Thoughts on the best time of the year to book a ferry to France in 2026?
Best time of the year to book a ferry to France in 2026
- Thread starter swemmy666
- Start date
Probably as early as possible. I doubt fares will become cheaper if you hang on.
It's worth considering joining the Voyager Club as it gives a generous discount on the ferry fare and covers the cost of joining (at least it did for us on the Spanish routes)
It's worth considering joining the Voyager Club as it gives a generous discount on the ferry fare and covers the cost of joining (at least it did for us on the Spanish routes)
Already booked for August 2026, Newhaven/Dieppe.
With over 60’s discount (7.3m Motorhome and two people) £158.80 return
Previous experience suggests that DFDS prices remain the same for the same times/days of the week throughout each month and don’t go down in price.
With over 60’s discount (7.3m Motorhome and two people) £158.80 return
Previous experience suggests that DFDS prices remain the same for the same times/days of the week throughout each month and don’t go down in price.
Debatable ! We had a trip booked via Eurotunnel in July and a Brittany Ferry to return 4 weeks later, hopefully to do a few stages of the Tour de France. Unfortunately we broke down just 60 miles from home, broken cam belt! Returned home on the back of a low loader and had to make a roadside decision to rebook tunnel with a fictitious date in September. Still no sign of repaired van (for reasons I won’t go into) so rang tunnel yesterday and asked if I could rebook for May 2026 only to be told no because I had to use the ticket from the date of booking, which was March, not from the date of travel. Absolutely gutted as we have no motorhome and haven’t got a repair date as yet. Brittany Ferries have confirmed that we have a year from the date of travel so that’s some good news but really disappointed with Eurotunnel. Moral of the story is, be aware !!
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
DFDS Newhaven stays much the same throughout year though we never go in peak summer. Varies a lot with time and day of sailing. 4 hour crossing so cabin not needed. Easy to change sailings: £10 I think on phone. Mainly freight so plenty of seating space on board. Adjacent aire in Dieppe if needed but live near Newhaven so never tested pre- outward journey parking. Be aware signage for entrance to Newhaven port is dire.
I was recently booking my ferrys for March-April 26 with DFDS Newhaven- Dieppe return on the phone to get my 20% Old Gits discount, and the operator told me they were trying to encourage larger vehicles to travel on the weekend, and to facillitate this they are discounting fares while tickets last, throughout the year. (including School hols, Easter etc!)
So, If you go out and return on a Saturday/ Sunday with a MOHO (over 7m but less than 10m L & less than 4m H) any ferry £201return, however if you take the slightly more antisocial ferry (ie 23.00) this comes in at £157 return. Note:- for us, no Cabins, Dogs, Children, or towing etc. involved. Just 2 Passengers + 8m MOHO.
So, If you go out and return on a Saturday/ Sunday with a MOHO (over 7m but less than 10m L & less than 4m H) any ferry £201return, however if you take the slightly more antisocial ferry (ie 23.00) this comes in at £157 return. Note:- for us, no Cabins, Dogs, Children, or towing etc. involved. Just 2 Passengers + 8m MOHO.
- Feb 14, 2021
- 5,400
- 13,738
- Funster No
- 79,219
- MH
- Burstner Lyseo 727G
- Exp
- 5 years 40,000 miles UK and Europe.. Campsites and off Grid.
I generally book my Irish Ferries Dover Calais crossing last minute as I don't want to commit to early and flexible tickets are more expensive.
I haven't noticed much change in Irish Ferries prices from early to late booking. However I do tend to travel off peak.
I haven't noticed much change in Irish Ferries prices from early to late booking. However I do tend to travel off peak.
Hi. Sorry to go a bit off topic but what engine and mileage is your van? I have a 2018 150 bhp 2.3i, 35000 miles and have been debating a cam belt change although my local, very good, garage say don't worry at the moment.
Thanks. David
- Feb 14, 2021
- 5,400
- 13,738
- Funster No
- 79,219
- MH
- Burstner Lyseo 727G
- Exp
- 5 years 40,000 miles UK and Europe.. Campsites and off Grid.
Why are you debating it? If it has never been done it is overdue. Should be done every 5 years regardless of mileage. The consequences are to dire to risk it.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
- Aug 18, 2014
- 28,519
- 179,374
- Funster No
- 32,898
- MH
- Transit PVC
- Exp
- 16 years since restarting
They don't go up but down ,yes. I booked 8 weeks in advance only to find that if I had booked it the day before it would have been 23 pound cheaper
It should already have been done Will they pay for it if it breaks?
This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- May 5, 2022
- 2,156
- 17,574
- Funster No
- 88,502
- MH
- Hymer B778 PL
- Exp
- Since 1992
Brittany Ferries have, like many others, started to use dynamic pricing. On night crossings cabin prices increase as the availability decline. Shocking practice.
