Pre-Cruise Tour from London to Dover Port via Dover Castle

Combine your pre-cruise transfer from Heathrow or London to Dover with an optional visit to one of the world’s most impressive and dramatic landmarks, Dover Castle.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

After completing the hotel pick-ups, we head east into Kent, often referred to as the ‘Garden of England’. This region is abundant with fresh produce, orchards, vineyards, market gardens, and hop fields. Our picturesque drive takes us to the southeastern corner of England, arriving at the Dover Cruise Terminals. Upon reaching Dover, we will stop for photos at the Battle of Britain Memorial. Perched atop the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, the memorial provides breathtaking views across the English Channel to France. It is a tranquil spot dedicated to the heroes who fought in the skies over Kent during the Battle of Britain in World War II. The cliff tops feature replicas of the renowned Spitfire and Hurricane fighter planes, along with the names of the brave pilots who played a crucial role in the Allied victory in 1940. Subject to opening times

Our next stop is the impressive Dover Castle, a medieval fortress established in the 12th century, famously known as the ‘lock and key to England’ due to its strategic importance in numerous wars and battles.

If you decide not to enter the Castle, there will be a 10-minute photo stop, followed by a direct transfer to the nearby cruise terminal. You will arrive at your ship between approximately 11:30 am and 12:00 pm.

If you choose to explore Dover Castle, you will have two hours to tour the Castle and its grounds. The coach will then be waiting at the entrance to take you to the cruise terminal, where you will arrive at around 2:00 pm.

Dover Castle is the largest and one of the oldest castles in England, with sections dating back to the Roman era. The fortress has been pivotal in battles and wars over the centuries. Perhaps its most renowned role was during World War II when it housed an underground hospital within the chalk cliffs and served as the command center for the famous Dunkirk evacuation, Operation Dynamo. The castle offers spectacular views across the English Channel to France and features a 2,000-year-old Roman lighthouse!

Remember to book your entry tickets online in advance to avoid long queues. Please note that the walk from the coach park to the entrance of Dover Castle is uphill and may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties.

Upon arrival at the port, you will proceed directly to the check-in desk. Porters will handle your luggage, ensuring it is delivered to your cabin. Be sure to use the luggage label provided in your cruise pack to facilitate this.

Points of Interest

  • Battle of Britain Memorial

  • Dover Castle

What's Included
  • Maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (23kg each) and 1 item of carry-on luggage (10kg) per person
  • Services of a tour manager
  • One-way shared transfer
  • Photo stop at the Battle of Britain memorial
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Entrance to Dover Castle is not included
Additional Information
  • Each person is allowed a maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (75x51x28 cm - 23kg each) and 1 item of carry-on luggage (55x40x20 cm - 10kg each). If you bring extra luggage it will not fit in the vehicle. In this instance you will be responsible for arranging separate transportation for your luggage to your cruise ship.
  • Should you wish to bring any mobility aids (wheelchairs or walkers) you MUST contact the operator in advance and provide full dimensions and weight. These items must be able to be folded and stored in the luggage hold. Wheelchairs must be counted as 1 item of your hold luggage.
  • This service is available on all dates when Princess, Carnival or Holland America cruise ships are visiting Dover.
Location
Battle of Britain Memorial
New Dover Road, Folkestone
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.1
(23 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Lisa_b
Aug 12, 2024
Very happy - Driver was great. Very informative, helpful, friendly and efficient. He’s very good at his job. Also very punctual
Review provided by Viator
Sharon_m
Aug 10, 2024
Great tour. - Loved this Tour. Pick up from the Hotel was great, took a tour from Victoria Station and this was was much better. There was a 2 hour delay in the pick-up due to protests and street closures but we were keep informed of what was going on. Bus was very clean and confortable.
Review provided by Viator
Stacey_h
Jul 11, 2024
Must do. - Convenient pickup from our airport hotel in London Heathrow. The bus was very clean and maintained, and had a functional, accessible, clean bathroom. Our tour guide, Michael, was excellent. Viator obtained our Dover Castle tickets for us which was also very nice. They got us to our cruise ship in good timing. No worries of being late. Thank you very much. 😊
Review provided by Viator
Kendra_h
Jun 28, 2024
Fantastic - Exceptional! I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a transportation option to Dover. They were kind and courteous to all passengers including those who were late. They waited for them to make sure nobody was left behind.
Review provided by Viator
Sharon_m
Jul 23, 2024
Difficult - Did not pick us up at Hotel, bus couldn't get there so we walked 3 blocks with suit cases. I am in my 80's and have RA. Should of picked up with car. The walk up hill to castle is very steep. 30 minutes isn't enought time to do. Would take 3 hours or more. Just use if you are very fit and need to get to cruise
Review provided by Viator
James_s
Jul 2, 2024
London to Dover - The emphasis was certainly on arriving at our destination in Dover on time so we could embark on cruise ships. Picking us up at our London hotel and the handling of our luggage was exceptional and appreciated. The sightseeing service felt like a throw in. Again can’t complain too much as getting us to our ship for embarkation was much more important!
Review provided by Viator
Frederick_k
Jun 29, 2024
Good transfer tour. - The trip was well organized with good communication regarding pick up times. There was no guiding in Dover castle and that would have been helpful. More time in the memorial also needed .
Review provided by Viator
Leslie_n
Sep 5, 2023
Bad communication - We were misinformed of the pick up time which led to a very stressful morning not knowing if we were going to be picked up at all. Didn’t have very much time at the castle because of so many other pick ups. Horrible communication between customer service and us.
Review provided by Viator
Elizabeth_f
Sep 4, 2023
Too long! - We got picked up at our hotel at 7:15 am, got to Heathrow at 9:15 after picking ip others, hit traffic on our way to Dover, bus driver needed two breaks. Just tooooo long! We were exhausted from the length of the ride! Had no stops for the battlefield. Would not recommend for the cost! Bus driver and guide were bery nice and professional, but I didn’t care for it. I should have hired a private car for less money!!!
Review provided by Viator
Philip_s
Jul 29, 2024
Sent such a big bus it didn’t fit. Pickups took far too long. - They sent a full size bus that was too big to fit on the streets of hotel pickups. If they have pickups at those hotels, they need to send smaller van. As a result, we were on the bus for 4 hours , and the bus driver had to take a mandatory half hour rest. The result was being 3 hours late to Dover Castle and having to race around, not seeing everything at this great attraction. While nice to be picked up at your hotel, it resulted in sitting far too long on the bus. This company needs to understand the vehicles required to fit into the roads hotels are on.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 9 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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