CT1 pickup
Terminal forecourt and signed pickup lane on Admiralty Pier approach
Meet-and-greet drivers should display your name and monitor ship disembarkation times.
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CT1 & CT2 · Maps · Taxis · Hotels
Dover Cruise Terminal Guide
Everything cruise passengers need at CT1 and CT2 — live ship schedule, terminal maps, taxi pickups, where to stay, eat and book transfers.
Updated 2026-06-13
Live cruise schedule
Today: Checking live schedule…
CT1
Cruise Terminal 1
Admiralty Pier · Western Docks
Larger cruise ships on the Admiralty Pier — many mainstream lines berth here on turnaround days.
- Address
- Admiralty Pier, Dover CT17 9DQ
- Taxi & pickup
- Passenger pickup and drop-off at the terminal forecourt. Coaches and taxis use signed lanes on busy days — confirm your meeting point when pre-booking.
- Terminal building with check-in and waiting areas
- Coach and taxi set-down zones
- Short walk from ship to terminal on most calls
- • Allow 30–90 minutes after published arrival for immigration and luggage.
- • The pier is a long walk from Dover town — taxis are the practical option with suitcases.
- • Follow Port of Dover signage for CT1 — not the ferry check-in halls at Eastern Docks.
CT2
Cruise Terminal 2
Western Docks cruise facility
Newer Western Docks cruise berth — closer to the A20 and Western Docks ferry area than CT1.
- Address
- Western Docks, Dover CT17 9DQ
- Taxi & pickup
- Taxi and private hire pickup at the signed cruise terminal approach. Share your cruise line and berth when booking — CT2 gates differ from CT1 on navigation apps.
- Modern cruise terminal facility at Western Docks
- Separate approach road from Eastern Docks ferries
- Taxi and coach holding areas on turnaround days
- • Check your cruise line app for CT2 vs CT1 before you travel — they are a few minutes apart by road.
- • Western Docks traffic peaks when ferries and cruise ships overlap — build in buffer.
- • Pre-booked transfers avoid rank queues on double-ship days.
Terminal maps
Where are CT1 and CT2?
Both terminals sit within the Port of Dover Western Docks complex. CT1 extends along Admiralty Pier; CT2 is at the Western Docks cruise facility — a few minutes apart by road but different approach roads from the A20.
Port overview
CT1 (north pier) and CT2 (Western Docks) marked relative to Dover town and the A20.
Taxi rank & pickups
Where to get a taxi at Dover Cruise Terminal
Dover does not have a single permanent taxi rank inside the cruise terminals. Licensed taxis and pre-booked private hire collect passengers at signed pickup zones outside CT1 and CT2. On busy turnaround Saturdays ranks at the port approach can queue — pre-booking is strongly recommended.
CT2 pickup
Western Docks cruise terminal taxi/coach area
Confirm CT2 in your booking — sat-nav to “Dover Cruise Terminal 2” or Western Docks.
- Pre-book before you disembark — Dover taxis are in high demand when two ships are in port.
- Fixed fares beat negotiating at the rank after a long cruise.
- MPVs suit families with multiple large suitcases.
- For same-day Heathrow or Gatwick flights, allow 2–2½ hours from pickup.
Where to stay
Hotels near Dover Cruise Terminal
Stay in Dover the night before embarkation or after disembarkation — most cruise passengers choose harbour-side or town-centre hotels a short taxi from CT1 and CT2.
from £120
Dover Marina Hotel & Spa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
On the marina — closest full-service hotel to CT2. Cruise passengers pre-book here for harbour views and a short taxi to either terminal.
CT1
0.9 mi
CT2
0.4 mi
Taxi
3–5 min
Rating
★ 4.3
- Parking
- Yes
- Restaurant
- Yes
- Breakfast
- Restaurant & room service
Official photo — dovermarinahotel.co.uk
from £65
Premier Inn Dover Central (Eastern Ferry Terminal)
Steps from the Eastern Ferry Terminal — practical if you are also watching ferry traffic, with reliable taxis to CT1 and CT2.
