Dover Cruise Port
Dover, United Kingdom · Northern Europe
Cruise ships dock at Cruise Terminal 1 Berth — Princess Pier, Dover.
Plan my port daysCompact UK cruise port at the foot of the White Cliffs — walkable to Dover Castle and the town centre.
At a glance
Port summary
Dover has two terminals (CT1 and CT2) at the Western Docks. The town centre is a 15-20 min walk from CT1 (longer from CT2); Dover Castle and the White Cliffs are 25-40 min on foot. For day trips to Canterbury, take the train from Dover Priory station or a Stagecoach bus from the seafront.
Cruise docks
Cruise Terminal 1 Berth — Princess Pier
The primary cruise berth at Dover, alongside the converted historic Marine Station building. Used by most calling lines and within walking distance of Dover town centre and the seafront promenade.
Latitude: 51.113535, Longitude: 1.315923
See dock on port map →Cruise Terminal 2 Berth — Western Docks
The second cruise berth at Dover at the modern Cruise Terminal 2 building. Slightly further from the town centre than CT1; cruise-line shuttles or taxis are usually offered for guests.
Latitude: 51.11202, Longitude: 1.321938
See dock on port map →Getting to Dover
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards work everywhere; carry no cash unless visiting small village shops or rural pubs.
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Tell us your cruise line, ship and departure date and we'll give you a complete set of full port information and playbooks of how to spend your day.
Inside the British Isles collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Dover cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
4 comparedLondon on Your Own day trip from Dover
≈ 9 h · sold by 8 cruise lines
Cruise line
€220$246
Do it yourself
€110$123
Save ≈ €110Save ≈ $123 (50% off)
Walk or take Stagecoach bus 65/93 from Cambridge Terrace (5-min walk from Cruise Terminal 1/2) to Dover Priory station — 12 min, ~£3.50. From Dover Priory take the Southeastern High Speed (Javelin) service to London St Pancras — 1h 6m, ~£30 each way if booked in advance (walk-up Anytime returns are £55–£70). In London use the contactless-cap Tube for ~£8.90 daily. Aim for an 08:00 train out and a 17:00 train back to leave 4+ hours in central London with a sane buffer.
See the DIY plan →
Canterbury Cathedral and medieval old town
≈ 5.5 h · sold by 7 cruise lines
Cruise line
€110$123
Do it yourself
€60$67
Save ≈ €50Save ≈ $56 (45% off)
From the cruise terminal take bus 65/93 to Dover Priory (12 min, ~£3.50) and the Southeastern train to Canterbury West — 25 min, ~£10 return off-peak. Canterbury West is a 10-min walk from the Cathedral via Westgate and St Peter's Street. Cathedral adult entry is £18 (Oct–Mar), £19.50 (Apr–Sep weekdays) or £21 (summer weekends); children under 17 go free with a paying adult. Pre-book online to skip the visitor-centre queue.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
13 plansLondon on Your Own
Dover is really a gateway to London — this is the smart, self-paced way to spend a day in the capital and be back for all-aboard.
Dover Castle & the Secret Wartime Tunnels
England's mightiest medieval fortress and Churchill's Dunkirk command bunker — a short taxi from the ship, no coach required.
Canterbury Cathedral & the Medieval City
The cradle of English Christianity and a jewel-box medieval town — an easy train ride from Dover.
White Cliffs Walk to South Foreland Lighthouse
England's most famous chalk cliffs on foot, from the ship's doorstep to a Victorian lighthouse and back.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Dover?
- Your ship docks at one of the cruise terminals in Dover, United Kingdom. The specific berth is assigned by the port a few days before arrival.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Dover?
- Yes. Dover is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Dover centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, Taxi, On foot, Hop-on Hop-off, Local bus, Train. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Dover?
- Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Dover independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Dover and are cards accepted?
- Dover uses the Pound Sterling. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Dover cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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