The one important rule for travelling to Europe this summer by ferry – according to the Port of Dover boss

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy One week ahead of the summer surge for ferry traffic at Dover, families heading for France are being urged not to arrive at the port too early. Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, told The Independent: “We are encouraging people to turn up two hours before their sailing – no more. “If everybody can stick to that, it will make the travel much easier for everyone trying to get through.” Dover, which has three competing ferry firms serving Calais as well as a link to Dunkirk, is by far the most busiest port for travellers to Europe. “The effect of these works that are required to house the process means that our buffer zone, where traffic waits for French border clearance, will have a reduced capacity.” “If you enter the port two hours before your sailing, we’re going to endeavour get you through the border control process and get you checked in for your ferry.” Crucially, Mr Bannister said, there is no penalty if you missed your planned departure: “If you’re disrupted our ferry operators will automatically rebook you on the next available ferry, and typically that is the next sailing.