New to overseas - Ferry Prices

With us which crossing we take depends on where we are going.  If we are heading for Germany/Italy then we will use on of the Dover/Calais crossings.  If going to Britany, Vendee or Spain Portsmouth route to Caen or Santander as appropriate.  It's not just a question of cost but also driving time.  When we first started continental caravanning in the 70's, and we went in August then, our usual trip was day 1 to Dover stay the night at a site just outside Dover:  day 2 up early and get the last of the  cheap night fare crossings (if my memory serves me correctly it was 6 - 7 ish) having breakfast on the boat and we would be on the road in France by 10am local time (the crossing was longer and unloading/immigration took longer then now).  So if I was going to Normandy I would probably use the Portsmouth or Poole crossings dependent upon schedules.