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Class SDN
Comfort Travel / Business Class
Saloon / Sedan
Our everyday standard: quiet, air-conditioned and ideal for solo travellers and business runs.
4Passengers
2Medium bags
2Hand luggage
Seaport Private Car Hire
Seaport Transfers: Ferry Port Taxis Across the UK
Ferry Port Taxi: Quick Answers
How much is a taxi to Dover ferry port? A saloon taxi from central London to the Port of Dover costs from about £140, and from Gatwick from about £150, one way at a fixed price.
How early should I arrive at Dover for a ferry? The Port of Dover asks ferry passengers to arrive no more than 2 hours before departure, because arriving earlier adds to the queue at the border controls.
Which UK ports have ferries to France? Ferries to France sail from Dover (to Calais and Dunkirk), Newhaven (to Dieppe), Portsmouth (to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre and Saint-Malo), Poole (to Cherbourg) and Plymouth (to Roscoff).
Which UK ports have ferries to the Netherlands? Stena Line sails from Harwich to Hook of Holland, DFDS from Newcastle to Amsterdam, and P&O Ferries from Hull to Rotterdam.
Can a taxi take me to a ferry as a foot passenger? Yes. A taxi can drop foot passengers at the passenger terminal. Check first that your sailing accepts foot passengers, because not every ferry route or company does.
Which UK Ferry Port Do You Need?
These are the main passenger ferry routes from Great Britain in 2026.
| Port | Sails to | Ferry company |
|---|---|---|
| Dover | Calais, Dunkirk | DFDS, Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries |
| Newhaven | Dieppe | DFDS |
| Portsmouth | Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Saint-Malo, Bilbao, Santander | Brittany Ferries |
| Poole | Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries |
| Plymouth | Roscoff, Santander | Brittany Ferries |
| Harwich | Hook of Holland | Stena Line |
| Hull | Rotterdam | P&O Ferries |
| Newcastle (North Shields) | Amsterdam | DFDS |
| Holyhead | Dublin | Irish Ferries, Stena Line |
| Liverpool (Birkenhead) | Belfast | Stena Line |
| Fishguard | Rosslare | Stena Line |
| Pembroke | Rosslare | Irish Ferries |
| Cairnryan | Belfast | Stena Line |
| Aberdeen | Kirkwall (Orkney), Lerwick (Shetland) | NorthLink Ferries |
Sailing on a cruise rather than a ferry? See our cruise port taxi service and our Southampton cruise port taxi.
How Much Is a Taxi to a UK Ferry Port?
These are guide fares for a standard saloon, one way, in either direction. Estates, people carriers, executive cars and 8 seaters cost more. Enter your pickup address and port to see your exact fixed price.
| Journey | Approx. distance | Usual drive time | Saloon fare from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth station to Millbay ferry port | About 1 mile | 5 min | £10 |
| Liverpool city centre to Birkenhead ferry terminal | About 4 miles | 15 min | £15 |
| Aberdeen Airport to NorthLink ferry terminal | About 8 miles | 20 to 30 min | £32 |
| Newcastle Airport to Port of Tyne, North Shields | About 15 miles | 25 to 30 min | £40 |
| Gatwick to Newhaven | About 30 miles | 45 min to 1 hr | £65 |
| Stansted to Harwich | About 50 miles | 1 hr to 1 hr 10 min | £100 |
| Central London to Newhaven | About 60 miles | 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr | £120 |
| Gatwick to Portsmouth | About 60 miles | 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min | £120 |
| Central London to Portsmouth | About 75 miles | 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr | £135 |
| Heathrow to Portsmouth | About 65 miles | 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min | £140 |
| Central London to Dover | About 77 miles | 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr 15 min | £140 |
| Central London to Harwich | About 75 miles | 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr | £145 |
| Gatwick to Dover | About 80 miles | 1 hr 30 min to 1 hr 50 min | £150 |
| Glasgow Airport to Cairnryan | About 85 miles | 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr | £160 |
| Manchester Airport to Holyhead | About 100 miles | 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr 15 min | £180 |
| Heathrow to Dover | About 100 miles | 2 hr to 2 hr 30 min | £185 |
Dover Ferry Port in 2026: What Has Changed?
