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Canterbury with LHR to Dover Transfer
Shore Excursions - Canterbury with LHR to Dover Transfer
 



Private day tour begins at Heathrow Airport and visits Canterbury Cathedral, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, before ending at the Dover cruise port. Highlights include the Cathedral's Norman crypt, the site of Archbishop Thomas Becket's 1170 murder, and the medieval stained glass that inspired Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Canterbury is about 16 miles (26km) from Dover. Licensed Blue Badge Guide throughout. 7 to 7.5 hours.

7.5 hours (private)
licensed guide
english speaking expert
all group sizes
sedan to full size coach
››
airport pick up
meet driver at airport
  • Pick up from the London Heathrow Airport
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Drop off at the Port of Dover
  • Private Licensed Blue Badge Guide and One Way Transportation in Private Vehicle
  • Transport of one piece of luggage and one personal item per person
  • Included Interior Visits- Canterbury Cathedral
  • Please Note:This tour is not available on Sundays.
Read Full Tour Description





Tour Number:
ELTOD-04


Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $796 Per Person
3 People - $554 Per Person
4 People - $446 Per Person
5 People - $362 Per Person
6 People - $306 Per Person



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TOUR DESCRIPTION
 

Canterbury with LHR to Dover Transfer

This private tour starts at Heathrow Airport and visits Canterbury Cathedral before ending at the Dover cruise port, ideal for guests landing in England the same day their cruise departs.

After meeting your guide at Heathrow, you depart for Canterbury, a cathedral city that has drawn visitors and pilgrims for over 1,400 years.

Canterbury Cathedral's oldest surviving section is the Norman crypt, built in the late 11th century and one of the largest of its kind in England. The cathedral you see today largely dates from a major rebuilding after a fire in 1174 destroyed much of the original choir, giving Canterbury some of the finest early Gothic architecture in the country, along with medieval stained glass windows that are among the oldest in England still in their original location.

The cathedral's most famous event took place in 1170, when Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered inside by knights loyal to King Henry II following a dispute over the rights of the church. Becket's shrine became one of medieval Europe's most visited pilgrimage sites, and it was this pilgrimage that inspired Geoffrey Chaucer to write The Canterbury Tales in the 14th century, a story that still shapes how visitors picture the road to Canterbury today.

After the cathedral visit, you have free time in Canterbury for lunch (meal not included) before the drive to the Dover cruise port.

Please note
  • This tour is not available on Sundays.
  • Walking is easy overall, though the cathedral involves stone floors and some steps; a folding wheelchair can be accommodated with advance notice, but some interior areas may be inaccessible.
  • As Canterbury Cathedral is an active place of worship, modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is recommended for the interior visit.

What's Included

Included

  • Pick up from the London Heathrow Airport
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Drop off at the Port of Dover
  • Private Licensed Blue Badge Guide and One Way Transportation in Private Vehicle
  • Transport of one piece of luggage and one personal item per person
  • Included Interior Visits- Canterbury Cathedral
  • Please Note:This tour is not available on Sundays.

Not Included

  • Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
  • Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

  • 1
    3.5 Hours
    Meet guide and drive to Canterbury
  • 2
    2 Hours
    Visit Canterbury Cathedral
  • 3
    1 Hour and 15 Minutes
    Free time for lunch in Canterbury
  • 4
    45 Minutes
    Drive to Dover

Resources

Heathrow Airport - Official Website. Arrivals information for guests starting this tour at LHR. Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this tour start at Heathrow or in central London?
This tour starts at London's Heathrow Airport and ends at the Dover cruise port, built for guests landing in England the same day their cruise departs.
How is the Canterbury Cathedral crypt different from the rest of the building?
The crypt is the oldest surviving part of the cathedral, built in the late 11th century under the Normans. Most of the cathedral above it was rebuilt in Gothic style after a fire in 1174.
What is the connection between Canterbury Cathedral and The Canterbury Tales?
Geoffrey Chaucer's 14th century poem follows a group of pilgrims traveling to visit the shrine of Archbishop Thomas Becket, murdered in the cathedral in 1170.
What happens if my ship is in Dover on a Sunday?
This tour is not available on Sundays. Ask us about our Dover Castle or London driving tour options instead, which run on Sundays.

