P&O Ferries foot passenger

the.weekender

I am thinking of taking up the Daily mail Dover-Calais offer up and I see that P&O state that foot passengers have to check in 45 minutes before sailing.
Do they rigorously enforce the 45 minutes as my train would arrive at Dover Priory 53 minutes before, even getting a taxi the timing may be tight.

Earlier trains are not an option as I live in the Midlands, also I was going to go out and come back on the same ferry to return home in the evening.
If the 45 minutes is strictly enforced I will have to come up with a Plan B.
TIA

Obviously_the_best

They shouldn't be too strict on it. Try cabmania or catch-a-cab to pre-book a taxi, making sure you get away ASAP, and at the lowest cost/

Tarry

yes, it is quite strict, I know I learnt the hard way ,and missed a ferry as I was late for check in and not by much either. It is 45 minutes as you need to get on a shuttle bus, show passports etc. This was a few years back though.
That's just say the PO check in people, kept saying, the whole 45 minute thing to me, but you may be lucky.

ferryenthusiast

As Tarry has mentioned you need to come up with plan B.

Having done the train into Dover Priory on many occasions I can honestly say you will need far more than 8 minutes.

Foot Passenger check-in closes 45 minutes before because as mentioned you have to travel by bus through either French Passport Control or Baggage Scan or even both if you are unlucky before being taken to the ship.

Given that the Port of Dover is having major reconstruction at the moment I would say they will be really strict.

Tarry

It is quite a trek from Dover Priory, I know their is a shuttle bus there, but you have to lucky with the timings. I know I never have, and the time I was short of time, I managed to end up the wrong side of the road and yes, it was interesting, so live and learn.

Bob_the_Saver

And of course trains are never late.

bagand96

What Bob said...

I think your timings are too tight. It MIGHT go to plan and be fine. But it would only take 2-3 minutes delay on the train, or 2-3 minutes delay to the taxi and you miss the boat!

the.weekender

Thanks for the tips, Plan B it will have to be, too much can go wrong to risk my initial plan.

Alias_Omega

How about travel down, then travelodge somewhere on the way. Usually within the M25 & close to a tube station, travelodges can be had for £19.99.

AO

pompeyrich

I would go with plan B, just book the next sailing after the one you were contemplating, they sail pretty much hourly, so an hour and 8 mins as opposed to 8 mins, would give plenty of time to get there and even time to buy some food and drink ans avoid the higher prices on board.