I know what the advice is thanks. I also know what my very experienced service manager who knows the vehicle and the use it gets. says. As I've never heard of a cam belt breaking on a motorhome until now I'm just interested in the details like mileage, age and if it was previously changed. Then I'll make a judgement.
This a much debated subject amongst VW owners with a lot of conflicting 'advice'. If asked as a friend I always say do it to be on the safe side which is what I generally do but I'm still interested in the details of Scaleys issue and whether it was catastrophic.
Goodness', I personally would change it now, but make sure if you don't do it yourself, make sure who ever does it are capable, if it breaks you are looking at a lot of money ,plus the inconvenience
Lenny HB
LIFE MEMBER
- Oct 18, 2007
- 65,204
- 220,968
- Funster No
- 658
- MH
- Carthago Compactline
- Exp
- Since 2008 & many years tugging
We nearly always use Newhaven/Dieppe normally book 2 to 3 weeks before we go.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Due to health issues I can't book ferries in advance, so, last week I kept an eye on Brittany and the price was £134...... we wanted to go on Friday....... on Wed at 13-00 it was still the same price...... I saw my Dr and he said all was well and go away, came to of Dr at 16-15, tried booking the ferry and it had gone up to £207, so a call to DFDS and booked with them ..... with the discount £106........ another reason I will always promote DFDS
So sorry David because I wasn’pigged off’ with our bad experience I haven’t been in the site since. Hubby say he was relying on the fact that we hadn’t used the van for a while and the mileage was low for our year so he didn’t get it done, much to our cost and dismay. We are still ‘van less’ and awaiting the head to be done, forbid course to the broken can belt. He says that 5 years should be the longest between changes but he left his longer as our mileage was pretty low, our van is 2008 so getting on quite a bit, mileage is 80,000. He wishes he had got ours done, we live and learn. Hopefully we will rejoin the fraternity before too long.
Looking at booking ours Plymouth to Roscoff , prefer to have it booked in advance ( have done it on all previous crossings on other routes ) , but this is our first time on this route , any discounts known or tips for this route appreciated , thanks.
If the timings suit you, try to book a Pont Aven sailing rather than on the Armorique. The Friday afternoon sailing from Plymouth and the Sunday morning return from Roscoff are nicely timed and don't see you needing to pay for a relatively expensive night cabin. If you are a Club Voyage member both those crossings qualify for a free inside day cabin (or a heavily discounted outside cabin).
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Same as, we booked about a fortnight before travel in August, returning October, £310 for two people in a 7mtr, no more expensive than Dover Calais.
- Jul 31, 2025
- 89
- 1,892
- Funster No
- 114,197
- MH
- Adria on order
- Exp
- I'm a newbie - and learning as much as I can before we take delivery in Autumn 2026
It helps to clear cookies before each search and not do multiple searches and booking on the same day. The dynamic pricing seems to kick in more if you do.
We were booking last year and our friends were booking the same trip at the same time. They hit the button about 2 minutes after us and ended up paying nearly £30 more for exactly the same booking. I loathe dynamic pricing.
- Jul 31, 2025
- 89
- 1,892
- Funster No
- 114,197
- MH
- Adria on order
- Exp
- I'm a newbie - and learning as much as I can before we take delivery in Autumn 2026
Mid week is usually better value on that route. On the website you can do a search on the route and it will show you the cheaper days.
Agree , VPN on all the time as default on the pc , and default clear everything on browser after each session.
Thanks Scaley. Apologies again for being off the original topic. So have i got this right, your van hadn't had the cam belt changed for 17 years and 80,000 miles when it went?
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
- Jul 31, 2025
- 89
- 1,892
- Funster No
- 114,197
- MH
- Adria on order
- Exp
- I'm a newbie - and learning as much as I can before we take delivery in Autumn 2026
Brittany Ferries currently have Black Friday deals on - valid until 8th December. If you are a Club Voyage member it looks like you can get that discount too.
They all use Dynamic pricing.
So always best to book on a Tuesday, ideally early or late.
Up to you to guess when best week or month is, but before December or after Easter many be advisable
So always best to book on a Tuesday, ideally early or late.
Up to you to guess when best week or month is, but before December or after Easter many be advisable
WESTY66
LIFE MEMBER
- Jun 17, 2017
- 9,178
- 27,648
- Funster No
- 49,064
- MH
- Carthago Chic C-Line
- Exp
- All the gear, and no idea!
Feb 30th is by far the best day to go to France 
Didnt knock anything off when I priced it up. Maybe it was the date & route I chose.
we have already booked our two crossings for June and September next year. Portsmouth to st Malo.. we always book early as we like the commodore Cabins.... Queen bed we like to be together 
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Join us or log in to post a reply.
To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun
Join MotorhomeFun
Join us, it quick and easy!
Log in
Already a member? Log in here.
Latest journal entries
-
Lenny's Modding the new Mini Gin Palace
- Lenny HB
- Entries: 1
Latest entry: Lenny's Modding the Mini Gin Palace,