are based on local time.

If you are travelling Guernsey - Jersey and you require onward travel on other DFDS routes to Poole, Portsmouth, or St Malo, a separate booking will be required. Please note that you must always disembark at your scheduled port of arrival before continuing your journey.

All passengers must present relevant documents upon arrival to the terminal for check-in. These may include a valid passport, booking confirmation, documents for vehicle or pet travel, and/or other required documents, depending on the rules and regulations of country you are travelling to. Routine security checks of passengers, luggage and vehicles are carried out in all ports before you board the ship.

Children travelling with another surname
Parents with a different surname to their children sometimes have problems with checking their personal details at a port. If this is the case, we advise you to provide a letter of authorisation from the parental figure, to show you have permission to take the child abroad and provide their birth certificate.

Further information is available on our dedicated travelling with kids page

DFDS is committed to making travel on our services as comfortable as possible for all passengers, particularly those who may require additional assistance during their journey. Please contact us beforehand if you require any assistance during the check-in and boarding process. More information on accessibility can be found here.

Newcastle - Amsterdam
Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of 17:00, therefore check in will close promptly at 4:15. Please note: check in & departure times are based on local time.

Amsterdam - Newcastle
Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of 17:30, therefore check in will close promptly at 4:45. Please note: check in & departure times are based on local time.

Please note: If you're travelling in a sportscar or low clearance car, we recommend arriving at the car check-in 15 to 75 minutes after it opens, which is approx 14:00. During this time, our loading officers will be able to assist you in finding the best spots on the car deck for your vehicle, giving you and your vehicle a smoother experience.

All passengers must present relevant documents upon arrival to the terminal for check-in. These may include a valid passport, booking confirmation, documents for vehicle or pet travel, and/or other required documents, depending on the rules and regulations of country you are travelling to. Routine security checks of passengers, luggage and vehicles are carried out in all ports before you board the ship.

Children travelling with another surname
Parents with a different surname to their children sometimes have problems with checking their personal details at a port. If this is the case, we advise you to provide a letter of authorisation from the parental figure, to show you have permission to take the child abroad and provide their birth certificate. Further information is available on our dedicated travelling with kids page

DFDS is committed to making travel on our services as comfortable as possible for all passengers, particularly those who may require additional assistance during their journey. Please contact us beforehand if you require any assistance during the check-in and boarding process. More information on accessibility can be found here.

All passengers must present relevant documents upon arrival to the terminal. These may include a valid passport, booking confirmation, documents for vehicle or pet travel, and/or other required documents, depending on the rules and regulations of the country you are travelling to.

Routine security checks of passengers, luggage and vehicles are carried out in all ports.

Foot Passengers
Upon arrival to the port we advise you to check in at the passenger terminal where our team will be there to assist you. Once checked in you will be invited to board where you will pass through security. After you have completed all controls you will use our passenger air bridge to board the ship.

If you are travelling with your dog, cat or other pet onboard our Newcastle-Amsterdam route as a foot passenger you must ensure you have booked either a Kennel or a pet friendly cabin. Upon arrival to the port we advise you to check in with your pet at the passenger terminal.

Once all checks are completed and you are checked in, you will board via our Air Bridge where you will be greeted by a member of team who will direct you to our pet cabins or Kennels.

Further information is available on our page dedicated to pets

Vehicle Passengers
The car check-in at the port of Newcastle & Amsterdam is very well signposted. First, drive to the check-in counter and keep your ID card / passport, your visa (if applicable) and the booking confirmation ready. Once checked in you will proceed through security and drive onto the ship where our staff will instruct you and ensure that you place your vehicle correctly.

Klaipeda-Karlshamn/Kiel

Check-in opens: For all passengers 3 hours before departure.
Check-in closes: For all passengers 90 minutes before departure.

Karlshamn-Klaipeda

Check-in opens: For all passengers 4 hours before departure.
Check-in closes: For all passengers 90 minutes before departure.

Kiel-Klaipeda

Check-in opens: For all passengers 6 hours before departure.
Check-in closes: For all passengers 90 minutes before departure.
Monday - Sunday: 14:00 - 19:30

Paldiski-Kapellskar

Check-in closes: For all passengers 1 hour prior to departure

Kapellskar-Paldiski

Check-in times:
Monday - Tuesday: 06:00 - 08:30
Wednesday – Friday: 16:30 - 20:00
Saturday: CLOSED/NO DEPARTURE
Sunday: 06:00 - 08:30

All passengers must present relevant documents upon arrival to the terminal for check-in. These may include a valid passport, booking confirmation, documents for vehicle or pet travel, and/or other required documents, depending on the rules and regulations of country you are travelling to. Routine security checks of passengers, luggage and vehicles are carried out in all ports before you board the ship.

We recommend passengers travelling with children arrive at the beginning of check-in on Klaipeda-Kiel-Klaipeda route.

Families travelling with babies or small children in the car are given a special sign. This sign alerts the loading personnel that passengers are travelling with children. Depending on availability, passengers travelling with children may be directed to park their car in a more convenient location on the deck.

For passengers' convenience, a bus can be taken from the terminal to the ferry. We recommend taking only the essentials items for one of the parents or guardians and use bus transfer as it will take you directly to the lift/escalator. Please note that lift location can vary depending on the vessel. Please enquire in advance by contacting Customer Care or ask the port personnel.

Further information is available on our dedicated travelling with kids page

DFDS is committed to making travel on our services as comfortable as possible for all passengers, particularly those who may require additional assistance during their journey. Please contact us beforehand if you require any assistance during the check-in and boarding process. More information on accessibility can be found here.

All passengers must present relevant documents upon arrival to the terminal. These may include a valid passport, booking confirmation, documents for vehicle or pet travel, and/or other required documents, depending on the rules and regulations of the country you are travelling to. Routine security checks of passengers, luggage and vehicles are carried out in all ports.

Ports of Klaipeda and Karlshamn
Passengers travelling with vehicles are invited to go directly to the port's check-in gate, while passengers travelling without a vehicle are invited to check-in inside the building.

Port of Kiel
For all the passengers check-in is required in the building.

Port of Paldiski
Check-in is required in the building (only passengers with vehicles are allowed on this route).

Port of Kapellskär
Check-in takes place at the gate (only passengers with vehicles are allowed on this route).

It is essential to plan your arrival time in advance. We recommend arriving earlier as you may have to wait in line. Due to strict port regulations and loading operations, passengers who are late to check in may not be allowed to board the ferry.

Check in with your pet as a foot passenger
All pets have to be on a leash and with muzzle or in the travel kennel while taking your pet to the cabin from the vehicle or from the shuttle bus.

Further information is available on our page dedicated to pets