Ships, trains and automobiles...
It's absolutely wonderful to see the white cliffs of Dover from the lovely shores of France on a bright sunny day... yep, it's that close! So whether you choose to cruise, speed through a tunnel with your feet up or relax and enjoy a short sail across the channel - each one will take you one step closer to that open road where your road trip adventure can begin!
The advantages of taking a car abroad is that you can take whatever you like with you (within the law, that is) - bikes, golf equipment, sports equipment, camping equipment, caravans, motorbikes, trailers, etc. Pack it with as much as you think you'll need - but of course don't forget to still allow the driver the capacity of seeing through the rearview mirror. Do remember, however, the more excess weight, the more it will cost you in fuel consumption. On the plus side, you won't have to pay any excess baggage charges whatsoever!
We have always found booking Ferries/Eurotunnel really easy, either online or by phone and sometimes take advantage of their special offers. We tend to take the shortest Ferry journey from Dover to Calais a 90 minute sail (only 34 kms/21 miles) as we prefer to be on solid ground rather than making waves. When we were younger the norm was to cross over from Newhaven to Dieppe, but we now find this trip a bit lengthy as we just want to get on the road as soon as we can.
The only downside is when you hit a queue on the way to the port which begins well outside Dover. Unfortunately, these queues are going to get longer and longer as new border procedures were introduced to check-in, in April 2015, referred to as 'Exit Checks'. These new checks have been put in place by the Government to gather ID/Passport information on every traveller leaving the country, so that these details are passed onto the UK Border Force.
This will affect both Ferry ports and Eurotunnel so allow yourself the extra time in case there are possible delays to avoid you missing your Ferry/Train. As well as this, please note that new traffic flow systems are also being introduced to help filter traffic more efficiently into the port of Dover during busy periods.
We highly recommend that you book Ferries/Eurotunnel direct as it's more secure with no chance of getting scammed.
The advantages of taking a car abroad is that you can take whatever you like with you (within the law, that is) - bikes, golf equipment, sports equipment, camping equipment, caravans, motorbikes, trailers, etc. Pack it with as much as you think you'll need - but of course don't forget to still allow the driver the capacity of seeing through the rearview mirror. Do remember, however, the more excess weight, the more it will cost you in fuel consumption. On the plus side, you won't have to pay any excess baggage charges whatsoever!
We have always found booking Ferries/Eurotunnel really easy, either online or by phone and sometimes take advantage of their special offers. We tend to take the shortest Ferry journey from Dover to Calais a 90 minute sail (only 34 kms/21 miles) as we prefer to be on solid ground rather than making waves. When we were younger the norm was to cross over from Newhaven to Dieppe, but we now find this trip a bit lengthy as we just want to get on the road as soon as we can.
The only downside is when you hit a queue on the way to the port which begins well outside Dover. Unfortunately, these queues are going to get longer and longer as new border procedures were introduced to check-in, in April 2015, referred to as 'Exit Checks'. These new checks have been put in place by the Government to gather ID/Passport information on every traveller leaving the country, so that these details are passed onto the UK Border Force.
This will affect both Ferry ports and Eurotunnel so allow yourself the extra time in case there are possible delays to avoid you missing your Ferry/Train. As well as this, please note that new traffic flow systems are also being introduced to help filter traffic more efficiently into the port of Dover during busy periods.
We highly recommend that you book Ferries/Eurotunnel direct as it's more secure with no chance of getting scammed.
Ferry Crossings - P&O Ferries
We have used P&O Ferries and the old 'Sea France' for many, many years, making numerous trips across the channel throughout all seasons. Eventually 'Sea France' known to many as 'Sea Chance' disintegrated and we were not surprised to hear the news - it was not a matter of why but when. We weren't very happy with their customer service over the years, like many others and we used to skip from one to the other, but P&O has never failed us. (Well, apart from the once... - but that's another story which I'll divulge at a later date - let's say it was an adventure.)
Whether you fancy a day trip, go on a city break, or even a long road trip, France is literally on your doorstep so there's no reason not to.
P&O Ferries not only sail to and from Dover to Calais in France (90 mins), they also sail from Dover to Belgium and the Netherlands too - from Hull to Zeebrugge (13 hrs 15 mins) and Rotterdam (10 hrs 45 mins). As well as offering mini cruises around the world, they also sail between Liverpool and Dublin and Northern Ireland and Scotland.
P&O offers excellent restaurants, cafes, bars, shopping, children's play areas, comfortable lounges/seating and entertainment facilities.
Check-in time: 30 minutes before departure.
Ferry Crossings - DFDS Seaways
DFDS sail daily to France from Dover to Calais in just 90 minutes and to Dunkerque in 2 hours, with up to 24 crossings a day (depending on the destination). It also sails between Newhaven and Dieppe with a journey of 4 hours and between Newcastle and Amsterdam in 15 hrs 30 mins, sailing overnight.
Again, offering no baggage restrictions and allowing you to travel by car, caravan, motorhome or motorbike across the Continent.
You can also enjoy the shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, comfortable seating, children's play areas and entertainment facilities on board.
Longer sailing destinations will include extra facilities onboard such as private en-suite cabins, a cinema, a casino, live music and all-you-can-eat
buffets.
