Crossing guide
What the Dunkirk to Rosslare crossing is like
DFDS describes the Dunkirk to Rosslare crossing as approximately 23 hours, and its timetable shows several sailings a week at varying times of day. The clocks go back an hour on the way to Ireland. Sailings leave from Loon-Plage, west of Dunkirk, and the long passage means the arrival day is effectively fixed by the departure you choose.
Leaving Dunkirk
The Rosslare ships leave from DFDS’s terminal at Loon-Plage in the Port of Dunkirk, west of the town, not from the Dover ferry berths. Use the Loon-Plage address DFDS gives when navigating, and allow for the drive through the port estate. DFDS sells this route per car with up to four people.
Arriving in Rosslare
The ship docks at Rosslare Europort in the south-east of Ireland. Roads from the harbour lead to Wexford town and on towards Waterford and Dublin. After a crossing of close to a day, allow for unloading and any pet checks before you plan the drive home.
Vessels
Ships commonly used on this route
DFDS names Victoria Seaways and Athena Seaways for Rosslare–Dunkirk. The booking data we read does not identify which of the two operates a given sailing, so check your confirmation for the ship.
Dogs aboard
Travelling with a dog on DFDS
The return works like the outward trip: a pet-friendly cabin, booked as a vehicle passenger, is the pet option DFDS lists, with no kennels on the route. The difference is the paperwork, because Ireland requires a tapeworm treatment given within a strict window before you land — on a crossing close to a day long, time it carefully.
- Documents
- The Government of Ireland asks for an EU pet passport for EU residents, or an EU health certificate for non-EU residents such as UK-based owners, with the microchip fitted before the rabies vaccination.
- Tapeworm window
- A vet must give a praziquantel tapeworm treatment no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before the scheduled arrival in Ireland. On a crossing this long, check that the treatment will still fall inside the window when you land in Rosslare.
- Booking
- Reserve the pet-friendly cabin and add the dog; if none are left, DFDS asks you not to book a different cabin type. Vehicle passengers with pets check in at the vehicle booths.
- On board
- Assistance dogs apart, pets are not allowed in the public areas. Walk the dog on a lead to the cabin and use the exercise deck near the pet cabins.
Carrier and border rules change. Confirm every item with DFDS, the official sources below and your vet before you travel.
Cabin alerts
What SailSoon watches on this route
DFDS monitoring currently covers the next 180 days. Dates further ahead are checked on a rotating schedule. Checks are made for two adults travelling with a car, so other party sizes or foot passengers may see different results. Prices we show are for the cabin or option only, not the full fare, and nothing is reserved for you: book and confirm the total price and pet terms with DFDS.
- Pet-friendly cabins
- Cabins DFDS marks as pet-friendly, when it offers them on the sailing. Check the pet rules and any pet charge on the booking page.
- Premium cabins
- The operator’s premium or deluxe cabin categories, including pet-friendly premium cabins where they exist.
- Standard cabins
- Ordinary private cabins for at least two people, inside or with a window.
- Not monitored
- Kennels, seats, shared berths, deck options and the full fare. Check those directly with DFDS.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Dunkirk to Rosslare?
DFDS gives approximately 23 hours, and timetabled sailings run roughly 23 to 24 hours. Check the timetable for your departure.
Which ships sail from Dunkirk to Rosslare?
DFDS names Victoria Seaways and Athena Seaways for Rosslare–Dunkirk. The booking data we read does not identify which of the two operates a given sailing, so check your confirmation for the ship. The ship on your booking is the one whose cabins and pet facilities apply.
Can I take my dog on the Dunkirk to Rosslare ferry?
Yes, in a pet-friendly cabin booked with a vehicle. There are no kennels listed, and your vet must give the Irish tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before the scheduled Rosslare arrival.
What paperwork does my dog need for Rosslare?
An EU pet passport (or an EU health certificate for non-EU residents), a microchip fitted before the rabies vaccination, and a vet-given tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before the scheduled arrival in Ireland. Check the official guidance before you travel, as rules change.
Does SailSoon alert me to kennels on this route?
No. On DFDS we watch pet-friendly, premium and standard cabins only. Kennel space is not monitored, so check and book kennels directly with DFDS.
Sources
Where these facts come from
- DFDS: Rosslare to Dunkirk (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- DFDS: Dunkirk to Rosslare (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- DFDS: on board Rosslare–Dunkirk (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- DFDS: terminals (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- Rosslare Europort: passenger facilities (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- DFDS: travelling with pets (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- Government of Ireland: pet travel (reviewed 2026-09-11)
Member alerts
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