Thousands of festive travellers faced significant disruption on Saturday as IT problems with French border controls caused major delays at the Port of Dover.
Chaos at the Border
The technical failure began on Saturday morning, 20 December 2025, striking at the worst possible moment—the peak of the Christmas travel period. Delays of up to an hour were reported for ferry passengers, with the port working alongside partner agencies to find a resolution.
Advice for Travellers
In response to the chaos, the Port of Dover has issued clear guidance, advising passengers not to arrive more than two hours before their scheduled sailing. P&O Ferries echoed this, confirming large queues on approach roads but stating that check-in was proceeding smoothly once passengers reached the terminal. The operator urged all customers to factor in substantial extra travel time.
Record-Breaking Getaway Underway
The disruption coincides with what is predicted to be the busiest Christmas getaway on record. Across the UK, an estimated 37.5 million leisure car journeys are planned between Wednesday and Christmas Eve. This unprecedented volume has led to widespread calls for careful planning and patience from all road and ferry users.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of cross-Channel travel to technical faults, especially during periods of intense pressure. With the Easter getaway also seeing similar queues earlier in the year, the resilience of border systems remains a critical concern for holidaymakers and operators alike.
