DFDS
Operates in: NL, GB, FR, IE, DK, DE, LT, SE, ES, MA
Motorhome score: 4/5
Strong point
The widest choice of motorhome routes of any ferry operator, clear gas rules of 3 bottles and 47 kg, LPG propulsion permitted where Eurotunnel bans it, and regular genuine motorhome promotions with a free caravan or the car fare.
Watch out for
No electricity on the vehicle deck, the dog is not allowed to stay in the vehicle on IJmuiden–Newcastle and the pet-friendly cabins there can only be booked by telephone; jerrycans are banned outright.
Gas bottles
- Maximum number of bottles
- 3×
- Maximum weight
- 47 kg
- Valve closed during the crossing
- Overnight stays allowed
- Declare at
- at the time of booking and again at check-in
- Fixed gas tank
- permitted provided the tank is not overfilled and the valves are shut off before boarding
- Particulars
- Butane or propane only, for lighting, cooking or heating. Jerrycans are banned outright, including empty ones.
Pets
- Pets
- yes on the short Channel routes; NOT on IJmuiden–Newcastle
- Kennels on board
- Overnight stays allowed
- Pet-friendly cabins
- IJmuiden–Newcastle: pet-friendly cabins for a maximum of 2 medium-sized dogs and 4 people, with vinyl flooring and a private shower/toilet, bookable by telephone only. Rosslare–Dunkirk: limited, select when booking.
- Price indication
- ±€18 per dog on the Channel routes, ±€33 per dog on IJmuiden–Newcastle (2026 guide price)
- Walking deck
- Overnight stays allowed
- Particulars
- On IJmuiden–Newcastle there is an outdoor area for walking the dog; pets have no access to the public areas.
Dimensions & fares
- Height
- motorhome promotion up to 4.00 m high; each route has fare bands based on height (above 1.85 m is dearer), no full table published
- Length
- motorhome promotion up to 12.00 m, anything longer counts as freight
- Max
- 12 m in the standard motorhome class
- Surcharges
- bike rack, roof box and tow bar all count towards length and height
- Particulars
- yes, measured at check-in; incorrect dimensions lead to a surcharge or refusal
Booking & flexibility
- Open ticket
- no genuine open ticket, but Flex fares with more generous amendment conditions
- Cancellation & changes
- promotional fares are non-refundable; changes are usually possible on payment of the fare difference
- Early-booking discount
- early-booking offers usually run from January to March for the summer
- When it gets busy
- IJmuiden–Newcastle peaks during the school holidays; on the Dover routes the price rises sharply on Fridays and Saturdays in July and August
- Loyalty programme
- no motorhome-specific points programme, but route-specific newsletter offers
Vehicle deck during the crossing
- Vehicle deck during the crossing
- closed during the crossing
- Power on the vehicle deck
- not available; DFDS states explicitly that a motorhome on board may not be connected to electricity or gas to run the fridge
- Accessibility & comfort
- IJmuiden–Newcastle has lifts from the vehicle deck and adapted cabins; the Channel ships are wheelchair accessible from the vehicle deck
Discounts
- Motorhome promotion Calais/Dunkirk–Dover: up to 10% off the motorhome fare, motorhome no more than 4 m high and 12 m long, maximum 4 people, not valid on extras or levies
- IJmuiden–Newcastle: from Sunday to Tuesday the caravan travels free and the motorhome pays the car fare
- NKC members received 10% to 20% off the vehicle and cabin price on IJmuiden–Newcastle; that offer ran until December 2025 and the 2026 edition has not been publicly confirmed
- ADAC members: up to 10% discount