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DFDS, with headquarters in Copenhagen, operates 19 vessels across Europe and the UK, connecting over 20 countries with ferry and logistics services. With 17,000 employees, it transports 5 million passengers annually and prioritizes sustainability through route optimization, vessel upgrades, and green transport initiatives. Easily book DFDS ferry tickets online now or through the Ferryscanner app.
DFDS Routes
All DFDS ferry routes, updated twice a month and ranked by demand. Check timetables, fares, and crossing details.
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Explore Amsterdam and Newcastle with DFDS’s Black Friday deal—50% off cabins! Learn more about this exciting offer and book your journey now.
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Ready to set sail? Discover the best ferries to France from the UK. Check here for all the details on routes, prices, and travel tips!
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DFDS Fleet
DFDS runs 19 modern vessels, all maintained for safety and comfort. On board, you’ll find clean, well-equipped spaces and reliable service for easy travel across Europe.
VICTORIA SEAWAYS DFDS
SIRENA SEAWAYS DFDS
REGINA SEAWAYS DFDS
PRINCESS SEAWAYS DFDS
PEARL SEAWAYS DFDS
PATRIA SEAWAYS DFDS
OPTIMA SEAWAYS DFDS
KING SEAWAYS DFDS
D CLASS VESSEL DFDS
CROWN SEAWAYS DFDS
CALAIS SEAWAYS DFDS
ATHENA SEAWAYS DFDS
Seven Sisters DFDS
Luna Seaways DFDS
Dieppe Vessel DFDS
Cote D' Albatre DFDS
Aura Seaways DFDS
Athena Seaways DFDS
About DFDS
Founded in 1866 through the merger of four Danish steamship companies, DFDS (Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab) was created to support fast-growing trade across Europe during the industrial era. Early on, DFDS played a vital role in transporting coal and goods between the UK and Scandinavia, while opening new export routes for farmers across Europe. As trade expanded, so did DFDS—by the early 1900s, its fleet connected markets from the Black Sea to the US, helping fuel agricultural and industrial growth across the continent.
Throughout its history, DFDS has been a key player in European logistics and passenger transport. During the world wars, the company helped keep essential supplies moving. In peacetime, it pioneered innovations such as the ro-ro (roll-on roll-off) service in the 1960s, transforming how trucks and trailers moved across seas. The company also expanded into logistics in the 1970s, growing through key acquisitions like Dan Transport and Norfolkline, and evolving into a combined shipping and logistics group.
Today, DFDS connects over 20 countries across Europe, offering reliable ferry and freight services across the North Sea, the English Channel, and beyond. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, the company is investing in hybrid ferries, fuel-efficient operations, and digital technology to reduce its environmental impact. Backed by more than 150 years of maritime expertise, DFDS continues to provide vital transport links that serve both businesses and travelers across Europe.
DFDS Check-In & Boarding
Arrival Time
Check-in times depend on your route. As a general rule, vehicle passengers should arrive at least 60 minutes before departure, and foot passengers should arrive 40 to 60 minutes early. During high season, it is best to allow up to 2 hours to pass through all port checks. Always check your booking for exact timings, as port procedures can vary.
eTicket
eTickets are not available. You’ll need to collect your physical ticket or boarding pass at the DFDS ticket booth using your booking confirmation code.
Web Check-In
Web check-in is not supported. All passengers must check in at the port before boarding.
Paper Ticket
Paper tickets are required and must be picked up at the terminal before you board.
Booking Confirmation
Bring your booking code with you to collect your boarding pass at the ticket desk. You’ll need it at check-in.
Vehicles on Board
All DFDS ferries take vehicles, including bikes, motorcycles, cars, campers, and trucks. Follow the crew’s instructions when boarding and make sure your vehicle is parked with the handbrake on and in gear. On certain routes such as Dover to Calais or Dunkirk, only passengers with a vehicle can travel, as foot passengers are not accepted.
Required Documents
All passengers must bring a valid ID or passport, your ticket, and any required travel documents. If you’re traveling with a vehicle or pet, remember to bring the necessary papers too. Security checks are carried out at all ports before boarding. For children traveling with a different surname, it’s recommended to carry a letter of authorisation and a birth certificate.
DFDS Onboard Amenities
Relax and enjoy the journey with comfortable VIP seats, cozy cabins, and onboard WiFi. Savor a meal at the restaurant or grab a quick bite from the snack bar. Shop duty-free, unwind in the wellness center, or catch a movie in the cinema.
Wi-Fi Access
Stay connected with onboard Wi-Fi throughout your trip.
VIP Seats
Relax with extra comfort and exclusive VIP seating.
Restaurant
Enjoy delicious meals with full-service onboard dining options.
Snack Bar
Quick snacks and drinks available at the snack bar.
Duty Free
Shop tax-free for exclusive products and souvenirs onboard.
Kids' Play Areas
Fun play areas designed for children to enjoy.
TV
Entertainment screens available in lounges or cabins.
Pool
Refresh with a swim in the onboard pool.
Cinema
Enjoy movies in the onboard cinema during your journey.
Wellness Center
Relax and unwind in the onboard wellness centre.
Cabins
Rest in private, comfortable cabins during your trip.
Pet Kennels
Safe, secure, and comfortable kennels for travelling pets.
Accessible Travel for All
DFDS offers accessible travel with wheelchair-friendly facilities, elevators, and escalators on board. PWD (People with Disabilities) cabins are available for a comfortable journey.
Wheelchair Access
Ramps and spaces for easy wheelchair access.
