best way to get from Aberdeen to Le Mans

[duka]

Thinking about going to Le Mans this year (leaving from Aberdeen) - anyone done a similar trip (i.e. from Scotland) and if so what was best option - Rosyth ferry or eurotunnel?

Thanks in advance

[Kiltie]

Steve ... f'like?

Rosyth ferry ... nae two doots!!!

Planned a Ring trip a while ago (which never happened) and Dover / Calais worked out a few tens of pounds cheaper. Rosyth / Zeebrugge was so much more civilised though IMHO.

On the assumption that the times are still the same, leave Rosyth at teatime and get in to Zeebrugge early to mid morning. This allows for a decent nosh / swallae and kip as opposed to motorway bashing through the night.

Funnily enough, CT and I have been debating how long from Zeebrugge to Le Mans ... and sadly, I fear I was totally wrong.

It looks like over 500km (ref = AA Route Finder) so the plan of driving a bike engined Westfield now doesn't seem so attractive.

BTW, have you heard of this lot?

Cheers,

Eric

PS - going to be in Number 10's at about 16:30, Murray will be there about 17:00 (flights permitting) if you fancy. - Same goes for Cerbie et al

>> Edited by Kiltie on Friday 27th January 14:33

[VetteG]

Remember that the Rosyth ferry goes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Better to take the Tuesday one which gets you in on Wednesday morning, lots of tiem to get you there before Friday. A Friday dash would soon be lost in the traffic jams as you approach LeMans. Price is about J550 return for 2 sharing a car and outside cabin.

G

[miniandy]

I drove to Dover last year, and I'll be doing the same this year. I feel that it adds to the trip if you drive through England, as you often see lots of other like-minded people on their way down, and it gets you ready for France, when (nearly) all the traffic is going to Le Mans and the atmosphere is great! Also I grudge spending so much on something that makes me ill. Mind you, so does too much beer, but that has never stopped me! I'll be driving down to London for a stop off on the Wednesday, then take the boat on the Thursday. Let me know what you decide. Cheers

[duka]

Hi Eric,

I do like the idea of a 1½ hour drive home from Rosyth, not sure about driving all the way to Dover though?? - still not decided though - take it you guys are not up for it then? good link btw they do look good in red - can't make it for a beer tonight taking the missus out which is a very rare occasion!!

If I do go the Rosyth route will take the Tuesday ferry, as want to be there for Thursday eveings 21:00 practice and hopefully avoid some of the traffic jams.

miniandy - how long did the drive take you (i.e where did you start from?) to get to Calais??

thanks
steve



>> Edited by duka on Friday 27th January 16:49

[cerbie]

Sorry Erik, I have an appointment with my new boss in Simpsons at 8pm so an early start though tempting probably isn't the best idea I've ever had!

[miniandy]

Hi Steve,

Left from Glasgow about 7pm on the Wednesday, arrived south west London at about midnight. Left again at about midday on the Thursday to catch the boat. I might do it slightly differently this year, as I have not decided which boat to go on!

Cheers

[rossybee]

Kiltie said:

Steve ... f'like? Rosyth ferry ... nae two doots!!! Planned a Ring trip a while ago (which never happened) and Dover / Calais worked out a few tens of pounds cheaper. Rosyth / Zeebrugge was so much more civilised though IMHO. On the assumption that the times are still the same, leave Rosyth at teatime and get in to Zeebrugge early to mid morning. This allows for a decent nosh / swallae and kip as opposed to motorway bashing through the night. Funnily enough, CT and I have been debating how long from Zeebrugge to Le Mans ... and sadly, I fear I was totally wrong. It looks like over 500km (ref = AA Route Finder) so the plan of driving a bike engined Westfield now doesn't seem so attractive. BTW, have you heard of this lot? Cheers, Eric

Hi Eric,

I went in 2004 - took the Rosyth Ferry to Zeebrugge & drove to LM - I'd say allow about 6 hours...
We're doing it again this year - monster Stella hangover & driving an aero'd R400 might not mix too well, but hey-ho!

We stayed with Team Langoustine last time, and are doing it again this year (even got our pic in the forum - wearing the French tops coz England were playing France that night

Andy and the boys at TL were excellent - couldn't recommend them enough

Feel free to ask anything else ref this, or email me offline if you wish

See you at East Fortune early March?

[James B]

I'm from Aberdeen and took the Rosyth route last year.
Overall you do about 5 - 600 miles less driving and as it's all in the UK it was worth avoiding!

