We are thinking about using the Newhaven/Dieppe route for the first time in May. Having read other posts I’m wondering about the potential for change in departure times because of the tides. If we were travelling on the morning ferry (?9am) would it be likely to go much earlier? Would arriving to check in 2hrs before be ok? Also we’re travelling with a caravan so am looking for a nearby site for the night before which would allow an early departure. Any advice/suggestions most welcome.
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We have used route several times without problems. The tide times are a known entity so they adjust sailing times accordingly. If you book the ferry then that is the time it will sail. A nearby campsite to port is Buckle holiday park at Seaford.
You are supposed to arrive 2 hrs before sailing. If you are getting morning sailing you can arrive at port anytime after previous sailing has left ie midnight & park in the lines or on edge. Its a bit noisy though & vehicles will be arriving throughout the night. If you are still asleep when check in opens the port staff will bang on your door.
Thanks for the replies. Can I just ask about parking overnight at the port. We’ve never actually done this anywhere as I assumed it would only apply to motorhomes rather than caravans. Has anyone experienced parking up with the van? Presumably you keep it attached to the car?
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Whenever we've arrived (usually very early for the overnight ferry) there have always been one or two caravans and motorhomes ahead of us. Once the previous ferry has gone it seems OK to turn up. People seem to leave their vehicles to go and get something to eat, although we usually go to the pub behind Sainsbury's before we pull into the port - we don't tow these days.
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Quote: Originally posted by daveyjp on 08/1/2026
Assuming ferries will need a rising tide to arrive and depart its easy to check high and low times for any date of the year.
IIRC sailing times from Newhaven MAY depend on tide conditions at the destination French port! Pretty sure that was the case when I used Newhaven many years ago.
Never know a ferry depart earlier than published departure times. I suppose it's possible if it's fully loaded with all the ticketed passengers on board, but they still have their scheduled arrival time slot at destination port to consider! Been on plenty of ferries that have departed late (pushing an hour IIRC) due to loading issues and technical hitches, but they always make their scheduled arrival time, they just sail faster, but that has been on longer Portsmouth crossings.
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We parked in caravan overnight at dock we arrived about 8pm for 7am sailing. Previous departure had been 5pm. We parked car & caravan hitched up in the space to left of lines. We thought 5am would be ok to get up & make a cup of tea but we got a knock at 4.15am with a shout that check-in was open shortly so get moving. We went through check-in & then sat there for nearly 2hrs before boarding. Very noisy all night with vehicles arriving. Next to truck & trailer park with plenty of trucks coming & going all night.
Quote: Originally posted by Swifty560 on 09/1/2026
We parked in caravan overnight at dock we arrived about 8pm for 7am sailing. Previous departure had been 5pm. We parked car & caravan hitched up in the space to left of lines. We thought 5am would be ok to get up & make a cup of tea but we got a knock at 4.15am with a shout that check-in was open shortly so get moving. We went through check-in & then sat there for nearly 2hrs before boarding. Very noisy all night with vehicles arriving. Next to truck & trailer park with plenty of trucks coming & going all night.
Now that all sounds like a lot of fun!
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Quote: Originally posted by Swifty560 on 09/1/2026
We parked in caravan overnight at dock we arrived about 8pm for 7am sailing. Previous departure had been 5pm. We parked car & caravan hitched up in the space to left of lines. We thought 5am would be ok to get up & make a cup of tea but we got a knock at 4.15am with a shout that check-in was open shortly so get moving. We went through check-in & then sat there for nearly 2hrs before boarding. Very noisy all night with vehicles arriving. Next to truck & trailer park with plenty of trucks coming & going all night.
What about the 11pm sailing? Or did you find somewhere else in the docks to park up?
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
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There wasn’t an 11pm sailing on that night. It was in May so only 2 departures that day. Out of peak season there are less sailings. Provided you arrive after previous sailing has left then parking is no problem. As they knock you up before check-in opens you might as well park in the lanes.
We always use the caravans go free offer. Then that included the 7am Sunday sailing but now it’s only the late Saturday overnight crossing that offers that. You also get 20% discount for over 60s.
This year we are out & back on the cheap offers. Out start of June back end of Aug £145 return for car/caravan. Fraction of what you pay on other routes. You need to book early like last Oct to get the cheap offers Jul/Aug. The longer you leave it the more the offers disappear.
If you want to pay extra for a cabin you can but they get booked up quick. Probably all gone now for summer months. We don’t though. Either sit in a rest chair or crash out on one of the bar settees. Cheapskates we are. Once off at Dieppe then park in Decathlon car park for a bit more sleep if you need it. I suppose once on the car deck you could sleep in caravan or motorhome but against the rules though because I asked them.
Quote: Originally posted by FranceConvert on 07/1/2026
Thanks for the replies. Can I just ask about parking overnight at the port. We’ve never actually done this anywhere as I assumed it would only apply to motorhomes rather than caravans. Has anyone experienced parking up with the van? Presumably you keep it attached to the car?
Not done it at Newhaven but regularly done it at Poole, usually arrive about 6pm having driven from the midlands, pull into the lanes, drop the legs, disconnect the hook up, get the step out and have a brew.the port guys come knocking on the caravan door somewhere around 5:30-6.
Obviously things may be different at Newhaven but as for your question about keeping it attached to the car is the same (keep it hitched up but disconnect the hook up to save wasting the car battery, drop the legs).
We sailed on the early crossing last summer and spent the previous night at Brighton CAMC. Much more relaxing than spending the night on the port and an easy 20 minute drive to Newhaven.
We love the overnight Saturday crossing, arriving on Sunday morning with no lorries on the roads. Unfortunately this year it looks as if we will have to take the dog, so it will be tunnel and a longer drive.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
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Topic: Newhaven Ferry question
via mobile 05/1/2026 at 2:24pm
