Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 3/26/2011

Question
QUESTION: Can you help me with the different methods to get from the cruise dock in Dover to Heathrow; and the estimated time in transit?

Thank you

Ted M Stephens
Corpus Christi, Texas
USA

ANSWER: It will vary enormously depending on the time of day and day, but broadly I wouldn't cut it fine.

Even ignoring the often early check-in times at Heathrow (depending on your destination), the ship may dock late, or in the evening.

You may also have a lot of luggage, which makes the consideration of a taxi or hire car more sensible. How many passengers, please, also, as it may be that you can share with another cruise passenger / couple?

Can you give me some idea of the date and time you are expecting to dock, please, and I'll happily give you a fuller idea.

Alun Hill, MCIJ

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Alun
We dock July 11 at Dover, 6:00am scheduled, Oceania's ship Insignia
We (my wife and I) depart Heathrow at 2:30pm same day

Thank you for your help

Ted

ANSWER: Thanks - so that's a Monday morning - always busy around London then!

Heathrow is the other side of London from Dover, so here's my suggestion, bearing in mind you need to be at Heathrow by around 12 noon.

I would suggest that you take the new 140mph train service from Dover to London St Pancras.

You can then take the Piccadilly line of the London Underground direct to Heathrow, with no more changes.

This train is a little dearer than the other routes, but is quicker and there is only the one change.

http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/tickets-and-fares/ticket-types/high-speed-t

You can buy your ticket at the station on the day. You may like to know that this train service was built for the Olympics and that as you enter London you will come (at high speed!) through the site of the 2012 London Olympics.


All your other options are listed here:

http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/heathrow_dover.htm

but you must, please come back to me wherever I can help!

Alun

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Alun

Will there be porters to help with luggage getting between trains in London?

Thank you for your help

Answer
No porters, sorry.

There are luggage trolleys ("carts") (you'll need a £1 coin) but there's little point, as from the train to the entrance to the Underground is only a very short distance - maybe 50 yards to an escalator or lift, then a further 50 yards to the entrance. You cannot take trolleys on the Underground.

You will then be walking underground to your train to Heathrow.

The entrance and passageways to the Underground train are very new, with long wide tunnels, but you will take maybe 3 to 5 minutes to get to your train.

You can also take a taxi from St Pancras to Heathrow - this will cost approx £60 to £70 - the underground is about £5 each.

Does this help, please?

Alun Hill, MCIJ