Getting to and Around Dover

Road Travel:
Dover is easily accessible by road, being around 90 minutes from London via the M2 and M20 motorways. The M25, which encircles Greater London, is about an hour away, making travel straightforward. Parking is widely available throughout Dover, with options for caravans, motorhomes, and coaches. Local information is available to guide you on locations and charges.

Tip: try park4night.com/dover for local overnight parking recommendations and quirky spots to stay overnight in motorhomes, campervans and alike. As a popular tourist destination and a key route to Europe, Kent's roads can get busy. If you need to travel by car, make sure you’re prepared for each travel by checking ahead of time at www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel.

Car Hire and Coach Services:
There are several car hire options available, and you can contact the Visitor Information Centre for assistance in finding the right service. National Express provides regular coach services between London, Dover, and many other popular locations like Canterbury and further connections across the UK from London Victoria. Eurolines also offers coach services to European destinations from the area’s ferry terminals.

Tip: Coach services alight at two major locations in Dover - Pencester Road near its gardens at the main coach and bus stop in Town and secondly the Ferry Terminals at Dover Eastern Docks.

Buses:
Stagecoach operates a reliable bus service throughout the area, connecting in and around other towns such as Dover, Deal, Canterbury and Folkestone, as well as Dover’s surrounding villages. They offer a variety of ticket options, and you can find up-to-date timetables and fares on their website or by phone.

Tip: The local operator is offering a deal (as of Sep 24) where you can get around for £2. which is a fantastic way to reach attractions that are outside 15 mins walk of the main town, i.e. Kearsney Abbey, Dover Transport Museum or Lydden Hill Race Circuit.

Rail Travel:
Travelling by train is one of the most efficient ways to reach Dover. High-speed Southeastern trains connect Dover Priory to London St Pancras in just over an hour. There are also regular services from London Victoria, Charing Cross, and Waterloo. The area has two train stations, including Dover Priory & Kearsney. Trains from here can reach Deal, Folkestone, Sandwich, Canterbury, London and Margate, making travel within the region convenient.

Tip: From Dover Castle and the nearby forts, you can easily visit many of Kent’s famous historic sites by train and local rail. This is helpful if you're planning a larger history and heritage tour.

For international travel, Eurostar services are available from London St Pancras, providing links to mainland Europe. The Channel Tunnel terminal is only a 15-minute drive from Dover, offering vehicle crossings to Calais in 35 minutes via Le Shuttle.

Sea Travel:
The Port of Dover is Europe’s busiest ferry terminal, with frequent crossings to France offered by DFDS, P&O, and Irish Ferries. Ferries operate every 20 minutes, with a crossing time of approximately 90 minutes. The port is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring flexible travel. Dover is also a significant cruise port, with two terminals welcoming ships for both turnarounds and port-of-call visits. On cruise days, a shuttle bus operates from the terminal to Dover town centre and Dover Castle.

Tip: Travellers who are using bicycles get priority to jump the queue and beat motor vehicles wait times when travelling via the port to international ferry trips.

Moorings:
For those arriving by yacht or boat, excellent mooring facilities are available at Dover Marina. Additionally, boat plots can be hired at coastal locations that make it easy to stay in Dover and plan ahead. Check out www.portofdover.com for easy and convenient birth and shore services.

Airports:
Kent is generally considered quite well-connected to London’s major airports. Gatwick Airport is around 90 minutes away by road, and Heathrow and London City airports are roughly a two-hour drive from Dover. Rail connections to these airports are available via London, ensuring convenient access for international travellers.

Tip: if travelling in larger groups, Local travel company YMS travel offer bookings of shuttle buses and coaches to and from Airports and Dover.

Accessible Travel:
Local travel and transport organisations are committed to offering accessible travel options. For rail services, many stations and trains have accessible facilities, and detailed information is available on the Southeastern website. Blue Badge holders can park in designated bays in car parks, with free parking offered for up to three hours with a valid badge. Stagecoach buses are accessible, providing features to assist passengers with mobility issues. You can contact Stagecoach’s customer service team for more information on accessible bus routes.

For taxis, the TrainTaxi service offers details of accessible vehicles serving local train stations.

Travel Assistance:
If you need any advice about planning your journey or navigating travel options, the Visitor Information Centre is always available to help.