Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

DFDS Rosslare-Dunkerque Passenger Ferry

  • 10-01-2025 03:41PM
    #1
    Fann Linn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭


    Hi lads, having done the usual IF, BF, Stena Line trips to Cherbourg, Roscoff and Bilbao, I was just wondering has anyone done the DFDS run to Dunkerque in northern France?

    It's a 24 hour crossing with meals included in the price and having done a rough pick on dates between June and September, it's running out at approx €1200-€1400 for a car plus two adults and different varieties of cabins.

    I wouldn't mind taking this ferry and heading into Germany, Austria or perhaps further afield in 2026 but just looking now for any opinions, good or bad from people who may have used this.

    I understand it is primarily a freight ship but that doesn't impact me as shows, cinema's etc aren't really my cup of tea anyway.

    Thanks.



Comments

  • #2
    AndyBoBandy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,177 ✭✭✭✭AndyBoBandy


    24 hours would be a bit of a stretch for me… in 2022, I did Dublin - Cherbourg, and then drove over 2 days 1,300km to Kiel in Germany to catch another ferry to Klaipeda in Lithuania, which was 20 hours (though on nice comfortable DFDS boats)!! so we spent 2 nights at sea and 1 night in a hotel in Maastricht midway through the drive.

    Planning a drive to Lithuania again this summer but this time will take a fast ferry to Holyhead, then drive to Harwich, to get the overnight ferry to Hook of Holland (~8 hours), and then it's only a ~600km drive to Kiel. Hook seems like a much better location in Europe to land, as you're there from Ireland in about 24 hours, and then you're within an hour of Belgium, France & Germany, and a half a days driving away from Scandinavia/Central Europe..

    Ultimately for us it'll end up roughly the same distance of driving to get to Kiel, but crucially we won't need an overnight on land, so we'll always be moving, and it gets us to Lithuania a day quicker than last time.. (Holyhead to Harwich is roughly the same drive/distance as Pembroke to Harwich).

    Thinking about coming back then via a ferry from Klaipeda to Karlshamn in Sweden as it's only 13 hours and doing a bit of exploring there..



  • #3
    granturismo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,975 ✭✭✭granturismo


    I took that ferry from Dunkirk in Feb 2023. In hindsight, if I had a second driver I would have continued to Cherbourg. I took the Dublin to Holyhead and Harwich to Hook route on the outward leg and enjoyed that, but it wasnt a viable option for the return route.

    Food on DFDS was limited and a bit greasy. There was a small group of Irish drivers who congregated in the eating area after every meal and reminisced about their brothel experiences in Belgium over the years. Majority of drivers were decent.

    I think I was the only car on that journey. DFDS Dunkirk check in staff were a bit confused what to do with me and gave me directions to the boat, a few minutes drive away. I got lost, went back and one of them drove and I followed which is what they are supposed to do - there is a ferry youtuber who shows where to check in and the car convoy DFDS lead to the ferry.

    The cabin was a bit dated but clean and comfy for sleeping and showering. There is a small bar, public area and a screen for DVDs.



  • #4
    AndyBoBandy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,177 ✭✭✭✭AndyBoBandy


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123066829#Comment_123066829

    any issues driving into Dunkirk? As aren’t there still migrant camps there…

    I’m looking at doing Dunkirk-Rosslare on my return trip, as going to Cherbourg would be a ball ache as it’d only be me and my 10yo son, and as I remember from the last time, the last few hundred km getting into Cherbourg were an absolute ball ache…



  • #5
    granturismo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,975 ✭✭✭granturismo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123078345#Comment_123078345

    I was driving from Antwerp and just followed google maps to the check in area. It was dark when I was approaching Dunkirk, I didnt see any migrant camps and there wasnt a heavy security presence in the port.

    If I was bringing a young child, I would continue to Cherbourg and pony up an extra night in a hotel closer to Cherbourg. If you're going to use DFDS bring food and entertainment options for your son.



  • #6
    Banzai600
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 392 ✭✭Banzai600


    ive been all around europe by motorbike, to get deep in Germany, it will take you two days of driving i reckon, if you shared not too bad, but you'll be tired, then remember you have to come back the way you came. so thats 4 days of solid driving.

    Germany & Austria are stunning landscapes, really out there on their own.

    you could fly direct with Rayn@ir to Memmigen in Germany, hire a car, and you're in south Germany, prob 1.5/2hrs from Austria. That airport is tiny just fyi, nout in it, but you'll be there. roads are excellent all over. if its a drive holiday you're after this is what id do, or ship your car over, there are companies who do this.



  • Advertisement
  • #7
    kildarecommuter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 434 ✭✭kildarecommuter


    I did Dunkirk to Rosslare last October, it’s fine just bring a book and download stuff on Netflix etc.

    If I was in Belgium , Netherlands I’d definitely do it again rather than drive to Cherbourg



Advertisement