Thinking of Dover-Calais for first time?

[WESTY66]

Sorry if this has been beaten to death before, but I was thinking of doing Dover-Calais. This would be the first time on this route having done Hull-Zeebrugge and the odd Chunnel, all on the Harley. However the Hull-Zeebrugge is getting rather expensive (even for motorcycles) and the Chunnel, convenient it may be but it's still more expensive than Dover ferry. How is the Crossing, including the stacking up for embarkation, is it relatively straightforward? And of course the ease of use on the other side for the return leg. Has anyone got tips specifically for this crossing, Thanks.

 

[Howard H]

As you know westy66 we have booked the tunnel for Jan but looked at Dover ,there wasn’t much difference in price but the chance of a rough ableit short crossing chose the tunnel . In my limited experience of these two crossing the tunnel seems faster from loading ,travelling ,and departing the other side . You do know you can’t get them dish water John smiths abroad lol

 

[Nasher]

I normally use Dover for getting across the channel, but book Dunkirk as it's closer to my destination.

That said, I sometimes get offered an earlier Calais sailing than the one booked, it's a shorter crossing and as most of the vehicles are lorries, getting on board with a van or bike is usually a piece of cake.This applies at off peak times, it's a lot different during school holidays!

I have about 300 miles to get to Dover, so quite enjoy the chance for a rest & something to eat, as my next stop (other than for diesel) is usually Austria

 

[hilldweller]

How is the Crossing, including the stacking up for embarkation, is it relatively straightforward?.

Absolutely the easiest thing you'll ever do.

It's a bus station, turn up, get on bus, get off in France after a relaxing hour or so.

 

[Madcaravanner]

Ferry versus Tunnel

Ferry Cheaper can be up to £100 cheaper though pick your time the tunnel can work out cost effective
Tunnel faster crossing is 35mins as opposed to 2.5 hours queuing can be the same on either

the crossing is where they differ
the Tunnel you stay in your vehicle and relax in comfort
the Ferry you leave and have to relax between pay out for expensive stuff and drinks
The Ferry also has the possible problems of weather and sea turbulence - I have known ferries not to be able to dock for a while waiting for calmer sea states to enter port


you leave either and are straight on the the Autoroute system though the tunnel is nearer the faster parts of the system and the free aire at the Cite de Europe

We use both though do tend to use the tunnel when we have Tesco points to reduce the cost - last year we had a 2 vehicle crossing for £10 due to them

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[WESTY66]

As you know westy66 we have booked the tunnel for Jan but looked at Dover ,there wasn’t much difference in price but the chance of a rough ableit short crossing chose the tunnel . In my limited experience of these two crossing the tunnel seems faster from loading ,travelling ,and departing the other side . You do know you can’t get them dish water John smiths abroad lol

Have you forgot?? you're b****y well coming with us

 

[WESTY66]

as my next stop (other than for diesel) is usually Austria

That's where I usually end up

 

[TerryL]

Having done most of the Channel crossings in my time as a coach driver, the easiest is probably Eurotunnel. However the Dover-Calais ferries are pretty much a doddle too as long as you remember which crossing you are using so you are in the correct lane. The ships are now all modern and rarely have "comfort" problems but if there are easterly gales blowing they sometimes have difficulties actually docking in Dover - Calais doesn't seem quite as bad. The only problems I've ever encountered using Eurotunnel involved broken down trains, which of course brings the whole lot to a halt whereas a broken ship doesn't!

When I took coaches across we used to prefer ferries because we could get a proper break and the pax could have plenty of time to eat etc. However now, using the van, we much prefer Eurotunnel as there is hardly any holdups, it's a much quicker crossing and, of course, we stay with the dog in the van. Mind I have known folk to get claustrophobic, not a problem for us. Eurotunnel is more expensive than the ferries but we offset that with Tesco vouchers which you (currently) can't do with the ferry companies.

We've tried Dunkirk with DFDS but never again, although we may just have been a bit unlucky and it had no benefit as regards travel distance etc.

