Channel ferries
Discussion
Hi all, I'm looking at driving to France for the first time this year, and looking at the ferries there seems to be a multitude of options coming up.
My question is, are there any better ones than another? In particular I'm thinking if I miss it, or am early? Is the experience the same across them all?
Thanks all.
My question is, are there any better ones than another? In particular I'm thinking if I miss it, or am early? Is the experience the same across them all?
Thanks all.
I used the DFDS Dover - Dunkerque route this summer, when I booked the ticket (ordinary cheapest ticket, not a flexible one or anything) the terms were that I could use any sailing within 4 hours either side of my booking. They were good to their word, when I arrived early I got bumped to an earlier sailing, and on a boat to Calais even though I was booked to Dunkerque, at no charge, which was nice.
Dunno about the other companies but I think those terms are very reasonable, given the vagaries of traffic and the sailings themselves.
Dunno about the other companies but I think those terms are very reasonable, given the vagaries of traffic and the sailings themselves.
My preference is the Euro Tunnel. It usually costs a bit more than the ferries on a like for like basis, but the trains are more frequent, the crossing is shorter, loading and off loading is swifter, and it chops a few miles off the journey on the UK side. Downsides; cost, you don't get much of a break from driving, you're stuck with your car and it's not scenic.
blueST said:
My preference is the Euro Tunnel. It usually costs a bit more than the ferries on a like for like basis, but the trains are more frequent, the crossing is shorter, loading and off loading is swifter, and it chops a few miles off the journey on the UK side. Downsides; cost, you don't get much of a break from driving, you're stuck with your car and it's not scenic.
I always used to prefer the Tunnel, but this year it got really expensive compared to the boats, in the high peak summer season at least. They wanted £408 return for my required journey, DFDS was £199. So I reluctantly went with the ferry.Depends where you are going in France and, to a lesser extent, where you're starting from.
Portsmouth - St-Mâlo can be done overnight, so you start in France at 8am-ish. It's not a good night's sleep, and can be pricey.
There's a high-speed crossing to Caen that stinks of sick, and the further east you go, the shorter the crossings get.
But if you want to be on France's west coast (for example) then Dover - Calais might be a false economy.
Portsmouth - St-Mâlo can be done overnight, so you start in France at 8am-ish. It's not a good night's sleep, and can be pricey.
There's a high-speed crossing to Caen that stinks of sick, and the further east you go, the shorter the crossings get.
But if you want to be on France's west coast (for example) then Dover - Calais might be a false economy.
Skodillac said:
blueST said:
My preference is the Euro Tunnel. It usually costs a bit more than the ferries on a like for like basis, but the trains are more frequent, the crossing is shorter, loading and off loading is swifter, and it chops a few miles off the journey on the UK side. Downsides; cost, you don't get much of a break from driving, you're stuck with your car and it's not scenic.
I always used to prefer the Tunnel, but this year it got really expensive compared to the boats, in the high peak summer season at least. They wanted £408 return for my required journey, DFDS was £199. So I reluctantly went with the ferry.BritishBlitz87 said:
I chose DFDS because they are the only channel ferry operator still employing European crew at European rates and not sailing under a flag of convenience. For the sake of £20, I was happy to vote with my wallet against sacking entire workforces and replacing them with Filipinos on £3.50 an hour.
No complaints whatsoever on the crossing, the whole process was smooth as silk.
No complaints whatsoever on the crossing, the whole process was smooth as silk.
hellorent said:
I always tend to start here; https://www.aferry.com/en-gb/
I also use Aferry and recommend it as it shows all the ferries and prices in one place. If you are doing Dover- Calais/ Dunkirk just do whatever is cheapest, it's a short crossing so no point worrying about what facilities are onboard.
trackdemon said:
Skodillac said:
blueST said:
My preference is the Euro Tunnel. It usually costs a bit more than the ferries on a like for like basis, but the trains are more frequent, the crossing is shorter, loading and off loading is swifter, and it chops a few miles off the journey on the UK side. Downsides; cost, you don't get much of a break from driving, you're stuck with your car and it's not scenic.
I always used to prefer the Tunnel, but this year it got really expensive compared to the boats, in the high peak summer season at least. They wanted £408 return for my required journey, DFDS was £199. So I reluctantly went with the ferry.35 mins and I won't be distracted with Duty Free or food/drink.
trackdemon said:
Skodillac said:
blueST said:
My preference is the Euro Tunnel. It usually costs a bit more than the ferries on a like for like basis, but the trains are more frequent, the crossing is shorter, loading and off loading is swifter, and it chops a few miles off the journey on the UK side. Downsides; cost, you don't get much of a break from driving, you're stuck with your car and it's not scenic.
I always used to prefer the Tunnel, but this year it got really expensive compared to the boats, in the high peak summer season at least. They wanted £408 return for my required journey, DFDS was £199. So I reluctantly went with the ferry.I regularly travel Dover Calais and as said they are usually flexible to move you to a later or earlier ferry without charge. This seriously reduces the stress when late for your crossing. Last summer I was even offered alternative earlier crossing son a different carrier. All the boats are very similar except for the new hybrid P&O boats that are very smart, although I am still off them after their fire and hire strategy.
Depending on where you are going from/to we find Dieppe-Newhaven is cheap (cheaper than Dover Calais) and good. It is a longer crossing 4 hours but if you are heading from the west side of France to the west of UK then it saves a lot of miles. For us it is nearer to Paris than Calais and works well for seeing our son in Salisbury
Depending on where you are going from/to we find Dieppe-Newhaven is cheap (cheaper than Dover Calais) and good. It is a longer crossing 4 hours but if you are heading from the west side of France to the west of UK then it saves a lot of miles. For us it is nearer to Paris than Calais and works well for seeing our son in Salisbury
audi321 said:
Thanks all. I'm travelling from Yorkshire, and going to the French alps for New Year, so I guess Dover to Calais would be the most appropriate?
Or you could take Hull Rotterdam. Quite a bit more expensive and of course a much longer time on board (including a cabin) but it should save you a lot of driving, depending on where you are in Yorkshire, and can be quite convenient time wise as it's over night.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff