Gatwick to Dover and Dover Hotels

[chumley28540]

What is the best option to get from Gatwick to Dover? Planning on arriving 2 days prior to cruise. Also and tips on hotels in Dover?:)

[handfordr]

Not sure there is a single "best" option. If you take a private car thats going to be far the best in terms of speed and convenience in terms of door to door convenience. I would guestimate you;re looking at about 140-150 GBP

 

There is no direct public transport so without a car you'll probably need to go via London.

The cheapest option is by National Express Bus changing at Victoria Coach Station. Promotional fares being what they are it may well be cheaper to buy two promotional single fares for each sector than a through ticket. If you;re lucky this option might cost 6 GBP, if not 17 GBP. Victoria Coach Station is like a small airport in terms of facilities, it has left luggage so you could do a little sightseeing (Buckingham Palalce is 10 minutes walk)

Most people will take the train. There are many routes, the most convenient will involve changing trains at either London Bridge or St Pancras. The cheapest fare is normally a cross-country option with 2 or 3 changes of train at Tonbridge, Asford, Redhill. You'll have to use a rail travel planner to see what suits your schedule and budget. There is a machine at gatwick where you can pick up tickets ordered on-line to take advantage of any advance purchase discounted fares.

 

Without your own transport there for most people is only two choices, the Premier Inn Dover Central and the Brest Western Dover Marina, both facing the beach. With luggage you'll need a 6 GBP taxi ride from the rail station. Both are about 800 yards from the bus station. The Premier Inn is a modern mid-range chain hotel similar to a Holiday inn Express, the Best Westerm is an old Victorian hotel recently refurbished after going bust and has abit of character but a few compromises because of the age of the building.

If you are on a budget there are 3 or 4 cheap B&B's directly opposite Dover Priory Station.

[blomo]

Gatwick to Dover and Dover Hotels

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What is the best option to get from Gatwick to Dover? Planning on arriving 2 days prior to cruise. Also and tips on hotels in Dover

 

 

Check out Silverline travel. info@silverlinetravel.co.uk Gatwick to Dover under 100 pounds. Many B&B's in Dover. Check TA - well known travel site.

Good luck. Which cruise are you taking?

[chumley28540]

Not sure there is a single "best" option. If you take a private car thats going to be far the best in terms of speed and convenience in terms of door to door convenience. I would guestimate you;re looking at about 140-150 GBP

 

There is no direct public transport so without a car you'll probably need to go via London.

The cheapest option is by National Express Bus changing at Victoria Coach Station. Promotional fares being what they are it may well be cheaper to buy two promotional single fares for each sector than a through ticket. If you;re lucky this option might cost 6 GBP, if not 17 GBP. Victoria Coach Station is like a small airport in terms of facilities, it has left luggage so you could do a little sightseeing (Buckingham Palalce is 10 minutes walk)

Most people will take the train. There are many routes, the most convenient will involve changing trains at either London Bridge or St Pancras. The cheapest fare is normally a cross-country option with 2 or 3 changes of train at Tonbridge, Asford, Redhill. You'll have to use a rail travel planner to see what suits your schedule and budget. There is a machine at gatwick where you can pick up tickets ordered on-line to take advantage of any advance purchase discounted fares.

 

Without your own transport there for most people is only two choices, the Premier Inn Dover Central and the Brest Western Dover Marina, both facing the beach. With luggage you'll need a 6 GBP taxi ride from the rail station. Both are about 800 yards from the bus station. The Premier Inn is a modern mid-range chain hotel similar to a Holiday inn Express, the Best Westerm is an old Victorian hotel recently refurbished after going bust and has abit of character but a few compromises because of the age of the building.

If you are on a budget there are 3 or 4 cheap B&B's directly opposite Dover Priory Station.

 

Are you saying we'd have to go from Gatwick to London and then to Dover?

[John Bull]

Are you saying we'd have to go from Gatwick to London and then to Dover?

