Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 2/17/2008

Question
We will be in Dublin on the 5th of April and need to get to Dover Docks to meet a ship by 2PM.  What is the best way of attaining our goal  Thank you

Answer
SEE UPDATE, below, please.

Alun


Thanks for your enquiry, which, I must say, was fun working out, as it's quite complicated!

That said, let me give you the easy answer first, then some alternatives if this is impossible / awkward for you.

Leave Dublin Airport at 0650 on flight BD1020 (www.flybmi.com)

Arrive London Heathrow Airport 0815

Take any Piccadilly line (coloured dark blue on the tube map) train (underground / tube service) to Barons Court, which is the stop before Earls Court. (The reason for changing here is that this way, there are no steps, bridges or escalators to navigate!)

From the opposite side of the same platform, take a District line train (coloured green on the tube map) with a destination of Tower Hill or Upminster, to Victoria.

From Victoria tube station, come up into the main line station, also called London Victoria.

Trains to Dover Priory leave at 3 and 33 minutes past the hour.

(So for example the 1003 arrives in Dover Priory at 1146, the 1033 arrives at 1228).

You then take a taxi to the Docks - this will take about 10 to 20 minutes.

Phew!

Now, all that is correct, but you'll need to check the cost of that flight, especially if you're only travelling one way, and you'll need a separate ticket on the Underground from London Heathrow to Victoria and yet another ticket from Victoria to Dover Priory.

There is also a later flight, leaving Dublin at 0905 (BD0122) but that arrives at Heathrow at 1025, and you'd be lucky to make the 1203 train from Victoria, which would not get you to Dover until 1346 - and you would be late - the docks aren't far, but with traffic etc ...

I have also looked at the  Ryanair flight FR112 (www.Ryanair.com) from Dublin Airport to London Gatwick Aiport.

This leaves Dublin at 0800, arriving in Gatwick at 0930.

You would then take a train to London Victoria and then take one of the above trains to Dover Priory.

You would be able to but a ticket at Gatwick all the way through to Dover Priory, but your total journey time from the Airport to Dover would be about 3 hours, arriving at the Port for 1pm - but at least there's no underground to deal with!

A coupe of points worth mentioning, as I don't know where you're originally from or if you've travelled in the UK.

The UK currency is the pound, rather than the Euro in Ireland, so you'll need some money changed. You can pay for the rail ticket by Credit Card, but may want a drink or something to eat, and Euro's won't be accepted, including the taxi.

Do make sure you know exactly which dock the ship is coming in to at Dover - it's a huge place!

If you are taking the route via the Underground and will be returning to London, it's definitely worth getting an "Oyster" card, as this will save you a lot of money when travelling in London - please ask me if you require further details.


Let me know if you are returning to London / Dublin etc, as I can then advise on much cheaper rail tickets - often for only a few pennies more than the "one way" fare.

As the flight from Dublin counts as an International flight, you will need to check in 90 minutes before departure and there are lengthy restrictions on luggage on board, so do keep an eye on the Airport website at www.DublinAirport.com

Do let me know if I can help further - and sorry there isn't an easier way of doing the journey the same day!

Alun Hill MCIJ

http://www.ShortEuropeBreaks.co.uk/
http://shorteuropebreaks.co.uk/categories/Ireland/
http://shorteuropebreaks.co.uk/categories/United-Kingdom/


+++++


Thanks for your kind comments - very much appreciated!

A Single (one way) train fare is £24.30 but a round trip (we say "return") is only £26.00 so definitely get a return ticket!

Alun