The DFDS funnel and lifeboats of the Delft Seaways under a blue sky

Dover to Dunkirk Ferry Prices

A car with up to five people costs from £99 one way with DFDS, plus a small EU ETS charge. The fare depends on the sailing, the season, the ticket type and your vehicle. The sections below explain what sets the fare; the module compares the price for your date.

Prices checked on 14 September 2026

Compare fares and book

Choose your date, direction and vehicle. The module shows every sailing that day with the price per ticket type, and book through DirectFerries.

You book with our partner DirectFerries.

What decides the price of the crossing?

DFDS charges per vehicle, not per person: up to five occupants are included. On top of that the price differs by sailing. These are the five factors, in order of effect.

Factor	Effect on the price	What you can do
Date and season	School holidays and summer weekends are the most expensive; January, February and November cheapest.	Travel outside the holidays, or on a weekday.
Sailing time	Early morning, late evening and the night sailings are often cheaper than 10:00 to 16:00.	Pick an off-peak time; see the ferry times.
Ticket type	Economy is cheapest but fixed; Flexi costs more and can be changed or cancelled.	Economy if your date is certain, Flexi if your plans may move.
Vehicle	A standard car is the base fare. Taller and longer vehicles, motorhomes, caravans and trailers pay more, by length and height.	Enter the dimensions precisely; understating them means paying the difference at the port.
When you book	Booking early is cheaper; DFDS runs early-booking offers on its Dover routes several times a year.	Book as soon as your date is fixed, and check the DFDS offers page.

Economy or Flexi?

DFDS sells two ticket types on this route. Both tickets are for the same crossing; they differ in what you can change or cancel.

	Economy	Flexi
Price	Lowest fare	Higher fare
Changing the sailing	Amendment fee plus any fare difference	No amendment fee, only any fare difference
Cancelling	Not possible	Free up to shortly before departure
Earlier or later sailing on the day	Only if there is space, and for a fee	Usually free if there is space
Best for	Fixed date, fixed time, lowest fare	Plans that may move, or a long drive to the port

Our take. Economy suits a fixed date and a drive to Dover with time to spare. If you are driving to Dover on the day from beyond London, or Operation Brock is in force on the M20, a missed Economy sailing can mean an amendment fee plus any fare difference. Flexi moves you to an earlier or later sailing without an amendment fee. Compare Economy and Flexi for your date before you decide.

Seats and tables in the lounge of the Delft Seaways — The lounge is included; only food, drink and the shop are extra.

Entrance to the Dunkerque Duty Free Shop in the terminal building — The duty free shop in the Loon-Plage terminal, open before boarding on the way home.

Surcharges: the EU ETS charge

Since 2024 DFDS adds an EU ETS charge on its Channel routes, its contribution to the European emissions trading scheme. It is shown separately from the ticket price and depends on the vehicle: in 2026, per single crossing, £5 for a car or motorcycle, £6 for a high car, £7 for a large car and £8 for a motorhome, van or minibus; a caravan, trailer or bicycle adds nothing. DFDS sets the amount each year and it appears as a separate line in the booking (DFDS, ETS charges 2026).

Worked example: family car, return

A car with four people, a week outside the holidays, Economy both ways:

Outbound Dover to Dunkirk, lowest fare	£99
Return Dunkirk to Dover, lowest fare	£99
EU ETS charge, 2 × car (2026 rate)	£10
Total, four people	£208
Per person	£52

The real figure is higher if you pick a popular sailing or a holiday week. In the school holidays and on popular sailings the fare is higher; the module shows the exact figure for your date.

Cheap crossings to Dunkirk: how to pay less

Compare the sailings on one dayFares differ by sailing on the same day. The module above shows every sailing with its price.
Book the return in one goA return in one booking gives one reference for both legs; compare it with two singles for your dates.
Check Calais tooCalais has three operators and more sailings; the fare is sometimes lower, the drive on the French side a little longer if you are heading north. See Calais or Dunkirk. Fares and operators are on calais-dover.com.

Our take. The early sailings are often the cheaper ones, and they are the ones that need you at Eastern Docks by 05:00 for the 06:00. A room in Dover the night before costs part of what you save, but it removes the night drive and the risk of missing an Economy sailing. Check rooms in Dover for the night before your sailing.

Booking through DirectFerries: how it works

You book with DirectFerries, which sells DFDS tickets. The ticket arrives by email with a booking reference that you show at the check-in booth; nothing needs printing. Step by step, including changes and cancellations, on how the booking works.

Questions about the prices

How much is the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk?

From £99 one way for a standard car with up to five people, plus the EU ETS charge. In the holidays and at popular times the fare is higher.

Do I pay per person or per car?

Per car. Up to five occupants are included; only extra people above five pay a supplement.

Is Dunkirk cheaper than Calais?

The lowest DFDS fare is £99 on both routes. On a given date it varies by sailing; compare both for your date on Calais or Dunkirk.

Can I buy a ticket at the port?

Yes, at the booths in Dover, but at the day fare and only if there is space. Booking online in advance is usually cheaper.

Is there a charge for a caravan or motorhome?

Yes, the fare rises with the length and height of your outfit. Enter the dimensions in the module and the correct fare is shown straight away.