A taxi from London City Airport to Dover’s cruise terminal costs £145.23 in a saloon with Onward Travel Solutions. The saloon takes three passengers and three large cases, and you pay the driver on the day. The trip back from Dover is priced on distance and comes to within a few pounds of the same.
Dover’s cruise terminals are in the Western Docks, away from the busy ferry port in the Eastern Docks. From London City in the Royal Docks, the drive heads south-east through Kent and is around 75 to 80 miles. For cruise passengers flying in from Europe on a short hop into City, it’s a direct way to get to the ship without crossing central London.
London City to Dover Taxi Prices
Live fares from the OTS Taxi booking system, per vehicle.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Large cases | London City → Dover cruise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 3 | 3 | £145.23 |
| Estate | 4 | 4 | £163.86 |
| Executive | 3 | 2 | £196.95 |
| People carrier | 6 | 5 | £192.18 |
| 8-seater minivan | 8 | 8 | £255.52 |
| Executive minivan | 6 | 6 | £291.34 |
| 12-seat minibus | 12 | 10 | from £404 |
| 16-seat minibus | 16 | 14 | from £467 |
Cost per person
| Group | Vehicle | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 people | Saloon | £145.23 | £48.41 |
| 4 people | Estate | £163.86 | £40.97 |
| 6 people | People carrier | £192.18 | £32.03 |
| 8 people | 8-seater minivan | £255.52 | £31.94 |
Book the return from Dover at the same time and the return leg is 5% off, about £283.20 for a saloon there and back.
The Drive
Your driver will usually go through the Blackwall Tunnel or round via the Dartford Crossing to reach the A2 and M2, then follow the A2 down into Dover, or take the M20 if that’s quicker on the day. Expect around 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Ferry traffic around Dover is sometimes held back at busy times, but the cruise terminal is approached from the Western Docks side, away from the ferry queues.
Taxi or Train?
By rail it’s the DLR to Stratford International, or the Underground to St Pancras, then a Southeastern high-speed train to Dover Priory, then a taxi from the station to the cruise terminal, which is about a mile away. It’s quick on paper, but every change means moving cases on and off trains.
At Dover Cruise Terminal
Tell us your cruise line and terminal when you book. Your driver will take you to the terminal entrance for drop-off. There’s no luggage storage at the pier, so don’t arrive hours before check-in opens.
Pickup at London City
Your driver meets you as you come out of arrivals. Onward Travel Solutions tracks your flight and gives you one hour of free waiting from the time it lands.
Planning Your Day: London City to Dover
Dover cruise sailings usually have an arrival window for check-in, given on your cruise documents. With a drive of an hour and a half or more, work backwards from the end of that window and allow extra time for the Blackwall Tunnel or the Dartford Crossing. A typical plan for a flight landing at 10:00am:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Flight lands at London City |
| 10:00 to 10:30 | Passport control and bags; London City is usually quick |
| 10:30 | Meet your driver outside arrivals |
| 10:30 to 12:15 | A2 and M2, or the M20, down through Kent to Dover |
| Around 12:15 | Arrive at the cruise terminal in the Western Docks |
For flights landing after about midday, a same-day connection becomes tight. Many passengers on later flights stay in Dover or Canterbury the night before and take a short transfer to the ship in the morning.
Coming Home: Dover to London City
Ships arrive in Dover early on the final morning, and passengers disembark in groups over the next few hours. With around an hour and three-quarters on the road, a London City flight from mid-afternoon onwards is usually comfortable. London City has shorter check-in times than the larger airports, which helps. The return is priced on distance and comes out within a few pounds of the outbound fare.
Cruise Terminal or Ferry Port?
Dover has two quite different areas. The ferry port in the Eastern Docks is where cross-Channel ferries leave, and at busy times the queues for it can stretch back along the A20. The cruise terminals are in the Western Docks, approached separately. Your driver will head for the cruise side, but if you’re actually catching a ferry as a foot passenger, tell us when you book so we go to the right place.
Which Vehicle Do You Need?
- Couple with two large cases: saloon at £145.23.
- Couple with extra cases or a folding wheelchair: estate at £163.86.
- Six people: people carrier at £192.18, which is £32.03 each.
- Eight people: 8-seater minivan at £255.52, or £31.94 each.
Cruise luggage tends to be bulky, so if your party is close to a vehicle’s limit, go one size up.
Is the Taxi Worth It?
A solo traveller with light luggage can do this by train for less. For a couple or family with cruise cases, the train means the DLR or Underground to the high-speed line, a train to Dover Priory and a local taxi to the terminal. The OTS Taxi takes you from the airport kerb to the terminal entrance in one go.
Travelling With Children or Reduced Mobility
Add child seats in the booking form with the children’s ages. Mention folding wheelchairs or walking aids in the notes and choose the estate or people carrier. Your driver will help with loading at both ends.
If Your Flight Is Delayed
We track the flight and the first hour after landing is free. If a long delay puts check-in at risk, call the OTS team and your cruise line. We’ll get you to the ship as quickly as traffic allows.
Why Book With Onward Travel Solutions?
A fixed fare agreed in advance, flight tracking with an hour’s free waiting, a driver who knows the difference between Dover’s cruise and ferry terminals, and nothing to pay until the day.
Arriving at London City
London City has one compact terminal, and most passengers are through passport control and baggage reclaim within half an hour. Call your driver on the number in your confirmation as you come out and they’ll meet you outside arrivals. Add a note to the booking if you’d like a name board.
Staying Overnight Before Your Cruise
If you’d rather not risk a same-day connection, book your OTS Taxi to a hotel in Dover, Folkestone or Canterbury the evening before, then a short transfer to the ship in the morning. Give the hotel as the drop-off address and it’s priced in the same way.
Whichever plan you choose, the OTS team is on the phone if your flight times or sailing details change. Let us know and we’ll move the pickup.
If you’re travelling as a group on different flights, book a vehicle for each flight so every arrival is tracked separately, and we’ll make sure everyone reaches the ship.
Paying and Changing Your Booking
Nothing is paid online. The fare is fixed when you book and you pay the driver on the day. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup through Manage My Booking; inside 24 hours, call the OTS team. Child seats and extra stops can be added in the booking form.
Related Transfers
- Dover port taxi: all routes
- Heathrow to Dover taxi
- Gatwick to Dover cruise port taxi
- London City Airport to Southampton cruise terminal taxi
- London City Airport taxi: all routes and fares
London City to Dover Taxi FAQs
How much is a taxi from London City Airport to Dover cruise terminal?
£145.23 in a saloon for up to three people with Onward Travel Solutions. An estate for four is £163.86.
How long does it take?
Around 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
How far is it?
About 75 to 80 miles.
Which part of Dover do cruise ships use?
The Western Docks, separate from the Eastern Docks ferry terminal.
Is there luggage storage at the terminal?
No, so time your arrival for when check-in opens.
Can I fly into London City on the day of my Dover cruise?
Yes, if you land by about 10:30am for a typical early-afternoon check-in.
Can you collect us from the ship at Dover?
Yes. Give us your ship and expected disembarkation time, and book both legs together for 5% off the return.
Do you also go to Dover’s ferry port?
Yes. Tell us when booking if you’re a foot passenger on a ferry rather than a cruise guest.
Book Your London City to Dover Cruise Transfer
Enter your flight number, cruise line and party size in the form at the top of the page to see the OTS Taxi price for every vehicle and book.