The distance from Dover to central London is approximately 75 miles (120km).
There are plenty of transportation options available, including both public transport and private hire services. However, it’s important to mention that there are no direct shared hotel van shuttles running throughout the day.
A cruise bus operates as a shared service, providing hotel drop-offs and pick-ups at a designated departure time.
Here are the different alternatives you can consider that are more budget-friendly compared to the costly transportation provided by the cruise line.
Cruise transfer options between Dover and London
- The cheapest option National Express scheduled buses. Enjoy a comfortable journey on 50-seat coach equipped with washrooms, departing from London’s Victoria Coach Station. Although. Keep in mind that these coaches do not go directly to the cruise terminals, so you’ll need to take a taxi from either Dover town centre or Ferry Terminal to reach the cruise terminals.
- The fastest public transport option Dover train services. There are multiple trains operating every hour on three distinct routes connecting Dover’s Priory Station to about five key train stations in Central London. The quickest trains are those to and from London St Pancras. To reach both the cruise and ferry terminals from Priory Train Station, you’ll need to take a taxi.
- The only door to door shared service between your hotel in London or Heathrow Airport and the cruise terminal are the Dover Cruise Bus Shuttles. Shuttles pick-up and drop at all the major Central London hotel districts and Heathrow airport and only go to the cruise terminals.
- Include sightseeing in your transfer tours for great use of your time during your transfer and see a little of England outside London. Public transfer tours provide door to door transfers and sightseeing along the way.
- And of course the ultimate in convenience a private car service door to door at a time specified by you. If you have a group there are vans, even coaches available.
Cruise bus shuttles & tours between Dover and London
Offering direct transport between your cruise ship and Central London hotels or Heathrow Airport are dedicated cruise buses. In the direction to Dover a direct service operates with an option to visit Dover Castle if desired. In the Dover to London direction there is a choice of a direct shared van service or two full day guided tour transfers.
National Express Coaches
The cheapest option by scheduled public transport are coach services by National Express. The National Express Coaches are much slower and much cheaper than the train services. They are modern air-conditioned buses with wash-rooms.
E-tickets are available on-line. Significant for people on cruises is the luggage allowance, 2 cases neither of which should weigh more than 20kg (44lbs) before steep surcharges kick in.
The other critical aspect is that you may well spend more on getting between the cruise ship and bus stops at Dover and between your hotel and London Victoria than a cheap advance ticket between Dover and London with National Express. In London the bus terminates at Victoria Coach Station, quite a way from many of the hotel districts, this is the only stop, there are not stops at hotels or other locations.
On arrival the bus terminates in Dover Town Centre after visiting Dover Ferry Terminal. The only option to get between either of these and the cruise ship is a 10 minute taxi ride.
Visit our Coaches between London and Dover page for more details.
Train Services between Dover and London
The fastest way to travel between Dover and London is by train. Rail is often faster than hiring a private car into or out of Central London. Train services are faster and more frequent than the alternative bus public transport between Central London and Dover, but normally much more expensive.
There are three main train lines between to choose from.
The London St Pancras to Dover service is much faster than the other routes as the trains utilise the high speed tracks built for the Eurostar express trains between England and France.
You pay a small premium for this type of ticket. However, if you just miss one of these fast trains from Dover, you lose all that time advantage waiting for the next one.
Visit our Trains between Dover & London, Heathrow & Gatwick page for more details.
Transfers between Cruise Terminals & London buses & trains
No shuttle buses are provided between the cruise and the train station or London bus stops at Dover. You therefore need to get a taxi between the cruise terminal and the train station/bus stop.
The fare should be around £8. Taxi cabs at Dover come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, the image tight is fairly typical. If you have two cases per person and more than 2 people you may end up with multiple taxi cabs.
It’s just a 5 minute drive between the cruise terminals at Dover to/from the railway and bus stations and ferry terminal. The cruise terminals are far too far to walk with luggage from the train stations. All fares within Dover should be on a meter.
For longer journeys outside Dover never leap into a taxi without agreeing the price beforehand. Although drivers may offer to accept your Euro or Dollar currency it will almost certainly be at a very poor exchange rate. Only do so as a last resort.
The taxi rank at the cruise terminal is well marshalled. Porters from the ship will normally take your luggage as far as the taxi rank immediately outside the front doors of the cruise terminal. It is customary to leave a small tip with cab drivers, assuming they provide a good service.
Private direct transfers between Dover and London
Dover Cruise terminal is about 75 miles (120 kms) from Central London. While Heathrow Airport is situated on the western side of London and is farther away, the travel time is comparable, taking about 2 hours by car.
We have a full range of vehicles ranging from saloon cars right up to large touring coaches so whatever your group size and amount of luggage we can offer a competitive proposal for your transfer needs.
At airports and cruise terminals the price includes meet and greet, the classic reception formula of our drivers being there with your name on a board as you exit customs/luggage. At hotels will come to the reception area to find you at the time you have stipulated at the time of reservation.
London – Dover private group transfers, prices & tour transfers – full details