The Dieppe–Newhaven route is the most affordable ferry connection between France and England. Starting at 37 euros, it’s the most cost-effective way to cross the English Channel and arrive directly on the south coast of England.
The route is operated by the shipping company DFDS and allows passengers to travel either on foot or by bringing a car or other vehicle on board. Fares for passengers traveling without a vehicle start at approximately 37 euros one way, while those wishing to bring their own car must check the price based on the date and details of their trip.
Dieppe–Newhaven Ferries: Prices and Crossing Times
The Dieppe–Newhaven ferry route is operated by DFDS , a shipping company that operates regular crossings on this route year-round.
The DFDS shipping company offers about 16 weekly crossings, each lasting about 4 hours. With fares starting at about 37 euros for foot passengers, this is an option worth considering for those who want to travel directly to Newhaven from France. Cars and other vehicles can also be loaded onto the ferry.
Here is the key information about the route:
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Shipline: DFDS.
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Duration of the crossing: about 4 hours.
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Frequency: 16 crossings per week.
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Fare for pedestrians: starting at approximately 37 euros one way.
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Vehicles: Cars, RVs, and other permitted vehicles may be loaded onto the ferry.
The price of 37 euros is an estimate and applies to passengers traveling without a vehicle. Actual fares vary depending on the date, time, and seat availability. Passengers traveling by car should check the total cost of their reservation.
All routes between France and England, United Kingdom
To cross the English Channel from France, you can choose from several ferry operators and numerous routes to British ports. Here is an overview of the companies listed on Direct Ferries, including the number of daily departures and the travel times listed on the platform.
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Irish Ferries: 9 daily routes, with an estimated travel time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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P&O Ferries: 11 daily sailings, with an estimated travel time of 6 hours and 32 minutes.
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DFDS Seaways: 24 daily routes, with an estimated travel time of 4 hours and 15 minutes.
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Eurotunnel: 41 crossings per day, with a crossing time of approximately 35 minutes.
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Brittany Ferries: 9 daily routes, with an estimated travel time of 7 hours and 37 minutes.
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Stena Line: 3 daily routes, with an estimated travel time of 8 hours.
Other Routes Across the English Channel
Caen–Portsmouth The Caen–Portsmouth route is operated by Brittany Ferries and offers about 20 weekly crossings, with a voyage time of approximately 6 hours.
It’s a great option for travelers departing from Normandy who want to reach Portsmouth, a major port city on England’s southern coast.
Calais–Dover. The Calais–Dover route is one of the busiest for crossing the English Channel and is served by three companies:
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Irish Ferries: about 9 daily departures, 1 hour and 30-minute crossing.
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DFDS Seaways: approximately 11 daily departures, 1 hour and 40-minute crossing.
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P&O Ferries: approximately 74 weekly crossings, with an estimated travel time of 1 hour and 35 minutes.
The frequent service makes this route particularly well-suited for those who wish to travel to Dover and continue on to London or other destinations in England.
Cherbourg–Poole – Brittany Ferries also operates the Cherbourg–Poole route, with about 5 crossings per week and a sailing time of 4 hours and 30 minutes.
It’s an option for those leaving from western Normandy who want to reach the Dorset coast.
Cherbourg–Portsmouth – Brittany Ferries also operates the Cherbourg–Portsmouth route, with approximately 3 crossings per week and a travel time of about 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Le Havre–Portsmouth – Brittany Ferries also connects Le Havre with Portsmouth, with about 6 weekly crossings and a sailing time of 10 hours and 45 minutes. This crossing is longer than the northern Channel routes, but it may be a good option for travelers departing from Normandy who prefer to travel directly to Portsmouth.
Roscoff–Plymouth – The Roscoff–Plymouth route is operated by Brittany Ferries and offers approximately 6 crossings per week, with a travel time of about 6 hours and 40 minutes.
It is particularly useful for those traveling from Brittany to the southwest of England.
Saint-Malo–Portsmouth – Brittany Ferries operates the Saint-Malo–Portsmouth route with about 5 crossings per week. The crossing takes an average of 8 hours and 35 minutes.
Saint-Malo–Poole – Another option from Brittany is the Saint-Malo–Poole route, also operated by Brittany Ferries. There are about 4 weekly crossings, each lasting about 6 hours.
Eurotunnel: the fastest alternative to the ferry between France and the U.K.
In addition to ferry service, there is a particularly attractive option for those traveling by car: the Eurotunnel Shuttle.
The service connects Calais, France, with Folkestone, England, via the Channel Tunnel. Cars and other vehicles are loaded onto special shuttle trains that travel through the tunnel in about 35 minutes.
Eurotunnel is therefore the fastest option for those who need to cross the English Channel with their own vehicle. However, it is not available to passengers traveling on foot.
If you’d like to learn more about how the service works and plan your trip, you can also read our guide: 5 Tips for the Eurotunnel Shuttle Between France and England.
Which ferry should I take to get to England?
The choice depends mainly on your final destination, your point of departure in France, and your mode of transportation.
Dieppe–Newhaven is an attractive option for those who want to reach the south coast of England and are looking for an affordable fare.
Calais–Dover and Dunkirk–Dover are particularly well-suited for those heading to southeastern England, thanks to frequent departures and short crossing times. On the other hand, travelers departing from Brittany or western Normandy may want to consider connections to Portsmouth, Poole, and Plymouth.
To learn more about ferry options from Calais and Dunkirk, you can also check out our guide: Ferries between France and England: departures from Dover, Dunkirk, and Calais (excluding the Eurotunnel).
Documents Required to Enter the United Kingdom
Before booking the ferry, it is important to check which documents are required to enter the United Kingdom.
Italian citizens traveling for tourism must generally have the following:
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A valid passport, valid for the entire duration of the stay.
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ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), which must be obtained before departure.
The ETA is mandatory for Italian citizens as of April 2, 2025. It allows for tourist stays of up to six months, subject to the conditions set by the British authorities.
The application must be submitted through the British government’s official channels before departure. For more information, please refer to the official GOV.UK guide for European citizens visiting the United Kingdom.
How to book ferries from France to England and the U.K.,
The DFDS Dieppe–Newhaven ferry offers an attractive option for those looking for an affordable crossing to the south coast of England. With affordable fares and the option to bring cars and other vehicles on board, it’s a route worth considering when planning a trip to the United Kingdom.
There is no shortage of options: from Calais and Dunkirk to Dover, including connections to Portsmouth, Poole, and Plymouth, you can choose from a variety of carriers and ports of arrival.
On Ferryfinder.com, you can compare routes and fares and check departure times to find the option that best suits your needs.
