Driving from Rotterdam to France
As the ferries to Zeebrugge have terminated we are considering towing our caravan from Rotterdam to south of France via Rouen. Is the journey any more complicated with the volume of lorries around Rotterdam?
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The only advice I can offer is the part of your journey in France from Rouen southwards. We have towed this run for many years and have resorted to a mix of toll/non-toll roads due to high toll costs. From Rouen southbound aim for Dreux, then Chartres, etc and save yourself some Euros. If speed is your aim then forget what I'm suggesting.
Colin
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If heading to the Med from Rotterdam, why curve so far west? Surely Brussels, Reims, Troyes, Nevers, Clermont-Ferrand would be a more logical trajectory.
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Yes, destination needed.
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We've towed both ways mentioned from Rotterdam.
If time is not a factor I would choose going down through Belgium to Luxembourg then Chalons and down that way for a change. Good route lots to stop and see on the way.
If time is limited then possibly straight down the way you normally go.
The roads out of europort are good and well signed, never had a problem heading south from there.
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Is OP using P&O or Stena and are they travelling overnight to Rotterdam?
P&O will be o'night from Hull and arrives at Europort with easy access southwards but Stena arrives further north at Rotterdam and whilst the exit roads have been improved if arriving on day ferry from Harwich would deposit OP in rush hour traffic.
If it was me I'd take the P&O ferry.
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There are two ships on that route to Rotterdam. .Pride of Hull is British crewed and is the one where staff were sacked and offered new contracts. Pride of Rotterdam is Dutch crewed and did not have that same employment crisis. Choose which one you prefer.
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We boycotted P&O this year and went via Harwich. 90% of crew were from S.E.Asia, mostly Philipines so no real difference, just that Stena already using cheaper labour.
From North Wales we find the drive nowadays to Harwich, and home both tiring (even building in stops for nights en route) and also eats into our allotted time to be spent abroad. Using Hull we can there in 3 hours from home and therefore gain about 4-6 nights. Also can be home in early afternoon after docking in Hull.
Can't say I'm happy with what P&O did, it was shocking, but having seen similar business models between the 2 companies may choose the easier option for us if we go again.
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Lee,
I'm making a few assumptions on this one as the original post does not hold much detail.
You have not said, so I guess you are sailing from Hull. If so it looks like this is over an 11 hour crossing. It would also be an expensive one.
Do you want to avoid all south coast crossings.
If not then what about Newhaven to Dieppe, 3 times a day and if over 60 even better value as a 20% discount available if you contact DFDS directly.
If you do want to avoid the south coast then what about Harwich to Hook of Holland. Through the "Club" this offers excellent value.
Colin
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DFDS crossing prices are attractive. Anyone have experience of loading the car deck on Newhaven Dieppe crossing? Do they put outfits in HGV lanes like other operators or scattered within packed car lanes?
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Now you are testing my memory. I don’t recall the ferry from Newhaven toDieppe having separate car decks on board or a separate HGV deck. I only remember driving into a wide cavernous space with the usual helpful staff beckoning me in. It was a single area with ample headroom shared by all vehicles, and wasn’t cramped. If you want to see it there’s bound to be a You tube video of it - there always is.
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Coming from Scotland we have used just about all the routes at some point.
Earlier this year we did a little exercise in comparison. Taking night halts, fuel, time and miles.
If heading for southern France or Spain then the St Malo route works out the best. Only 1 night halt required to get to Portsmouth for the evening crossing. We get a decent sleep and meal on board and only worked out £28 more than using the tunnel and £30 more than the Caen crossing. The timings are for us more suitable. These prices were worked out on a November crossing.
If heading eastwards then the Hull crossing works out better. No night halt required from home. Again an overnight crossing where we eat before boarding or one board. A decent night's sleep and a full day ahead to get to Luxembourg or beyond.
We do like taking the tunnel but it's a long haul from home and then down to Spain, great in good weather not so great out of season and the price isn't cheap.
I've recently checked a Hull crossing for late April with car and caravan on a Sunday crossing £281 single crossing with a premier 2 bed outside cabin through the club. I can get it cheaper through another source at £264 for the same. Using this crossing rather than Dover gives us a saving in time, miles and fuel (money) it's more convenient as well.
All this should be taken into consideration when checking out crossings.
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