How to travel from Swanage to Dover, United Kingdom

The distance between Swanage and Dover is around 318km (197 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 3h 25m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Swanage to Dover by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out DoverSwanage if you're planning a return trip.

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Train

Take the train to London Waterloo and then to Dover Priory.

  • Duration3h 55m
  • Departsevery 3 hours
  • Typical cost
    £155($185)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to London Victoria Coach Station and then to Canterbury.

  • Duration6h 35m
  • Departsevery 3 hours
  • Typical cost
    £22($26)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Dover.

  • Duration3h 25m
  • Distance318km (197 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Swanage and Dover

There are several options for getting from Swanage to Dover by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £22 ($26) and will take around 6h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £55 ($65).

The distance between Swanage and Dover is around 318km (197 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 237km (147 miles)

It takes around 3h 55m to get from Swanage and Dover by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Swanage to Dover is to drive which takes around 3h 25m and will set you back approx £55 ($65).

The cheapest way to travel between Swanage and Dover, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £22 ($26) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Swanage and Dover. It typically takes around 3h 55m and departs every 3 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Swanage to Dover. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Bournemouth, London Waterloo, Stratford station and Stratford International. These services run every 3 hours and will take a minimum of 3h 55m.

South Western Railway and South Eastern Trains Service run train services between Swanage and Dover. Trains depart every 3 hours and will take around 3h 55m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Swanage and Dover. It typically takes around 6h 35m and departs every 3 hours.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Swanage to Dover. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Bournemouth Station, London Victoria Coach Station and Canterbury. These services run every 3 hours and will take a minimum of 6h 35m.

National Express run regular bus services between Swanage and Dover. Buses run every 3 hours and take around 6h 35m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Swanage to Dover. We recommend that you take the train to London Waterloo and then to Dover Priory. instead which will take 3h 55m.

The closest major airport to Dover is London City Airport (LCY) (LCY) which is approximately 97km (61 miles) from Dover. Gatwick Airport (LGW) (LGW) and London Stansted Airport (STN) (STN) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Swanage and Dover. The distance is around 318km (197 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Swanage to Dover is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 55m and will usually cost around £155 ($185).

How do I get from Swanage to Dover

Compare travel optionsbetween Swanage and Dover

Transport options from Swanage to Dover
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
3h 55m
£155($185)
every 3 hours343km (213 miles)
Bus
6h 35m
£22($26)
every 3 hours324km (201 miles)
Drive
3h 25m
£55($65)
on demand318km (197 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Swanage and Dover

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Dover

The following major airports near Dover offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

LCY
London City Airport (LCY)
International Airport
Distance
97km (61 miles) from Dover
LGW
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
International Airport
Distance
104km (65 miles) from Dover
STN
London Stansted Airport (STN)
International Airport
Distance
112km (69 miles) from Dover