Brittany ferries or Calais/Folkestone

Mr porky

Mr porky

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In the pre COVID days our preferred route was a ferry to northern Spain rather than going through france especially as the time we can travel is usually after Christmas to get to warmer climes ie southern Spain.
We are in the fortunate situation that we will opt for the easier option even if this costs a little more and we quite liked the having a meal on board as we found the alacarte restaurant very good on Brittany ferries.
We now have a larger fresh and waste tank plus a black toilet tank so even if the Aires through France have no water available this won’t be an issue.
But I do feel as though the price they charge is a little excessive. So as they have changed the ferry to the new Galician we could cancel and get a tunnel/ferry for a fraction of the cost from Calais/Folkestone. This would be between Christmas and new year. The question is it worth doing Brittany or not ?
 
Mr porky said:
In the pre COVID days our preferred route was a ferry to northern Spain rather than going through france especially as the time we can travel is usually after Christmas to get to warmer climes ie southern Spain.
We are in the fortunate situation that we will opt for the easier option even if this costs a little more and we quite liked the having a meal on board as we found the alacarte restaurant very good on Brittany ferries.
We now have a larger fresh and waste tank plus a black toilet tank so even if the Aires through France have no water available this won’t be an issue.
But I do feel as though the price they charge is a little excessive. So as they have changed the ferry to the new Galician we could cancel and get a tunnel/ferry for a fraction of the cost from Calais/Folkestone. This would be between Christmas and new year. The question is it worth doing Brittany or not ?
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We changed to the tunnel because of Covid.Dont know what's happening now but they were delivering meals to your cabin.Just didn't fancy 24 hours stuck in a small cabin..BUSBY.
 
Used Brittany ferries for the last 10 years to get to Spain but if we go after Christmas it will be via the tunnel, probably not renew my Brittany Ferries membership next year.
 
Maybe try Newhaven Dieppe ferry, 4 hour crossing and you save about French 200mls
alsi if you are over 60 you get 20% off ticket price !!!!!!!
 
Mr porky said:
In the pre COVID days our preferred route was a ferry to northern Spain rather than going through france especially as the time we can travel is usually after Christmas to get to warmer climes ie southern Spain.
We are in the fortunate situation that we will opt for the easier option even if this costs a little more and we quite liked the having a meal on board as we found the alacarte restaurant very good on Brittany ferries.
We now have a larger fresh and waste tank plus a black toilet tank so even if the Aires through France have no water available this won’t be an issue.
But I do feel as though the price they charge is a little excessive. So as they have changed the ferry to the new Galician we could cancel and get a tunnel/ferry for a fraction of the cost from Calais/Folkestone. This would be between Christmas and new year. The question is it worth doing Brittany or not ?
Click to expand...

Be realistic as to the cost of driving across France in terms of maintenance, mileage and fuel. You may find it no so bad in comparison. And, let's face it, the overnight ferry to Spain is actually quite pleasant and much nicer than just driving across France in 24 hours without stopping.

Driving across France can also be a pleasure if you have the time to do it slowly, of course.

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Given the choice it would be ferry to Spain for me. I've done the journey in a car to south of France and also into Spain and can honestly say it's bloody hard work. If you have all the time in the world, like a week out of your life for the return journey, all well and good but, if time is an issue, take the ferry.
 
cmcardle75 said:
Be realistic as to the cost of driving across France in terms of maintenance, mileage and fuel. You may find it no so bad in comparison. And, let's face it, the overnight ferry to Spain is actually quite pleasant and much nicer than just driving across France in 24 hours without stopping.

Driving across France can also be a pleasure if you have the time to do it slowly, of course.
Click to expand...

Both times we have tried to go on the Spanish ferry in the winter it has been cancelled due to bad weather so we now just go through the tunnel and enjoy the trip. Why does it have to be done in 24 hours? even in winter we will generally take a couple of days or more if we feel like it. I remember a lovely winter stop in the pyrennes , nice and warm in the mh but looking at the snow capped mountains above us.
 
cmcardle75 said:
Be realistic as to the cost of driving across France in terms of maintenance, mileage and fuel. You may find it no so bad in comparison. And, let's face it, the overnight ferry to Spain is actually quite pleasant and much nicer than just driving across France in 24 hours without stopping.

Driving across France can also be a pleasure if you have the time to do it slowly, of course.
Click to expand...
Very pleasant normally but if confined to your cabin not much fun.
BUSBY.
 
busby said:
Very pleasant normally but if confined to your cabin not much fun.
BUSBY.
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Hadn't realised they were doing that. Thought it was just masks on.
 
mikeandmary said:
Given the choice it would be ferry to Spain for me. I've done the journey in a car to south of France and also into Spain and can honestly say it's bloody hard work. If you have all the time in the world, like a week out of your life for the return journey, all well and good but, if time is an issue, take the ferry.
Click to expand...
Its not the same in a car. having to find accommodation and food and buy all your coffees etc.

