I have some friends coming over see me here on the continent and they are debating where to use the Tunnel or a Ferry – i would have thought that the tunnel would win every time so why use the ferry at all?
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Tunnel V Ferry
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Posted 4 months ago #
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I came across the Channel in the summer and used the ferry for a couple of reasons.
1. It was better signposted, sounds silly but after driving all day I didn't want to piss around looking for the unmarked train.
2. I rolled up, bought a ticket and got on the next available ferry.
3. Cost, internet playing put the train as significantly more expensive.
4. I like boats.Posted 4 months ago # -
Posted 4 months ago #
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Ferry can be cheaper.
Some people dont like the idea of going in a tunnel.
The big thing is a ferry is more relaxed, if you've been driving for a while its the best opportunity to relax and have something to eat/drinkTunnel for me though.
Posted 4 months ago # -
What's more important to them, Time or Money?
Posted 4 months ago # -
tunnel is much quicker traveling time, but have spent an age waiting at either end before, ah the joy of a glorified motorway service station.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Tunnel is often more expensive, but way faster.
If I'm not in a rush I use Norfolk line (Dover-Dunkirk) and it's very cheap, can be £20 ish each way if the times are right and you book online.
But generally use the tunnel otherwise.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I wouldn't say the Tunnel is way faster, it can be if it's not busy/being disrupted by French Trade Unions/operation stack in process or late at night when hourly crossing are in process.
On the other hand you can literally turn up drive on the ferry and it leave minutes later, tuck into breakfast and almost before you've turned your bike around you're docking in Calais, it all depends.
So yes if time is of the essence then the Tunnel can also work well, but it's never a given and it does tend to cost more, the experience is boring and there are no facilities to speak of on the train.
Having said all that I live locally the tunnel tips out barely a mile from my gaff so I do use it for work trips and in the winter when the weather can also screw the Ferry's and make your life hell on earth if like me you suffer from motion sickness.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Tunnel is DEFINITELY faster if you're one of the lucky folk trapped on a ferry 'cos it's too windy to get into Dover for about 8 hours.
On the plus side, you might get free sausage and chips.
Posted 4 months ago # -
It depends on timescale, money (as previous posters have suggested) and for me, time of year. In the summer I like the ferry, especially if out on a big cycling trip. It breaks up the journey and usually is good for some food. In the late autmn, winter, spring - no risks (have you ever been on a ferry where the majority of the people are puking) - train every time.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I'd never take the ferry. You can't trust the french not to strike.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Just booking the tunnel for the Mega, are there any deals about other than Tesco Clubcard. £106 currently the cheapest I can see.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I always go for the boat because its a bit more interesting. I do the Santander - Plymouth run though so its a bit longer on the boat and saves having to drive across France.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I always go for the boat because its a bit more interesting. I do the Santander - Plymouth run though so its a bit longer on the boat and saves having to drive across France.
At what cost though?Posted 4 months ago # -
Ferry is good if the timings coincide with mealtimes. Better than a quickly-grabbed coffee, sat in your car. I can see if you were driving a long way to Dover then a proper break would be good too.
Never had navigational issues with the train - it's very well signed from the autoroute and with the letter system they use it would be virtually impossible to get lost - you get stacked in lines (just like the ferry) and follow the car in front to the train.
Posted 4 months ago # -
we use the ferry if possible, purely as it lets the kids out of the car and gives them an hour or so to actually move about and not be stuck in their car seats.
given that we live 45 mins away from Dover the time issue isn't really that big of a deal
It also feels a bit nostalgic, as we used to go abroad quite often and had to use the ferry, so it reminds me of old holidays where the holiday started when you got in the car rather than when you got to your destination
Posted 4 months ago # -
Caher, where are they starting from in the UK ? North or South
I often travel from Hull->Rotterdam On the overnight crossing.
If you book the return journey to be Calais-> Dover the next day and just don't use that ticket it often costs around £55 for the Car and Nice cabin
Then on the way back, book a Norfolk line crossing from Dunkirk for £20 online.
Round trip cost is normally £75 ish, saves loads of driving time and fuel getting to dover from the North, and a night on the ferry is a good start to the trip too.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I very rarely choose the ferry over the tunnel.
Tunnel is sooooo much quicker, though as some folks have mentioned, it can be a good chance to stretch the legs & get something to eat.I live not much more than an hour on the other side though so have no need for a journey break.
Tooks the kids across on the ferry once last year though & they really enjoyed it (choice was made due to high tunnel price at that given moment)
Posted 4 months ago # -
Tunnel - cheaper and faster.
Book the cheapest ticket on the day of travel you want (usually 4 am), turn up late and just get on. Never had to wait longer than an hour.
Posted 4 months ago # -
£60 on ferry (car+driver) vs. £187 for the tunnel is what made me choose ferry. Sure it's an hour longer crossing time, but that's hardly a showstopper on a 9hr-10hr journey.
Heard bad things about the rearrangement of tunnel passport control / shop / checkin, although admittedly I haven't experienced it. Would rather my 1 hr wait be in a queue for ferry after checkin, than 1hour wait trying to turn off the autoroute to get thru UK immigration then checkin, etc. Probably only an issue in peak times.
edit: although if you collect tesco vouchers, then tunnel can be "cheaper" (although really you've been prepaying in tiny installments).
Posted 4 months ago # -
For me the ferry is always a lot cheaper £75 return vs £200 return and is a good oppurtunity to get a couple of hours kip either way. On an overnight post work friday blat to he alps it makes a big difference. More pleasant to get some air and walk around a bit too.
The one time I've been on the tunnel they were rigid on crossing times so we had to wait for our booked train both ways (1 hour plus each way) and while quicker it was definitely less relaxing.
Posted 4 months ago #
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