Tunnel or ferry?

Moto2

I've been on ferries twice now where a person has unfortunately died.

Things can happen, I don't think being on a ferry adds much to the likely hood

MFWunsure

Pros and cons for both crossings all detailed in previous posts.
As you have a long drive this side of the channel have you considered a stop in the UK before you cross the channel then start refreshed in the morning and can get half way down France.
We have done that as well as driven from the East Midlands leaving at around 4am, crossed about 9am and then stopped and slept perhaps three to four hours into the drive in France.
At the end of the day cost would be my deciding factor.
However you choose to do it the travel is part of the holiday and the fun.

mgdavid

GwylimT wrote: »

I go tunnel, it is more expensive but for me it has never been late, cancelled, turned back half way or had a four hour delay. ...

and for me neither have the ferries.
However I read that the trains have an unfortunate habit of catching fire....

EssexExile

The hovercraft was great. Sorry, showing my age again.

holidaysforme

Use both Ferry and Tunnel, although the last couple of times we've used the tunnel.
We use Tesco vouchers to pay for it.

zappo_2

Ferry for me.

=rizla=

Shelldean wrote: »

Yep Tesco reward can still be used on Euro tunnel. £10 becomes £30.

http://m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=3223&%20bci=4294967191%7CTravel*4294958884%7CTransport



Also note they do the same deal with DFDS ferries. Now we always used to find these the cheapest ferry crossing. But they only used to do Dover - dunkirk. They now do Dover Calais, so if they're still cheaper. And using the tesco rewards you might get a bargain????

http://m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=4078&%20bci=4294967191%7CTravel*4294958884%7CTransport

We used DFDS Dover-Dunkirk a few years ago, iirc it was about 30 mins extra crossing time compared with Dover-Calais, but included with the holiday so very MSE. I'm pretty sure the Tesco's offer DOESN'T include DFDS Dover-Calais though, so be careful, some people have made that mistake before and lost out.


For use (with kids) if we stay close to Dover the night before then its Tunnel, if we don't then ferry. On the ferry we have breakfast/lunch, by the time everyone has decided what they want, you've queued, eaten then a quick walk around etc and its time to get back into the car. A nice little break from the car for everyone. P&O 'used' to do kids eat free tickets, so it didn't work out too expensive for us to eat there.

Tarry

For some luck of the draw I've always been quickly uploaded so managed to beat the breakfast queue a few times

benjus

My experience of the tunnel is a little skewed, as the first time I used it a train had broken down inside the tunnel and I was delayed for about 4 hours as a result. I understand this is rare, and the second time (on a complimentary ticket) it was all fine. Don't think I've ever been delayed by the ferries though.

If the prices were fairly close I'd go with the tunnel, but if the ferry was substantially cheaper I'd go with that.

Shelldean

=rizla= wrote: »

We used DFDS Dover-Dunkirk a few years ago, iirc it was about 30 mins extra crossing time compared with Dover-Calais, but included with the holiday so very MSE. I'm pretty sure the Tesco's offer DOESN'T include DFDS Dover-Calais though, so be careful, some people have made that mistake before and lost out.


For use (with kids) if we stay close to Dover the night before then its Tunnel, if we don't then ferry. On the ferry we have breakfast/lunch, by the time everyone has decided what they want, you've queued, eaten then a quick walk around etc and its time to get back into the car. A nice little break from the car for everyone. P&O 'used' to do kids eat free tickets, so it didn't work out too expensive for us to eat there.

You are correct the Dover Dunkirk crossing is 2 hours compared to 1 1/2 on the Calais crossing. But as we used it to go to Belgium and Holland, what we lost in the crossing we made up for in driving.

The Dover Dunkirk was usually much cheaper too, although since they've started doing the Calais crossing there doesn't seem to be much difference. Although from memory still cheaper than P & O.


I've never used my tesco rewards on the ferry, so will heed your warning should I ever decide to use them. We only ever used them on the tunnel.