Dover

Tips and information about the port of Dover

Dover, the British port at the narrowest point of the Channel

Dover is the busiest ferry port and the second busiest cruise port in England. It’s the main connection for tourism and economic or commercial transactions between England and Europe. It is in Kent, in southwest England, next to the British Channel. It’s located at the narrowest point of the Strait of Dover, across France. After Brexit there are long queues and delays at the port as it takes more time for officers to check passenger documents, as citizens of the two countries cannot come and go freely, as they did. That is why passengers must be at the port at least 3 hours before departure. Remember, you must show a valid passport as after Brexit, national IDs are not acceptable. Dover port has a ferry terminal, a cruise terminal and a cargo terminal.

How to get to and from the port of Dover

The port of Dover is in Kent and 130 km from London. You can reach the port by bus, train or plane.
• The closest railway station to the port is Dover Priory. It’s a 25-minute walk from the port and it connects Dover to London. The journey lasts about an hour and ticket prices start from 19€.
• The National Express coaches can take you from the central station of Dover to London. The journey lasts approximately 3 hours and ticket prices start from 8€. The central Dover bus station is a 15-minute walk from the port.
• Outside the port there are many local buses that will take you to the city centre and Kent.
• You can rent a car at the port of Dover. Remember that the British drive on the left, the opposite from the rest of Europe.
• Taxis are outside the Dover ferry port 24 hours a day. There are also many cab companies that you can call and have a car over to meet you in just minutes.
• There isn’t a parking area at the Dover ferry port. You will have to find and book a private parking space before you arrive at the port.

The port of Dover

What facilities you will find at the port of Dover?

Only foot passengers who travel with P&O Ferries can purchase ferry tickets at the port. The rest must have bought their tickets before boarding, whether online or by phone. There are two Passenger Terminals at the Dover port arrivals area. The Passenger Terminal at Eastern Docks is on the east side of the port and it’s a passengers’ entrance. Some of the facilities are taxis, a local bus stop, a shuttle bus that takes passengers from the terminal to the ferry, car rentals, café, ticket offices for passengers traveling on foot, passengers’ reception, and toilets. The second is the Passenger Services Building West on the west side of the port. Facilities include an exchange office, toilets, cash machine, massage chairs, restaurant, café, and a playground. Travelling by ferry from Dover is a great opportunity to discover the area around the port or see London as it is just a short distance away.
Whether your ferry leaves early in the morning or you have decided to explore England for a few days, there are many hotels near the Dover port. Choose to stay in a boutique hotel, a hostel, a B&B, a modern or a Victorian Airbnb flat or a cottage. There are also many areas for camping near Dover ferry port. The area around the port is dazzling and you can find many cafes and restaurants that are open 24 hours a day. Super markets are usually open from 6 in the morning until midnight.
The first train to London St Pancras station departs at 4:30 in the morning. If you want to travel by bus, the first one to London Victoria Coach Station leaves at 4:20 in the morning. There are many things to do in the British capital like walking along Thames or shopping in Oxford Street. See London Bridge, Tower Bridge, London Aquarium, London Eye, Hyde Park, the Buckingham Palace, as well as some of the biggest museums like the British Museum and Madame Tussauds. There are many attractions very close to Dover port like the Castle of Dover. The most remarkable one is the White Cliffs of Dover, a natural landmark 110 metres height and 13 km long.

All ferry routes from Dover port

Find all the details you need if you are travelling to France by boat. It’s always a special experience to travel by boat between countries of northern and central Europe.

Dover to Calais

The port of Dover is the closest to Calais. The journey, depending on the ferry company you choose, takes from 90 minutes to 2,5 hours and there are plenty of routes during the day. Companies offering this route are DFDS, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries.

Dover to Dunkirk

The journey from Dover to Dunkirk lasts 3 hours and there are many routes every day. DFDS is the only company offering ferry routes from Dover to Dunkirk.
During summertime there is a bigger number of ferries operating for both routes.

How can I book ferry tickets to and from Dover?

See ferry routes, offers, all the latest news and book ferry tickets through Let’s Ferry. Make an online booking and a web check-in before your trip. Be updated before you travel about possible delays and make sure you have all the necessary documents with you, before you arrive at the port.