The biggest change at Dover in 2026 is the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). EES replaces passport stamps with a digital record for non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders, entering the Schengen area. At Dover, the checks are carried out by French border police before you board.
As of August 2026, fingerprints and face scans were already being taken from foot passengers and coach passengers at Dover. Car passengers were still getting a digital record without biometrics, and the full process for cars was expected to start from September 2026. Check the Port of Dover website for the latest position before you travel.
What this means for your taxi:
- Leave earlier in peak periods. Over the late May 2026 bank holiday, Dover declared a critical incident when border processing took several hours.
- Do not arrive too early. The port asks passengers to arrive no more than 2 hours before departure.
- Have every passport in your group ready together. Each passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the EU.
- In busy summer periods, the M20 may have the Operation Brock traffic system in place. Our drivers plan around it and the fare stays fixed.
Can I Travel as a Foot Passenger From Dover?
Foot passenger rules at Dover change from time to time, and not every Dover sailing accepts passengers without a vehicle. Check with your ferry company before you book. If your Dover crossing is vehicle only, the Western Channel ferries from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth, run by Brittany Ferries, are worth comparing.
Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth: Ferries to France and Spain
Brittany Ferries runs the Western Channel routes from three south coast ports. Portsmouth has the widest choice, with sailings to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre and Saint-Malo in France, plus Bilbao and Santander in Spain. Poole sails to Cherbourg, and Plymouth to Roscoff and Santander.
From London and Heathrow, Portsmouth is the closest of the three, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Heathrow on the M25 and A3. For the long overnight sailings to Spain, a taxi straight to the terminal saves a train change at Portsmouth Harbour with a week’s luggage.
Harwich, Hull and Newcastle: Overnight Ferries to the Netherlands
Three North Sea routes link England with the Netherlands. Stena Line sails from Harwich to Hook of Holland, P&O Ferries from Hull to Rotterdam, and DFDS from Newcastle (North Shields) to Amsterdam.
Coming back, the overnight crossings usually arrive early in the morning, and everyone leaves the ship within a short window. Book your return taxi with the sailing name and expected arrival time. Your driver will be waiting when you come through, not still on the way.
Holyhead, Fishguard, Pembroke, Birkenhead and Cairnryan: Ferries to Ireland
Ferries to Ireland leave from Wales, England and Scotland. From Holyhead, Irish Ferries and Stena Line sail to Dublin. From Fishguard (Stena Line) and Pembroke (Irish Ferries), sailings go to Rosslare. Stena Line runs from Birkenhead, across the Mersey from Liverpool, and from Cairnryan in south west Scotland to Belfast.
Holyhead is about 2 hours from Manchester Airport along the A55. That makes a direct taxi the simplest link between a flight into Manchester and an Irish Sea crossing. For the airport side, see our Manchester Airport taxis.
Aberdeen: Ferries to Orkney and Shetland
NorthLink Ferries sails from Aberdeen Harbour to Kirkwall in Orkney and Lerwick in Shetland. Many travellers fly into Aberdeen and go straight to the evening sailing. The ferry terminal is 20 to 30 minutes from Aberdeen Airport by road. See our Aberdeen Airport taxis for details.
When Does a Taxi Make Sense for a Ferry Crossing?
If you are taking your own car abroad, you do not need us for the crossing. A ferry port taxi is the right choice in these situations:
- You are a foot passenger with luggage, going to or from a port that is awkward to reach by train.
- You are flying one way and sailing the other, for example flying into Gatwick and sailing home from Dover.
- You are a family or group who would need several train tickets and changes.
