The White Cliffs of Dover: The perfect day trip from London

The White Cliffs of Dover: The perfect day trip from London

The White Cliffs are known to be some of the best and most beautiful picture-taking spots in the entire country. Tourists flock here from all over the world to get contrasting photos of the bright white and dramatic cliffs against the crystal blue water. With walking paths along the water’s edge that make you feel like you are standing on top of a mountain, the vantage point from the coastal path provides expansive views.

White Cliffs of Dover – By Immanuel Giel – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25365041

But is it worth it to go to Dover? What if it takes you 2-3 hours to get there? If you do some research ahead of time and plan accordingly, making a trip to Dover is well worth the effort. Along with the hiking and the picturesque views, you can head to the local seaside town to get a bite to eat, grab a cuppa, and have an early seafood dinner.

Let’s see the best way to get here from London, why you should go, and the different things to do while you are in the area!

Dover Tours

Exmoors on Exmoor – By Wsupermain2 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8729583

If you are interested in taking a tour of the White Cliffs of Dover and the nearby town, then consider going on a guided tour by knowledgeable and local guides who are well-versed in the area. If you are coming from the city center of London, then check out the Leeds Castle, White Cliffs, and Canterbury Tour. This full-day tour in Kent starts with Leeds Castle, followed by Canterbury Cathedral, and the White Cliffs Of Dover with extensive views over the Channel.

Not too keen on healing in Leeds? No problem! There are tons of other tour options in the nearby area that will make the full day out of London worth the price. Check out the Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, and White Cliffs Tour that brings you to Canterbury to explore the Cathedral, continue to Dover Castle to learn some more about the country’s history, and trek along the coastline. 

English Heritage Pass

Stonehenge – By garethwiscombe – https://www.flickr.com/photos/garethwiscombe/1071477228/in/photostream/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13278936

Everyone loves a good reality. Why Would you pay full price if you can get a discount on combing a few different excursions in one? Say no more – The English Heritage Pass is a great inclusive pass for tourists overseas who want to see Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, Dover Castle, and dozens of other landmarks dotting the English countryside. Plus, with free cancellation, there is no reason not to book A Dover-centric tour!

Self-Guided Options

Do you like being on your own? Enjoy being a solo traveler? Have you already rented a car and want to check the countryside? See our self-guided tour options to see the best way to get from London to Dover in no time. 

Train

Gare Paddington – By Original: Keith Edkins at English WikipediaModifications: Cornischong at Luxembourgish Wikipedia – Original: File:Paddington Station.jpgModifications: Transferred from lb.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21196498

One of the best ways to visit Dover is by train from the city center of London. Not a fan of long train rides? Don’t worry – this journey is really short. Hop on the train from St Pancras and get off at Dover Priory just one hour later! If you are located in the Eastern part of lOng and coming right from work or an AirBnB, head to Victoria station, one of the most commonly used train and tube stops in the entire city. With a journey time of just 1 hour and 45 minutes, you can just bring a book, look out the window, and you’ll be there in no time. The average price of taking the train to Dover from London is £25 to £30 per way.

Bus

Buses Chapel Rd Ilford – By citytransportinfo – Buses-ChapelRd-Ilford-P1410571, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112581399

If you want to save some more money, taking a bus is your best bet. With tickets costing approximately £5 per way, this is less than the price of a  latte from Caffe Nero — and you’ll be at Dover in a couple of hours! The only downside with this transportation option is the longer transit time. You will be on the bus for at least 3 hours each way, meaning that if you want to maximize your time, we recommend staying overnight in Dover. This is a little bit long for a fun day trip, as 6 hours of traveling in one day can put a damper on your adventure. 

Car

M25 Motorway – By Photo: Andreas Praefcke – Self-photographed, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15603432

If you rent a car from London in one of the many airports or the city center, then driving to Dover is fun, fast, and flexible. Taking just under 2 hours on the speedy M20, you can take your time driving, stop at various landmarks along the way, and stay as long as you want without having to worry about a schedule. 

Getting to the White Cliffs

South Foreland Lighthouse – By Archangel12 – Dover cliffs, South Foreland Lighthouse, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31861949

Once you get to Dover via train, bus, car, or tour, you need to get to the White Cliffs. Luckily for all tourists, it’s easy! Head to the Information Centre in Dover Museum in the very center of town to ask for some maps, guidance, and tips on the best way to see the Cliffs. Once you leave the Centre, walk on Bench Street towards Marine Parade, giving you the first glimpse of the crystal blue water. Continue on the path and walk past Dover Castle on your left to begin the hike to the cliffs. 

Once you are on the path, find the white Cliffs of Dover Visitor Centre for a quick snack and drink to take a break from your exercise. For those who are a little more adventurous and fit, you can keep walking — for a whopping 16 miles! This means that you can take an entire day’s hike along the water, or you can start a nice loop hike from the South Foreland Walk to St. Margaret’s Bay. The best part about the White Cliffs is the versatility, flexibility, and views in every direction.