High Speed Rail to Dover

[BrerNashville]

We are staying in London for two nights before our Norwegian Fjords cruise departs Dover on May 29. We are staying at a hotel just south of Buckingham Palace. We plan to catch the 8:40 train from St. Pancras to Dover.

First, are there any strikes or other action that could impede the transportation on that day of which anyone is aware?

Second, what time should we have a cab pick us up from our hotel, taking into consideration where we get dropped off at St. Pancras, how far we have to walk, check in times, etc.? Never been to St. Pancras, but have been to London.

Anything else I need to be aware of to make this go as smoothly as possible? There's 2 adults and three kids, and we thought the high speed train would be neat for them. I am aware there is one transfer. Any reason not to go ahead and purchase the tickets on southeasternrailway.co.uk?

Thanks in advance!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

So the only current strikes planned are on Souhern region trains you are unaffected at this time. ( those going to Gatwick may have some issues).

Taxis can stop directly outside the international ( right) of St Pancrus, tell your taxi you are going to Dover and ensure your on the domestic train service side.

So ask for Pancras Road: There are two taxi drop off areas in Pancras Road. One is situated halfway along the old Victorian brick built Barlow shed and is convenient for Eurostar passengers. The second is situated close to the main entrance in the new part of the station and is suitable for passengers travelling within the UK.
https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/your-journey/station-information/STP/
IE Eurostar to France is right, (east) SouthEastern services are At the top ( north east). See map below.

A taxi will be required from Dover priory station to the cruise port, circa ten minuites.
Book tickets on SouthEastern that's fine or on trainline. Either are the same. St Pancrus is relatively small, a nice stay on a few shops, but trains are in different sections.

So you say south of Buckingham place so your staying in Victoria or St James Park area. On a good day I would allow a minimum of thirty minutes on a taxi, it should be quicker. But allow for queues and boarding time at StP so add minimum twenty more minutes.

Go in a licenced black cab the hotel will have them outside or can call. Tube Piccadilly from green park or Victoria from Victoria get to StP in 15 minutes but allow escalator time, Circle goes the long way there via Liverpool Street. Taxi with cruise luggage is best. Call for a big cab or maybe need two. Have a wonderful cruise from Dover.

Photos maps embarkation at Dover on video linked here.http://torussiawithmickeybars.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

 

[iona]

Telling your taxi driver you want the Kings Cross side of the station might be an alternative way of phrasing it. The platforms (11-13) are pretty much right inside the door - just up the escalators by the Starbucks.

Please be aware that the "one change" is on to a rail replacement bus service though (due to engineering works between Folkestone and Dover) - if you have a lot of luggage that may not be much fun!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Look top right on this station map platform 11>

 

[BrerNashville]

Telling your taxi driver you want the Kings Cross side of the station might be an alternative way of phrasing it. The platforms (11-13) are pretty much right inside the door - just up the escalators by the Starbucks.

Please be aware that the "one change" is on to a rail replacement bus service though (due to engineering works between Folkestone and Dover) - if you have a lot of luggage that may not be much fun!

Thanks for pointing that out. I should have read that closer. What is that transfer like? We will likely have a fair amount of luggage. How far of a walk is it? Are there porters available?

 

[iona]

I'm not familiar with Folkestone but the pick up points are often from the station car parks. It won't be far to walk but there won't be any help available and there's unlikely to be much luggage space on the bus.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Telling your taxi driver you want the Kings Cross side of the station might be an alternative way of phrasing it. The platforms (11-13) are pretty much right inside the door - just up the escalators by the Starbucks.

Please be aware that the "one change" is on to a rail replacement bus service though (due to engineering works between Folkestone and Dover) - if you have a lot of luggage that may not be much fun!

As the rail works are Folkstone to Dover only, can't you go the other way around the loop by train?

