Gatwick to Dover

Why is Gatwick a good airport for Dover?

Because the journey is shorter and more predictable than from Heathrow. From Gatwick, the car joins the M23, turns east onto the M25 at junction 7, and follows it to the M26, which leads straight onto the M20 towards the coast. There is no need to cross the western M25, which is where most delays on the Heathrow route happen.

If you have a choice of flights for a Dover cruise, landing at Gatwick usually saves around half an hour on the road and gives you a larger margin before check-in.

How do you plan a fly-cruise day?

Allow an hour or more at Gatwick for the border and baggage, around an hour and three quarters for the drive, and a margin for delays in Kent. We suggest landing at least five hours before the cruise line’s latest check-in time, and more on a summer Saturday or at the start of school holidays, when ferry traffic fills the roads into Dover.

What is Operation Brock, and does it affect you?

Operation Brock is a traffic system National Highways uses on the M20 when cross-Channel freight is heavy or disrupted. Lorries are held on the coast-bound side, and other traffic uses a contraflow on the London-bound side between Maidstone and Ashford, usually with a lower speed limit. It has been used for long periods over busy holiday seasons.

When it is active, the M20 section is a little slower. The chauffeur checks it before setting off and, if the A2 and the M2 are clearer, may take that route instead via the Dartford Crossing.

Can you stop at Leeds Castle or Canterbury?

If the timing allows, yes. Leeds Castle is close to the M20 near Maidstone, and Canterbury is a short detour from the A2. Some cruise passengers like a break on the way, especially after an overnight flight. On embarkation day, we will only suggest it if there is a comfortable margin before check-in.

How do ferry queues affect the approach?

Dover’s cruise terminals are at the Western Docks, separate from the ferry terminal at the Eastern Docks, but the roads into the town are shared. On busy days, ferry traffic can back up along the A20 and the town’s roads. The chauffeur takes the approach to the Western Docks that avoids the ferry queue where possible.

Landing on a Friday afternoon?

Friday afternoons are the busiest time on the M25 and the M20, with commuters, holidaymakers and freight heading for the Channel all at once. A drive that takes an hour and forty minutes on a Tuesday morning can take well over two hours on a Friday at four. If your cruise sails on a Friday evening, or on a Saturday with an early check-in, we strongly suggest arriving the day before and staying near the port.

Staying at a Gatwick hotel after the cruise?

Some passengers prefer not to rush from the ship to a same-day flight. Instead, they drive back to a hotel at or near Gatwick on the day the ship docks and fly home the next morning, relaxed. The chauffeur will take you from the Western Docks to the hotel’s entrance, and the hotel is then a short walk or shuttle ride from the terminal.

Should you stay a night near Dover?

For long-haul arrivals, a night in Dover, Folkestone or Canterbury before the cruise is a sensible option. It removes the connection risk and gives you a relaxed morning. The chauffeur will take you to your hotel on arrival day, and we can collect you the next morning.

What about cruise luggage?

Attach the cruise line’s luggage tags in the Gatwick car park before setting off, so the porters at the terminal can take the bags straight to the ship. For two people with cruise luggage, the V-Class is the comfortable choice, and it also takes a family of up to six.

When should your flight home leave?

Ships dock at Dover early in the morning. After disembarkation and the drive to Gatwick, a long-haul flight no earlier than about 13:30 is sensible, and later on a busy day. The chauffeur meets you at the terminal exit and follows the ship’s arrival.

Where will the chauffeur meet you at Gatwick?

In the arrivals hall of your terminal, North or South, with a board showing your name and, if you like, your ship. The chauffeur follows your flight and adjusts to delays. The fixed price covers the waiting, the parking and the drop-off at the Western Docks, and any Dartford Crossing charge if that route is used.