 

By public transport, yes - there's no direct services. Coach is simple because the coach from Heathrow goes to central London's Victoria coach station & you simply swap coaches there. As H's post, silly-cheap "funfares" are often offered for the Dover coach, so its worth checking the price of the two separate coach journeys against the through-fare. Coach is the cheapest but slowest option.

By train is also simple, Gatwick Express or the slightly slower & cheaper local train to Victoria rail station & train from there direct to Dover. Depending on the times, its possible to take the Victoria-bound local train as far as London Bridge station & switch to the Dover train there. But the Gatwick Express does not stop between Gatwick & London Victoria.

Or split the journey, with train to London Victoria rail station, short walk to London Victoria coach station, & direct coach from there to Dover.

Rather time-consuming whichever service you use, compared to a direct journey by road at a little over an hour.

 

Its one route where I rate ships' transfer coaches worth the cost - but since you're not travelling on embarkation date, that option's not open to you.

 

Private transfer - I think you can do a little better than H's guestimated cost. About £100 to £120 with http://www.folkestonetaxi.com/ or http://www.dovertaxis.com/ Both have been recommended on CC. For more, google "taxi Dover". If you google "taxi Gatwick" you'll find the listings dominated by airport specialists, & prices generally higher.

 

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

Your destination is Dover Priory

 

http://coach.nationalexpress.com/

For separate quotes, your first journey is to London (Victoria coach station).

Your end destination is "Dover". Don't select "Cruise terminal", which will result in "no service".

 

 

JB :)

[John Bull]

Ooops, substitute "Gatwick" for "Heathrow" in the first line of my post :rolleyes:

 

JB :o

[DorneyBoy]

its possible to take the Victoria-bound local train as far as London Bridge station & switch to the Dover train there. But the Gatwick Express does not stop between Gatwick & London Victoria.

 

I think JB may have his mind on the England match tonight.

There are 5 main rail options from Gatwick to Dover.

a) Gatwick Express to Victoria then train to Dover

b) Southern Train to Victoria then train to Dover

c) First Capital Train to London Bridge then train to Dover

d) First Capital train to St Pancras then train to Dover

e) Cross Country trains avoiding London all together but requiring about 3 changes.

 

Option (b) is much cheaper than (a) to Victoria

Option (d) takes advantage of the fastest trains between London and Dover, but the line is often closed between London Bridge and St Pancras at weekends

Option (e) is the cheapest option

 

If that looks complex, the fares are even more so.

For a visitor probably best to use the National Rail travel planner which will gives times, fares etc for all options above on your dates.

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

[sddsddean]

Just thought I'd throw in my opinion!! DB has summarised all the train options, which in this case I think is better than the NE coach. If it was me, I'd get the First Capital train to London Bridge (normally arrives platform 6) then just walk to the other side of the island to platform 5 (all of 30 feet) and get the First Capital train to Dover Priory (option c on DB's list). Its by far the easiest way with luggage.

 

Simon

[John Bull]

I think JB may have his mind on the England match tonight.

 

Ooops.

Back of my mind was that the Victoria train was the one that goes via London Bridge station. Wrong, as it happens :rolleyes::o

 

Tonight's match is irrelevant - if we get through, have you seen who we'll be drawn against in the next round? Losing tonight may save us from an embarrassingly heavy defeat in the next round.

 

JB :) (he of little faith)

[chumley28540]

Whew - my head is spinning with all this information on trains etc. Appreciate everyone's input. I'll review it and research. Thanks again! :)

[Bob++]

With two days for sightseeing I would go to Canterbury rather than Dover - although Dover Castle is well worth a visit you could do that on your last morning. There are several very nice hotels and B&Bs in canterbury.

[Alberta Quilter]

We recently returned from our Baltic cruise, round trip from Dover. We used Folkstone Taxi (thank you, JB, for the suggestion!) and our driver was very good. We were late in arriving at Heathrow and he was there waiting for us. Waiting time was an additional cost but I didn't mind as I was so happy to see him. Unfortunately, we then ran into trouble with the infamous M25 car park! It took us four hours to get from Heathrow to Dover! The flat fee for our trip was 115 pounds each way plus waiting time and tip.

