Booking Ferries In Calais Advice Please (1 Viewer)

Pete&Sara

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Jan 20, 2015
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Norfolk
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since 2012
Could anyone advise if it's best to book a ferry from Calais to Dover online when in France or just turn up at the port and book? Wondering which would be cheaper and would you need to print a ticket if booked online? What do others do about printing stuff when away ? We found campsites will do it but as ACSI time ends and we are on the aires I guess a cyber cafe would have to be found ????
Can you tell we are newbies ?
 
Feb 16, 2013
19,457
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uttoxeter
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ambulance conversion
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50 years
Don't know about ferries but the tunnel is far cheaper if you do it online, even if you are in the terminal use their wifi , it's cheaper than going to the desk and letting them do it and you don't need a printed ticket, they just use number plate recognition or the card you payed with.
But as I say this is tunnel don't know if the ferry is the same.
 

parknride

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Jan 21, 2014
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We book online, just keep confirmation email in case. Just returned via Dieppe/newhaven with pet. At check in handed over passports and no paperwork or booking reference was asked for. Done this at Caen and Calais. I believe its cheaper to book online than at the port.

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Welsh girl

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Nov 7, 2009
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Another vote for online booking. No confirmation needed as they have numberplate recognition but I keep the confirmation email just in case.
 
Jan 2, 2015
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It will always be more expensive if you just turn up at Calais rather than book online. Be aware that both P & O and (more so) DFDS hike their prices for booking online for sailings within 24 hours.
If you go online in France with a UK sim card you will get the .co.uk verson of P & O but if you use (say) McDonalds wifi you will be on the .fr version and it will be priced in euro's and probably cheaper.
We use a tablet so that when the ferry company send you the confirmation email you can pick it up on your tablet and just show this at check in. Belt & Braces policy; I always make a note of the booking number on paper just in case.
 
Sep 27, 2007
837
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We to booked our return fare yesterday for the 27 June. A considerable saving, if you compare the on day purchase price.

As said, we also used tablet, via free wifi from campsite.

Have the confirmation email, plus made a note of the booking number. I doubt it will be needed as there nprc will identify us as we approach the checkin.
 
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Pete&Sara

Pete&Sara

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Jan 20, 2015
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Thanks so much folks, will book online in euros a week before
Anyone know how much more expensive the tunnel is than the ferry. ?
 
Jul 5, 2013
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Thanks so much folks, will book online in euros a week before
Anyone know how much more expensive the tunnel is than the ferry. ?
It varies. Best bet is to get a price for the ferry, then try the tunnel.

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Jul 5, 2013
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OK. Others may have more up to date info, but when I last compared a couple of years ago it was about £30 more expensive. We think it is worth that because it is so much nicer staying in the motorhome - I usually have lie down on the bed.
 

Glandwr

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Jul 10, 2014
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Can only speak for the tunnel but there is normally a considerable difference between fares over a 24 hour period. On line you can see this and time your arrival to suit. Having said that they are very accommodating should you arrive earlier or later.
 

WynandJean

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Mar 23, 2010
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It's worth bearing in mind that when looking for the online prices, if you return to the same website to place your booking the prices may be higher. They can tell from your cookies that you have been on the site and returned to it. It's worth deleting your cookies (not disable them) before doing this.

Wyn

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Feb 18, 2009
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We have just returned by ferry from Durkerque it is usually a few pound cheaper than Calais, we booked a few days in advance through the Caravan Club online we got a fare of £27.50 for a 7 metre van.
We were allowed to travel on the earlier ferry at no extra cost.
You can now stay overnight at the termainal for 15 days!!
 

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