Calais/Dover: ferry virgin with some basic questions (1 Viewer)

[Ridgeway]

It's been a long long time since I used the ferry crossing at Dover, probably was in about 1983 from memory..... Since the tunnel was opened it was our crossing of choice however having just checked the prices it's chuffing expensive when we need to go back. So plan B is the ferry but i have some really basic questions:

1) do you need to leave the vehicle and you can't stay with it ?
2) what about woofers, assume they have to exit the vehicle as well ?
3) the crossing is quoted as 90mins but what about loading/off loading, does that take an age ?

I'd certainly be using the tunnel if i could but the price differences are €530 on the tunnel vs €270 on the ferry (DFDS) so i have to have some good reasons to explain to Mrs Ridgeway why we need to take the tunnel although saving €260 is a lot of money, i can usually justify the typical €80-100 higher price but i'm having a hard time with this difference.

 

[Lenny HB]

That sounds a lot never paid anything like that for the ferry.
You have to leave the vehicle and dogs will have to stay in the vehicle.
Crossing often quicker than the 90min, P&O Load & unload very quickly, DFDS use French crews and they can take ages.
We normally find P&O cheaper than DFDS.

 

[Ridgeway]

Thanks Lenny, good info for me that !

Will take a look at P&O but i guess it will be dearer as DFDS came up with the lowest price. It's probably mainly due to us booking so late (mercy mission back to a very sick MiL)

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[Figaro]

€530 on the tunnel vs €270 on the ferry (DFDS)

Both seem awful high prices to me, what are you driving ?

 

[Riverbankannie]

Dunkirk crossing can be cheaper especially late at night but longer crossing for doggies stuck in MH.

 

[Ridgeway]

Both seem awful high prices to me, what are you driving ?

7.3L x 3.2H x 2.3m wide ice cream van, me too never seen such prices, usually pay around €200 for the tunnel, some time even €150

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[Ridgeway]

Dunkirk crossing can be cheaper especially late at night but longer crossing for doggies stuck in MH.

Will take a look at that, how long is long ? Murphy may get lonely as Monty's passport is out by 5 days so he'll be on his own..... never good with a large terrier

 

[Riverbankannie]

From memory about half hour longer.

Edit: It says on DFDS website 90 mins from Calais and 2 hours from Dunkirk.

 

[fireblade2000uk]

I recently (June) did Dover/Calais on P&O and it was considerably cheaper through Caravan Club.

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[Figaro]

Peak demand I suppose !

 

[Ridgeway]

Dunkirk is coming in at €380....

As Figaro said, it's probably the busiest weekend going.

Ho hum, it's going to be expensive

 

[Riverbankannie]

All the grandparents going back for holiday childminding?

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[Ridgeway]

All the grandparents going back for holiday childminding?

Not quite, the children (us) are visiting the GM, but unfortunately the MacMillan nurse has advised us to come within the next few weeks, time is running out it seems 3rd similar trip we've made in 2yrs now (was my Mum last time).

Can't remember if i posted up the Dignitas story from my MiL ? will do so later, it always puts a smile on my face.

 

[busby]

It's been a long long time since I used the ferry crossing at Dover, probably was in about 1983 from memory..... Since the tunnel was opened it was our crossing of choice however having just checked the prices it's chuffing expensive when we need to go back. So plan B is the ferry but i have some really basic questions:

1) do you need to leave the vehicle and you can't stay with it ?
2) what about woofers, assume they have to exit the vehicle as well ?
3) the crossing is quoted as 90mins but what about loading/off loading, does that take an age ?

I'd certainly be using the tunnel if i could but the price differences are €530 on the tunnel vs €270 on the ferry (DFDS) so i have to have some good reasons to explain to Mrs Ridgeway why we need to take the tunnel although saving €260 is a lot of money, i can usually justify the typical €80-100 higher price but i'm having a hard time with this difference.

How much,,,I paid £72 a couple of weeks ago Calais Dover and thought that was a rip off,,BUSBY.

 

[Just smiffy]

When you go on the site for a second time make sure you clear your cookies otherwise they will know you’ve been on and the price will rise...

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[suavecarve]

Clearing the cookies as previously described is ALWAYS a good move. if you dont know what youre doing use another computer that you havent done that search on.

You can get 5 return crossings for £550 (might have gone up a tad) and you can get someone to share them with you on the tunnel. MOst excess they charge you for high season is £30 per journey.
Look at frequent traveller scheme and then seek a partner in a different thread if you only want 2 or 3 of the crossings.

Do a search on here for "frequent traveller"

 

[TerryL]

We always use the tunnel (Tesco vouchers) but I've just done some research for our September crossing and Eurotunnel prices have gone through the roof!

 

[Ridgeway]

I believe it's just high pricing, demand based. If anyone knows how to find cheaper prices then i'd be very happy to know. With fuel and tolls (inc Dartford) flying starts to become attractive

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[Techno]

Due to retirement we looked at many crossings and the cheapest by far are Tue Wed
Weekend will be up to £100 dearer on Hull Zebrugge for example

 

[Riverbankannie]

Not quite, the children (us) are visiting the GM, but unfortunately the MacMillan nurse has advised us to come within the next few weeks, time is running out it seems 3rd similar trip we've made in 2yrs now (was my Mum last time).

Can't remember if i posted up the Dignitas story from my MiL ? will do so later, it always puts a smile on my face.

Sorry, I know you are coming back for a specific and not very happy reason. I was just thinking why the demand so high at present, on the return journey.
Hope that all goes as well as it can for you.

 

[mfw]

It's been a long long time since I used the ferry crossing at Dover, probably was in about 1983 from memory..... Since the tunnel was opened it was our crossing of choice however having just checked the prices it's chuffing expensive when we need to go back. So plan B is the ferry but i have some really basic questions:

1) do you need to leave the vehicle and you can't stay with it ?
2) what about woofers, assume they have to exit the vehicle as well ?
3) the crossing is quoted as 90mins but what about loading/off loading, does that take an age ?

I'd certainly be using the tunnel if i could but the price differences are €530 on the tunnel vs €270 on the ferry (DFDS) so i have to have some good reasons to explain to Mrs Ridgeway why we need to take the tunnel although saving €260 is a lot of money, i can usually justify the typical €80-100 higher price but i'm having a hard time with this difference.

Find dfds game ( jacks european tour ) play it and check the offers if going from dover it will be worth your while

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