Dover is about 97 miles from Gerrards Cross, typically around two hours by road via the M25, M26 and M20, and a realistic window is two to two and a half hours. The port has two quite separate sides: cruise ships use the Western Docks, while cross-Channel ferries sail from the Eastern Docks. Knowing which one you need, and how check-in works on each side, is most of the planning. This guide covers both.
- Cruise passengers go to the Western Docks cruise terminals; ferry passengers go to the Eastern Docks, reached along the A20.
- Foot passengers on the ferry check in at the P&O desk in the Eastern Docks Passenger Terminal, then take a bus, so allow time for extra border steps.
- There is no parking inside the ferry port itself, which is one reason a drop-off works well for foot passengers and cruise guests.
How do you get from the Chilterns to Dover?
From Gerrards Cross the car heads round the M25 anticlockwise, takes the M26 to the M20, and follows the M20 into Kent. The Port of Dover describes the M20 as the quickest route for most people coming from the west; it becomes the A20 at Folkestone and runs down to the Eastern Docks roundabout (Port of Dover, how to get here). Our timing assumes around two hours in normal traffic, and we plan to the longer end for a morning sailing or a summer Saturday. The Dover cruise transfer page has the route and a fixed quote.
Cruise or ferry: which side of the port?
Cruise terminals at the Western Docks
Dover has two cruise terminals. Cruise Terminal 1 was built in 1914 as Dover Marine railway station and keeps its station architecture; Cruise Terminal 2 was purpose-built in 2000 and has a first-floor departure lounge looking over the harbour. A third berth, WD4, is used mainly for ships calling at Dover rather than starting there. Baggage handlers are on hand at the terminals (Port of Dover cruise facilities). Your cruise documents will say which terminal and what time to arrive.
Ferries at the Eastern Docks
Cross-Channel ferries leave from the Eastern Docks, operated by DFDS, Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries (Port of Dover travel advice). If you are driving your own car onto the ferry you do not need us for the crossing, but plenty of people travel as foot passengers, and that is where a transfer helps.
How does check-in work for ferry foot passengers?
Foot passengers are dropped at the Passenger Terminal building at the Eastern Docks, then take a shuttle bus to the ferry. With the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), the Port of Dover's current foot passenger procedure is (Port of Dover, EES foot passengers, correct as of September 2026):
- Report to the P&O desk inside the Passenger Terminal building for ferry check-in.
- Board the passenger bus to the Western Docks, where everyone gets off at the Coach Building for processing; non-EU travellers complete biometric registration at kiosks.
- Re-board the sealed bus back along the A20 to the Eastern Docks for French and UK border checks and port security screening.
- Proceed to the ferry boarding area.
The process repeats every time you travel through Dover, so leave generous time, especially at peak periods. The port also reports that EES has not yet been fully implemented for car passengers and that queues can build at busy holiday times (Port of Dover EES FAQ).
Is there parking at the port?
Not in the ferry terminal: the Port of Dover says there are no parking facilities in the port and recommends independent parking companies instead (Port of Dover ferry facilities). The cruise terminals have an onsite valet parking service operated by Cruise and Passenger Services. Either way, parking for a one or two-week trip is charged for every day the car is there, on top of four or five hours of driving there and back. A drop-off at the terminal door avoids both.
What about getting to Dover by train?
It is possible, with a change in London. Dover Priory station is just over a mile from the ferry terminals and has High Speed 1 services to London in just over an hour; the walk to the Passenger Terminal takes about 25 minutes, or the 66 bus takes you to the Eastern Docks. From the Chilterns that means crossing London first and managing luggage on three legs, so it mainly suits light travellers heading for a ferry, not cruise passengers with a fortnight's cases.
How should you time a Dover transfer?
Work back from the arrival time your cruise line or ferry operator gives you, then add around two and a half hours of driving to be safe. For a cruise with a noon check-in slot, a pickup from Gerrards Cross at about 09:00 leaves room for traffic on the M25 and M20. For a morning foot-passenger ferry, add the extra EES steps on top of the operator's check-in time and leave earlier still. Our summer getaway guide covers the busiest weekends.
What about the journey home?
Coming back is where a transfer earns its fare. After disembarking you have the luggage, the tiredness and a two-hour drive ahead. Give us your ship and expected arrival, or your ferry time, and we plan the collection around it. Ships and ferries can run late, so tell us as soon as your timings change.
Which vehicle for a cruise party?
Cruise luggage is heavy. Tell us how many cases you are bringing and we will suggest the right car; for families, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class seats seven, and the Ford Tourneo takes eight for a group sailing together. Tell us the number of cases when you book. Sailing from the south coast instead? Compare our Southampton cruise transfers guide, or see long-distance taxis from Gerrards Cross for other long journeys. Get a price on the Dover cruise and ferry transfers page or through our long-distance taxi service.