buying ferry tickets at port

sarahhajdari

hi

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if it is a lot more expensive to buy ferry tickets at the port, rather than booking in advance.

It will be a trip from calais to dover. I dont want to book in advance if i can help it as we are driving through europe and cannot be 100 % sure what time we will be at the port. Also i dont want to enter my card details online when i am not sure how secure the connection is.

Thanks for any help.

spiro

I dont know how you can find out the 'at port' prices but like everything else I'm pretty sure booked in advance would be cheaper.
In terms of not knowing what time ferry, book for a later one and if you arrive early P&O will normally put you on the first available ferry that has space at no extra charge.
Never had a problem with security booking online.

Tarry

spiro wrote: »

I dont know how you can find out the 'at port' prices but like everything else I'm pretty sure booked in advance would be cheaper.
In terms of not knowing what time ferry, book for a later one and if you arrive early P&O will normally put you on the first available ferry that has space at no extra charge.
Never had a problem with security booking online.

I tend to book in advance too, I would hate to get to the docks and find the ferries booked up even though Dover docks is not that far away, still wouldn't want to wait around. The last two times I've only booked one week in advance, probably not the best way to get a good deal but never mind, I least I had space on the ferry with the vehicle.

I booked online and I found the website secure So I wouldn't worry about using your card and I worry about websites security and found no problem with the site.

Bob_the_Saver

Last time we sailed to the UK with Norfolkline from Dunkirk they had a computer terminal where you can book on-line, it was cheaper than over the counter.

pompeyrich

spiro wrote: »

I dont know how you can find out the 'at port' prices but like everything else I'm pretty sure booked in advance would be cheaper.
In terms of not knowing what time ferry, book for a later one and if you arrive early P&O will normally put you on the first available ferry that has space at no extra charge.
Never had a problem with security booking online.

Seafrance charged me a £10 admin fee for being an hour late last Thursday. It was in the T&Cs of the ticket, so cant complain but this was the first ever time I have had to pay extra by any cross channel operator in at least 50 trips, most of which have been on a non ammendable ticket. They do a flexible ticket but it is £10 more so not really worth it.

Of those 50 trips most were booked on-line with Seafrance P&O and the tunnel with no problems. They all have phone numbers if you prefer that, maybe a bit more expensive though.

Tarry

I guess I was lucky when I missed my ferry a couple of years ago (P&O) they didn't charge me for missing a ferry, they just put me on the next one.

jammin_2

Tarry wrote: »

I guess I was lucky when I missed my ferry a couple of years ago (P&O) they didn't charge me for missing a ferry, they just put me on the next one.

Me too......

freightexec2009

It is more expensive upon arrival, pre-book! Trust me
Most ferry companies charge an admin fee for missing your sailing time. Seafrance definately do this.
You could always call en route to book...
The tunnel prices rise dependant on bookings, the more vehicles allocated to a departure the more expensive it gets... Pre-arrival prices are dearer. However, a general rule of thumb is they do allow a " 2 hour window either side of a departure " but again subject to fees

pompeyrich

Tarry and Jammin, as I said this year was the first time I have ever been charged by any of the "big 3" carriers. Having said that this years prices were the cheapest I have seen, £54 for a car+4, period return, in August, booked 2 days before travel seems very cheap to me. Maybe to compensate for the cheaper initial fare, they are clamping down on late comers, or maybe I was just unlucky.

sarahhajdari

thanks for all your input. I think i will book a late sailing online to make sure we have plenty of time - its better to be early. I presume they have somewhere to eat and get a coffee whilst you wait, like at the dover port.

spiro

sarahhajdari wrote: »

thanks for all your input. I think i will book a late sailing online to make sure we have plenty of time - its better to be early. I presume they have somewhere to eat and get a coffee whilst you wait, like at the dover port.

Yes but I think Dover has more facilities.