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cmcardle75 said:
Hadn't realised they were doing that. Thought it was just masks on.
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Not sure now but early on it was meals left outside your cabin and no bars open.May have changed.BUSBY.
 
I must admit I’m not sure as we can’t get away before Christmas because of work but we can travel between Christmas and new year and I would like to utilise our 3 months in Europe fully coming back end of March. We have the ferry on the 29th booked but I’m thinking if we go on Boxing Day Or the 27th via the tunnel we could be in a more pleasant weather area before the ferry has even left the uk.
 
Mr porky said:
I must admit I’m not sure as we can’t get away before Christmas because of work but we can travel between Christmas and new year and I would like to utilise our 3 months in Europe fully coming back end of March. We have the ferry on the 29th booked but I’m thinking if we go on Boxing Day Or the 27th via the tunnel we could be in a more pleasant weather area before the ferry has even left the uk.
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Frequent traveller mate
 
busby said:
Very pleasant normally but if confined to your cabin not much fun.
BUSBY.
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Not confined to your cabin now, very pleasant well organised socially distanced crossing.
The confinement was at the height of the panic/pandemic for emergency repatriation crossings.

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jongood said:
Both times we have tried to go on the Spanish ferry in the winter it has been cancelled due to bad weather so we now just go through the tunnel and enjoy the trip. Why does it have to be done in 24 hours? even in winter we will generally take a couple of days or more if we feel like it. I remember a lovely winter stop in the pyrennes , nice and warm in the mh but looking at the snow capped mountains above us.
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Calais to the South of Soain in a couple if days!!!!

1400 miles, even driving through France in a couple of days is no easy task.
 
Does anyone know if they are doing screening checks (e.g. Temperature checks) at UK departure ports and/or on arrival in Spain? Via ferry i mean, obviously not via the Chunnel.
 
After careful consideration we have decided to keep our original booking and use Brittany ferries to take us to Spain on the 29th December.
Just as well I had a look at our booking though as I had forgot to upload the new dimensions and reg number but that’s all done with no change in the price even though we are taller now.
club membership has been Reinstated as well. So if any of my friends wants a discount code just contact me 😁😁👍
 
Sorry but I am missing something? Being following this thread about BF to Spain in December /January.
On checking the BF time table I can’t find any going to Spain during those months.

Colyboy

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matamoros said:
Calais to the South of Soain in a couple if days!!!!

1400 miles, even driving through France in a couple of days is no easy task.
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Where did you get Southern Spain from? We were discussing the difference of driving through France compared to Santander ferry :giggle:

The other thing we missed of course is that depending where you are going in Spain makes a big difference.

Calais to Benicassim is about 1100 miles ( allowing for a bit of toll dodging)
Santander to Benicassim is about 450.

And if your crossing is cancelled due to bad weather, either you lose 2 days ( minimum) or you get dumped in St Malo or Caen and have to drive most of the way anyway.
 
jongood said:
Where did you get Southern Spain from? We were discussing the difference of driving through France compared to Santander ferry :giggle:

The other thing we missed of course is that depending where you are going in Spain makes a big difference.

Calais to Benicassim is about 1100 miles ( allowing for a bit of toll dodging)
Santander to Benicassim is about 450.

And if your crossing is cancelled due to bad weather, either you lose 2 days ( minimum) or you get dumped in St Malo or Caen and have to drive most of the way anyway.
Click to expand...

Did you miss this bit ...........'even driving through France in a couple of days is no easy task'
 
jongood said:
Both times we have tried to go on the Spanish ferry in the winter it has been cancelled due to bad weather so we now just go through the tunnel and enjoy the trip. Why does it have to be done in 24 hours? even in winter we will generally take a couple of days or more if we feel like it. I remember a lovely winter stop in the pyrennes , nice and warm in the mh but looking at the snow capped mountains above us.
Click to expand...
Thats OK if you are retired. If you are using your well earned holiday, by the time you get to spain its time to set off back:(
 
Yeah. France is a bloody big country 😜

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matamoros said:
Did you miss this bit ...........'even driving through France in a couple of days is no easy task'
Click to expand...
I disagree, love driving through France, can do it in a couple of days easy if I want to, but usually prefer to take a bit longer.

But I was responding to your post where you said, "Calais to South of Spain"
 

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