Tunnel/Ferry
We normally travel from Plymouth to Roscoff day crossing as we have two dogs. Would the Tunnel be any cheaper and where would the tunnel take us to when in France we live near Manchester .
Comments
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We always use Calais (or Dunkerque). Because we have loads of time we treat our journeys as part of the holiday, and as we holiday out of season we don't have a 'fixed' end destination in mind.
If you've got a booked site in the Vendee or indeed most of western France for the duration of your holiday then it makes sense to use a crossing which takes you as near as possible. However, if you may just 'follow the weather' into the Alps (say), or
down to the eastern Med then you may as well save money on the crossing and use the short routes.However, with a caravan the tunnel isn't cheap - it's much cheaper to use one of the ferries - P and O, or DFDS.
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We live in Lancs and always use the tunnel, courtesy of Tesco vouchers as per the above post. Leaves us with very little to pay, although with a caravan you pay more than with a MH. You really have to go onto the tunnel website and play around with dates and times, as prices vary according to date (BH holidays, some weekends, July/August, although by playing around with date/time even then there are cheaper crossings) and time of day. You don't have to commit to book to check prices. To us it's brilliant, as all checks are done prior to boarding, so once on French soil, you're literally off the train onto the platform and straight onto the motorway.
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The ferry to Dunkirk used to be the cheapest option when we towed a caravan.We do still use the tunnel because the dog can be in the mh with us.Trying an alternative return though next time.Not going to go over all the stuff about Calais problems etc again
but the Dartford Crossing hold-ups can be an "irritant"after 250 plus miles from the North or on the return from France.Trouble is that unless you aim to cross the Thames in the wee hours there is no reliable way to avoid the congestion risk at Dartford;it
is pot luck.It just takes one overturned artic somewhere around the spaghetti of roads about the Dartford crossing and you have grid lock-believe me I have experienced several times.Then again,the Mancunian motorway system has its own issues at times.0 -
Cost this year on Tunnel = £17, we have used £100 of Tescp Vouchers that they trebbled, so in real money terms its costing us a couple of bottles of wine. Tunnel every time for us as I am not a good Sailor
Admiral
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If deciding on the tunnel route do not book using Eurotunnel's website, the CC will beat their online booking every time. Our 9 week trip this year including £36 return for the dog is £275 with the club compared with £361 via Eurotunnels website.
Interestingly I also got a quote on Eurotunnels website to include their all-in-one insurance/breakdown package (through the AA), it came in at £344 and Red Pennant through the Club came in at £245.
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We prefer the tunnel because it's faster . and using Tesco points , cheaper. Last December we went on a coach holiday to the German Christmas markets using the ferry to cross over . Rough weather delayed the outward and return sailings by about 4 hours
each way , and on both trips my OH was as sick as a dog. Never again, tunnel only in future.0 -
Check the Eurotunnel website - click on book and put in your dates and vehicle - a range of times and prices will be shown - you don't actually have to book and you can easily change the dates. Trains leave roughly half hourly. Good luck
We always use the Tunnel even though we do not have a pet or Tesco vouchers. It is more expencive but brilliant, no worries on weather conditions,fewer problems than the French Ports strikes. But always book through this CC Site as it is always cheaper,
It is cheaper if you leave the UK before 6 am in the morning and return around 10 a Not sure what the other cheap hours are in the evening.DianneT ...
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.... as I am not a good Sailor
Admiral
Excellent user name then
I get seasick crossing the Severn Bridge
Admiral
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Check the Eurotunnel website - click on book and put in your dates and vehicle - a range of times and prices will be shown - you don't actually have to book and you can easily change the dates. Trains leave roughly half hourly. Good luck We always use the Tunnel even though we do not have a pet or Tesco vouchers. It is more expencive but brilliant, no worries on weather conditions,fewer problems than the French Ports strikes. But always book through this CC Site as it is always cheaper, It is cheaper if you leave the UK before 6 am in the morning and return around 10 a Not sure what the other cheap hours are in the evening.DianneT ... Fewer problems? Chunnel Services have suffered far more disruption than the Ferries due to Migrant activity. Even though they have improved security fencing at the French Terminal area, they are now targeting freight trains and will still cause disruption Also check out the Le Shuttle frequent traveller scheme, complete rip off?0
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It very much depends on individual circumstances at the time of travel. I travel to Belgium on average once every 5 weeks. As its business, business paying for the necessary visits, speed is of the essence and so the train wins every time, plus I have a need for my car on the other side, often notching up considerable mileage. A case of out Monday, returning Thursday afternoon, back in the office Friday reports off my screen by end of play Friday.
Personally, the supporting road infrastructure, is better when leaving the train than when leaving Calais (sorry, just my observation).
However, if speed is not of importance, then why not take the ferry and make it part of the holiday.
Caravan wise – driving on off a ferry is much simpler – possibly less stressful that entering a train carriage - being a frequent traveller I have witnessed some ‘very’ seriously stressed individuals who clearly could have done with some training prior –
How they then end up on the other side is probably another story – any one wish to comment on their experiences?
To conclude for me - if its speed and time, the train wins. If its leisure and holidays – ferry however; we haven’t used the ferry for a considerable period of time and when we did we used to upgrade to Club Lounge, travel a little in comfort and add a little luxury to the start of the holiday!
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'It very much depends on individual circumstances at the time of travel.'
It is not uncommon for comments to say that one or the other is the best but, as Steve3 says, its down to circumstances.
Our circumstance is that we live in Cornwall so the tunnel is 360 miles away,Plymouth ferry port 35.
We love going on the ferry-yes we do say that is when the holiday starts- but my wife does not wish to use the tunnel, we have done so solo.
We like to get a deal and the ITX package for a Brittany Ferries/Camping Cheque package has always been a lot less than the tunnel.
We have grown to hate the thought of the journey home if travelling via Dover,the distance and almost inevitable issues somewhere along the route. From Plymouth the van is back in storage in 45 minutes and 45 minutes later we are at home.
We never rule out anything when planning, last year we did Harwich- Hook, but, so far, the ferry has always been the best............for us!
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