Ferry Crossing from Calais to Dover

Clockwise
Clockwise Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited April 2019 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi,

My partner and I are planning a motorhome holiday in France in June. We usually avoid going back from Calais to Dover as my partner is worried about the present of migrants. This time however due to time constraints returning via Calais seems to be the only viable option as the ferry times are so frequent. Can anybody give reassurance that it is perfectly safe to travel from Calais these days?

We would spend the previous night well away from Calais and take an early crossing.

 

Thanks in advance

Richard

Comments

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2019 #2

    Since the migrants' shanty town has been pulled down and there are high fences adjoining the roads leading to the port I have seen no unusual gatherings of migrants in the area. So long as one didn't give any of them opportunity to hop aboard a vehicle it has never been unsafe, and even less so now. I would have no reservations.

  • Clockwise
    Clockwise Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2019 #3

    Many thanks for your response. It’s what I wanted to hear.

  • Dave Nicholson
    Dave Nicholson Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited April 2019 #4

    We use the Eurotunnel Calais terminal four times every year and I can’t remember the last time I saw any migrants so please don’t worry. The Motorhome Aire in Calais next to the new Municipal campsite is safe and quiet too.

  • Clockwise
    Clockwise Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2019 #5

    Many thanks Dave. I think she’ll be reassured now. She’s talking about going from Cherbourg which is possible but there is just as much chance of seeing migrants there. It would mean cutting the holiday by a day too.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #6

    If you use the Tunnel to access is a little way out of Calais on the Western side and they have spent millions on beefing up the security fences.

    David

  • Clockwise
    Clockwise Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2019 #7

    Good thought David. I shall look into using the tunnel. thanks

  • mac111051
    mac111051 Forum Participant Posts: 17
    edited April 2019 #8

    Hi, came back yesterday Calais to Dover, stayed at a site 10 miles away up the coast overnight, never saw one migrant,

    Mac

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #9

    we also live in Somerset and rarely use the tunnel, even when coming back from the east, preferring to arrive at Poole with just a short drive home.

    ...and as the boat leaves at 6:30 pm ish, you've plenty of time...and certainly no 'migrants' to be seen on any of our returns....last one 4 weeks ago.

    you may just end up swapping a pleasant drive further west in France for an horrendous all day one back from Dover..not nice...

  • layton1837
    layton1837 Forum Participant Posts: 109
    edited April 2019 #10

    A good site near Calais http://www.lesepinettes.fr/en/ we have stayed there for the past 4 years. Good stop on way out and returning. Very close to tunnel

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #11

    I too was wondering why you would want to drive from Calais  rather than use the Poole or Portsmouth routes!  Over the past years we have used most of the crossing options and never been bothered by migrants so do not worry.  However, if you want a site near Calais there are a number in the ACSI book about 20 - 30 miles from Calais which are worth considering.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #12

    Does`nt matter which route you use migrants are around, Ouistreham was full of them last year both outside the site entrance and in the town but again they haven't been a direct problem.

  • punto338
    punto338 Forum Participant Posts: 45
    edited April 2019 #13

    We have been going to and from Calais or Dunkirk for the past 4 years and have never had a problem.  The security at both ports is tight and the dual carriageway out of the port at Calais is heavily fenced for the first few kilometres.  

    Bob

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #14

    in my opinion it has always been safe to use the Calais crossings, even at the height of the 'migrant crisis'.  Personally we've never had an issue, and we use Calais/Eurotunnel at least eight times a year going backwards and forwards to our house in France. In the old days you would spot the odd very thin young man wanderiing forlornly along the side of the autoroute but these days with the new fencing you don't even see that.  

    I would stop worrying, completely, and just get on with booking and enjoying your trip.


  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #15

    Looking at this and similar threads a common theme is that of avoiding stopping near the port.

    Last July friends stopped to get wine at Calais and were escorted back to their MH by security staff who stayed with them while they loaded their purchases. Two young children were pointed out to them who it seems were looking for opportunities to get into vehicles

    They felt that whilst the security around the port, and where they stopped, seemed to be high this was not what they wanted to experience as part of a holiday and as a result have traveled from Newhaven on their last two trips.

    I think for many the convenience of the constant crossings available form Dover still make it attractive but for others its potential issue that they can avoid.

  • montesa
    montesa Forum Participant Posts: 168
    edited April 2019 #16

     

    A Eurotunnel (outside Calais) regular here - never seen any issues there as straight off the Motorway at 50 kmh and into the secure area. Normally hop onto an earlier train f.o.c. Think this would be my choice in your situation.

    We dont even consider the Ferries now. 

    Friends had some hassle when supermarket shopping in central Calais a couple of years ago when hanging around for their Ferry.

    It is a popular newspaper & TV story.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #17

    As others have pointed out there can be migrants at any port in France.  The only time we've been personally affected was in Le Havre, when we had to be thoroughly searched, inside and out of the caravan, underneath the caravan, in the top box of the car, we all had to get out of the car, and the boot had to be emptied.  This was for every car in the queue and involved a considerable team of people.  We learned from someone on the boat that migrants had got across to Portsmouth from Le Havre the day before by stowing away in a caravan.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited April 2019 #18

    Returning from Caen last summer, we had a strapping gendarme and his lissom companion inspect the interior of our MH including the loo, wardrobe and garage whilst we waited to board. I just had the feeling that it was something of a 'box ticking' exercise though.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #19

    We have been stopped at the port and asked the question of "Where did you stop last night/could anyone have got on board?" and been searched by men with big guns! It would never stop us. Migrants never been a problem. We are off next month and again in September. Go and enjoy your travels.

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