 

[BrerNashville]

A taxi will be required from Dover priory station to the cruise port, circa ten minuites.
Book tickets on SouthEastern that's fine or on trainline. Either are the same. St Pancrus is relatively small, a nice stay on a few shops, but trains are in different sections.

Thanks for all this great information. Are cabs available for hail at the priory station? Would any of them typically be MPVs suitable for a family of 5 with luggage? Or would you recommend arranging a pickup in advance?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Thanks for pointing that out. I should have read that closer. What is that transfer like? We will likely have a fair amount of luggage. How far of a walk is it? Are there porters available?

If affected get a taxi direct from Folkstone to Dover cruise terminal.

 

[BrerNashville]

there's unlikely to be much luggage space on the bus.

So, if we are a group of 5, traveling with likely 2 large pieces of luggage and three carry-on size pieces, plus backpacks for each, how will the luggage situation work? Is there not luggage transport space under the bus? Normally we wouldn't have this much luggage, but it all those "cruise casual", formal and semi-formal dining nights really challenge packing efficiency.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Thanks for all this great information. Are cabs available for hail at the priory station? Would any of them typically be MPVs suitable for a family of 5 with luggage? Or would you recommend arranging a pickup in advance?

There is often taxis outside, if there are loads of people using them, then there is a taxi phone there, photos of Dover priory station and a taxi are on my blog or the trip report link below.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

So, if we are a group of 5, traveling with likely 2 large pieces of luggage and three carry-on size pieces, plus backpacks for each, how will the luggage situation work? Is there not luggage transport space under the bus? Normally we wouldn't have this much luggage, but it all those "cruise casual", formal and semi-formal dining nights really challenge packing efficiency.

Get a taxi or MPV from Folkstone taxis they will be in the station forecourt or you can call on a phone there, or book in advancehttp://www.folkestonetaxi.com/. .http://www.premiertaxisfolkestone.co.uk

 

[BrerNashville]

If affected get a taxi direct from Folkstone to Dover cruise terminal.

Sounds like that may be the better plan, since we'll have to catch a cab in Dover anyway.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Sounds like that may be the better plan, since we'll have to catch a cab in Dover anyway.

Yes the two towns are just over the hill / cliffs, the cruise terminal is the Folkestone side of Dover. It just adds a bit, note the rail service is in a loop so may go the other way around the loop to Dover avoiding Folkstone.

 

[BrerNashville]

note the rail service is in a loop so may go the other way around the loop to Dover avoiding Folkstone.

Not sure I understand this -- if I booked a high speed rail ticket into folkstone, rather than dover, it's about 6 pounds cheaper than the trip to dover. I can then have one of those cab services pick us up at Folkstone (West). The train will stop there, correct? (I don't want it to "avoid" Folkestone, in other words). Thanks for your help.

 

[Ofinn]

If your staying near Victoria I believe there are direct trains from the Victoria station.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If your staying near Victoria I believe there are direct trains from the Victoria station.

Yes - but they wanted high speed trains, but is an alternative.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Not sure I understand this -- if I booked a high speed rail ticket into folkstone, rather than dover, it's about 6 pounds cheaper than the trip to dover. I can then have one of those cab services pick us up at Folkstone (West). The train will stop there, correct? (I don't want it to "avoid" Folkestone, in other words). Thanks for your help.

You will have to check the timetable and stops on the train you want to catch, some are different, but I would think many will stop/ terminate at Folkstone, ( no where else to go that way) but some may re route around the loop the other way to Dover and terminate there. Trains from Victoria will have a service to Dover.

 

[BrerNashville]

What is the luggage situation on the high speed trains? Is there plenty of room for it? Keeping in mind we are traveling on a Sunday morning at 8:30ish?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

What is the luggage situation on the high speed trains? Is there plenty of room for it? Keeping in mind we are traveling on a Sunday morning at 8:30ish?

Big and wide. You have a lot so it will be a squeeze but doable. Sunday morning is very good! Glad you avoid Mon> Fri.