Best time to book a ferry to France

donna1979

I've had a look through the ferries guide which gives plenty of advice for where to book etc but not necessarily when! Is it like flights and best to book asap? We are due to go to France, preferably Calais on the 18th July until 25th July. The only forum thread I can find is a few years old. Thanks

Moto2

It doesn't seem to make much difference when you book IME.
The only options to save on are usually just sailing times.

mgdavid

You are best to book asap as they do get fully booked at peak times and dates, school hols, Le Mans 24 weekend etc etc.

Alan_Bowen

Donna, you are planning to travel on the two busiest weekends of the year when the ferries will be full. This is definitely a case of booking as soon as you can, if prices change it will only be upwards

mchale

I booked last yr for France travelling around 25.07 returning abt 19 days later, paid abt £129 for 2 adults & 2 children & car, booked abt 6 weeks before we travelled and was not much dearer than when I compared prices in Feb.

beckstar1975

I booked early Feb last year for 2 saturday crossings in August as got cashback through quidco and they were doing pay for saver and get a standard flexi ticket - was £135 but so worth it as they had brought in the checks at Dover that really slowed us up going out, and then there was horrific traffic at the toll booths coming back(actually made our intended boats), but it removes the level of stress of missing your boat.

Cost was £135 for a car and 5 passengers - am holding out for the same deal again this year (hopefully).

PLUS - came back over Christmas with a v poorly child on a packed boat, at the last minute paid for priority boarding that meant we we first on the boat, not fussed about parking but meant we could get a sofa and seats as the boat was heaving and not enough space, would definitely do that for way back next time when tired and stressed (was £12)

aceman.spaceman

What websites do folks use to get the cheapest ferry prices? We need a MSE tool!

mgdavid

I book with P&O direct; several crossings per year.

hollydays

aceman.spaceman wrote: »

What websites do folks use to get the cheapest ferry prices? We need a MSE tool!

Dfds or Alan Rogers.its usually a bit cheaper to go out of Dunkirk rather than Calais.
P & O is always dearer, though they are offering a free flexie upgrade at the moment.