The TransManche ferry docked at Dieppe

Dieppe – The Ferry

The city of Dieppe has quite an active ferry activity. Up to 3 sailings per day, for the four hour crossing (it used to be half the time when they were operating a fast ferry, but those days are gone).

The ferry is operated by DFDS (formerly known as Transmanche ferries) and goes between Newhaven in the UK (next to Brighton) and Dieppe.

The DFDS ferries arrive and depart very close to the city centre; about 10 to 15 minutes walk. You can see the ferry itself from almost anywhere within Dieppe (see photo above).

Roundabout in front of Dieppe ferry terminal
Roundabout in front of Dieppe ferry terminal

The ferry terminal is on the outskirts of the city centre, alongside the sea. The massive cliffs (and with some visible German WWII bunkers) are on the other side. Entry is via the roundabout.

Car/Caravan/Truck checkin for the Dieppe ferry
Car/Caravan/Truck checkin for the Dieppe ferry

Right after the roundabout are the checkin lanes for vehicles (cars, caravans, motorbikes and trucks). The lanes are divided by European (EC) and non-EC country passports. All around you will see very persuasive barbed-wires.

After the checkin…

Lanes for boarding the Dieppe ferry
Lanes for boarding the Dieppe ferry

… the boarding lanes for the ferry.

On the righthand side of the vehicle checkin gates you will see:

Ferry terminal building at Dieppe
Ferry terminal building at Dieppe

… the terminal building. Compared to other stations (Ouistreham, Le Havre), it’s quite small for such an active station.

Waiting area for the Dieppe ferry
Waiting area for the Dieppe ferry

The waiting area is quite sparse with seats, DFDS service desk, vending machines and …

Cafeteria at the Dieppe ferry building
Cafeteria at the Dieppe ferry building

.. and cafeteria/snack bar where you can buy some food and drinks.

Customs for foot passengers of the Dieppe ferry
Customs for foot passengers of the Dieppe ferry

Foot passengers (passengers without vehicle) must pass through these customs & excise gates.

Summary

The Dieppe ferry station is quite handy. It’s close to the UK (Newhaven is quite close to London), you can walk into town and enjoy the sites and restaurants, and if you have a vehicles, you can drive 10 minutes to the Dieppe Golf Club (on top of the cliffs), one of France’s oldest and one that was created by the English.

Click here to see the time schedules and prices for the DFDS ferries.

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