Dover Cruise Passengers: Car Rental or Shore Excursions?

Quick summary: Dover is a busy cruise port, and on a single port day, a shore excursion is usually easier than a rental car. Excursions handle transport to Canterbury, the castles or London, and they’re planned around your ship’s schedule, which won’t change if you’re late. Transfers suit passengers starting or ending a cruise, with a rental car worthwhile only if you’re staying in Kent before or after.

At a glance
Port day	Shore excursions are easier
Timing	The ship won’t wait
Popular trips	Canterbury, castles, London
Start or end of cruise	Transfers
Extra days	Car rental makes sense
Tours	Shore excursions

Compare car rental at Gatwick Airport

Why are shore excursions easier on a port day?

They handle transport and timing, and you won’t need to collect and return a car within a few hours.

Where can you go on a port day?

Destination	Tours
Canterbury and Dover	Dover and Canterbury combos
Castles	Leeds Castle tours
The cliffs	White Cliffs tours

How do you get to the ship?

A transfer from London or the airports is simplest at the start or end of a cruise.

Frequently Asked Questions