CT1
1.1 mi
CT2
1.3 mi
Taxi
5–8 min
Rating
★ 4.1
- Parking
- Yes
- Restaurant
- Yes
- Breakfast
- Thyme restaurant — breakfast available
Official photo — Premier Inn / Leonardo
from £80
Holiday Inn Dover
Whitfield — quieter than the waterfront but easy M20/A20 access. Families like the pool; book an early taxi on turnaround Saturdays.
CT1
2.4 mi
CT2
2.6 mi
Taxi
8–10 min
Rating
★ 4.2
- Parking
- Yes
- Restaurant
- Yes
- Breakfast
- Buffet breakfast available
Official photo — holidayinndover.co.uk
from £85
Best Western Premier Dover Marina Hotel
Western Docks marina location — same waterfront cruise passengers have used for years. Confirm current branding when booking (property also trades as Hilton Tapestry).
CT1
0.9 mi
CT2
0.4 mi
Taxi
3–5 min
Rating
★ 4.2
- Parking
- Yes
- Restaurant
- Yes
- Breakfast
- Available
Official photo — Dover Marina (Western Docks)
Eat & drink
Restaurants near the cruise terminal
Where to eat before embarkation, after disembarkation or during a port day — all within a short taxi from CT1 and CT2.
Dover Marina Restaurant
Seafood & BritishDover Waterfront · 5 min from terminals
Harbour views and grilled fish — a classic pre-embarkation or post-cruise dinner by the water.
The Curious Café
Café & brunchDover Town Centre · 10 min
Independent café for coffee and brunch before a midday embarkation window.
The Allotment
British gastropubDover · 8 min
Seasonal British menu and local ales — good for a relaxed last night ashore.
Hackney's
Restaurant & barDover Seafront · 7 min
Seafront dining with views toward the port — walk or short taxi from CT1/CT2.
Marley's Café
Café & light mealsDover Town · 10 min
Quick lunches and cakes — handy if you have a few hours between hotel checkout and embarkation.
The Pig at Bridge Place
Restaurant & roomsCanterbury · 35 min
Kitchen-garden dining for cruise day-trip passengers with time for a proper lunch inland.
Transfer booking
Book a transfer from Dover Cruise Terminal
Pre-book licensed private hire with RideConnect UK — fixed guide fares, meet-and-greet at CT1 or CT2, and MPVs for families with luggage.
| Route | Typical time | Car from | MPV from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover Cruise Terminal → Heathrow | 2–2¼ hrs | £248 | £373 | Guide → |
| Dover Cruise Terminal → Gatwick | 1¾–2 hrs | £150 | £225 | Guide → |
| Heathrow → Dover Cruise Terminal | 2–2½ hrs | £248 | £373 | Guide → |
| Gatwick → Dover Cruise Terminal | 1¾–2½ hrs | £150 | £225 | Guide → |
| Dover Cruise Terminal → Canterbury | 35–45 min | £45 | £65 | Guide → |
| Dover Cruise Terminal → London | 2–2½ hrs | £120 | £160 | Guide → |
RideConnect UK
Book online — your driver monitors your ship and adjusts for delayed disembarkation. Tell us CT1 or CT2 and your cruise line when booking.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Dover Cruise Terminal?
- Dover has two cruise terminals: CT1 on Admiralty Pier and CT2 at the Western Docks. Both are within the Port of Dover, a few minutes' drive apart and roughly 2 miles from Dover Priory station.
- What is the difference between CT1 and CT2?
- CT1 is on the Admiralty Pier and handles many larger ships. CT2 is the newer Western Docks cruise facility with a separate approach road. Your cruise line assigns the berth — check CT1 or CT2 before booking a taxi.
- Is there a taxi rank at Dover Cruise Terminal?
- Taxis collect at signed pickup zones outside each terminal rather than a single central rank. On busy turnaround days queues build quickly — pre-booking a private hire is the most reliable option.
- How do I find today's cruise ships at Dover?
- Kent Travel Hub shows live cruise arrivals from Port of Dover data on this page and the homepage calendar — refreshed every five minutes.
- Should I stay in a hotel the night before my cruise?
- Yes — staying in Dover the night before protects you from M20 delays and missed embarkation, especially if you are travelling from Heathrow, Gatwick or northern England.
- How long from Dover Cruise Terminal to Heathrow?
- Typically 2 to 2¼ hours by road in normal traffic. Allow extra time for Operation Brock, port queues and Friday evening M25 congestion.