The Tunnel or Boat (1 Viewer)

[Microchip]

Going back to France soon and not sure whether to use the tunnel or go by boat from Pompey (we live 12 miles from the port).
We don't like traveling by boats but due the problems at the tunnel we may have to change our minds.
Any one got any idea what is the best way to go, bearing in mind the cost and time traveling.
Much appreciated any ideas, thanks.

Keith...

 

[big map]

My dad went out on the tunnel on Tuesday and came back today no problem either way. Tunnel every time.

 

[big map]

Btw we live less than a mile from Poole docks and would still go tunnel.

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[Robert Clark]

Tunnel for us
Hate feeling sea sick

 

[magicsurfbus]

Ferry miles are more expensive than road miles. Portsmouth to anywhere by sea is always more expensive than driving to Dover and crossing to Calais (c.90 mins and usually flat as the proverbial broom rider's mammary). The tunnel is usually more costly than the ferry whenever I look at the prices, but some people get discounts via Tesco Clubcard and the like.

 

[tonka]

All the issue seem to be at night. If the Immigrants try it on and get on the tracks they stop the trains.
SO... Go in the daytime, better odds...
That's my conclusion anyway..

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[Forestboy]

At the moment tunnel is nearly as cheap as ferry so no contest gotta be tunnel we booked last night for our Croatia trip in 4 weeks time.
Dont be put off by media or doom merchants on here we came through the tunnel 8pm Monday evening no issues.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Tunnel every time for us. Total no brainer

 

[Chockswahay]

It's the roads to or from the tunnel that would cause me more concern........... stack is always just around the corner

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[Microchip]

Well, all the replies given seems that it's the tunnel for us, so many thanks to all who replied.
By the way we have a Burstner travel van with a Fun sticker in the wind screen, thumbs up if you see us..

Keith

 

[FIDGET]

Hi Keith-Microchip, like you we are close to Portsmouth & this year for the first time we are visitng/touring Brittany so using Brittany ferries basically to save time as only using 16 day while dog is in kennels, by the time we travel to dover then ferry across & drive back towards Brittany , it saves us a couple of days each way , also some saving on diesel nowhere near as much as the extra ferry cost but Hey Ho !! time is important.
Terry

 

[sylvester1954]

the choice is possibly determined by the final destination for me. I live in the south west and if I am touring west France and beyond I will always go for the ferry ie Portsmouth. If I was off to the low countries, Germany etc then I would trundle all the way across to Dover albeit grudgingly as I hate that journey. Once at over there I would prefer ferry to tunnel only because i like boats

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[scousebird]

I'm biased as we live so close to Dover & Folkestone - but the tunnel wins especially with Tesco points.
It's all been quiet down here for a while now.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Portsmouth Boat, the tunnel is over rated and expensive if not going with Tesco Deals/offers.

Book early and BF is cheaper than you think.

TM

 

[mikebeaches]

Live in Bristol, but generally take the tunnel. Frequent user tickets are cheap - fixed price £54 each way for any size motorhome. Lots of flexibility and only need to book 24 hours in advance.

Mike

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[Lenny HB]

Ferry every time for us, last couple of years been using Newhaven/Dieppe as we are only 20 miles from Newhave works out far cheaper as depending on where we are going saves up to 400 miles on a round trip.

Don't like the tunnel, been delayed seveal times on it, had bad ear ache due to the pressure when the train enters the tunnel and on a work related job in a VW Transporter a couple of years ago the pressure wave triped the sensors came out of the tunnel with no indicators, electric windows, cruise control & central locking working. Don't get the ear problem on Eurostar maybe because the aircon keeps the pressure in the train more constant.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Portsmouth - Dover/Tunnel is around 130 miles. Return, 260. That is going to cost you around £130 at 50p a mile. 2-3 hour drive.

Add to that what the tunnel costs you?

With BF's Travel club 7m motorhome, June 2016 out (day cruise with cabin), late June 2016 in (high speed) £245 return.
Arrive on Fantastic French Roads - stress free. Get home quick.

Even with a Friends ! BF Discount - still only £340

It will not suit everyone of course. Anyone with a 9m motorhome living near Dover may as well go by boat their end.

TM

 

[snowdrops]

Tunnel every time for us. Never had an issue, not even coming back in July in height of migrant stuff. I suffer dreadfully with ear pressure, but nothing under the tunnel, only under the deep bit for 10 mins or so.

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[colyboy]

Tunnellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll EVERY TIME, NO PROBS THIS YEAR ON MY LAST TWO CHUNNELLINGS. TAKE UP FREQUENT TRAVELLER DEAL WITH ET £108 RETURN!

colyboy

 

[Kool Kroozer]

Tunnel, dont think we could ever use ferries again, the tunnel is just far too faster

 

[mjltigger]

That is going to cost you around £130 at 50p a mile.

Are you driving a battle tank

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[TheBig1]

Are you driving a battle tank

50p per mile is the tax figure i believe. takes account of fuel and all running costs including tyres, maintenance and insurance.
i calculated my fuel costs a while back to just under 25p per mile. low 20s mpg just over £6 per gallon

 

[TheBig1]

Are you driving a battle tank

50p per mile is the tax figure i believe. takes account of fuel and all running costs including tyres, maintenance and insurance.
i calculated my fuel costs a while back to just under 25p per mile. low 20s mpg just over £6 per gallon

 

[sdc77]

25p a mile sounds better. £75 fuel
Add tunnel frequent traveller fare £54 any size motorhome
35 min crossing on tunnel and leave earlier often. (Tunnel runs 24hrs)
Stay in van with dogs - dogs cost more
Exit with no delay onto french motorway network.
Quicker and much much cheaper .. not to mention an easier and slicker crossing whilst you have a wee cuppa and watch tv/listen to music in your own van.

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[Puddleduck]

In the past we have used ferry, hovercraft (that dates it!) and tunnel. For the actual crossing then tunnel wins hands down but for convenience we would probably use ferries from Newcastle or Hull in future as I don't like driving round the M25. the traffic, congestion etc etc..... If the Rosyth ferry was reinstated we might use that!

I used to endure the hovercraft, noisy and uncomfortable as it was, but so fast. Such a shame the service shut down, I suppose it couldn't compete with the tunnel once the duty free rules changed.

 

[Judge Mental]

Tunnel for us
Hate feeling sea sick

hate drowning more.....

have noticed tunnel getting to popular? cant get back either weekend we want to go to Dusseldorf show.... it will have to be tunnel out ferry back by the looks of it. (plenty availability on ferry)

 

[sdc77]

I'd have loved to have gone on a hovercraft !

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[MikeandCarolyn]

(c.90 mins and usually flat as the proverbial broom rider's mammary). .

Interesting your use of that phrase to denote flatness,whereas,as a photographer I used it another way-'Sharp as a witches tit' denoting a sharp point

 

[jockaneezer]

Interesting your use of that phrase to denote flatness,whereas,as a photographer I used it another way-'Sharp as a witches tit' denoting a sharp point

Isn't that weird, in the world of thermodynamics, the "nipple on a witches tit" has been measured at -273.15 degrees celsius or 0°K if you prefer

 

[MichelleRyall]

Btw we live less than a mile from Poole docks and would still go tunnel.

So do we and we always go tunnel...can't afford the ferry from here!!!!

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[big map]

I got a quote the other day and was pleasantly surprised I think they may have had to reduce the prices due to lack of trade.
http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum...st-trip-to-europe-please.113111/#post-1499116
Personally I would much rather travel to the tunnel than sit on a ferry for four hours.