The Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres are French-flagged sister ships on DFDS’s Dover to Calais route. With room for 1,500 passengers and 400 cars each, they carry more people than any other DFDS ship on the Channel, and at 25 knots they’re the fastest.
The Côte des Dunes was built in 2001 and the Côte des Flandres in 2004, and both were refurbished in January 2016. On board each there’s a restaurant, a snack bar, a café, play areas, a shop and a Premium Lounge.
Where the Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres sail
Both ships sail Dover to Calais for DFDS, alongside the Côte d’Opale.
- The crossing takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
- DFDS runs up to 30 sailings a day to Calais, from 00:10 to 21:10.
- Fares started at £99 one way for a car and up to 5 people in October 2026.
- Check-in closes 1 hour before departure; DFDS advises allowing 120 minutes before that for border and security checks.
- Vehicles only: DFDS doesn’t take foot passengers from Dover.
- DFDS lets you travel up to 4 hours either side of your booked sailing, subject to space.
Which DFDS ship you get depends on the sailing. See the Dover to Calais guide for times and how DFDS compares with P&O and Irish Ferries.
Check DFDS Dover to Calais fares
Where are the Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres now?
These live maps show each ship’s latest position and her track over the last 24 hours, from AIS data via VesselFinder. Tap or click a map to use it, and tap the ship for her speed, course and next port. Positions can be a few minutes old.
Côte des Dunes
Live map from VesselFinder. IMO 9232527.
Côte des Flandres
Live map from VesselFinder. IMO 9305843.
On board
DFDS lists a restaurant, a snack bar, a café, play areas, a shop, a Premium Lounge and facilities for lorry drivers on both ships. On its Dover to Calais route, DFDS’s food and services include:
- 7 Seas Restaurant, open 24/7, with hot and cold dishes and sea views.
- Lighthouse Café, open 24/7, for wraps, snacks, coffee and cake.
- Horizon Restaurant for pizza, pasta and salads, on afternoon and evening sailings from April to August and in UK school holidays.
- A Premium Lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks on selected crossings, and Priority Boarding to be among the first on and off.
- A duty-free shop, which DFDS says saves up to 50% on UK high street prices, with Reserve & Collect and an ATM.
- The Pirates’ Island play area and Jack’s Treasure Hunt app game.
- Free Wi-Fi.
Not every outlet is on every ship or every sailing, so check on board.
Pets
Pets travel in your vehicle, at £15 per pet each way. You can’t stay in the vehicle during the crossing, but you can ask at the Guest Service Centre to visit your pet. Leave fresh water, food, absorbent bedding and good ventilation, and lock the car with the alarm switched off. DFDS only carries pets at least 16 weeks old.
Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres specification
| Côte des Dunes | Côte des Flandres | |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 2001 | 2004 |
| Refurbished | January 2016 | |
| Length | 186 m | |
| Width | 28 m | |
| Passengers | 1,500 | |
| Cars | 400 | |
| Cruising speed | 25 knots | |
| Flag | France | |
| IMO number | 9232527 | 9305843 |
Other DFDS ships: the Côte d’Opale, the Dover, Delft and Dunkerque Seaways, and the Seven Sisters and Côte d’Albâtre. See the DFDS fleet and the DFDS guide.
Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres Ferry Guide FAQs
What route do the Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres sail?
Dover to Calais, with DFDS. The crossing takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
How many passengers do the Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres carry?
Up to 1,500 passengers and 400 cars each, the most of any DFDS ship on the Channel.
Are the Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres the same?
They're sister ships, both 186 m long and 28 m wide with a cruising speed of 25 knots. The Côte des Dunes was built in 2001 and the Côte des Flandres in 2004, and both were refurbished in January 2016.
Where are the Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres now?
The live maps on this page show each ship's latest position and her track over the last 24 hours, from VesselFinder's AIS data. Their IMO numbers are 9232527 (Côte des Dunes) and 9305843 (Côte des Flandres).
Do the Côte des Dunes and Côte des Flandres have a Premium Lounge?
Yes. DFDS lists a Premium Lounge on both, with complimentary drinks and snacks on selected crossings.