New Channel ferry season ticket

shermans

I have heard rumours that one of the ferry companies is about to launch a new season ticket scheme for regular travellers across the Western Channel. If that is correct, that is a good sign that competition is increasing. I assume it is one of the Portsmouth based companies. Does anyone have any details yet ?

This will benefit people like me who cross frequently and need to be able to budget on an annual basis. At present, there is no consistency between the fares of the four companies serving the Western Channel - Condor Ferries, Brittany ferries, LD Lines and Transmanche. I am travelling with Brittany Ferries this week but I am having to pay more than twice as much as I paid for an LD Lines ticket last month. It is crazy that you can get a return ticket even in August from Dover for £60, but it costs more than £500 for the same thing from Portsmouth, although the LD Lines' prices are much more reasonable than that.

plane_boy2000

Try http://www.speedferries.com/index.html

I have not used them, but they offer 10 one way crossings for £250 with very few restrictions. I think they are valid for 12 months.

plane_boy2000

Sorry - just read your whole post.................... Speed ferries may not be much use to you, but if the saving is big enough it might be worth the drive?

shermans

plane_boy2000 wrote:

Sorry - just read your whole post.................... Speed ferries may not be much use to you, but if the saving is big enough it might be worth the drive?

Speedferries are excellent and I have used them often because I could no longer afford the Brittany Ferries prices. But as I live in the West Country, it is a four hour drive Eastwards to Dover and then a five hour drive from Boulogne on the other side back Westwards ! So it is not very practical.
Recently, I have been using LD Lines from Portsmouth whose fares have been as low as £50 return, but seem to average around £130 return in the summer, so much more affordable. I am guessing that it is LD Lines who will be offering season tickets along the lines of the Speedferries' tickets.

shermans

I have just been sent details of the new season ticket scheme by LD Lines. It seems very similar to Speedferries. Each ticket is for one single crossing, so that means there are no penalties for staying longer. Each crossing costs £45 and I think the minimum is ten (i.e. five returns). If you buy 20 tickets, they throw in club class free of charge. Also the tickets are transferable, i.e. can be used by friends and family, but the booking has to be made by the purchaser.

I used to buy season tickets from P&O on the Le Havre route. The return fare was £120 but if you bought enough, you could get it down to £114. So this deal is even lower, yet 18 months have passed since P&O's demise.

It is not yet posted on their website, but if anyone wants to have details, I can forward a copy of what I have been sent. Email me at plh@shermans.co.uk

deanland

That sounds like an incredible deal. I have just paid over £250 for a return from Portsmouth with Brittany ferries and in August it will cost over £500 ! Please can you send me details of the offer with LD Lines ?