Ferry to France. (1 Viewer)

Nov 6, 2008
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Allo, Allo,

We are going to France and down to Spain soon, and haven't been to France in many a year. May I ask, which ferry route do you prefer? And avoiding French toll roads, which route down to SW France/Spanish border?
The chunnel is out as I am LPG powered. Many Thanks in anticipation.

Craig
 
Apr 13, 2012
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Newhaven Dieppe(y)
20% discount for over 60s - if booked by phone

Prefer Portsmouth to Bilbao though(y)
 
Sep 12, 2012
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We always use Plymouth to Roscoff, but we are in SW!

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Nov 6, 2013
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We use Newhaven/Dieppe but, then, we only live 30 mins from Newhaven :rolleyes: As B.B. says 20% discount for over 60s if booked by phone.
 

Mike Kiff

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Feb 20, 2016
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Would you like a discount code for Brittany Ferries

Mike

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mikebeaches

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If you really prefer to drive through France, rather than catch the ferry direct to northern Spain, then Portsmouth to St Malo will give you the shortest drive to the Spanish border. And plenty of opportunity to avoid tolls, but still use fast roads.

However, it is probably the most expensive Channel route, although not by a lot compared to say going to Caen. All Brittany Ferries, on the western routes and direct to Spain.
 
Aug 5, 2018
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/\ this.
Cheaper, especially at night and gets you well away from the Calais Caravan chaos too.
Don't expect any frills though, it's more designed for the trucking fraternity.
 

scousebird

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Apr 18, 2012
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Dover, especially as it's 15 minutes from home :LOL:

As for a route - Calais (Calais to Abbeville on the D901), Rouen, Chartres, Orleans, Clermont Ferrand, Beziers, Perpignan. I think you would only pay for the Millau bridge and the coast route from Beziers to the Spanish border (been a few years since we've been south of Millau on that route someone else may be able to advise on any charges).
 

Hollyberry

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Newhaven to Dieppe. Dieppe is easy to get out of with an Aire 100 metres from the port gates if you don't want to drive away immediately.
I used to be able to drive home to the Dordogne area using just one short stretch of toll road. Think this can be avoided though.
Second choice would be Portsmouth to Le Havre but I found getting in and out of Le Havre can be a bit tedious.

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jollyrodger

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Ferry port on my doorstep, Plymouth-Roscoff .
France very expensive last year fuel wise.
So steady plod on down to Benicassim avoiding the afternoon rush,then through the night/next day.
Coffee stops and breaks along the way
Angliers (aire with free ehu if a space)
Cut down to pick up N10
Couhe-Cavignac-Oloron san Marie- through the Sompot tunnel-Sabinanigo-Tortosa-Benicassim.
Due to circumstances was playing catch up last year
All non toll.
IMG_20190313_073303_739.JPG


All stop coordinates in CamperContacts
 
Last edited:
Jul 29, 2007
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Living in Suffolk Dover is our closest port and DFDS is usually cheaper than P&O
 

138go

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We do Dover to Calais. We stay at the Canterbury Aire the night before. We make our drive through France as part of our holiday. We use the free, quiet, French Aires for our stop overs.

It’s fairly easy to get through France without using the toll roads, although we do use one or two if it seems sensible. We head for the Somport tunnel and the Aire in Jaca in Spain.

Mrs QFour

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Aug 26, 2008
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If you really prefer to drive through France, rather than catch the ferry direct to northern Spain, then Portsmouth to St Malo will give you the shortest drive to the Spanish border. And plenty of opportunity to avoid tolls, but still use fast roads.

However, it is probably the most expensive Channel route, although not by a lot compared to say going to Caen. All Brittany Ferries, on the western routes and direct to Spain.

I prefer Caen / Ouistreham because the ring road at Rennes (I haven't found an alternative toll-free route from St Malo) is so stressful in places.

Having said that the BF prices are getting ridiculously steep and I hate their "flexible pricing" algorythm. I might try Newhaven - Dieppe which I last used over 20 years ago.
 

mikebeaches

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I prefer Caen / Ouistreham because the ring road at Rennes (I haven't found an alternative toll-free route from St Malo) is so stressful in places.

Having said that the BF prices are getting ridiculously steep and I hate their "flexible pricing" algorythm. I might try Newhaven - Dieppe which I last used over 20 years ago.
Brittany Ferries used to require just a £40 non-refundable deposit on booking. As of last year that went up to 25% of the total fare. So on a return to Spain it could be as much as £250 if decent on-board accommodation is required. And it's a big sum to lose if plans change in say nine months time (or even further ahead). Consequently, we haven't bothered to book for next year at the moment.
 

Khizzie

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Jul 26, 2014
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As a member of brittany ferries frequent traveller scheme I find it very cost effective. I travel at least four times a year.. My car costs on average £189 return and the moho. £275 return using my membership which gives me 30%discount. On fares and 10%off food and à free cabin most times..

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