 

[WESTY66]

Ferry versus Tunnel

Ferry Cheaper can be up to £100 cheaper though pick your time the tunnel can work out cost effective
Tunnel faster crossing is 35mins as opposed to 2.5 hours queuing can be the same on either

the crossing is where they differ
the Tunnel you stay in your vehicle and relax in comfort
the Ferry you leave and have to relax between pay out for expensive stuff and drinks
The Ferry also has the possible problems of weather and sea turbulence - I have known ferries not to be able to dock for a while waiting for calmer sea states to enter port


you leave either and are straight on the the Autoroute system though the tunnel is nearer the faster parts of the system and the free aire at the Cite de Europe

We use both though do tend to use the tunnel when we have Tesco points to reduce the cost - last year we had a 2 vehicle crossing for £10 due to them

The ferry is A LOT cheaper when towing a trailer, which I will be doing in September when I'm carting the Harley to Faakersee Austria. I was looking at doing a June crossing with the MoHo only using it as a recce for Sept.

 

[gus-lopez]

I always use Dunkirk-Dover with dfds.Ideal ,especially Dunkirk side.

**To the OP ,don't forget you will have to pay the 'Dart charge? for using the Dartford crossing ?**

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[Nasher]

We've tried Dunkirk with DFDS but never again, although we may just have been a bit unlucky and it had no benefit as regards travel distance etc.

Depends where you are heading, but there's not much difference in time, proably saves about 30 miles for my journey. But one good thing, for me, is that on the way back, if I'm early, there is a quiet place to kip whilst waiting for the ferry

 

[pandas]

Newhaven/Dieppe, no hassle.

 

[TerryL]

Depends where you are heading, but there's not much difference in time, proably saves about 30 miles for my journey. But one good thing, for me, is that on the way back, if I'm early, there is a quiet place to kip whilst waiting for the ferry

We now tend to use Citie Europe, outbound get an evening crossing then rest up; inbound an early crossing after a kip at Citie Europe. Suits us as we need a full day just to get to/from Folkestone! If we're eastbound (Belgium, Germany etc.) we use Gravelines, only 20/25 mins from Calais.

 

[rosalan]

Dover Calais is a well oiled machine. Still carries huge numbers of vehicles.
I prefer the chunnel but bank prefers ferry. Often we feel pressed for time but this year we took four months touring and treated the ferry as a lazy cruise. N.B. If you enjoy comfort and relaxing, try the upgraded crossing with P & O. I can truly say that I was not ready to get off, it costs about £12 each for which you get a newspaper, shower, unlimited beverages, free WiFi, your own exclusive deck, no school parties racing around and much more.

 

[PhilG]

Always do Dover Dunkirk with DFDS .. longer crossing, but cheaper. And no need to go anywhere near Calais, and if you are going that way on , you are half an hour nearer to wherever you are going , and half an hour nearer on the way back.

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[mfw]

Newhaven/Dieppe, no hassle.

Probably because it is close to home same for me if prices are reasonable but peak times it is expensive even with 20%

 

[Ivory55]

The one down side for new haven for me is it’s just one ferry. If they have a problem there is no backup only drive to Dover or Calais depends what side of the channel you are. Apart from that a nice quiet port both sides and very easy.

 

[Zains Pops]

Always use P.O. Dover Calais we just like the trip. Time for a bit of a walk about, something to eat and then your off.
Easy trip.

 

[Wendo55]

Eurotunnel is more expensive than the ferries but we offset that with Tesco vouchers which you (currently) can't do with the ferry companies.

I've used Tesco vouchers on both DFDS and P&O, although the latter had only just started taking them and it confused the system at check-in, (June 2018).

 

[teknik155]

I always pick 02.00 Dover Dunkirk you clear Dartford toll after 22.00 when it's free and you can get cash back off Quidco with DFDS. My return crossing for a 7mtr van cost me £63. Also you can grab a few hrs kip at the Dunkirk terminal n the way out if you are going central Europe or you can stop at Citie D'europe if you are heading south.
If you clear Dartford just after 2200 then you will get to Dover early enough to get put on the earlier boat.

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[WESTY66]

I always pick 02.00 Dover Dunkirk you clear Dartford toll after 22.00 when it's free and you can get cash back off Quidco with DFDS. My return crossing for a 7mtr van cost me £63. Also you can grab a few hrs kip at the Dunkirk terminal n the way out if you are going central Europe or you can stop at Citie D'europe if you are heading south.
If you clear Dartford just after 2200 then you will get to Dover early enough to get put on the earlier boat.

£63 I can’t even get one way for that in June, at 0200 it’s £98 each way. Good info on the dart crossing though.

 

[Puddleduck]

Always do Dover Dunkirk with DFDS .. longer crossing, but cheaper. And no need to go anywhere near Calais, and if you are going that way on , you are half an hour nearer to wherever you are going , and half an hour nearer on the way back.