Check-in time: 45 minutes before departure.
Again, offering no baggage restrictions and allowing you to travel by car, caravan, motorhome or motorbike across the Continent.
You can also enjoy the shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, comfortable seating, children's play areas and entertainment facilities on board.
Longer sailing destinations will include extra facilities onboard such as private en-suite cabins, a cinema, a casino, live music and all-you-can-eat
buffets.
Check-in time: 45 minutes before departure.
Ferry Crossings - Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries has great connections from the UK to France and Spain. Sailing from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth in the UK to Le Havre, Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff in France and to Bilbao and Santander in Spain. The longest route taking around 24 hours, sailing overnight from Portsmouth to Santander, there's also the option of a longer cruise taking 32 hours between the same destinations.
Portsmouth - Le Havre: 3 hrs 45 mins (fast craft)
Portsmouth - Caen: 6-7 hrs
Portsmouth - Cherbourg: 3 hrs (fast craft)
Portsmouth - St Malo: 11-12 hrs
Portsmouth - Bilbao: 24 or 32 hrs
Portsmouth - Santander: 24 hrs
Poole - Cherbourg: 4 hrs 30 mins
Plymouth - Roscoff: 6-8 hrs
Plymouth - Santander: 18-20 hrs
Your holiday starts as soon as you set sail - they offer comfortable accommodation, restaurants, children's play areas, shopping as well as entertainment facilities.
It's the ideal alternative to driving long distances through France, saving you both time and money. You'll pay much less in petrol and tolls - the longer the Ferry journey, the less time on the road. Instead, you'll be able to relax, put your feet up and get some sleep whilst still covering hundreds of miles.
Check-in time: 45 minutes before departure.
Portsmouth - Le Havre: 3 hrs 45 mins (fast craft)
Portsmouth - Caen: 6-7 hrs
Portsmouth - Cherbourg: 3 hrs (fast craft)
Portsmouth - St Malo: 11-12 hrs
Portsmouth - Bilbao: 24 or 32 hrs
Portsmouth - Santander: 24 hrs
Poole - Cherbourg: 4 hrs 30 mins
Plymouth - Roscoff: 6-8 hrs
Plymouth - Santander: 18-20 hrs
Your holiday starts as soon as you set sail - they offer comfortable accommodation, restaurants, children's play areas, shopping as well as entertainment facilities.
It's the ideal alternative to driving long distances through France, saving you both time and money. You'll pay much less in petrol and tolls - the longer the Ferry journey, the less time on the road. Instead, you'll be able to relax, put your feet up and get some sleep whilst still covering hundreds of miles.
Check-in time: 45 minutes before departure.
Eurotunnel
If you don't like the thought of being on water - how about underneath it? Eurotunnel is an amazing alternative to sailing, transporting you to the Continent whilst still allowing you to take the car. Offering travellers the quickest route across, just over half an hour relax time, (35 mins), before continuing with your journey - from tracks to making tracks.
Both Folkstone (M20 - junction 11A) and Calais (A16 - junction 42) check-in/exit terminals have easy motorway access and the terminals are clearly signposted.
Boarding Eurotunnel is very quick and easy, you just drive onto a shuttle train carriage and stay with your car for a super quick journey below the channel and drive off at the other end. Passengers can either remain in the car or get out for a bit to stretch their legs and walk around.
Eurotunnel offers air-conditioned carriages, toilets, onboard staff and information display screens. You go through Customs on check-in rather than exit so there will be no delay when exiting Eurotunnel, you just drive straight off.
In order for your 'Exit Check' to run smoothly at check-in you should do the following after making a booking:
1. Fill in your Advance Passenger Information (API) data before you travel on www.eurotunnel.com/apis.
2. Arrive on time for check-in.
3. Have the necessary documentation ready when you arrive.
Check-in time: 30 minutes before departure.
Shuttles: There are 3-4 train departures per hour during peak times.
Terminals: Restaurants and shops available.
Supplements: Extra charges may be added if you are early/late and are asking to board during peak times rather than off-peak. This will depend on your ticket flexibility.
Both Folkstone (M20 - junction 11A) and Calais (A16 - junction 42) check-in/exit terminals have easy motorway access and the terminals are clearly signposted.
Boarding Eurotunnel is very quick and easy, you just drive onto a shuttle train carriage and stay with your car for a super quick journey below the channel and drive off at the other end. Passengers can either remain in the car or get out for a bit to stretch their legs and walk around.
Eurotunnel offers air-conditioned carriages, toilets, onboard staff and information display screens. You go through Customs on check-in rather than exit so there will be no delay when exiting Eurotunnel, you just drive straight off.
In order for your 'Exit Check' to run smoothly at check-in you should do the following after making a booking:
1. Fill in your Advance Passenger Information (API) data before you travel on www.eurotunnel.com/apis.
2. Arrive on time for check-in.
3. Have the necessary documentation ready when you arrive.
Check-in time: 30 minutes before departure.
Shuttles: There are 3-4 train departures per hour during peak times.
Terminals: Restaurants and shops available.
Supplements: Extra charges may be added if you are early/late and are asking to board during peak times rather than off-peak. This will depend on your ticket flexibility.
Check out more tips below
Photography: beepbeepeurope
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© Copyright. All rights reserved.