How Busy Is Dover?

Dover is also the UK’s second busiest cruise port, welcoming over 25 cruise lines and 200,000 guests each year and has a marina and property business primed to benefit from a new waterfront.

How early should I arrive at Dover?

We advise you to be present at least 90 minutes before departure during the high season and during the holidays. The crossing via Calais to Dover has 10 sailings per day. We advise you to be at the port 60 to 90 minutes before departure.

Is Dover the busiest port in the UK?

The Port of Dover is Europe’s busiest ferry port, a vital international gateway for the movement of people and trade. It is also an award-winning cruise port, the second busiest in the UK and hosts some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines.

How long does it take to get through customs at Dover?

We estimate that you will need between 1 to 2 hours at the facility to go through customs clearance. Make sure you leave sufficient time when planning your journey. The sites are manned and operated 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Why are there delays in Dover?

Brexit. The French authorities have blamed the delays on the additional checking and stamping of British passports.

Are there queues in Dover today?

DOVER PORT UPDATE | There are currently small queues at Border controls, please allow a minimum of 90 minutes before your departure to complete all controls. DFDS check in is free flowing.

Can you just turn up at Dover and get a ferry?

Can I just turn up at Dover and get a ferry? You can just turn up of course. However, you may well end up paying a premium amount of £££ for your last-minute crossing, just like lo cost plane co’s, crossing fares get more expensive, the later you leave it.

Is Dover the busiest port in Europe?

Your gateway to European markets
The Port of Dover is Europe’s busiest ferry port and offers unrivalled connections with European markets and consumers.

What is Britain’s busiest port?

Dover is the UK’s busiest passenger port and the busiest roll-on roll-off ferry port in Europe.

How many ferries leave Dover a day?

Dover Ferry Times
With up to 38 ferries a day running on the Dover to Calais route, and 12 daily on the Dover to Dunkirk route, there is not one exact timetable, especially as ferry times can change at any minute.

Is 2 hours enough for customs?

Customs and Immigration
Two hours is usually not enough time. (Tip: If you are connecting through an airport you have never visited before, call your airline and ask about customs processes so that you won’t be surprised by the location of your customs interview.)

Is an hour enough time to get through customs?

The recommended layover time for international flights is generally longer, as you will have to go through customs and immigration before boarding your next flight. In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.

Do you get searched at Dover?

Once inside, you will be asked to exit your vehicle and to open the boot or passenger doors. Customs officers are entitled to search your car to ensure you are not taking contraband in to France.

Is Dover the busiest port in the world?

The Port of Dover is a seaport located in the town of Dover in Kent, England. The port is one of the oldest functioning ports in the country, having been opened in 1606 by King James I. With annual passengers averaging at 13.1 million, Port Dover is the busiest port in the world based on passengers.

What is causing Dover queues?

The disruption was caused by a shortage of ferries, following P&O Ferries’ mass sacking of crew members, and poor weather conditions, combined with the temporary outage of a key post-Brexit customs IT system.

Has Dover backlog cleared?

Dover authorities have cleared the port’s weekend backlog, announcing that traffic was running normally as of 9.30am this morning and that there was “minimal dwell time.”

Why is there a backlog at Dover?

Only four of nine booths for the French border controls for travellers leaving the UK were reported to have been staffed on Friday morning, which port officials say led to the backlogs.

Is Dover worth visiting?

The secret wartime tunnels, roman lighthouse and St Mary in Castro church all make Dover Castle one of the best castles to visit in England.

How many lorries arrive at Dover each day?

Although much has been made in the media about the Dover Tap and the queues of traffic, on average, the town handles some 8,000 lorries a day, and the current queue is mainly due to it being the busy part of the week and three ferries, about a third of available capacity, being out for refurbishment.

Can you take your own food on a ferry?

Passengers are permitted to bring their own food and drink onboard and consume it during the sailing, however alcohol may not be brought onboard any of our vessels for consumption during your crossing.

How far in advance should you book a ferry?

Ferry bookings can be made any time, even up to the day of the travel. However, if you wish to book in advance for your own peace of mind, this is fine too. All ferry companies differ about when you can actually make a commercial ferry booking. These can range from 2 months to 7 days in advance.