Dunkirk - Rosslare
From Dunkirk to Ireland in 24 hours. Meals included.
Ferry port Dunkirk
Ferries from Dunkirk
The one French port with a direct ferry to Ireland and a Channel crossing from the same terminal
- DFDS to Rosslare - around 24 hours overnight, vehicles only, cabin and four meals included
- DFDS to Dover - about 2 hours, up to 10 sailings a day, the first leg of the landbridge
- Terminal in Loon-Plage west of the city, free short-stay parking at the main building
Popular routes
Ferries from Dunkirk
The crossings from Dunkirk with duration, operator and booking.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Route map
Dunkirk ferry routes at a glance
The ferry lines of Dunkirk - the direct route to Rosslare in Ireland and the Channel crossing to Dover. Click a line for duration and operator.
Dunkirk port guide
Dunkirk port guide
Where the terminal is
Dunkirk's ferry terminal is not in the city but in Loon-Plage, west of Dunkirk on the coast: for the satnav use the DFDS terminal, 59279 Loon-Plage. The Ireland ferries are handled at the dedicated berth Port 5832, the Dover ferries at the Channel berths of the same terminal, and there is free short-stay parking in front of the main building. The terminal lies just off the A16, the coastal motorway between Calais and the Belgian border; follow the ferry signs for Loon-Plage rather than for Dunkirk town.
To Ireland: Dunkirk - Rosslare
Dunkirk - Rosslare with DFDS is the only direct ferry between the north coast of France and Ireland: around 24 hours overnight to Rosslare Europort, vehicles only, with the cabin and four buffet meals included in the fare. DFDS currently sails five times a week and raises the service to seven weekly round trips from mid-September 2026 with a third ship. Arrive two to three hours before departure; bring a passport or national ID card for everyone and the driving licence for check-in, and pack an overnight bag, because the car deck is closed at sea. Pets travel in limited numbers in pet-friendly cabins; the pets guide explains the entry rules for Ireland.
To Britain: Dunkirk - Dover
The same terminal is the starting point of the landbridge. DFDS crosses to Dover in about 2 hours, up to ten times a day, and from Dover the drive continues to Holyhead, Pembroke Dock or Fishguard for the second ferry to Ireland, or to Birkenhead for the Liverpool - Belfast crossing. Two bookings, two check-ins and a long drive through England and Wales stand against 24 hours at sea on the direct route; the guide to ferries via England and Wales compares the two ways.
Getting there and what to bring
Both DFDS routes from Dunkirk are for travellers with a vehicle: cars, motorhomes, car-and-trailer combinations, motorbikes and bicycles, but no foot passengers. Enter the full dimensions of a motorhome including attachments when booking; the motorhome guide explains the categories. Tickets for the Rosslare crossing are sold online in advance only, so book before you set off, and check the timetable for the sailing days of your travel week.
FAQ Dunkirk
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the ferry port of Dunkirk.
Where is the Dunkirk ferry terminal?+
Not in the city but in Loon-Plage, west of Dunkirk on the coast: DFDS terminal, 59279 Loon-Plage. The Ireland ferries are handled at the dedicated berth Port 5832, and there is free short-stay parking in front of the main building.
Is there a ferry from Dunkirk to Ireland?+
Yes: Dunkirk - Rosslare with DFDS, around 24 hours overnight, is the only ferry between the north coast of France and Ireland. It carries travellers with a vehicle only; cabin and four meals are included in the fare.
Can I travel from Dunkirk as a foot passenger?+
No. The Rosslare route is strictly for vehicle travellers - cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles - and the DFDS Dover route from the same terminal carries no foot passengers either. On foot, cross the Channel from Calais instead.
How early do I need to be at the terminal in Dunkirk?+
For the Rosslare sailing DFDS recommends arriving two to three hours before departure; tickets are sold online in advance, not at the port. Bring a passport or national ID card for everyone and the driving licence, and pack an overnight bag, because the car deck is closed at sea.
Ferry to Ireland via Dunkirk or via Dover?+
The Rosslare ferry is the direct way, about 24 hours at sea. The alternative is the landbridge: Dunkirk - Dover in about 2 hours, then the drive through England and Wales to Holyhead, Pembroke Dock or Fishguard for a second ferry; the landbridge guide compares the two.
Ready for Ireland?
Compare the crossings, check the departures for your date and continue to the booking.