Caen or Calais ferry?

[helenwheels]

Hi, free member here who would be grateful for advice if possible!
Travelling back to Scotland from France at the end of June. Came over on Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry & planning to go home across the Channel. Almost entirely ruled out the Eurotunnel due to size of vehicle (7.6m motorhome) and cost. Debating Caen to Portsmouth versus Calais to Dover. Can see pros and cons of both - cost, crossing time, busyness on either side - so just looking for any advice/personal recommendations. We have a toddler so timings are a factor and obviously want to avoid sitting in traffic jams if possible!?
Grateful for any assistance and advice, thank you!

 

[chaser]

Hi, free member here who would be grateful for advice if possible!
Travelling back to Scotland from France at the end of June. Came over on Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry & planning to go home across the Channel. Almost entirely ruled out the Eurotunnel due to size of vehicle (7.6m motorhome) and cost. Debating Caen to Portsmouth versus Calais to Dover. Can see pros and cons of both - cost, crossing time, busyness on either side - so just looking for any advice/personal recommendations. We have a toddler so timings are a factor and obviously want to avoid sitting in traffic jams if possible!?
Grateful for any assistance and advice, thank you!

Size of motorhome makes no difference on the tunnel, it's still a campervan in their eyes, one price for all.

 

[VXman]

I'd say Portsmouth would be preferable. dover means navigating the M25 and the Dartford crossing. Most of the time a nightmare. Portsmouth is quite a decent drive up to the Midlands on the A34.

In addition the miles are slightly less and less miles on the French side too. If course you need to weigh up the additional cost of the crossing to Caen over Calais. You can get a Irish ferries crossing from calais for around £120.

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

If you are over 60 think about Dieppe to Newhaven 20% discount. It’s a four hour crossing but very quiet ships with free Wi-Fi and layback seats. Saves 200 mile drive via Calais. No queues. We use it all the time. Easy access to the motorway for the trip north. Of course it will depend on the behaviour and patience of your toddler But quicker than Caen I think.

 

[Vennwood]

Totally agree with OldAgeTravellers - least fuss and if over 60 you get the 20% discount (must be booked from Dieppe though to qualify)

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[Riverbankannie]

Depends as well on your starting point in France. Caen is a little out of the way unless coming from up west coast. The ferry is a longer crossing to endure with a toddler but on the flip side there is less chance of traffic delays from Portsmouth. Even though we live in west of England at Bristol, we still prefer the tunnel than that Portsmouth Caen crossing as overall it is a longer day travelling.
With the tunnel there are more opportunities to get an earlier one or later if delayed. With the ferry, you really only get the one shot at it so have to turn up early to make sure of getting there in time.

 

[ceejayt]

Don’t worry about the tunnel. My 9m motorhome fits a treat and we find it the least stressful crossing especially as my better half gets sea sick at the sight of a cup of water

 

[Stroppy Bird]

Having checked the Tunnel prices it's £152 for any of the 4 crossings between 8am and 10am on 29th June.

This would be my preference, leaving at a sensible time in France and with the hour difference arriving at a sensible time in the UK to get a good bit of the drive to Scotland done the next day.

As Riverbankannie says, the tunnel is quite flexible with regard to which crossing you're actually able to get on.

 

[dash300]

Re. Portsmouth I seem to remember there is a Low Emmision Zone charge which I believe incorporates the route to/from the Ferry port.

 

[suavecarve]

I live 30 mins from Pompey and wouldn't entertain the ferry from there.
90 mins to tunnel 30 mins crossing maybe 4 hours other side to get to equivalent place. Ease of turning up and getting on. And for a return journey by shopping around probably 300 pound plus saving.

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[Zigisla]

Re. Portsmouth I seem to remember there is a Low Emmision Zone charge which I believe incorporates the route to/from the Ferry port.

Pompey ferry terminal is not in lez

 

[tribalbrit]

Tunnel every time. Easy, quick, efficient . Size doesn't matter. Ferry's are nearly as bad as airports IMO.

 

[Zigisla]

I live 30 mins from Pompey and wouldn't entertain the ferry from there.
90 mins to tunnel 30 mins crossing maybe 4 hours other side to get to equivalent place. Ease of turning up and getting on. And for a return journey by shopping around probably 300 pound plus saving.

To black cat you here. We only live 10 - 15 mins from Pompey ferry terminal and only use tunnel as well and it’s 2 1/2 hours having to pass by ferry port. Why, ease of booking / turning up early and getting on / price; I have just booked our September trip and it was £350, with the ferries at £650 and £575. Most importantly though it is the crossing time and staying with the dogs.

 

[gus-lopez]

Go Dunkirk to Dover.

 

[Suenliam]

Where you stay in Scotland may have a bearing. We are south west and have done both Dover and Portsmouth crossings and tunnel. Portsmouth wins every time. No going around the M25 or going cross country to get to Newhaven. Now we have time we usually stop at Oxford on the way down but return without an overnight. We travel to western France so it also means we are closer to our destination area. It also takes away that rather boring trip across northern France. With fuel costs now, the ferry prices don't seem to be so bad.
Sue

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[suavecarve]

To black cat you here. We only live 10 - 15 mins from Pompey ferry terminal and only use tunnel as well and it’s 2 1/2 hours having to pass by ferry port. Why, ease of booking / turning up early and getting on / price; I have just booked our September trip and it was £350, with the ferries at £650 and £575. Most importantly though it is the crossing time and staying with the dogs.

£350 !!!!
I only have one frequent traveller journey left. £140 return average.
Not looking forward to having to pay proper money

 

[Jenben]

We like the ferry from Portsmouth , it’s a nice journey to the port from our home compared to getting to the Tunnel and we don’t mind driving more of our Motorhome miles in France as the roads are so much more pleasant.

 

[WillH]

We live in Scotland and have used the tunnel for many years, easier and more convenient than ferries. Heading off on Sunday for the 500 mile trek south using Dartford crossing for a change.

 

[bobnick]

I thought for a nano second about a ferry then booked the tunnel.

 

[jongood]

We've been frequent tunnel travellers for quite a while but now run out, paid full whack £180 last time but this time tried the ferry Dfds Dover Calais, and it was glacial. I reclon the whole thing took about 3 times as long. Back to the tunnel for us.

Careful with Caen, night crossing is too short to sleep and day crossings are odd times and Ouistreham is a long way out of Caen with regular reports of clingons.

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[Jackd]

We've been frequent tunnel travellers for quite a while but now run out, paid full whack £180 last time but this time tried the ferry Dfds Dover Calais, and it was glacial. I reclon the whole thing took about 3 times as long. Back to the tunnel for us.

Careful with Caen, night crossing is too short to sleep and day crossings are odd times and Ouistreham is a long way out of Caen with regular reports of clingons.

Thanks for that. Ouistreham is our port next Saturday.
Will maintain a steady 70mph. Any clingons will have very long arms!

 

[helenwheels]

Thank you all so much. This is all so helpful and still much to think about. I think I'll phone and get a price for the Tunnel (the website doesn't recognise our vehicle for some reason) and take it from there. Currently near Bergerac so Caen was appealing for ease of avoiding any potential issues near Paris or Calais. Will keep researching and thinking, thank you all again!