Ireland Ferry
Dunkirk - Rosslare
The direct ferry from France to Ireland - a relaxed crossing of the North Sea and Atlantic to southeast Ireland
- 5 sailings a week direct from France to Ireland, bypassing Britain entirely
- Around 24 hours across the North Sea and Atlantic with DFDS from Dunkirk
- Vehicle travel only - car, motorhome, motorbike or bike, with four onboard meals included
Dunkirk - Rosslare
The direct ferry from Ireland to mainland Europe
The Dunkirk - Rosslare route links the northern French port near the Belgian border with the southeast of Ireland - without any detour via Britain. It is the easternmost direct crossing between Ireland and mainland Europe, which makes it a handy option if you are travelling to or from Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany.
The route is operated by DFDS with the RoPax ferries Victoria Seaways and Athena Seaways. Four meals in the buffet restaurant are already included in the fare, along with comfortable cabins, a bar, an onboard shop and a children's area. Important to know: this route carries vehicle travellers only. Whether you arrive by car, motorhome or motorbike, the roughly 24-hour crossing makes for a relaxed start to any European road trip.
- Crossing time
- approx. 24 hrs
- Operator
- DFDS
- Frequency
- up to 5x per week
Next departures
Route guide
Dunkirk - Rosslare ferry at a glance
Everything about the Dunkirk - Rosslare route with DFDS: getting to the terminal in Loon-Plage, check-in times, what's onboard, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from Rosslare Europort. Important to know upfront: this crossing carries vehicle travellers only - foot passengers cannot travel on this route.
Getting to the terminal in Dunkirk
The departure port isn't in Dunkirk itself, but just west of it in Loon-Plage on the northern French coast, only a few kilometres from the Belgian border. Set your navigation to the DFDS terminal at 59279 Loon-Plage; Ireland ferries are handled at the dedicated berth, Port 5832. Free short-stay parking is available right in front of the main building. Since this route doesn't carry foot passengers, you'll be arriving by vehicle anyway and can drive straight onto the terminal grounds.
Check-in and departure
DFDS recommends arriving at the terminal between two and three hours before departure. If you miss the final check-in cut-off, you risk being turned away. Booking is done online in advance - tickets aren't sold at the port desk. For check-in you'll need a valid passport or national ID card for every traveller, plus a valid driving licence for the driver. Non-EU citizens should check visa requirements before travelling.
Onboard
The RoPax ships Victoria Seaways and Athena Seaways operate this route. Since the crossing takes around 24 hours and runs overnight, you'll book a cabin: choose from standard, sea-view and pet-friendly cabins, or the more comfortable Commodore cabins. Four buffet meals are included in the fare, along with soft drinks, tea and coffee. There's also a bar, an onboard shop, a children's play area and paid WiFi packages. Onboard payments in restaurants, bars and shops can be made in cash (euros) or with any major credit or debit card.
Vehicle, bike and pet travel
This route is strictly for vehicle travellers: cars, motorhomes, car-and-trailer combinations and motorbikes are all welcome, but foot passengers are not carried. You can also bring a bicycle, which then counts as your vehicle, with one traveller bookable per bike. E-bikes must stay switched off during the crossing and can't be charged in the port or onboard. If you're travelling by camper, see our motorhome guide for details. DFDS carries a limited number of pets, for which you'll need to book a pet-friendly cabin. More on cabins and entry rules is in our pets on the ferry guide.
Arrival in Rosslare and onward travel
The ferry docks at Rosslare Europort in County Wexford, the main ferry port in southeast Ireland. From there, the N25 takes you to Wexford in around 20 minutes and on towards Waterford and Cork; for Dublin, take the N11 and M11, roughly two and a half hours away. Since every traveller arrives with a vehicle, you can start your trip around Ireland straight from the terminal.
Tickets and fares
Booking is online only, in advance; the fare already includes the cabin and the four onboard meals. DFDS regularly runs early-booking deals, so the earlier you book, the better your chances of securing the cheaper allocations. Worth planning around: if you cancel a booking, DFDS charges the full fare on this long-haul route, so choose your travel date carefully. The booking window shows current prices for your travel date, and the prices overview gives you a general idea.
Dunkirk - Rosslare FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Dunkirk - Rosslare ferry route
How long is the ferry from Dunkirk to Rosslare?+
The crossing from Dunkirk to Rosslare takes just under 24 hours. The exact sailing time can shift slightly depending on weather conditions.
How often does the ferry from Dunkirk to Rosslare run?+
DFDS typically runs five sailings a week. The exact departure days and times vary by season. You can find the next available dates in the timetable.
How much does the Dunkirk to Rosslare ferry cost?+
The fare depends on your travel date, vehicle, cabin type and availability. A cabin and four onboard meals are already included in the price. The booking window shows current prices for your travel date, and the prices overview gives you a general idea.
Can I travel to Ireland as a foot passenger without a vehicle?+
No. The Dunkirk - Rosslare route carries vehicle travellers only - DFDS does not take foot passengers on this crossing. Cars, motorhomes, car-and-trailer combinations and motorbikes are all welcome, and you can also travel by bicycle, which then counts as your vehicle. If you are travelling by camper, see our motorhome guide.
What is included onboard the DFDS ferry, and how do I pay?+
The fare includes four buffet meals, along with soft drinks, tea and coffee. Onboard you will also find a bar, a shop, a children''s play area and paid WiFi packages. Cabin options range from standard and sea-view to pet-friendly and the more comfortable Commodore cabins.
In restaurants, bars and shops onboard you can pay in cash (euros) or with any major credit or debit card.
Can I bring my pet on the ferry?+
Yes, within limits. You need to book a pet-friendly cabin when reserving, and the number of these is limited. Check the entry requirements for pets travelling to Ireland before you go. More details are in our pets on the ferry guide.
What documents do I need, and how does check-in work?+
You will need a valid passport or national ID card for every traveller, plus a valid driving licence for the driver. Non-EU citizens should check visa requirements before travelling.
DFDS recommends arriving at the terminal between two and three hours before departure. Book online in advance - tickets are not sold at the port desk.