- Your sailing leaves or arrives very early or very late, outside train times.
- You are travelling on to an airport straight after the crossing.
What Happens If My Ferry Is Delayed or Cancelled?
Ferries are delayed by weather, tides and busy border checks. Give us the ferry company, the sailing and the expected arrival time when you book. Your driver follows the real arrival, not the timetable, and waits at the passenger exit.
If a sailing is cancelled and you are moved to a later ferry or a different port, call us. We will move your pickup, or quote a fixed fare from the new port.
Ferry Transfers for Groups
School trips to France, sports tours and family holidays often need more than one car. Our largest vehicle is the 8 seater, which takes eight passengers with eight large cases and four smaller bags. For bigger groups, we send two or more vehicles that arrive at the terminal together under one booking. Compare every size in our fleet.
Are Your Seaport Drivers Licensed?
Yes. Your booking is handled by a TfL licensed private hire operator, and some journeys are carried out by licensed partner operators. Every vehicle is insured to carry passengers. Before pickup, you receive your driver’s name, phone number and car registration. At any port, never accept a lift from someone offering an unbooked ride in the terminal. In the UK, minicabs must be booked in advance.
Our Premium Fleet
Seaport Transfer Fleet
Every seaport transfer comes with sailing tracking, help with your luggage and a fixed price confirmed at booking.
05
Vehicle classes
Available 24/7
Available 24/7
Class EST
Spacious Comfort / Family Travel
Estate Car
Same ride as a saloon with a deeper boot, the safe choice when the cases are full.
4Passengers
3Large bags
2Hand luggage
Class EXE
VIP Chauffeur / First Class Premium
Luxury Executive
Top-tier saloon with a professional chauffeur, leather interior and full privacy on board.
3-4Passengers
2Large bags
2Hand luggage
Class MPV
Group Travel / Family Comfort
People Carrier
Five seats with real legroom and a boot that swallows the family holiday load. Child seats on request.
5Passengers
4Large bags
3Hand luggage
Class MPV8
Large Group Transit / Large Van Travel
8 Seater Minivan
One vehicle for the whole party: eight seats, eight cases and no second booking to manage.
8Passengers
8Large bags
4Hand luggage
Every fare is fixed at booking, with tolls and London charges included where they apply. Book your return at the same time and save up to 10 percent. For train connections to the ports, see our station taxis.
Seaport Transfer FAQs
How much is a taxi from London to Dover ferry port?
From about £140 in a saloon from central London, taking 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes on the M20 and A20.
How much is a taxi from Heathrow to Portsmouth ferry port?
From about £140 in a saloon, taking around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes on the M25 and A3.
What is EES and will it delay my ferry?
EES is the EU’s Entry/Exit System, which records non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders, entering the Schengen area. At Dover the checks happen before you board and can cause long queues at peak times, so plan extra time and check the Port of Dover website before you travel.
Which ferry goes from Harwich?
Stena Line sails from Harwich to Hook of Holland in the Netherlands. A taxi from Stansted to Harwich costs from about £100 and takes about an hour.
Which ports have ferries to Ireland?
Holyhead (to Dublin), Fishguard and Pembroke (to Rosslare), Birkenhead near Liverpool (to Belfast) and Cairnryan in Scotland (to Belfast).
Can you collect me from an overnight ferry early in the morning?
Yes. We run 24 hours a day. Give us the sailing and expected arrival time, and your driver will be at the passenger exit when you come off.
Can I take a taxi to Dover as a foot passenger?
Yes, if your sailing accepts foot passengers. Not every Dover crossing does, so check with your ferry company before you book.
Do you cover cruise terminals too?
Yes. Cruise terminals have their own guide on our cruise port taxi service, with details for Southampton, Dover, Tilbury, Portsmouth and other cruise ports.
Book Your Seaport Transfer
Enter your pickup address and port for an instant fixed price, or call 020 8150 6922 any time of day or night.
