Calais to Dover Car Ferries

Calais to Dover Car Ferries

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Discussion

Dog Star

16,079 posts

167 months

Friday 19th June 2015
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Northwest Monkey - we used to drive down a lot - it's all via Hull now though as I can't stand that drive to Dover any more.

However we've always gone M62 - A1 either stay on A1 or A14 then M11 as your phone states. However we do the M20, not the A2. So basically your phone route is IMO better.

The Leaper

4,938 posts

205 months

Friday 19th June 2015
quotequote all
I live in Surrey near the M25 and listen regularly to the radio traffic information. Everyday the M25 is busy, and there's usually long delays, especially during the rush hours of course.

If I was coming from East Lancs I'd be inclined to travel the day before you catch the ferry and stay at a well located hotel...there's one at Ashford, Kent that is perfectly located. Travel at leisure the day before and be certain to get your pre-booked ferry.

I'd say that this is essential at busy times.

Recently lots of PHers went to Le Mans and many do this same thing: get into Kent, stay the night, no worries meeting booked crossings. Eurotunnel stated that there would be a 4 hour delay minimum if you missed your booking over the days before and after Le Mans 2015.

R.

northwest monkey

6,370 posts

188 months

Friday 19th June 2015
quotequote all
Cheers chaps - I think I'll do the phone route. Although a bit more convoluted, it misses out some of my least favourite places - them being the M6 through the Midlands and the M25.

We originally planned to travel down the day before, however a bit of a cock up with school finishing dates means he's already missing a couple of days so I don't want to take the piss!

If needs be, we'll just leave earlier. I've got no problem driving at night & everyone else can have a nap.

anothernameitist

1,500 posts

134 months

Friday 19th June 2015
quotequote all
Take it from me and the others.

I have regular trips over there, yes there are camps and at certain times of the day you will find migrants roaming about on the Motorway and upto the port entrance.

Some advice:

Take a mid day or early afternoon ferry and return first thing in a morning. The migrants are usually about on an evening

If staying over night use Boulogne, less hassle than Calais

If you are running any type of van get the doors locked, especially the tail gate with a good padlock. Plan ahead when getting near to the port and if necessary just drive. The CRS (Police) won't be bother with any RTAs involving migrants.

Ignore the press wailing on. As I said I do these trips often, my last trip was last Sunday, previous to that I returned in a 7.5 tonner no problems what so ever, though I do have sympathy for the regular truckers.

f1dget

359 posts

174 months

loafer123

15,404 posts

214 months

Friday 19th June 2015
quotequote all
f1dget said:
I am sure the OP has more intelligence that some fkwit who can't spot a stowaway in a Fiat Panda.

gtidriver

3,335 posts

186 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2015
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I was in Calais around two hours after the crazy people on the coach where filming, there was no evidence of what was on the news, so the police must disperse these people quickly.These migrants have made a shanty town next to the old hoverport, thats on the going home side so id be a bit wary of slowing up in this area. My dad is over most days transporting the Border Force folk,there was a ambulance on permanent stand by at the docks as so many of these migrants where being driven over and killed after falling off the bottom of the lorries, my dad was told that the french police are looking to prosecute lorrists that grease up all the flat surfaces under the trailer as this is causing the migrants to slip off. Do not go to the first petrol station in Calais (Total)as I've seen large groups of people harrasing people for money, safer to go to the next one.
Also watch out for them walking in to the road to slow trucks down,especially near trans-mac fuel stop on the road to Belgium just outside Calais,an Ethiopian died late last year trying to stop a lorry, she was hit by a car.

Have a great journey,France has some great roads that take you to some lovely countriessmile

SPS

1,306 posts

259 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
quotequote all
gtidriver said:
I was in Calais around two hours after the crazy people on the coach where filming, there was no evidence of what was on the news, so the police must disperse these people quickly.These migrants have made a shanty town next to the old hoverport, thats on the going home side so id be a bit wary of slowing up in this area. My dad is over most days transporting the Border Force folk,there was a ambulance on permanent stand by at the docks as so many of these migrants where being driven over and killed after falling off the bottom of the lorries, my dad was told that the french police are looking to prosecute lorrists that grease up all the flat surfaces under the trailer as this is causing the migrants to slip off. Do not go to the first petrol station in Calais (Total)as I've seen large groups of people harrasing people for money, safer to go to the next one.
Also watch out for them walking in to the road to slow trucks down,especially near trans-mac fuel stop on the road to Belgium just outside Calais,an Ethiopian died late last year trying to stop a lorry, she was hit by a car.

Have a great journey,France has some great roads that take you to some lovely countriessmile
Don't go to Calais - go to Dunkirk - no issues at all and only a relatively short drive up the coast. Oh and it's cheaper too.

audidoody

8,597 posts

255 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
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Get Smart City Car. Much easier to spot the stowaway. Or an MX5

gtidriver

3,335 posts

186 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
quotequote all
Ive got a Fiat Panda and I'm calling the story utter bullst, there is no way a person could sit behind the seat and she not notice them.

gtidriver

3,335 posts

186 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
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DFDS are over double the price of P&O ferries.

Adenauer

18,564 posts

235 months

rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
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gtidriver said:
DFDS are over double the price of P&O ferries.
They weren't when I booked! DFDS, car with caravan end of July to Middle of August. Calais to Dover return for £148. P&O were over £200.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
quotequote all
rosscow said:
gtidriver said:
DFDS are over double the price of P&O ferries.
They weren't when I booked! DFDS, car with caravan end of July to Middle of August. Calais to Dover return for £148. P&O were over £200.
Likewise, I got Dover - Dunkerque with DFDS for £65 against £90 for P&O.

fatboy18

18,930 posts

210 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
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Bet some of the people saying all will be fine are eating their words now! tongue out

About time the Army were called in in my book to go through all the lorries and weed the scroats out, then stick em on a locked container ship back to Africa.

Job done.

gtidriver

3,335 posts

186 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
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Sorry i was looking at day trips.

Kelwxm

30 posts

123 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
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I am going to Lake Como in September via Calais and the Alps, the chances of a migrant finding a stowaway place in my Boxster is very slim so I am not concerned. I have booked through Scenic car tours.

Amateurish

7,697 posts

221 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
quotequote all
gtidriver said:
Ive got a Fiat Panda and I'm calling the story utter bullst, there is no way a person could sit behind the seat and she not notice them.
Yes, it makes no sense. She was alerted because her dogs went crazy - but why didn't they notice in Calais?

fatboy18

18,930 posts

210 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
quotequote all
Amateurish said:
gtidriver said:
Ive got a Fiat Panda and I'm calling the story utter bullst, there is no way a person could sit behind the seat and she not notice them.
Yes, it makes no sense. She was alerted because her dogs went crazy - but why didn't they notice in Calais?
Er depends how much stuff they had in the back of the Fiat, just look at that compact car advert where the driver is hidden in the drivers seat wink If you were tired from a long journey there was camping stuff or other items in the rear of your car it could be easy for someone determined to get in your car to remove some items and put themselves in place of the gear then get an accomplice to cover them over.

Some of you seem very naive! Remember these illegal immigrants are desperate and determined to get here at any cost. rage