Dunkirk Ferry Port
Book Here
Dunkirk Ferry Port offers a frequent ferry service to Dover, England.
Catch a crossing to Dunkirk ferry terminal on these routes:
- Dover to Dunkirk (DFDS Seaways)
Dunkirk Ferry Terminal Map and Directions
Address: Terminal Roulier du Port Ouest, 59279 Loon-Plage, Dunkirk.
About Dunkirk
Dunkirk ferry port is situated on the northern coast of France, just 46km from Calais. It's actually France's 3rd largest port thanks to its proximity to London, Paris and Brussels. Passengers can quickly embark and disembark on arrival and departure, often making it a more popular choice than Calais.
Getting to Dunkirk Ferry Port
By Car
The ferry port terminal is well sign-posted and well linked to the French motorway network. From the A25 (Lille) motorway, join the A16, in the direction of Calais. From the A16 (Dunkirk/Belgium), Take exit 24, and follow signs towards the `Port Rapide/Car Ferry' terminal. From St. Omer, The D600 crosses the A16 direct to the Terminal. From Dunkirk Centre, Follow signs for Calais and then signs to 'Loon Plage/Car Ferry'.
By Train
The train station is located in Dunkirk at 'Place de la gare'. Approx a 25 minute drive away from the terminal.
Dunkirk Ferry Port Facilities
Café/ Bar
The terminal is well-equipped and has restaurants and a bar. You will also find a newsagents and convenience store and vending machines.
Disabled Facilities
The port terminal offers a range of disabled facilities. Any member of staff is able to help, should you require assistance.
Shuttle Bus
There is a shuttle bus which transports foot passengers between the passenger terminal and the ships for arrivals and departures.
Terminal Opening Hours
Ferry ticket sales and passenger information desk is open 24 hour.
Tourist Information
You can request information from the inforamtion desk or alternatively, please visit the Dunkirk Tourist Office website.
Parking at Dunkirk Ferry Port
Both long and short term parking are available at the port.
Port information is provided by Eurodrive for guidance only.
More About Dunkirk
The Port of Dunkirk (Dunkerque in French) is in the French department of Nord Pas-de-Calais, and situated just to the north east of the Dover Straits. It is the third largest port in France after Le Havre and Marseille and the second French port for traffic with Great Britain. In 2003, some 6,700 ships called at Dunkirk, mainly freight. The port of Dunkirk has some 8.5 miles of quay and can handle all sizes of ship, from the smallest to giant tankers and container vessels. It also has four dry docks and two floating docks for repairs plus numerous storehouses for grain, fruit, refrigerated and other products. Major imports into the port include coal, phosphates, fuel oil and minerals, whilst exports include cement, sugar and chemical products. Container traffic continues to grow and two new seaside berths in the 600m quay extension will be able to berth some of the world's largest container ships. The docks are connected to the all-important points in Belgium and Northern France by a complex system of canals and railways.
For Car drivers, the Port of Dunkirk is good alternative to Calais port being just 10 km from the Belgian border. The Dover to Dunkirk ferry service was launched in May 2000 and was run for ten years by Norfolk Line ferries, until being taken over in 2010 by DFDS, who now operate up to 12 crossing a day on the route.
Dunkirk History
Dunkirk was established in the 8th century as a small and simple fishing harbour. Dunkirk and surrounds were much disputed between Spain, England, the Netherlands and France, until it became definitively French when Charles II of England sold it to France for £40,000 in October 1662. During the reign of Louis XIV, a large number of pirates had their base at Dunkirk. In World War II, heavy fighting took place around Dunkirk during the German invasion in 1940, but a lull in the action allowed over 300,000 French and British soldiers to be evacuated to England amidst constant bombing. The story of the British evacuation of Dunkirk, codenamed Operation Dynamo and dubbed "the miracle of Dunkirk" by Winston Churchill, is told in the movie "Dunkirk" (2017), written and directed by Christopher Nolan.
Dunkirk Shopping
Little remains of the old town following World War II. However Dunkirk nowadays offers a great selection of shops from modern supermarkets to colourful weekly markets. Shoppers can choose from a wide variety of local crafts, including crystal, pottery and lace. First-rate French wines and foods are offered at the shopping centres and specialised shops. When you get tired of the shopping, Dunkirk and nearby areas have a great selection of bars and restaurants offering French and international cuisine.
Find out more about Dunkirk and the Port of Dunkirk.