Port of Dover — Attraction in Dover

Really, really bad experience.

We arrived with one car and two persons to catch an evening ferry (around 9pm) to Calais. No signs at the streets or the entrance in which direction to go. The people at the border control were nearly rude as we asked them for the right way to the ticket office. Maritime Security then separated us asked us if we had any knives. We said yes, as we had two normal, small knives for camping and eating. The lady confiscated them without any proper explanation. (Later on we checked with the legal restrictions for knives in GB and she was just wrong...) But it was too late and we were too tired to argue at the spot. And we definitely wouldn't have paid 30 GBP each to get them MAYBE back.

Next step on our search for the ticket office was a big place with several counters for drive thru but without any display panel which was the next departing ferry. (Later on we're told that all the displays were disposed. Ridiculous...) So we just drove on the off chance to one of the ferry provider who ignored more or less our questions and just gave us a piece of paper with a ferry departing too late for us. At least he told us where the ticket office was. In the ticket office we finally could ask (!! as it still was nowhere on display) the several providers which was the next departing ferry and we bought our ticket there. The nice lady told us that there were no signs or whatsoever due to the reconstruction of the harbour and she was well aware of the complaints of the passagers.

In comparison to Calais Harbour this was a very unpleasant experience and I definitely do not want to come back anytime soon.

Deutsch: Im Vergleich zum Fährhafen in Calais ist Dover eine einzige...

I’ll say this as a foot passenger that was doing the Dover to Calais crossing with PO Ferries. Firstly, PO Ferries are the only ones doing foot passengers so you don’t have any choice of ferry company.

Secondly, the 90 minute arrival time at Eastern Docks isn’t as strict as the website suggests. You can arrive 20 minutes before the shuttle bus leaves and be fine.

Thirdly, what a faff it all is being a foot passenger. Get on the bus, drive, get off the bus, go through passport control. Then get on the bus, drive, get off again, this time with your luggage for it to be scanned with your belt, phone etc like it would be at an airport. Then get on the bus and then drive and get on the ferry.

Another thing I would add. It’s not clearly marked out where you need to walk to when you first arrive. That could be much better signposted. Also, the walk from either Dover Priory train station or Pencester Bus Station isn’t that far. It’s certainly walkable, but this depends on your fitness levels and how much luggage you have.

We went into the Club Lounge for the crossing. It’s around £30. It is more comfortable and there is plenty to eat and drink including a hot English breakfast which is all self service. You’ll not starve in there, though it does get very busy. One advantage of being a foot passenger is that you can get into the Club Lounge earlier than the car passengers. At least that was the case when we were crossing. Not sure I’d do the foot passenger thing...

If there were a hell on earth, it would be Dover border control. The experience is nothing short of a nightmare — endless queues, exhausted travellers, and an atmosphere of sheer frustration. What should be a simple crossing has turned into an ordeal that can last for hours on end.

Since Brexit, the situation has gone from bad to unbearable. Passport checks now crawl at a glacial pace, and there never seems to be enough staff to cope with the backlog. Families are stranded, tempers flare, and every minute feels like an eternity.

It’s hard to believe this is one of the UK’s main gateways to Europe. The infrastructure clearly isn’t designed for the new post-Brexit reality, and the lack of preparation or investment is painfully obvious. Dover has become the poster child for what happens when bureaucracy trumps common sense.

If you can avoid travelling through here, do yourself a favour and do so. Dover isn’t just a port anymore — it’s a...