Dunkirk Ferry Port: the DFDS terminal at Loon-Plage

Address of the ferry terminal and sat nav

For the return, set your sat nav to Loon-Plage or the coordinates, not “Dunkerque”: that takes you to the town centre, half an hour from the terminal.

Map: OpenStreetMap. The red marker is on the check-in booths.

Arriving from Dover

The ship berths bow-first at the Loon-Plage ramp. Driving off is quick: fifteen minutes after berthing you are usually on the A16. There is no passport control on arrival; the French checks were done in Dover before you boarded.

1. Back to the carAbout fifteen minutes before arrival the announcement calls you to the car deck. Remember your deck number; the stairs are on your hanger.
2. Off the ramp, on the rightYou drive off in lane order. From the ramp you are on the right-hand side of the road straight away; the port roads are one-way and clearly signed.
3. A16 east or westFollow “Toutes directions” to the A16. East for Belgium (Bruges 55 minutes, Brussels 1 h 45), west for Calais and Boulogne, or the A25 south for Lille and Paris.

Driving on from Dunkirk

Toll-free into Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Only the French autoroutes south of Lille charge. More on the drive, fuel and the low-emission zones on driving from Dunkirk.

Checking in for the crossing back to Dover

Check-in closes 60 minutes before departure. An hour before is plenty here: DFDS is the only operator and the queues are short. This is how it goes:

1. Junction 53 and the Car Ferry signsFrom the A16 take junction 53 and follow the green Car Ferry signs, not “Dunkerque centre”. The booths are 4 km from the junction.
2. The boothsCars on the right, coaches and lorries on the left. Show your booking reference; you get a hanger for your mirror with your lane and sailing time.
3. Border controlFrench exit checks first, then UK Border Force, both here in France. Keep everyone’s passport and the V5C to hand. The UK controls include a customs spot check now and then.
4. Lane and boardingFind the lane on your hanger. Boarding starts about 30 minutes before departure; you drive up the ramp and park on the car deck.

The full walk-through with photos, including Dover, is on check-in step by step.

What is in the terminal

The terminal building stands next to the lanes. You can leave the car in your lane and walk in; be back in time for boarding.

• Toilets and a baby-changing room.
• A duty free shop with spirits, wine, perfume and sweets; prices are similar to those on board.
• The DFDS desk and self-service kiosks for booking on the spot or changing a booking.
• Upstairs a small kiosk with sandwiches, coffee and soft drinks. No restaurant and no fuel station; a hot meal is on board.
• A dog exercise area next to the car park.

Parking and fuel

There is a free short-stay car park at the terminal, for dropping someone off or popping inside. There is no long-stay parking and none is needed: on this route you always travel with your vehicle. The last fuel before the terminal is at the Auchan hypermarket in Grande-Synthe (junction 55, 8 km before the port) or in Loon-Plage village; French motorway fuel is dearer. More on parking at Dunkirk and Dover.

If the sailing is delayed

You wait in your lane or in the terminal. Facilities are limited, so bring food and drink if you travel at night or in winter. Loon-Plage village is five minutes away, but once checked in you cannot leave the site. Live notices are on sailing updates.

Time for Dunkirk itself?

With a few hours to spare, Dunkirk town centre is fifteen to twenty minutes by car. The beach at Malo-les-Bains, the Dunkirk 1940 museum in the old bastion and the port museum with the tall ship Duchesse Anne are close together. Head back in good time: the terminal is on the far side of the port area, 15 km round.

Questions about Dunkirk ferry port