Tunnel or ferry?

Ciwan

To get a ferry across the channel .. does one only have a choice of one carrier? If not, where can I find best deals to cross by ferry?

Me and the Mrs are thinking about visiting France too

mgdavid

Aferry.com
or this week's Daily Mail have an offer.

benjus

mgdavid wrote: »

Aferry.com
or this week's Daily Mail have an offer.

I don't trust aferry - it seems to get fares wrong (at least for P&O). For example, day trip to France this coming Saturday:

aferry has P&O 08:25/17:55 at £94
P&O's website has the same sailings at: £30 (saver), £70 (standard flexi), £99 (fully flexi) or £123 (Premier)

mgdavid

I don't use aferry either - but it does answer the OP's question about different carriers...

a bit like skyscanner for flights, do the research then book direct with the airline.

benjus

mgdavid wrote: »

I don't use aferry either - but it does answer the OP's question about different carriers...

a bit like skyscanner for flights, do the research then book direct with the airline.

Indeed, but if you were looking for the cheapest day trip fare to France, aferry would lead you to believe it was £59 with DFDS rather than £30 with P&O.

I suppose it does at least tell you what the options are so you can go and look at each provider's website in turn.

Tarry

I always book direct.

andrewf75

ferry all the way
if you're stuck in the car all day, its a nice break

DCFC79

Id always go by tunnel, it is more expensive but its more frequent, much quicker and if you happen to be early you can ask if there's an earlier 1 you can get. The tailbacks are an issue so I understand your concern about that but I've never experienced any.

I have been sick on ferries before so although it is cheaper I choose the tunnel every time.

*smurfy*

DFDS everytime for me, esp the crossing to Dunkirk its always empty and easy to kip down for bit and then refreshed for rest of drive. Also you can always turn up early or late and just be put on next ferry.

maman

ajdj wrote: »

We always time it to be on a lunchtime crossing, take a packed lunch and eat in the 30min time it takes to get across. Then you can get straight on with the driving again

mgdavid wrote: »

I know this is MSE and all that - but this sounds to me a simply horrible way to start a holiday, almost as bad as flying with Ryanair :eek:

We always hit the tunnel around lunchtime too and with the hour's time difference it would mean arriving in France and having to find a restaurant which was probably closing as their lunchtime was over. Or we could eat at a motorway service station.


Instead we take a packed lunch full of the goodies that I won't let myself have at home like pork pies and crisps and chocolate and buns.....:D


I do the same with airlines. I'd rather have a meal at the airport and/or my own snacks than carp airline food.