Advice on getting from Paris to Dover

[Live4cruises]

This coming summer we are cruising from Dover. Since we have never been to Paris, we're strongly considering flying into Paris a few days early, then going directly to Dover and skipping London altogether.

 

Do any of you have suggestions for an efficient way to move from Paris to Dover? We are happy to do public transportation, but of course will have a cruise's worth of luggage with us.

 

Once in Dover, do you have a hotel suggestion? For peace of mind, we are planning to arrive in Dover the day before we board.

 

Thank you!

[sddsddean]

There are 2 basic ways to do this (BTW flying isn't really practical).

 

1 Eurostar

 

Get the Eurostar from Paris Nord to Ashford International, then a local train back to Dover (Dover Priory is the station). Main problem with this is that not many Eurostar's stop at Ashford nowadays (3 a day I think). You might have to go to Ebbsfleet or even all the way to St Pancras (London), depending on your timings, but trains to Dover are available from all 3 stations.

www.eurostar.com

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

 

2 Paris Nord - Calais, shuttle to port, cross channel ferry

 

That about says it all. The shuttle used to be free, but I think its about €1 or €2 now. Best line to use (and most frequent) is P&O. The ferries come into Eastern Docks and the cruise ships run out of Western Docks...about a 5-10 min cab ride between them.

 

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?newrequest=yes&protocol=http for Paris - Calais trains

 

www.poferries.com

 

Remember when doing your times, UK is one hour behind France.

 

Simon

[Globaliser]

I'd definitely recommend the Eurostar option - very simple.