Get around Kent

One day off the ship

Walk the White Cliffs, or take a taxi tour around Dover and finish at Canterbury Cathedral — then be back for sailing.

One day in Dover

Walk the White Cliffs, or sit in a taxi for Castle → cliffs → St Margaret’s → Canterbury. Do not try both in one call.

One day · walk the cliff

White Cliffs to St Margaret’s

The walking map: visitor centre → Fan Bay → white lighthouse → St Margaret’s Bay.

3 miles one way · 1½–2 hours walking

Open walking route in Maps

1
Visitor centre, shop end
Taxi to National Trust Langdon Cliffs (Upper Road). Start at the east / shop end of the building. 10 min from CT1/CT2.
2
Car park → pedestrian gate
Walk east across the car park with the cliff and sea on your RIGHT. Join the road, then the gate about 100 m ahead.
3
Upper viewpoint
Through the gate, slight left at the fork, uphill. Keep to the surfaced path. Sea stays on your right.
4
Fan Bay Deep Shelter
A steep stepped dip (Langdon Hole), then 0.9 mi. White flagpole on your LEFT marks the shelter. Continue the same way.
5
South Foreland Lighthouse
About 2 mi / 1h–1h30 from the visitor centre. At the fork take the LEFT to the white lighthouse. Grounds are free.
6
Down to St Margaret’s Bay
Coast Path downhill about 1 mi / 25 min to the shingle beach. Lunch here. Taxi back to the ship — do not walk back.

Taxi: 10 min to the visitor centre. 12–15 min back from St Margaret’s Bay.

On foot: Keep the sea on your right the whole way. Surfaced path, then a steep stepped dip. Not a cliff-edge scramble.

Be at the terminal 90 min before all-aboard. Immigration on the way in can take 30–90 min.

Maps Taxi drop & collect Call

One day · taxi tour

Dover & Canterbury by taxi

The driving map: around Dover first, then inland to Canterbury Cathedral, then the ship.

Full day · driver waits

Open driving route in Maps

1
Pickup at the cruise terminal
CT1 Admiralty Pier or CT2 Western Docks. Driver waits all day — this is not a drop-and-leave.
2
Dover Castle · 8 min
The keep and cliff views. Allow 60–90 min. Skip the town centre if the ship is tight.
3
White Cliffs viewpoint · 10 min
National Trust car park for the France view. Stay 30–45 min. The long walk is the other plan.
4
St Margaret’s Bay · 12–15 min
Lunch on the shingle. Last sea stop before you turn inland.
5
Canterbury Cathedral · 35–45 min
The finale. 2 hours for the precinct and city, then the same car back to the ship.

Taxi: Port → Castle 8 min · Cliffs 10 min · St Margaret’s 12–15 min · Canterbury 35–45 min · same back to the ship.

On foot: Stay in the car between stops. Short walks at the Castle, cliffs car park and the cathedral precinct.

Tell the driver your all-aboard time before you leave the terminal. Be back 90 min before sailing.

Maps Quote this tour Call

Where to meet

CT1

Cruise Terminal 1

Admiralty Pier · Western Docks · CT17 9DQ

Forecourt taxi rank or pre-booked pickup lane. Share your cruise line.

Allow 30–90 min after arrival for immigration and luggage. Not the ferry halls.

Maps Full guide

CT2

Cruise Terminal 2

Western Docks cruise approach · CT17 9DQ

Signed taxi/coach area on the Western Docks approach road.

Closer to the A20 than CT1. Confirm CT2 on your booking — not Eastern Docks.

Maps Full guide

Ferry

Eastern Docks

Dover–Calais · DFDS & P&O

Cars 60–90 min before sailing. Foot passengers 45–60 min. Longer if Brock is on.

Most Calais sailings. Separate lanes for cars and foot passengers.

Maps Full guide

Channel ferries

Dover → Calais

Eastern Docks. Most frequent Channel crossing. Check DFDS and P&O apps on the day.

Dover → Dunkirk

Western Docks — different road approach from Calais. Confirm on your ticket.

Airports from Dover

About 1h 45

Gatwick

M20 then M25. The usual cruise-transfer airport.

2–2½ hours

Heathrow

95 miles via M20/M25. Add time if Brock is active.

About 2h 15

Stansted

Longer M25 swing. Pre-book with luggage.

About 2 hours

Luton

M20/M25. Check M20 before you leave.

Trains

Dover Priory → London

Southeastern to St Pancras or Victoria. St Pancras about 1h 20.

Priory → cruise terminal

8–10 min taxi. Do not walk with cases — the pier is long.

Priory → Eastern Docks

About 8 min taxi to the ferry check-in halls.

Time near Dover

2 hours

Stay close to the docks

Dover seafront & Prince of Wales Pier
Dover Museum in town
Castle outer walls (no ticket needed for lower walks)

5–10 min from the port. Do not attempt Canterbury.

4 hours

Castle or White Cliffs

Dover Castle keep & views
White Cliffs visitor centre walk
South Foreland Lighthouse (short visit)

10–15 min each way from CT1/CT2. Book the return.

Full day

Leave Dover properly

Canterbury Cathedral & city
Deal pier and seafront
Folkestone Creative Coast

20–45 min. After disembarkation or the day before an afternoon sailing.

Taxi minutes from the port

Dover Marina

5 min

0.5 mi

Dover Priory

5 min

1 mi

Dover Castle

8 min

1 mi

White Cliffs

10 min

2 mi

St Margaret’s Bay

12–15 min

cliff loop lunch stop

Town centre

5–8 min

pharmacy, cash, SIM

Canterbury

35–45 min

taxi-tour finale

Look before you leave

Live Dover cameras

Beach, cruise berth and M20 — open in a new tab.

Dover beach & port Cruise webcam M20 cameras

Full visit guides on the Hub →