Day Trip to France?

Wayneybabe

hey all

It's my girlfriends birthday in september, so looking to do a day trip to France or nearby, ive never been before and want to plan it as a suprise. What would be the best/most affordable way to go? and best place to visit?... i dont mind driving if thats the easiest way to go.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Dunroamin

Where do you live and what do you want to do in France?

Wayneybabe

I'm near Hastings, south east coast... And its purely a day out, something different to sea, have dinner out, see some sights, check out the shops etc as we would going to Brighton... but budget would be important

mcfisco

There's plenty of cheap day return deals for Dover Calais with a car
Head up the coast a bit to Boulogne for some dinner, don't stay in Calais

Newhaven>Dieppe as foot passengers would suit where you live but it's a 5 hour crossing IIRC

Thrift3r

I'd agree that the ferry from Dover is your best and cheapest option. Going through the tunnel is quicker but is much more expensive in my experience. Don't stay around Calais though as there's not much to see or do.

Wayneybabe

Checked P&O Ferries, for a saver ticket it came out at £60 for the return journey

Outward Dover - Calais Mon 02 Sep 2013 06:40 £30.00
Saver

Return Calais - Dover Mon 02 Sep 2013 20:35 £30.00
Saver

Includes 2 adults , Car up to 1.8m high

maman

mcfisco wrote: »

There's plenty of cheap day return deals for Dover Calais with a car
Head up the coast a bit to Boulogne for some dinner, don't stay in Calais

Newhaven>Dieppe as foot passengers would suit where you live but it's a 5 hour crossing IIRC

I'd agree with that. I know you have a tight budget but it really might be worth checking out a hotel for a night. Often ferry tickets are 24 hour returns.

Wayneybabe

I'd like to, but we have animals we would need to be back for so only a day trip is possible at the moment

Wayneybabe

i really know nothing about this kinda thing. We have never been abroad at all... so its all new territory lol. i still need to work out how much i would need over there etc... am sure it will be worth it tho just to escape for a day

andygb

Wayneybabe wrote: »

i really know nothing about this kinda thing. We have never been abroad at all... so its all new territory lol. i still need to work out how much i would need over there etc... am sure it will be worth it tho just to escape for a day

I have done this trip many times a year for the past twenty years, and IMO Eurotunnel is the best for making the most of your time.
You have to remember that France is one hour ahead of us, so if you took a ferry at 0800 from Dover, then it would arrive in France at 1030 French time (the ferry takes 90 minutes) , whereas the Tunnel only takes 35 minutes, and you exit right on the correct road for Boulogne (via a nice drive along the coast road if you want).
If you are going to drive, then make sure that your insurance is OK and that you have foreign breakdown cover. You also need headlamp reflectors, a high visibility jacket for everyone in the car, a warning triangle and spare bulb kit - also a first aid kit.
We find a trip to the hypermarket on the way back is unavoidable;), because the wine and beer are so much cheaper over there.
We normally change our money on the ferry/Eurotunnel terminal, as just recently they have been giving a better exchange rate than the travel shops and post office.

mcfisco

Try using MD1 as a promo code for P&O

Overnight is cheap