Dunkirk to Rosslare ferry: Ireland direct from the same terminal
From the Loon-Plage terminal DFDS also sails direct to Ireland: just under 24 hours to Rosslare in the south-east, cabin and four meals included. Seven round trips a week since September 2026. For UK travellers it is the link that turns Dover to Dunkirk into a triangle: England, the Continent and Ireland without going back through Wales.
The route in short
| Operator | DFDS, with the Athena Seaways and Victoria Seaways plus a third ship since mid-September 2026 |
| Crossing | Just under 24 hours |
| Sailings | 7 round trips a week |
| From-price | About €440 per car with up to 4 people, one way, including cabin, four meals and the EU ETS charge |
| Departure | DFDS terminal, Loon-Plage, the same booths as for Dover |
| Arrival | Rosslare Europort, Co. Wexford; Dublin 160 km, Cork 190 km |
| At the port | At least 2 hours before departure |
| Foot passengers | No, vehicles only |
You book this route directly with DFDS. The current timetable and fares for your date are there.
Who this route is for
Three kinds of traveller use it. Continental holidaymakers heading to Ireland without touching Britain. Irish families driving to France, Belgium and beyond. And, from the UK side, anyone doing a loop: out from Dover to Dunkirk, across the Continent, then Dunkirk to Rosslare and home via Dublin and Holyhead, or the reverse. A night in a cabin replaces 480 km of driving through England and Wales and a second short crossing.
| Brussels to Dublin | Direct via Rosslare | Via Dunkirk, Dover and Holyhead |
|---|---|---|
| Driving on the Continent | 150 km, 1 h 45 | 150 km, 1 h 45 |
| At sea | 24 h, cabin and meals | 2 h plus 3 h 15 |
| Driving in the UK and Ireland | 160 km, 2 h | 480 km, 6 h |
| Overnight on the way | On board, included | Usually a hotel in Wales |
| Fuel and tolls | Low | Higher: 480 km, Dartford or M6 Toll, UK fuel |
On board
- Cabin included. Every booking has a cabin; you choose between inside and outside cabins and larger family cabins. A limited number of cabins take a dog or cat; book those early.
- Four meals. Dinner, breakfast, lunch and a second dinner or breakfast depending on the sailing, in the buffet restaurant. Drinks are extra.
- Also: bar, lounge, small shop, open deck, free wifi with limited speed at sea. Pay in euros, cash or card.
- Motorhome and caravan: welcome, up to three gas cylinders, closed and secured; no loose jerrycans.
Arriving in Rosslare
Rosslare Europort is on the south-east tip of Ireland. From the ship you are on the N25 and N11 within ten minutes: Wexford in a quarter of an hour, Waterford in an hour, Dublin in two hours on the M11, Cork in two and a half, Killarney in three and a half. Ireland drives on the left with speeds in km/h; on the M50 around Dublin the toll is paid online within a day.
Booking tips
- Book early for the summerCabins are the constraint, not the vehicle deck. July and August sell out months ahead and the fare climbs to double the from-price.
- Look at the arrival timeA sailing that arrives in the evening means two hours to Dublin in the dark, or a hotel in Wexford.
- Combine with DoverOut Dover to Dunkirk and across Europe, home Dunkirk to Rosslare and Dublin to Holyhead: one loop, one night at sea. See Dover to Dunkirk fares.
Questions about Dunkirk to Rosslare
Is it the same terminal as the Dover ferry?
Yes. The same booths at Loon-Plage; you get a hanger for the Rosslare sailing and your own lane. See Dunkirk port.
Can I go without a car?
No. As on the Dover route, DFDS carries vehicles and their occupants only. Motorbikes and bicycles count as vehicles.
Is the sea rough?
The Channel and the Celtic Sea can move a lot in winter; the ships are large and the crossing almost always runs. Summer crossings are usually calm.
Is there a ferry from Dunkirk to Scotland?
Rosyth to Dunkirk is announced but had not started by September 2026. What we know is on Rosyth to Dunkirk.