If you're cruising from near London, your ship will likely leave from Dover, Southampton or Tilbury — three quite different ports at different distances, serving different cruise lines and itineraries. Knowing which is which, and how to reach each, helps you plan a smooth start to your holiday. This guide compares the three cruise ports and their transfers from London.
The UK's premier cruise port, home base for many major lines and the biggest ships — the busiest for ocean cruises.
A major cruise port on the Kent coast, popular for Baltic, fjords and Mediterranean sailings.
The closest cruise port to London, on the Thames in Essex — used by some lines for a range of itineraries.
The port your cruise leaves from depends entirely on the cruise line and itinerary — it's set by the operator, not chosen by you, so always check your cruise documents. As a broad guide, Southampton handles the largest share of major ocean cruises and the biggest ships; Dover serves many Baltic, Norwegian fjords and Mediterranean sailings; and Tilbury, closest to London, is used by certain lines for a variety of routes. Your booking confirmation will state the departure port and terminal.
| Port | Approx. Distance | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Tilbury | ~25 miles | Closest to London — shortest, cheapest transfer |
| Dover | ~75 miles | Kent coast — Baltic, fjords, Mediterranean |
| Southampton | ~80 miles | Major ocean cruises, biggest ships |
| From | Saloon | Executive | MPV | 8-Seater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilbury (cruise) | £108 | £123 | £126 | £135 |
| Dover (cruise) | £173 | £185 | £190 | £208 |
| Southampton (cruise) | £176 | £205 | £211 | £220 |
| From | Saloon | Executive | MPV | 8-Seater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilbury (cruise) | £194 | £221 | £226 | £243 |
| Dover (cruise) | £311 | £333 | £343 | £375 |
| Southampton (cruise) | £317 | £369 | £380 | £396 |
Longer runs to Dover and Southampton use our discounted long-distance rate. MPVs and 8-seaters handle cruise luggage. Tilbury, being closest, is the shortest and most economical transfer.
You don't actually choose your cruise port — the cruise line does — so the practical question is simply how to reach whichever one your ship leaves from. For all three, a fixed-price transfer offers the same advantages: door-to-terminal travel with your cruise luggage, no changes, and a fare agreed in advance. Tilbury, being closest, is the shortest and cheapest transfer; Dover and Southampton are longer runs handled at our discounted long-distance rate. Whichever your port, we'll get you there smoothly.
Since the cruise line dictates your departure port, the smart approach is to build your travel plans around whichever port your booking specifies, rather than trying to choose. This matters more than many first-time cruisers realise, because the three ports are in genuinely different directions and at different distances — a transfer to Tilbury in Essex is a completely different journey from one to Southampton on the south coast or Dover in Kent, in both time and cost. Checking your cruise documents carefully for the exact port and terminal, then planning your transfer accordingly, avoids any nasty surprises. It's also worth considering timing: the longer runs to Dover and Southampton need more allowance for traffic on the motorways, while Tilbury's proximity to London makes it more forgiving. Whichever port your cruise uses, booking a fixed-price transfer with room for your luggage well in advance means one less thing to worry about, letting you focus on the holiday ahead rather than the logistics of reaching the ship.
A: No — the cruise line sets the departure port and terminal; check your cruise documents.
A: Tilbury (~25 miles) — the shortest and most economical transfer.
A: Most often Southampton, the UK's premier cruise port for major lines and large ships.
A: Yes — fixed-price transfers to Tilbury, Dover and Southampton, all with room for cruise luggage.
Dover, Southampton and Tilbury are three different cruise ports at different distances, and your cruise line decides which you use. Whichever it is, a fixed-price transfer gets you there door-to-terminal with your luggage — Tilbury closest and cheapest, Dover and Southampton at our long-distance rate.
Tilbury, Dover or Southampton — door-to-terminal, fixed price.
Book Now →