Ferries from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk
Situated in Kent and with the backdrop of the famous White Cliffs, Dover is the closest point in the U.K. to the European continent. Each year over eighteen million passengers and three million cars use the Port of Dover to cross the English Channel on a range of Dover Ferries provided by a selection of well known firms like Norfolkline Ferries, DFDS Seaways, P&O Ferries and LD Lines.
- P & O FERRIES - Up to 46 Daily Dover Ferry crossings to Calais, France with an approximate sea crossing time of just 90 mins. The modern P&O ferry ships offer superb restaurants including a-la-carte & self service carverys, spacious lounges & bars, shopping, children's play area, arcade, and selective entertainment. This service is both a freight & passenger service.
- NORFOLK LINE (DFDS SEAWAYS) - Up to 11 Daily Dover Ferry crossings to Dunkirk (Dunkerque), France with an approximate sea crossing time 120 mins. The purpose built modern ships offer excellent restaurants, video lounge & bar, children's play area, satellite TV, and executive suites. This service is both a freight & passenger service.
- DFDS SEAWAYS / LD LINES - Up to 5 Daily Dover Ferry crossings to Calais, France with an aproximate sea crossing time 90 mins. The purpose built modern ships offer excellent restaurants, video lounge & bar, children's play area, satellite TV, and executive suites.
This service is both a freight & passenger service.
Prior to boarding facilities at the Passenger Service Buildings offer a wide range of facilities including Burger King, Cafe Ritazza, Travelex Currency Exchange, ATM, Massage Chairs, Vending Machines, Boardwalk shops selling snacks, drinks, confectionery, newspapers, books, maps and useful travel essentials, as well as toilets, disabled toilets, showers & baby changing facilities.
Directions to Dover Ferry Port
Directions by Car
From the M2, follow the A2 direct into Dover, or from the M20, follow the A20 again into Dover. Then Follow the signs to Dover Ferry Port (Eastern Docks Ferry Terminals) which are clearly signed.
Directions by Train
Dover Priory Railway Station is located in Station Approach just off Folkestone Road.Train links are available from both Victoria & Charing Cross mainline London stations. There is a regular shuttle bus service to Dover Ferry Port ( Eastern Docks Ferry Terminal ), which operates every 20 minutes ( 7 am to 10.30pm ). There is a small charge for this service.
Taxis are also available at most times on the station rank.
Ferry Passenger Car Parking
Short and long-stay parking is available to all passengers at the main multi-storey car park at the entrance to the Ferry Terminal. Tickets for the car park are issued by machine as you enter with the parking charge payable when you arrive back to collect your car. On your return, you must pay your parking fee at the pay machines in the Arrivals Hall before retrieving your car.
To get to this car park, simply follow the signage for the multi storey, and the park is located on the left hand side, just before the entrance to the Multi storey.
Visitor Attractions in Dover
The Straits of Dover have served as both Britain’s frontline and her gateway for many thousands of years. This goes some way to explaining why this region in Kent has more than its fair share of castles, stately homes and museums than any other coastal region in the UK.
Despite being a busy port Dover has many places of historical interest worth visiting. The Old Lighthouse which is purported to be one of the most well preserved Roman buildings in Europe and the 'Roman Painted House' full of murals and ornate decorations on Priory Street are worth investigating, and Dover Castle is also well worth a visit affording amazing views of the town, the coastline and even the hills of Calais on a clear day. Alternatively take a walk along one of the pebbled beaches and admire 'The White Cliffs' made famous by the singer Dame Vera Lynn as a tonic for homesick soldiers' souls in the second world war.
White Cliffs of Dover
The world-famous, majestic white cliffs of Dover, which for centuries have played a key role in our history as Britain’s ‘front line’, now provide a welcoming sight for many millions of people. The cliffs are popuplar with tourists to Dover and offer the opportunity for wonderful walks and superb views out towards the English Channel. Or you may simply choose to simply gaze at them from the beach.
Dover Castle
Sitting proudly atop the White Cliffs of Dover and overlooking the busy ferry port, Dover Castle has a long and eventful history. The site of Dover Castle has been of vital importance since the Iron Age with the first castle at Dover most likely an Anglo-Saxon fortress until the arrival of William the Conqueror when its existing fortifications were improved.
Explore the 'Garden of England'
Kent is known as the Garden of England for its rich farming and hopmaking heritage. Kent stretches from Dover's White Cliffs Country to medieval Canterbury in the east, elegant, Tunbridge Wells to the west and the historic Medway towns to the north. In between Kent has over 300,000 listed historic buildings, miles of idyllic countryside and winding lanes, and every now and then, the county's unique white-tipped oast houses.
For more information on the Port of Dover please click here to downlaod a PDF copy of the official port guide.
