Booking ground transportation to Dover

[uppitycats]

Our cruise isn't until early April, 2010, leaving from Dover. How soon in advance do I need to be booking ground transportation? I will probably go for one of those services that meets us at the gate, assists with luggage and takes us to Dover..do I need to do that this early? I use a wheelchair, so need to be sure that there's easy (if a bit costly) transportation available. Thanks!

[sddsddean]

Our cruise isn't until early April, 2010, leaving from Dover. How soon in advance do I need to be booking ground transportation? I will probably go for one of those services that meets us at the gate, assists with luggage and takes us to Dover..do I need to do that this early? I use a wheelchair, so need to be sure that there's easy (if a bit costly) transportation available. Thanks!

 

Book it as soon as you can to reserve your 'slot'. http://www.woodfordchauffeurcars.co.uk/ are highly recommended by many UK cruisers.

 

Simon

[handfordr]

You will need to arrange the assistance off the flight and collecting luggage airside and transport to the driver waiting in the public area through your airline/airport.

 

With regards the Heathrow-Dover component the acid question is whether you can independently get out of your wheelchair and get in a normal seat of the vehicle or whether you need a specialist vehicle equipped to accommodate your wheelchair with you still on it.

You'll be spoilt for choice for the first option, have a very short list for the second.

[uppitycats]

You will need to arrange the assistance off the flight and collecting luggage airside and transport to the driver waiting in the public area through your airline/airport.

 

With regards the Heathrow-Dover component the acid question is whether you can independently get out of your wheelchair and get in a normal seat of the vehicle or whether you need a specialist vehicle equipped to accommodate your wheelchair with you still on it.

You'll be spoilt for choice for the first option, have a very short list for the second.

 

Thank you for thinking of that! I can transfer into a regular car -- what I think you call a "saloon" car in England, we call a "sedan" in the US? I don't need a specialty vehicle to accommodate me while still in a wheelchair...but I can't get into a higher van, either. I'll be travelling with a manual collapsible wheelchair that will fit into most large car trunks, so I'm thinking that, with just the two of us, maybe two suitcases, two carry-on bags, a regular sedan will work.

 

I'll try booking in the next couple of days, and trust that there will be some flexibility should the flight schedule change a bit (I've already booked the flight, but it's changed twice already, and April is still a ways off!) :o

[scottbee]

Thank you for thinking of that! I can transfer into a regular car -- what I think you call a "saloon" car in England, we call a "sedan" in the US? I don't need a specialty vehicle to accommodate me while still in a wheelchair...but I can't get into a higher van, either. I'll be travelling with a manual collapsible wheelchair that will fit into most large car trunks, so I'm thinking that, with just the two of us, maybe two suitcases, two carry-on bags, a regular sedan will work.

 

I'll try booking in the next couple of days, and trust that there will be some flexibility should the flight schedule change a bit (I've already booked the flight, but it's changed twice already, and April is still a ways off!) :o

 

Yes, a saloon (UK) is what is called a Sedan in north america. Likewise an 'estate' is what North American's call a station wagon.

[uppitycats]

Yes, a saloon (UK) is what is called a Sedan in north america. Likewise an 'estate' is what North American's call a station wagon.

 

Thanks for the words for "sedan" and "station wagon". I'll be able to be a bit more confident that I'll be booking correctly! :)

[John Bull]

Hi,

I've pasted below part of an answer I've just posted to another Heathrow/Dover question. The quote below is Dover-Heathrow, most taxis charge a little more for vice-versa to allow for waiting time & occasional delayed flights. These are private-hire taxis (drivers wait in arrivals, same as other transport options), but you'd need to ensure in advance that the driver can help with your luggage. The vehicles are usually standard sedans rather than up-market "executive" vehicles but offer way better value for a simple transfer.

 

Have a great time, whichever transport you choose, John Bull

 

"I've just phoned a long-established & reputable Dover taxi firm, http://www.dovertaxis.com/ and they've quoted me £135. And there are plenty of others in Dover, doubtless at about the same money. This is for a standard-size 4/5 seat car, fine for 2 plus luggage. Acknowledged that 4 plus "American" luggage:rolleyes: would need something a little bigger.

 

I did this by putting "Dover taxi" into my search engine. If you add Heathrow to your search you will be inundated with London-based companies which pay for page 1 Heathrow google listings and charge way over-the-top.

 

Public transport Dover/Heathrow and Dover/Gatwick is poor, coaches & trains all involve a change in central London.

Most cruise lines lay on their own chartered coaches -these will collect you from your terminal, and normally reserve the front seats for those with disabilities. A rep from the cruiseline or their local agents will meet you at arrivals (same place as any other ground transportation) but you'll need a porter for your luggage, and most coaches aren't disability-equipped so there's steps to climb into the coach."

[O_George]

Our cruise isn't until early April, 2010, leaving from Dover. How soon in advance do I need to be booking ground transportation? I will probably go for one of those services that meets us at the gate, assists with luggage and takes us to Dover..do I need to do that this early? I use a wheelchair, so need to be sure that there's easy (if a bit costly) transportation available. Thanks!

 

We booked our ground transportation with Dovertaxis and we were pleased with the experience.

[uppitycats]

Thanks for all the information on this thread. I ended up booking with airport-connect.org. One of their representatives, Jeff, was very prompt and provided helpful responses to my questions, and their quote seemed quite reasonable.

 

We'll find out in April if they are as good as they sound! :o

[Leonid]

DW & I will be going Heathrow to Dover next June with a 2 day stop in London. Return will be Dover to Gatwick for a return to the US. Since DW uses a combination rollator/transportation chair, I found this thread helpful.

 

WE will be flying Virgin Atlantic both ways. ..have arranged for VA to provide oxygen in flight. Paper work was more than I would have imagined, but finally got it approved.