Calais to Dover Car Ferries
Discussion
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 said:
I am sure the OP has more intelligence that some fkwit who can't spot a stowaway in a Fiat Panda.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 countries
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 countries
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 countries
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. 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 countries
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.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? Some of you seem very naive! Remember these illegal immigrants are desperate and determined to get here at any cost.
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