Elevators
Elevators provide easy access across all decks.
Escalators
Convenient escalators for fast access between decks.
Accessible Cabins
Comfortable, fully equipped cabins for reduced mobility passengers.
DFDS Discounts
Enjoy great savings with DFDS! Families can benefit from discounts for children aged 0-15, making it easier to plan your next trip.
Child Ticket
Children discount available for ages 0-15.
Passengers without a Vehicle
Traveling without a vehicle? DFDS welcomes foot passengers on most routes, offering easy boarding, comfortable seating, and great sea views. Enjoy tasty meals and a relaxed trip from start to finish. Just note that on certain routes, like Dover to Calais or Dunkirk, foot passengers aren’t accepted, you’ll need a vehicle to travel.
Transfer of an unaccompanied vehicle with DFDS
An unaccompanied vehicle cannot be transferred with DFDS. If you need alternative options or further clarification, please contact our support team.
DFDS Pet Policy
Pets are welcome on many DFDS routes, with options to make the trip comfortable for both you and your pet. Policies vary depending on the route, so check details in advance. Here’s what you need to know:
- Pet ticket: Required for all pets. Prices vary — £15 (18€) per pet on Dover–France, £20 (24€) on Newhaven–Dieppe (per way).
- Where pets stay: Pets usually remain in your vehicle with food, water, bedding, and familiar items. On Newhaven–Dieppe, you can also book a dog-friendly kennel (£20 per dog, bring your own bedding).
- Public areas: Only certified guide, hearing, or assistance dogs are allowed in onboard public spaces.
- Special rule for cats: Cats are allowed but cannot stay in vehicles during the trip. All passengers must leave the vehicle before departure.
- Documents: You’ll need a Pet ID or passport, Animal Health Certificate or valid EU Pet Passport, microchip (scanned at check-in), rabies vaccination, and for dogs entering the UK, tapeworm treatment (24–120 hours before arrival).
- Check-in: Vehicle passengers check in at the booth where pet documents and microchips are checked. Foot passengers (Newhaven–Dieppe only) check in at the terminal and will be guided by the crew to the kennel area.
- Tips: Bring food, water, bedding, and toys. Pets must be at least 16 weeks old and fit to travel as there are no onboard veterinary services. Crew may check on pets during the trip if needed.
DFDS follows the DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme and takes pet safety seriously, so you can travel with peace of mind.
Loyalty Program
DFDS currently doesn’t offer a loyalty program or member card. Think we got it wrong? Let us know! Contact our support team, and we’ll update any missing info faster than a ferry leaving the harbor.
DFDS Luggage Allowance
DFDS allows generous luggage options, but the rules may vary depending on the route you’re sailing. In most cases, there’s no official weight limit, especially if you’re traveling with a vehicle—just be sure your luggage is packed securely inside the car. For foot passengers, luggage must be manageable without assistance and generally should not exceed 50 kg.
On some routes like Jersey, a 25 kg limit applies to both carry-on and checked luggage. Passengers may be asked to place certain bags in designated storage areas for safety reasons. It’s always a good idea to keep valuables with you in your hand luggage during the trip.
When booking with us, you’ll see the exact luggage rules for your selected route—no guesswork, no surprises at the port. Pack smart and travel with peace of mind!
Important: Passengers carrying hunting or sporting weapons or ammunition must declare this at the time of booking and follow strict conditions. A completed Notification of Carriage of Weapons/Ammunition form is required at least 24 hours before departure. Regulations vary by destination country, so be sure to check the rules in advance.
Guiding Principles
With over 150 years of maritime and logistics expertise, DFDS continues to play a key role in connecting Europe through reliable transport and logistics solutions. Originally founded to support trade during the Industrial Revolution, the company now operates across 20+ countries, combining deep industry knowledge with forward-thinking strategies for a changing world.
Today, DFDS is committed to delivering services that are safe, efficient, and increasingly sustainable. As the transport and logistics sector faces growing pressure to reduce emissions, DFDS has set ambitious climate goals—aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 across all operations. This includes a 45% reduction in vessel emissions by 2030 (from a 2008 baseline) and a 75% reduction in land transport and warehousing emissions by 2030 (from a 2022 baseline).
To reach these goals, DFDS focuses on four key strategies: improving energy efficiency, investing in electrification, adopting alternative fuels, and supporting circular practices. Decarbonisation is a shared responsibility across the organisation, guided by a dedicated Group Decarbonisation unit and a cross-functional board to ensure targets are met in every business area.
Whether at sea or on land, DFDS is introducing new technologies—like hybrid vessels and electric trucks—to support the shift away from fossil fuels. The company also partners with institutions like Roskilde University to develop cutting-edge digital solutions for emissions reduction.
As part of the DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme and with continuous investment in greener operations, DFDS remains a trusted and future-focused choice for both freight and passenger transport. Through innovation, collaboration, and a long-standing passion for progress, DFDS is building a more sustainable transport network—one journey at a time.
Destinations Available with DFDS
Amsterdam Mallorca
Copenhagen Crete
Calais Mainland France
Dunkirk Mainland France
Dieppe Mainland France
Dover Mainland Spain
Frederikshavn Tuscany
Hanko Ionian Islands
Karlshamn Tenerife
Kiel Cyclades
Klaipeda Crete
Kapellskar Spanish Territories
Newcastle Crete
Newhaven Tuscany
Oslo Gulf of Naples
Paldiski Tuscan Archipelago
Rosslare Cyclades
