DFDS Terminal Dover & Dunkirk

[wotme]

Just checked out the DFDS terminals on google and they look like they could be fun, so how friendly are these ports? do they have dedicated lanes for motorhomes and any idea what number dock it is for Dover to Dunkirk? Any tricky bits on the return leg, I assume there is a check in for pets before boarding at Dunkirk, is this well signposted? The first time we used Eurotunnel I missed the pet check in and of course the barrier stayed down. The minutes ticked by and the queue behind us was getting longer and longer. If this ever happens to you there is only one option. Press the red button.

 

[MichaelT]

Don't know about pets but you just use the car lane i.e. not the freight lanes.....

 

[wotme]

Thanks Michael

 

[Koppersbeat]

If you still live in the New Forest have you considered DFDS Newhaven to Dieppe ?
The ports each end are small and easy and allow overnighting before you board.
Bonus is you get 20% discount if you phone up to book and you are over 60. It is not available for online booking.I use them all the time as I am in Chichester and find it a lot calmer than the hassle of Dover.

 

[wotme]

If you still live in the New Forest have you considered DFDS Newhaven to Dieppe ?
The ports each end are small and easy and allow overnighting before you board.
Bonus is you get 20% discount if you phone up to book and you are over 60. It is not available for online booking.I use them all the time as I am in Chichester and find it a lot calmer than the hassle of Dover.

We booked Dover to Dunkirk because we're taking our dog, so the shorter the route the better. Newhaven to Dieppe takes aprox two and a half hours longer. We would normally go via Eurotunnel which only takes half an hour but the cost is considerable more and Calais is that much further from our final destination

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[nicholsong]

We have used Dover-Dunkirk every year for 8 years and neither end is a hassle. We arrive in good time at Dover, follow signs for DFDS, the check-in staff work on just seeing your Reg No. when approaching, then you are given a boarding card to hang on the sun visor, which has the lane no. for queuing, follow the signs, park in the lane , put on kettle, make sandwiches for ferry, turn off gas and just wait till marshaller beckons you forward to ramp and drive up, follow staff directions for parking till they tell you to stop. Don't turn on alarm as the vibration of trucks can set them off, find stairs/lift, note deck no. and stairwell colour, go up to usually deck 6, find seats and settle in.

Dunkirk similar but quieter because only one ferry every 2 hours.

Bon Voyage.

Geoff

 

[bobandjanie]

As said stay away from the freight ( lorry lanes ) you could have big problems, ? follow the cars and it's only the tunnel that have a pet passport office, they sometimes hand you the scanner and you scan your pets when you check in. ?
They give you a lane number and you will be in with other motorhomes caravans at that point. ? Bob.

 

[EX51SSS]

As said stay away from the freight ( lorry lanes ) you could have big problems, ? follow the cars and it's only the tunnel that have a pet passport office, they sometimes hand you the scanner and you scan your pets when you check in. ?
They give you a lane number and you will be in with other motorhomes caravans at that point. ? Bob.

Afaik, the lane is allocated to you at check in so you get the lane they allocate you as opposed to choosing and many times there's cars, motorbikes, caravans etc. Its probably the computer at the check in that determines your lane and mix of traffic and extremely unlikely (well I've never seen it) to be in the same lanes as Lgv's.

 

[Hollyberry]

Going to France it is cheaper to go Dover to Dunkirk ( well it was when I travelled with the dogs)
Coming back all the ports are easy and for animals they stay in the vehicle. The clerk at the check in gives you the scanner, you read the chip ( dead easy) and hand it back. They do the paperwork. Takes about 10 mins per pet and because you’ve booked and they have plate recognition they know you’re travelling with animals.

Le Havre is especially easy, 2 Aires close to the terminal, easy walk to the town ( 3-5 minutes depending on Aire)