London to Dover train

[msmama]

I did a cruise from Dover in 2017 and I was also able to get an Uber to take me from Dover Castle to Asford Train Station (we went on to Paris after the cruise). Local's seemed to be surprised that I could get an Uber in Dover, but I would suspect, two years later, they would be more common, especially on sailing days. So that's another option to keep in mind.

 

[Luv2Diz]

This was about 4 years ago for us. I believe that we bought the tickets the day or two beforehand. We were in London for a week, staying in the Victoria Station area. It was nice actually talking to a person about the different options. Our train originated at VS so was empty when we boarded. by the time we got to Dover our car was about 1/3 full. I want to say that the trip took about 1:30-1:50. Was lovely looking at the scenery. One of the cities had a fantastic cathedral that was easy to see from the train. After our cruise we took the train back into London to St. Pancras to catch the Eurostar to Paris.

We are looking at a cruise next year that ends in Dover and will take the train "someplace" after the cruise. Need to figure that out. Stay in the UK and go to the castle in Dover, stay in the south between Dover & Southhampton or go to Disneyland Paris. Decisions, Decisions!!

What is the luggage situation on the train? I have heard some carriages have luggage racks at the end of the car but some don't. Can you keep the luggage by your seat since the train is fairly empty? We are taking the train from Charing Cross to Dover next week.

 

[Intr3pid]

We did this just a few weeks ago.

1. We bought our tickets at loco2.com. They have an app where you can see your mobile tickets and then don't need to print anything.

2. The discounted tickets go on sale only within about 8 to 12 weeks prior to the departure date. If you buy any earlier, you will likely see the flexible, more expensive fares which aren't capacity-controlled.

3. If you have kids in your party, get the National Rail Friends and Family card, as it will save you tons. The Loco2 website allows you to reflect the pass's savings in your fares.

4. There are plenty of taxis in both directions. They accept GBP, EUR, and credit cards - some might even accept USD. The fare is about 8 to 10 GBP one way for a minivan-style taxi if you have kids in the tow and lots of luggage.

5. When you get on the train, find space for your luggage rightaway. This should be your top priority. By the time you are hitting stations later in the trip, the train will be full - standing space only - so plan ahead and don't be fooled by the empty seats when you get on.

6. Other than the large bags (for which you use the racks closer to the doors), most of your luggage can fit on the shelves above your seat. The moment you get on board, put your larger bags on the racks. Then, find yourself a seat and use the shelves above it to keep your smaller bags.

7. The high-speed train will get you from Dover Priory to London St Pancras (which also a stop for Eurostar to France/Belgium). Other Eurostar stations along the way only save you minutes but have far less frequency in train service.

8. There is a Hertz at London St Pancras station that will allow you to drop the car off at Hertz Dover for a reasonable drop fee. The reverse direction is tricky since Magic usually gets into Dover on Sundays when hardly anything is open.

 

[Luv2Diz]

We did this just a few weeks ago.

5. When you get on the train, find space for your luggage rightaway. This should be your top priority. By the time you are hitting stations later in the trip, the train will be full - standing space only - so plan ahead and don't be fooled by the empty seats when you get on.

6. Other than the large bags (for which you use the racks closer to the doors), most of your luggage can fit on the shelves above your seat. The moment you get on board, put your larger bags on the racks. Then, find yourself a seat and use the shelves above it to keep your smaller bags.

Did you take the train on a Sunday? We are going from London Charing Cross to Dover on a Sunday morning and the same when we return from the cruise. I wouldn’t expect standing room only on this schedule but maybe so? Is it easy to keep an eye on your luggage if it’s in the racks by the doors?

 

[jrabbit]

What is the luggage situation on the train? I have heard some carriages have luggage racks at the end of the car but some don't. Can you keep the luggage by your seat since the train is fairly empty? We are taking the train from Charing Cross to Dover next week.

we kept our luggage with us mostly. we had a larger piece that as the train filled up, i stood with near the doors (because that's where the big open space was). This was only for the last 30 minutes of the trip at most.

I assume that the train and the carriage can make a difference. It seemed like we were in a "commuter" carriage vs. a "holiday" configured carriage.

 

[Luv2Diz]

we kept our luggage with us mostly. we had a larger piece that as the train filled up, i stood with near the doors (because that's where the big open space was). This was only for the last 30 minutes of the trip at most.

I assume that the train and the carriage can make a difference. It seemed like we were in a "commuter" carriage vs. a "holiday" configured carriage.

Thank you for this helpful information. We will plan to do the same.

 

[Intr3pid]

Did you take the train on a Sunday? We are going from London Charing Cross to Dover on a Sunday morning and the same when we return from the cruise. I wouldn’t expect standing room only on this schedule but maybe so? Is it easy to keep an eye on your luggage if it’s in the racks by the doors?

Yup, it was a Sunday, which surprised us as well.

If you use the racks only for your large bags, no one in their right state of mind should ponder dragging one off the train and down the long station platform if it's not theirs! All the same, just don't put any valuables in them.

 

[BigJon]

Me and my wife did the Disney Magic cruise from Dover to New York last September. I booked our train tickets on Southeastern’s website about 2 months before our cruise, and paid €27.20 total, from St. Pancras to Dover. We spent one night in Dover, and had a great time there. We took the local bus to the top of the hill, where the Western Heights of Dover fort is located, and we walked down to the Grand Shaft. Awesome piece of history. You can add on the Plus Bus option to your train ticket, and you can ride the bus the entire day.....jonathan

 

[gilsan]

We took the train two weeks ago to Dover. We bought the tickets directly from Southeastern railway, they had the best price.

When we arrived in Dover, it was embarkation day, DCL had a shuttle to take cruisers to the port. It was $10 per person added to your on-board account. People arriving for the cruise at the train station were being directed to take the shuttle bus. When we arrived there were no taxis to be had. A group of people opted to wait for a taxi and they were still waiting when our shuttle bus left for the port.

 

[DahliaRW]

Last summer it took an hour and ten minutes in line to get a taxi from the station to port. We were later in the afternoon (I think our train arrived around 1). DCL did not offer a shuttle from Dover to the port then, but if they do now I would take it. Otherwise see if you can call or pre-book a taxi. We tried to get an Uber, but there were none to be had.