Travelling to Dover

Road	Bus	Rail	Cycle	Other

Where in the world is Dover?

Dover is in the far south-east of the UK, in the County of Kent, directly opposite France across the English Channel. Dover is 80 miles (135km) from central London but the usual distance given is that of the London Orbital Motorway, the M25, as this is 60 miles (100km) and one hour's drive. Virtually all journeys from Dover by road will mean using the M25 for some of the journey.

How far is ....?

London ... this depends on where in London you mean, and how far round the M25 you have to go. Driving from Central London to Dover is Not A Good Idea if you value your sanity, and can take over two hours (that's one-hour-plus for the first 20 miles out of London, as far as the M25) ... For public transport, see below.

Heathrow ... this is about half way round the M25 (but use the Southern section!) and varies between 1 hour 45 and 3 hours depending on the time of day (and traffic levels) if you're driving. There is no public transport directly to Dover from Heathrow, you have to change in London. Allow one hour for the journey into London and a further hour for the interchange, then choose how to get from London to Dover.

Gatwick ... is a short distance up the M23 and then 10-15 minutes East (anti-clockwise) along the M25. Take the M26 (junction 5 on M25) for Dover, total journey one hour 20 on a good day. Two choices by train, take the (expensive but fast) Gatwick Express to Victoria and change there (to bus or train) for Dover, or take the local train (usually direct, but otherwise change at Redhill) to Tonbridge and then meet the London-Dover mainline services. It's a little slower but alot cheaper and more picturesque.

Stansted ... by road take the M11 south to the M25 (junction 6 on M11, junction 27 on M25) and head East (clockwise) round the M25 to the Dartford Crossing and the River Thames. Don't forget there's toll booths here (one pound for cars at 1997/8 rates). Continue on the M25 and take the A2 or M20 for Dover. Total journey time 1 hour 45 to 2 hours. By train, take the Stansted Express to London and change. Similarly by bus.

Glasgow ... Nine hours (maybe) by any means you care to use, change in London if you take the bus or train, or fly.
 
 
 

Road	Bus	Rail	Cycle	Other

There are three routes to Dover from the M25 London Orbital Motorway.

The first is the A2 at junction 2 on M25, just south of the River Thames (this road continues West into Central London). The A2 is no longer sign-posted to Dover but says Canterbury on the signs nearest to London. The signs for Dover will re-appear after a few miles. Although this road starts as the A2 it is a reasonably fast route and becomes the M2 after 20 miles. Just outside Canterbury you re-join the A2 for the rest of the journey to Dover. This is very well sign-posted. The main route into Dover along the A2 arrives in the town by passing over and through the famous White Cliffs and down the steep 'Jubilee Way' directly over the Eastern Docks and the ferries. The round-about at the bottom of Jubilee Way, at the entrance to the Eastern Docks, is where the A2 and A20 meet. 

The second route is the M20 at junction 3 South-Bound (clockwise) only on M25. The M20 starts on the M20 and is clearly sign-posted to Dover. The M20 passes Maidstone and Ashford (Kent) before arriving at Folkestone, where the M20 becomes the A20 for the last 9 miles of the journey. You enter Dover across the cliffs to the South-West of the town before dropping down into the area of the Western Docks (& Cruise Terminal) and the Hoverport. The road continues, across a few roundabouts, to Eastern Docks where it meets the A2.

The third route is the M26 (junction 5 North-bound (anti-clockwise) only on M25). The M26 merges with the M20 just outside Maidstone and you continue along the M20 to Dover (see above).

Follow the 'Town Centre' signs for car parking and Hotel signs for accommodation if you haven't pre-booked. Beware Dover's one-way system! If you're staying near to the sea-front then you have no problem, otherwise you may find that the direct route between two locations isn't that easy by road.

 If you'd like to see what the area looks like by road, I have prepared a map of Dover's roads.

The long-distance coach services into Dover is the National Express route number 020, from Victoria Coach Station in Central London. The service, which takes about 2 hours 15,  is almost hourly during the day and runs to/from the Eastern Docks, the main Bus Station in the Town Centre. National Express can be contacted on 08705 808080. The nearest National Express/Eurolines booking office is in the Eastern Docks alongside the departures building.

The local bus company Stagecoach East Kent now run several services from outside Dover. The Coastliner 711 service operates from Hastings, Rye, New Romney, Hythe & Folkestone to Dover with a typical journey time between Hastings and Dover of 3½ hours. This is a very scenic route along the Sussex/Kent coast and across the Romney Marsh but is not apparently designed for those in a hurry! Other routes pass through Dover, Canterbury, Sandwich, Ramsgate and Deal. The information line for Stagecoach East Kent services is 0870 2433711. The nearest bus station bureaux are in Folkestone and Canterbury. The phone is answered in Dover however.

Dover now only has one main rail station, Dover Priory, which is on two London-bound lines, both operated by Connex South-East. Services run to/from London Charing Cross (via Folkestone and Ashford (Kent)) and London Victoria (via Canterbury) and are half-hourly to both stations during daytime and hourly off-peak. Sunday services are hourly. Beware, the last service into London leaves Dover before 10pm and that's it until after 4am the next day. For any destination past London, you must change trains in London. Trains to London take between 1 hour 50 and 2 hours 30 depending on the time of day and the route used. At weekends major engineering work can take place and this can lead to serious delays. Rail information is available on 0845 7 48 49 50. or from the excellent NationalRail site. Rail tickets can be bought via this site. If you are travelling by rail further than London then the advice is to buy your tickets as far in advance as possible.

Dover Priory Station is located in Folkestone Road close to the town centre and is sign-posted. There are port bus services provided by the ferry operators to and from the Eastern Docks during the day and evening. A flat fare is charged for the port bus.

The other station in Dover is Kearsney (Canterbury and Victoria line) and is very convenient for the River and Temple Ewell areas of the town. The Western Docks (formerly Dover Marine) Station is closed and has no services.

The National Cycle route scheme has now reached Dover and there are routes via Folkestone and Canterbury. Cyclists wishing to avoid steep climbs should check the various guides and Ordnance Survey maps first as the North Downs finish at Dover. OS Landranger sheet 179 and Pathfinder sheet TR 24/34 (1232) will be useful.

The North Downs Way passes through Dover and details can be found through the National Trust or South East England Tourist Board. OS Landranger sheet 179 and Pathfinder sheet TR 24/34 (1232) will be useful.

The Marina, operated by Dover Harbour Board, is open all year round and 24 hours a day. The inner pontoons are tidal. Facilities are under review and are being improved so probably best to check first. See the usual guides. Contact the Dover Harbour Board on (01304) 240400.

Want to go to France while you're in Dover? Checkout the ferry page , and don't forget your passport! Gonna stay in Dover ? Try the Eating Out directory and the Pub Guide.

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