The trip from Zeebrugge is a nice one. On the way down we too the direct route through France but on the return leg we went pretty much via Calais and lopped a few hrs off the drive. I'm considering making the trip again this year but not sure what car to take or which co-pilot i can put up with for the trip!

James

[VetteG]

That would be 500 to 600 each way James?
With my beastie that would be more than the cost of the ferry in terms of petrol. Its academic anyway at this point, since business committments mean that I wont be going this year and I am not a happy bunny about that!

G

[Raffles]

Kiltie said:

PS - going to be in Number 10's at about 16:30, Murray will be there about 17:00 (flights permitting) if you fancy. - Same goes for Cerbie et al

We were in Numer 10s on Friday 27th! I take it it's the one on Albyn Road that you're talking about? We were the large group of guys sat in the corner opposite the door. Were you there?

[Gilesm]

I drove from Edinburgh down to Dover last year, two of the people I went with drove to Dover from Aberdeen, it doesn't take too long, much faster than a 17knot ferry, and alot cheaper, I think the Rosyth ferry is a complete rip off, but you can get pished on it.

Ross said:

We stayed with Team Langoustine last time, and are doing it again this year (even got our pic in the forum - wearing the French tops coz England were playing France that night

We went with Team Langoustine last year, they were really good, got our campsite plot changed as it was originally on rubble.

Ross' you'll be pleased to know I've got my french top on for this afternoon.

Giles (or should that be Gilles)

[VetteG]

Gilesm said:

I think the Rosyth ferry is a complete rip off, but you can get pished on it.

I dont think that 500 quid return for a car and 2 people with an outside cabin is a rip off.

Thats 250 each way and if you count up the cost of the ferry/hovercraft/tunnel plus petrol I think its a pretty good deal. For me its a no brainer since I only get 15mpg at best anyway.

G

[Gilesm]

name said:

I dont think that 500 quid return for a car and 2 people with an outside cabin is a rip off. Thats 250 each way and if you count up the cost of the ferry/hovercraft/tunnel plus petrol I think its a pretty good deal. For me its a no brainer since I only get 15mpg at best anyway. G

I was comparing it to the Hull ferry or the Plymouth to Santander one, which are both long distance ferries, and compared to these the Rosyth Ferry is expensive, for the simple reason that there is no competition.

Last year to Le mans I paid 100 quid (if I'd booked earlier this would have been 50quid) for a fast ferry from Dover to Calais, petrol down to Dover and back in an Elise 120quid, however at 15mpg I can understand your reasons.

Giles


At 15mpg you may have a point.

[DGilchrist]

Just thought i'd mention an alternative way of travelling to LM from Scotland which i'm trying this summer. Flying! Myself and two mates from uni are going to LM for the first time. We spent a long time comparing ferry prices and came to the conclusion that ryanair is much cheaper. Also, the fact that our cars are old and unfit for this length of journey helped make our decision.

To compare prices, the plane ticket is £70 each and a weeks car hire in France is £100. This works out at about £100 each to get to LM. However, carrying everything we need on ryanairs 15kg limit may be a challenge!! Think we'll need to pick up a lot of supplies in France.

Another added benefit of flying is that we'll be ariving in LM approximately 8 hours after leaving home! Has anybody tried anything like this before, or have any advice on our plans.

[davefiddes]

I'll second that. Last time I went to Le Mans I flew there and picked up a hire car and never looked back... Assuming you know a bit of French you're sorted. The French give you so much respect compared with turning up in a car with British plates. No hassle on the motorway, the gendarmerie were cool, etc, etc... and even Peugot's car radios can receive Radio Le Mans!

[VetteG]

Flying and car hire sound OK but half the fun for me is to take the Stingray and meet up with the other 'Vetteheads from around Europe.

G

[duka]

looks like the following now

Wednesday
fly to luton £15.99 + tax
picked up by one of the party and drive to portsmouth
Thursday
ferry to cherbourg
drive to le mans
staying at a chateau 20 west of circuit for duration
Monday
drive to caen - ferry to portsmouth
dropped off at Luton - return flight to ABZ £21

suppose I'll also need some beer tokens for the French Lager - believe they call it Champagne over there!!

[Corpulent Tosser]

Not taking the Skylark then Steve ?

[KB_S1]

I did the Rosyth route last year and it was a great trip.
The ferry is expensive but it is very good, esp if you buy meal vouchers before hand.
Later in the year we drove to Donnington and that drive was much more stressful despite being shorter.
If you are taking a low'n'sporty car get your passenger to practice leaning out the window and handing money over. It can be embaresing at the toll booths.