Dover ferry port address: Eastern Docks, CT16 1JA

The address for Dover ferry port is Eastern Docks, Dover, Kent, CT16 1JA. Use this postcode if you are driving to Dover for a ferry to Calais or Dunkirk. Once you reach the Eastern Docks roundabout, follow the ferry terminal signs and then the signs for your operator.

Dover is a busy ferry port, especially on holiday weekends. The port itself is straightforward once you are at the entrance, but the approach roads, check-in, border control and operator lanes can take time. Do not treat the ferry departure time as the time you need to arrive.

Last checked by FerryGoGo: 7 July 2026. Always check your ferry operator and the Port of Dover before travelling, especially around school holidays, bank holidays and EES border-processing periods.

Dover ferry port address

For most sat navs and mapping apps, use:

• Dover Ferry Terminal
• Eastern Docks
• Dover
• Kent
• CT16 1JA

The postcode gets you to the ferry terminal area, not directly to a specific operator check-in booth. After entering the port, follow the signs for your ferry operator: P&O Ferries, DFDS or Irish Ferries.

If you are using Google Maps or Apple Maps, searching for Dover Ferry Terminal or Dover Eastern Docks is usually clearer than typing only the postcode.

Driving to Dover ferry port

Dover is reached mainly by the M20/A20 from the west or the M2/A2 from north Kent and London. The last part is well signposted, but during busy travel periods you should still allow extra time.

From the M20 and A20

For many travellers, especially from London, the South East or the west, the M20 is the most direct route. The M20 becomes the A20 near Folkestone. Continue along the A20 towards Dover until you reach the Eastern Docks roundabout. Take the first left into Dover Ferry Terminal.

From the M2 and A2

If you are arriving via the M2, the road becomes the A2 at Faversham. Stay on the A2 towards Dover. At the Eastern Docks roundabout, follow the signs into Dover Ferry Terminal.

Once you are inside the ferry terminal, the route becomes more controlled. Follow the lane signs, check-in signs and staff instructions rather than trying to navigate manually to a specific berth.

Map of Dover Eastern Docks

The route map gives a quick overview of the Dover Eastern Docks area and where you need to head once you reach the ferry terminal approach.

Foot passengers and Dover Priory station

Dover ferry port is not as easy by train as it is by car. The nearest main railway station is Dover Priory. From there, you can walk to the Passenger Terminal, take a taxi, or use local transport if available. The walk is roughly 25 to 30 minutes, depending on your route and luggage.

If you are travelling as a foot passenger, you do not walk directly onto the ferry. Port of Dover’s Passenger Terminal at Eastern Docks is where foot passengers arrive before boarding. From there, a shuttle bus takes passengers from the terminal building to the ferry.

Foot-passenger rules can differ by operator and route. Check your operator before booking, especially on Dover routes where vehicle traffic is the main focus.

Which ferry operators use Dover Eastern Docks?

The main ferry operators from Dover are P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. These operators run ferry services from Dover to France: P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries sail to Calais, while DFDS sails to both Calais and Dunkirk.

Route	Operator	Useful for	Book / check prices
Dover-Calais	P&O Ferries	Calais, northern France, Paris and onward drives	Check P&O Ferries
Dover-Calais	DFDS	Calais, northern France and flexible Channel crossings	Check DFDS
Dover-Calais	Irish Ferries	Calais, northern France and an alternative Dover-Calais operator	Check Irish Ferries
Dover-Dunkirk	DFDS	Belgium, the Netherlands, northern France and Germany	Check DFDS

Always check your actual booking confirmation. Operator lanes, check-in instructions and arrival times are more important than the general port address once you are near Dover.

How early should you arrive at Dover ferry port?

Follow the arrival time on your booking confirmation and any live advice from your ferry operator or the Port of Dover. For EES processing, Port of Dover currently advises passengers to arrive at the Eastern Docks Ferry Terminal no more than 2 hours before departure.

That last point matters. Arriving too late is risky, but arriving far too early can also create pressure at the port during busy periods. On peak travel days, check official advice before setting off.

For wider peak-travel advice, see our guide to Dover ferry queues and alternatives.

Before you drive to Dover

Dover is usually straightforward if your documents are ready and you follow the signs. The problems tend to come from traffic, border checks, late arrivals, missing documents or choosing the wrong route for your final destination.

• Check your operator’s latest sailing and check-in advice.
• Keep passports and booking confirmation easy to reach.
• Have pet documents ready if travelling with a dog.
• Do not rely only on the postcode once inside the port.
• Follow lane signs and staff instructions.
• Bring water and snacks if travelling during a peak holiday period.
• Check whether Dover is actually the best route for your final destination in France.

Is Dover the right ferry port for your trip?

Dover is often the best choice for Calais, northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands and fast onward drives into northern Europe. It is not always the best choice for Normandy, Brittany or western France.

If your destination is further west, compare Newhaven, Portsmouth, Poole or Plymouth before automatically choosing Dover. A longer ferry can sometimes make the total travel day easier.

Start with our full comparison of ferries to France from the UK, or read our skip Dover guide for western France routes from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth.

Useful Dover ferry links

• Dover-Calais ferry
• Dover-Dunkirk ferry
• Ferries to France from the UK
• We tried every way to cross from Dover to Calais
• Dover ferry queues and alternatives
• Port of Dover: how to get here
• Port of Dover: EES travel advice