Being in the south of England, London is just a few hours from the east, south and south-east coasts, and ports such as Dover, Folkestone, Harwich, Ramsgate, and Newhaven are all easily accessible. There are regular ferry services for passengers and vehicles.
The quickest way across the channel is the Eurostar and Eurotunnel services which travel via the Channel Tunnel.
Eurotunnel
Eurotunnel provides high-speed car, coach and freight services via the Channel Tunnel between Coquelles (Calais) and Folkestone. Folkestone has good access to the motorway network and to London. Channel crossing time is about 35 minutes.
Ferries To And From Continental Europe
The quickest ferry crossing from continental Europe is from Calais (in France) to Dover. Crossings take between 70 and 90 minutes. Ferries are operated by Sea France, P&O and Speed Ferries and run regularly throughout the day and night. Longer routes from France and Spain are operated by P&O and Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth, Poole, and Plymouth, crossings take between 6 and 24 hours depending upon the route.
Ferries To And From Ireland
The fastest routes for ferry crossings from Ireland are Dublin-Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead. On both routes, high speed vessels operate alongside normal ferry services. Services are operated by Irish Ferries and Stena Line and journey times are approximately 2 hours on the high speed vessels and 3 ¼ hours on the traditional ferries.
Ferries To and From Holland and Denmark
Services to Holland and Denmark operate out of Harwich by DFDS Seaways to Cuxhaven and Esbjerg and journeys take approximately nineteen hours.
How To Get To London From The Ports
London is easily reached by road and rail from the major ports. For foot passengers, there are frequent train services into London’s Victoria Station from Dover, Folkestone, Ramsgate and Newhaven. Harwich services terminate at Liverpool Street station. For timetables and fares by train from other UK ports visit the trainline.
