Ferry or channel Tunnel

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Tcodd

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Hi All
We hope to be going over to France and Spain for couple months in September.In new M/h.I am sure this has been asked many times before.But here goes.
We live in Devon.
Is it best to book ferry months in advance.
What's the best and cheapest
Way to book.
Is it best to book a return journey.
Or is the Tunnel the best bet.
Do you need to book tunnel months in advance.
Thanks for all help Tim and Michelle.
 
The Tunnel is very easy & pleasant don't need to book in advance but the price does go up a bit a couple of weeks before the crossing.
We use the Tunnel if going East but depends on price last year prices went silly on the Tunnel twice the price of the ferry.
As we live near Brighton we use the Newhaven/Dieppe ferry a lot as it saves us nearly 400 miles on a round trip if going down the west side or central France. Also a 20% discount if you are over 60, need to book by phone to get the discount.
 
Tcodd said:
Hi All
We hope to be going over to France and Spain for couple months in September.In new M/h.I am sure this has been asked many times before.But here goes.
We live in Devon.
Is it best to book ferry months in advance.
What's the best and cheapest
Way to book.
Is it best to book a return journey.
Or is the Tunnel the best bet.
Do you need to book tunnel months in advance.
Thanks for all help Tim and Michelle.
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When we travelled to Spain on our motorcycles we did Plymouth / Santander…..living in Somerset it made Spain only 110 Road miles away. ;)

However, that route is now very expensive, even if you book early and get a discount code from one of the fine members on here.

Being in Devon, if not in a rush to go south, I’d be tempted to travel Portsmouth to one of the French ports. Again ask on here and I’m sure you’ll get a discount code. It saved us over £40 on a return trip. (y)

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Assuming no other constraints then we love going on ferries. Part of the journey but everyone has different needs.
 
Does seem a lot of fuel and time to travel up from Devon for the tunnel unless you don’t like ferry.
 
Forgot to mention we have two dogs.Can they stay in m/h on ferry.
 
Tunnel every time with dogs. They stay in the vehicle with you for the journey, which takes about 30 minutes. Wouldn’t like to leave our dog alone in the van on a ferry, although I know some do.
 
Lenny HB said:
We use the Tunnel if going East but depends on price last year prices went silly on the Tunnel twice the price of the ferry.
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We booked the tunnel yesterday for our September trip.
Total cost going at the very cheapest crossings we could find around our date was £243.00.
We had £20 of Tesco vouchers so we paid £183.
Still wouldn't be bothered with all the fuss of a ferry even at half price.

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That could be a major factor, you need to look at the dog options on each route. From a dogs point of view tunnel is best since they stay with you all the time. On short sea routes they stay on their ow in the vehicle which could be traumatic for some dogs, on longer routes they travel in onboard kennels of which I have no knowledge. On some Brittany Ferries routes there may be a limited range of pet friendly cabins, but I think these are booked up long in advance
 
Stealaway said:
Still wouldn't be bothered with all the fuss of a ferry even at half price.
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Not sure about fuss, what is hard in driving on, walking upstairs for a cuppa, walking downstairs back to moho then driving off ?? :unsure: We treat is as part of the adventure and when half the price even better. Though, must admit the prices at the moment are very similar. :giggle:
 
Lenny HB said:
The Tunnel is very easy & pleasant don't need to book in advance but the price does go up a bit a couple of weeks before the crossing.
We use the Tunnel if going East but depends on price last year prices went silly on the Tunnel twice the price of the ferry.
As we live near Brighton we use the Newhaven/Dieppe ferry a lot as it saves us nearly 400 miles on a round trip if going down the west side or central France. Also a 20% discount if you are over 60, need to book by phone to get the discount.
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Lousy Road though from Devon to Folkstone BUSBY.
 
Just researching the DFDS Newhaven to Dieppe crossing & wondered if anyone who'd been on it had had a Hydrolift scooter trailer attached? Is the Hydrolift classed as a separate trailer by DFDS? as our overall length including this falls within the 10m motorhome length? It's not clear on their website
 
Ref booking a return..
Check your travel insurance as some list in the terms and conditions if a return must be booked...

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The tunnel is great if you don't have to effectively drive away from France to get to it as we do from Southampton. Barnstable is 257 miles and about 5/6 hours from Folkestone. Coquelles to Alencon, which is about as far down France as is Roscoff, is 228 miles and about 3.5/4.5 hrs. That's about £100 of diesel .. I value my time at about £20 an hour for this sort of calculation so that's another (virtual) £190ish. The tunnel's going to be about £250 in September, that's via the C&C Club site, and the ferry Plymouth - Roscoff about £480, using my 6.2m Boxer/Autocruise with 2 on board as the 'test' vehicle.