 

The driver did mention that it would have been a less expensive taxi fare if we had flown into Gatwick. I would have changed our flights except any savings in taxi fare would have been eaten up by the airline change fees.

 

So, since you're already flying into Gatwick, you may want to check out the taxi fares. I realize that trains/buses may be less expensive but also consider your luggage and if you are able to schlep your belongings with you on the train. The taxi driver loaded and unloaded everything. It was the right thing to do for us, but only you can decide what is right for you.

 

As for hotels, we stayed at the Best Western. The hotel has been remodeled since being acquired by the chain. It is a lovely looking building, what one would expect for a classic beach side hotel in old England. Because we arrived so late in the evening, we had dinner, and then went to bed. It wasn't until the next morning that we noticed that the toilet didn't flush properly and the bathtub faucet only had a trickle of water when turned on. I did report the issue with the toilet but we had to check out before it was resolved. Of course, I am assuming that it was resolved. Now, we were in a room with twin beds at the back of the hotel. I did inquire of others on our cruise who also stayed at the BW and they did not have any of the issues that we encountered. If you do choose to stay there try to avoid room 309!!

 

The breakfast, included in our package, was a traditional English breakfast. It was not spectacular in my opinion but then I'm not used to some of the items served such as black pudding and grilled tomatoes. There was bacon and scrambled eggs, some buns, cereal, sweet breads, and other items that I can't remember. It certainly was sufficient and filling.

 

I would probably stay there again, mostly because of the ambiance of the hotel itself but I would check the facilities before settling in the room!

 

Hope that information helps!

[chumley28540]

By public transport, yes - there's no direct services. Coach is simple because the coach from Heathrow goes to central London's Victoria coach station & you simply swap coaches there. As H's post, silly-cheap "funfares" are often offered for the Dover coach, so its worth checking the price of the two separate coach journeys against the through-fare. Coach is the cheapest but slowest option.

By train is also simple, Gatwick Express or the slightly slower & cheaper local train to Victoria rail station & train from there direct to Dover. Depending on the times, its possible to take the Victoria-bound local train as far as London Bridge station & switch to the Dover train there. But the Gatwick Express does not stop between Gatwick & London Victoria.

Or split the journey, with train to London Victoria rail station, short walk to London Victoria coach station, & direct coach from there to Dover.

Rather time-consuming whichever service you use, compared to a direct journey by road at a little over an hour.

 

Its one route where I rate ships' transfer coaches worth the cost - but since you're not travelling on embarkation date, that option's not open to you.

 

Private transfer - I think you can do a little better than H's guestimated cost. About £100 to £120 with http://www.folkestonetaxi.com/ or http://www.dovertaxis.com/ Both have been recommended on CC. For more, google "taxi Dover". If you google "taxi Gatwick" you'll find the listings dominated by airport specialists, & prices generally higher.

 

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

Your destination is Dover Priory

 

http://coach.nationalexpress.com/

For separate quotes, your first journey is to London (Victoria coach station).

Your end destination is "Dover". Don't select "Cruise terminal", which will result in "no service".

 

 

JB :)

 

 

Thank you for the information on dover taxis.....they have quorted me a price just $10.00 above what Carnival charges.

 

Gloria

[phabric]

We stayed at the Premier Inn Ferry Terminal http://www.premierinn.com in 2010. The hotel is facing the water, you go out their front door, through their parking lot and you are at the water front. Ask for a room at the front, we had a room at the back looking upon the road, with the window open it was a little noisey but closed we did not hear anything. They do not have A/C but a table fan was in the room. They have a restaurant in the hotel. You can purchase their Meal Deal (breakfast or breakfast and dinner).

 

We took a taxi from the hotel to the cruise terminal under 10 GBP. The cruise terminal used to be the train station.

 

TIP: Ask at the front desk to order a taxi for your embarkment day so you don't have to wait for the taxi.

 

If you have time visit the Dover Castle and visit the war tunnels. A suggestion, take a taxi to & from the castle.

 

We took the National Express Coach from Victoria Coach station to Dover.