[Closed] Ferry or Chunnel?

We never booked either the ferry or the tunnel before on-line booking and never failed to get on within a few hours. They have a queue for us disorganised types and you get put in it. There is then lots of radio communication and they invariably find a place. In the early days of Net booking we found you could book the cheapest five in the morning crossing and they'd let you on more convenient trains without a surcharge. Sadly they now demand a surcharge when you turn up early or late. The tunnel has been the cheapest recently.

Thanks for that, I've just had a look at prices for July and tunnel comes out much more expensive than the ferry.

And the ferry is a much more pleasant experience. The tunnel is grim; filthy toilets and nowhere to stretch your legs.

Ferry from Dunkirk is usually cheaper as well I have found.

Dunkirque is the cheapest crossing (i got £28 return once!) but 2 hours.

Chunnel is expensive, but quick. Worth it when you've driven all day from the alps and still have a fair way to go in the UK.

The ferry must be cheap, I paid 70 euros for each leg for the Chunnel, going in July, returning August.

And Don Simon, if you are heading thru Northern Spain and fancy a stop-off round Bilbao, let me know.

Funnny but I'v never found the toilet on the train to be awash with vomit. You can walk up and down the train, to the toilets maybe.

I agree the ferry is a pleasant way to start a holiday but when you've done it too many times and spent a night going around in circles off Dover because it was too rough to enter the port, the reliability of the tunnel appeals. The price depends a lot on the vehicle and the tunnel often does us a better high-vehicle price.

Second the tunnel for vans and bigger vehicles, works out cheaper. Plenty of space to walk around. Had a game of f**tball behind the van before, aerobie not so good.

Fairly good for just turn up and get on. Although we have booked, they have been quite happy for us to to jump on wherever there is space and not been charged extra for it, even when buying cheapest ticket and taking a more expensive slot.

And Don Simon, if you are heading thru Northern Spain and fancy a stop-off round Bilbao, let me know.

Nah, use the Cherry or Funnel

Tunnel every time
Easy on from a motorway slip road and easy off the same at the other side and loads quicker

I've done both ferry and tunnel loads of times [50+] never had more than an hour's delay on the tunnel but had all sorts of issues with the ferry, everything from striking fishermen to deciding to turn around and go back because there isn't a berth for it.

Tunnel is free if you use Tesco club card vouchers as I go over at least 3/4 times a year it is a considerable saving!

Tunnel is free if you use Tesco club card vouchers as I go over at least 3/4 times a year it is a considerable saving!

Stop shopping in Waitrose then!

😯

That could be a possibility. Do you know of any good/reasonable campsites in the area?
I'm going to take my time and make a bit of a holiday of it.

El Faro in Hondaribbia on the French border. - good riding out the door.

Zarautz - Again good riding too.

My back garden - ok riding but free.

I see Le Tour is going through Pau on the 15th, i wonder if that can be conbined.
Anyone got any experience of a Tour stage, would I need to arrive and mark my spot the night before?
Cheers Mackem, I'll check those out.

I much prefer the tunnel, the ferry stunk of cig smoke and was generally really tatty, at least I can sit in my car mistening to my own music while relaxing on the tunnel. Considerable shorter journey time too (especially when the last time I was on the ferry it was stuck waiting to dock off shore for 45 mins!)

If going by ferry SeaFrance> P&O, unless the new P&O ferry is something special. P&O food is barely edible and the whole ship looked worn out the last time I was on one, SF on the other hand have always been quite nice (especially the bigger 2 ships)

Ferry is nicer if you're just doing a booze cruise to Calais, but tunnel is cheaper (on tesco) and much quicker, which does matter on a 16-hour journey with a 3 year old in the back. Not that I'm dreading our summer holiday, oh no...

I would choose the tunnel everytime as it is so much easier & quicker. Also if you arrive early there are crossings every 30 mins, so you can usually jump on the next one.

Saying that the best way to travel to France is on Brittany Ferries with a first class cabin, loads of room, drop down beds & TV, amazing shower, fruit basket & meal in cabin and a selection of drinks in the fridge. Plus if it gets really rough your own private loo is a real bonus. It is worth planning your route via Brittany just for that.

Anyone got any experience of a Tour stage, would I need to arrive and mark my spot the night before?

In towns, no. But do turn up early. Drink in the atmosphere of all the people gradually milling around.

In the mountains, you may find the Dutch have been there for a week in their motorhomes. Lots of other people go up the night before and camp and get drunk.

For viewing, flat stuff means it's all over in a few seconds. Mountainous stuff means there's more time to watch and see. Up the highest cols, well you'll have seen the size of the crowds.

Last stage I saw was in 2009. I'd ridden the Etape a few days before, and then returned to Bedoin at the foot of Mt Ventoux. Lots of people and a conveniently located bar across the road with a TV showing the race. Best of all worlds.

For the Tour just make sure you get to where you want to be before they close the roads, Don. Usually a couple of hours. If you want to watch a climb then park in a ski resort (Gourette on the 15th) and walk to a location you like. It looks like I'll be at home for the Tour this year. If I am and the weather is good I'll watch the early part of the stage on the box then from in front of the Igloo bar in Gourette (they'll have the live coverage on TV so you nip outside when the leaders pass the Gourette sign) as the riders come past.

Thanks Edukator, I've just seen Tourmalet on 14th, I might just aim for that. It'll be a new experience mixing with the proles.

So, you're not too far away then?

Went to Tourmalet a couple of years ago, was a great atmosphere, it's the day the Basques all descend on the tour. (my village organised a return trip with food and drink for 20 euros 🙂 )

Chunnel, every single time without fail. Time it right & it's just over an hour from leaving the motorway to joining the autoroute.

Ferry, probably not even on board in the same amount of time.

Chunnel is much cleaner and quieter a stinking old ferry too. Drive on, seat back & chill out, or go for a little wander round the cabin if you really need to.

I'm based in Pau.

Chunnel is great, turn up early and get put straight on next train - which is really convenient.

when we went on holiday and used the ferry because we'd had a long drive etc etc.

The daughter said it was the best bit of the holiday!

[i]Ferry or Chunnel?[/i]

Use the tunnel. I signed off some of the concrete castings for it.

Like the ramps that allow cars to drive down to and up from the platform.

🙂