Also Available:

›London with LHR to Dover Transfer - Trades Canterbury Cathedral for a driving tour of central London landmarks, still starting at Heathrow and ending at Dover.
›Dover Castle with LHR to Dover Transfer - Trades Canterbury Cathedral for Dover Castle, staying closer to the port.
›Canterbury with London to Dover Transfer - The same Canterbury Cathedral visit, starting at a London hotel instead of Heathrow Airport.
Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Meet guide and drive to Canterbury - 3.5 Hours
  • Visit Canterbury Cathedral - 2 Hours
  • Free time for lunch in Canterbury - 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
  • Drive to Dover - 45 Minutes

Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 15 Write a review »

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- London Sunday, July 19, 2026
Reviewer: Joan W from NJ  
Our trip was wonderful! Our pick up at the airport, two tours, and transportation to the pier all went well. I would definitely use your company again for future travel needs.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- London Sunday, June 7, 2026
Reviewer: Dannelle M from Mission Viejo, California  
Again, Private Shore Trips did not disappoint. Been using them since 2009. Steven is so great to work with - and his team of tour guides all over Europe have been amazing. This time we used them in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast. David in London, Ricky in Edinburgh, Ricky and Graeme in Glasgow and Paul in Belfast. All were personable, friendly, very knowledgeable, and flexible.

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  10 of 10 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- London Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Reviewer: Joanne S from Portland, OR  
Sorry for the delay in replying.. I was not getting emails However, as you can tell by my replying, Im back successfully  --- I did hear from the local operators early on that morning and the return transfer to Heathrow worked like a charm.   In fact, we got on the road at 630 am exactly and were at Heathrow by 820 --- plenty of time for everyone to check in comfortably.     I think the only issue was the Hotel to Port transfer.    THANKFULLY, I requested to have the transfer pick up time a little earlier.  As it happened, traffic (as always for London) factored in and they were more than half an hour late.. For that group movement,  I think they may have misunderstood how the passenger counts were supposed to be ---- they thought the 8-pax mini van was solely for luggage.  It was uncomfortable with them squeezing bags in the 30-pax coach and the leftover in the other vehicle.  As it happened, we sent one person in that car with the driver and every seat  including the jump seat usually reserved for a tour guide  was filled on the coach.    Traffic was still an issue and it ended up being over 90 minutes before we even reached the highway --- London is so big and the roads are all city driving until you can access the main system out of the city.  Was nerve-wracking --- but, silver lining --- the huge global snafu with the system effected countless people, including those (not related to us!) arriving for the cruise and who still had to travel from the airports..  this chain reaction allowed for the cruise line to delay sailing in order to wait for the late-comers.  Our group arrived around 330 which was remarkable, seeing how much time we consumed just in getting there.     That was the only hiccup. Our guided sightseeing tour of London was wonderful --- Konrad, our Blue Badge Guide --- absolutely fantastic  did a great job for us --- everyone who participated in the tour loved it and commented very favorably.    Despite iffy weather reports, we dodged rain the entire trip except for brief sprinkles  not bad for England, Scotland , Iceland and especially Ireland.   I want to mention that I appreciated the contact between the local operators and me. I received text and phone messages as needed, which is a huge relief  instead of waiting around and not sure who youre looking for ---- this eased my nerves and enabled me to communicate more comfortably with my group members. Thank you so very much for helping with the arrangements.      Except for the little snafu with the first transfer  which was resolved  all else went like clockwork.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- London Friday, March 6, 2026
Reviewer: Jeremy K from Marion, IA  
Thanks for asking. They were good. The first driver was really nice and helpful and a good guy. The other driver was fine but not as nice. He was fine though and both were on time and the vehicles were comfortable as well. Very happy we chose you as both worked out great.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- London Friday, November 7, 2025
Reviewer: Sal W from Howell, NJ D  
Your drivers were excellent! Thank you so much! We will definitely be intouch with future bookings.

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