Christmas Travel Ferry Information
To help us help you have the smoothest journey to and through the port, there are several things that you can do.
Dover Ferry
Arrival & check-in procedure
Step 1
Getting here & entry
Approximately 70 miles from London, the M20 will provide the quickest and most direct route for most passengers heading to Dover, particularly if coming from the West. The M20 merges into the A20 at Folkestone.
Continue along the A20 until you reach the Eastern Docks roundabout, where you will take the first left and enter Dover Ferry Terminal (Eastern Docks).
If you are coming to Dover via the M2, the road merges into the A2 at Faversham. Stay on the A2 until you get to the Eastern Docks roundabout and take a right into Dover Ferry Terminal (Eastern Docks).
Once you have arrived please enter the port and follow the signs for check-in.
Step 2
Driving inside the port…
Use correct lane
Please ensure you follow the correct lane.
Stay in lane
Please ensure you remain in your lane.
Stop!
Stop and wait at barriers for the green light.
Step 3
Proceed to Border Controls
Please proceed to the French border controls and have all your travel documents ready. You may also be selected to proceed to UK Border controls.
Travel documents
Please ensure you have your travel documents ready for inspection.
Security check
You may also be selected for security checks, as well as UK Border Controls.
Allocated lane number
At check-in you will be allocated a lane number.
Step 4
Boarding the ferry…
Park in lane
Park in your allocated lane behind the vehicle in front.
Wait to be called
Wait to be called to board the ferry.
Facilities
If time allows, facilities are available in the Passenger Services building.
Dover Ferry Facilities
Unaccompanied Trailers
Unaccompanied trailer park facilities are available in the Eastern Docks.
The charging rate for demurrage in the Unaccompanied Trailer Park in the Eastern Docks is £81.30 per 24 hours or part thereof. Trailers which are collected within a 24 hour period are exempt from charges. Trailers which exceed the first 24 hour period will be charged for the entire duration of their stay, calculated from the time and date of arrival.
Abnormal load notification
Please check the below exceeded criteria information below for the vehicle will be classified as an Abnormal Load. Approval will be required before the vehicle can pass through Port of Dover by completing the form and emailing to the operator details provided.
Criteria for Abnormal load classification
If any of the following criteria are exceeded the vehicle will be classified as an Abnormal Load and approval will be required before the vehicle can pass through the Port of Dover;
- vehicle weight exceeds 45 tonnes
- vehicle width exceeds 3.2 metres
- vehicle length exceeds 22 metres
- vehicle height exceeds 4.8 metres
Download the Abnormal Load Notification Form
Please use the Notification Form to obtain approval. Both ‘Part A – Vehicle Particulars’ and ‘Part B – Journey Particulars’ should be completed and the form emailed to your intended ferry operator.
Operator contact details for sending the form
DFDS Seaways: dover.freightbookings@dfds.com
P&O Ferries: freightops.dover@poferries.com
Irish Ferries dover.freight@irishferries.com
Abnormal Load Port holding costs.
Where an abnormal load arrives at the Port without a suitable escort/approval for its immediate onward travel, the following charges will be payable in respect of the time that the abnormal load is held in the Port pending arrival of the escort/approval.
0-24 hours £100.00
24-48 hours £200.00
48-72 hours £300.00
Subsequent charge per day £100.00