As the end of the peak summer season approaches, the popularity of the Port of Dover is set to continue as fans make their way to France for the most prestigious event in international rugby, the World Cup; due to be held in stadiums around the country over seven weeks from 8 September to 28 October.
As the twenty top teams from around the world prepare to gather, the Port of Dover looks forward to welcoming rugby fans seeking to benefit from a choice of 60 outbound sailings per day from a choice of three ferry operators, on the shortest sea crossing to Europe.
Pack your friends, family or teammates into a car, campervan, or coach for a road trip to France – ditching the cabin fever and the scrum at baggage claim – and enjoy the most comfortable and affordable crossing to Europe on offer. Embrace the endless space available to you on the ferries that take you to the continent, without ever having to take your bags out of the car!
Let the friendly teams at the Port of Dover help get you on your way for the Rugby World Cup this year. With us, you’ll clear all necessary border checks in the UK, with minimal wait times (our average border processing time has been just 23 minutes during our busy summer weekends this year). Passengers also stay in the comfort of their vehicle throughout checks; there’s no standing around in a busy arrivals hall here, all you have to do is decide who gets control of the aux cord. Our ferry operators take the stress out of travelling for you too – if you miss your ferry, you’ll be placed on the next available sailing.
During the crossing, you can enjoy a range of dining options, embrace the duty-free on offer (with generous personal allowances), check out the onboard entertainment, and breathe in some fresh sea air – ready to drive straight out of the Port on the other side and throw yourself into all the excitement of the rugby.
If you’re a rugby fan looking for fuss-free, affordable travel this Autumn, check out www.portofdover.com/ferry/tickets/ for the best-priced tickets from the Port of Dover to Calais or Dunkirk and choose the sailing that works best for you. Passengers can also visit www.portofdover.com/ferry/travel-advice/ for our year-round travel advice, to ensure you have everything you need to secure the best possible transit.
Guidance for Coaches:
The Port of Dover will be the gateway of choice for coaches travelling to France for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
To ensure rugby fans travelling via coach this September have a seamless experience, we have planned some important measures. On 8, 15, 22, 29 and 30 September, from 08:00-18:00, coaches will use our designated coach processing facility.
For coach drivers, please see this document here for guidance.