So in terms of real cash, to get you to the 'Roscoff/Alencon Line' is £350 ish via the tunnel, £490 ish via the ferry, but you get a day back.

NB - Ferry is overnight out and day crossing back, and I couldn't book after 6th November.

Hope that helps ..
 
The tunnel every time with dogs, without them we like Newhaven Dieppe, only 15mins away and give an olde fartes discount.
 
Tcodd said:
Forgot to mention we have two dogs.Can they stay in m/h on ferry.
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Only dover to calais or Dunkirk. Santander either a pet cabin that needs to be booked the day they come out or deck kennels.
busby said:
Lousy Road though from Devon to Folkstone BUSBY.
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M5, A 303,m3, m25,m26, m2/A2, Canterbury Park and ride overnight ,20mins to boat in morning.
Or sub A303,M3 for M4.
 
Tunnel every time, especially with the dog although he's quite happy to be left for up to 4 hours. But main reason is that Bren hates sea crossings and will only do them if there is no other way e.g. Morocco.
Living in the NE it's a bit easier for us to go to Folkestone and anyway we usually call in to Mum's half way down, stay a night then get a late afternoon train and park up on t'other side.
We also use Tesco vouchers which means we "pay" only a small amount, just for the dog (stupid "animal tax" which has to be paid in full).

That said, when I was a coachie we preferred the ferry as it gave us an opportunity for a proper rest and a meal, which isn't possible on the tunnel, and overall was better for the passengers (especially 40-odd kids!)

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Luckily, time is rarely an issue for us. We don’t have a dog either, so we can be as flexible as we like. (y)
 
Sapper520 said:
Luckily, time is rarely an issue for us. We don’t have a dog either, so we can be as flexible as we like. (y)
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So. Rough sea take the tunnel. Sunny blue skies ferry it is then. Just check price then decide. Obviously night crossings on either u obtain a reduction.
 
Tcodd said:
Forgot to mention we have two dogs.Can they stay in m/h on ferry.
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They must remain in the vehicle on the N'n -Dieppe route as there are no dog-friendly cabins or kennels.

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I just came over on the tunnel today, which is my first time, it was quick and easy, i booked two weeks in advance £202 one way one person. I booked for a 12:50 crossing but got there a bit early so actually left at 10:45. The funny bit was the ex Gurkha security guy, who opened my already closed gas taps whilst checking if they were closed, I did point that out and he closed them again with a smile. Currently parked up at the aire in Nouvion, unfortunately, being Sunday Carrefour's and the bar next door to the aire are closed so I'll have to make do with a sandwich made from the bacon i smuggled in :giggle:
 
Lenny HB said:
What's wrong with, M5, M4, M25, M20 Motorway all the way.
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Hate motorways,If I lived in Devon I would use Plymouth,,Mind you I live in Derbyshire and will be using Plymouth in March.. 200 miles minimum for us to southern ferry ports..BUSBY.
 
Trevor Wbm said:
The tunnel is great if you don't have to effectively drive away from France to get to it as we do from Southampton. Barnstable is 257 miles and about 5/6 hours from Folkestone. Coquelles to Alencon, which is about as far down France as is Roscoff, is 228 miles and about 3.5/4.5 hrs. That's about £100 of diesel .. I value my time at about £20 an hour for this sort of calculation so that's another (virtual) £190ish. The tunnel's going to be about £250 in September, that's via the C&C Club site, and the ferry Plymouth - Roscoff about £480, using my 6.2m Boxer/Autocruise with 2 on board as the 'test' vehicle.

So in terms of real cash, to get you to the 'Roscoff/Alencon Line' is £350 ish via the tunnel, £490 ish via the ferry, but you get a day back.

NB - Ferry is overnight out and day crossing back, and I couldn't book after 6th November.

Hope that helps ..
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Not a criticism but there is a day sailing from Plymouth on a Friday in the Summer? months, including September.
 
Emmit said:
Not a criticism but there is a day sailing from Plymouth on a Friday in the Summer? months, including September.
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Understood, I just picked 1st Sept to 30th November to get some realistic numbers.
 
Trevor Wbm said:
Understood, I just picked 1st Sept to 30th November to get some realistic numbers.
Click to expand...
And I only quoted September in isolation because the OP said he had thoughts on that month.
No drama(y)

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