We booked Dover-Dunkirk but got offered an earlier Dover-Calais which we took. We had a small bag packed with drinks and ebooks so no rip off stuff bought on board Coming back we did Calais-Dover as it was booked last minute. Again we were put on an earlier ferry.

I would use the tunnel if the prices were close enough.

Next year might do Newcastle-Amsterdam though.

 

[PhilG]

We booked Dover-Dunkirk but got offered an earlier Dover-Calais which we took. We had a small bag packed with drinks and ebooks so no rip off stuff bought on board Coming back we did Calais-Dover as it was booked last minute. Again we were put on an earlier ferry.

I would use the tunnel if the prices were close enough.

Next year might do Newcastle-Amsterdam though.

We have a 4 hour run to Dover, and book either the 10pm 12pm boat , we have made the 10 pm enough times to make it worth the rush, and when we have missed it by minutes (twice in the last 3 crossings) we got offered the Calais 11pm, which we took once, and left once. We always get the boat and stop in the docks in Dunkirk, i dont get the point of trying to find a place to stop in Dover , so you can wait till the morning to get a dearer boat. Usual thing is to eat on the boat , have a nap for an hour, drive for 5 mins , and sleep, if you hit the 10pm, thats 1am french time, you can sleep till 8 ish and be on the road and gone, whereas if you are on the 6AM boat you need to be up at 5am , and wont land till 9, and it you get the 8, you are going to be looking at 12 before you are proper on the road, and thats half the day gone.

From where we are , there is no point in an overnight boat, the cost kills it stone dead.

 

[Nasher]

I have about 270 miles to Dover (about 4 1/2 hours) I normally book the 22:00 to Dunkirk

Most times I get on the 20:00 but if M25 not too bad so I get to Dover really early, I get offered an earlier Calais crossing

I'm not one for stopping, so normally straight off boat and drive! Apart from a compulsory stop for fuel in Germany (& a coffee at the same time) I usually arrive for lunch in Zell am See

 

[teknik155]

I get the DFDS emails giving me special offers and with using Quidco getting 7% off te price and with DFDS giving you nectar points it all adds up. Also keep checking their special offer page as I got £10 off high side vehicle rate each way.Just checking the DFDS website 10 mins ago the 02.00 crossing to Calais was £57 and the Dunkirk was £49. The longer Dunkirk crossing gives me 2hrs sleep on a virtually empty boat and no screaming kids and plenty of space to crash out with a couple of pillows from the van

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[Janiemou]

Always used Dover Dunkirk, especially when it was Norfolk Lines, but the standards have dropped and the prices risen. Added to that, they often say they are fully booked, even in low season. When we do get a ferry, it's rarely anywhere near full and we can't understand what's going on. Do agencies reserve blocks of places in advance and then not sell them all? It's all we can think of ...

 

[denisejoe]

I've used Tesco vouchers on both DFDS and P&O, although the latter had only just started taking them and it confused the system at check-in, (June 2018).

According to the website it’s only cars motorcycles and motorcycle combinations

 

[Crazylegs]

For £20 extra you can buy flexi ticket with DFDS that allows you to roll into the terminal any time within a 72 hour window and get on the next ferry. No stress when delayed in traffic, no overnighting in noisy port towns just cross the Chanel when it suits.

 

[mitzimad]

Ferry versus Tunnel

Ferry Cheaper can be up to £100 cheaper though pick your time the tunnel can work out cost effective
Tunnel faster crossing is 35mins as opposed to 2.5 hours queuing can be the same on either

the crossing is where they differ
the Tunnel you stay in your vehicle and relax in comfort
the Ferry you leave and have to relax between pay out for expensive stuff and drinks
The Ferry also has the possible problems of weather and sea turbulence - I have known ferries not to be able to dock for a while waiting for calmer sea states to enter port


you leave either and are straight on the the Autoroute system though the tunnel is nearer the faster parts of the system and the free aire at the Cite de Europe

We use both though do tend to use the tunnel when we have Tesco points to reduce the cost - last year we had a 2 vehicle crossing for £10 due to them

ferry is not 2.5 hours weve done it in little over an hour

 

[EX51SSS]

you hit the 10pm, thats 1am french time, you can sleep till

Where are you travelling from. British time is only 1 hour difference not 3

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