Know cheap way to cross Channel?
Discussion
Just curious. Taking my car to Nice in the South of France this summer, and the Ferries all seem to have random pricing strategies. Last time I went Seafrance and they seemed good. I wondered if anyone knew of any deals if you booked ahead with any of the crossing providers. Has anyone got a Ferry to Spain (Bilbao), and driven to the South of France that way. I can offer one tip in exchange, If you book with Seafrance, and dont know when you're coming back, book the cheapest return journey, and tell them at the port you want to change when going back. They only charge £15 changing fee, and I saved £60 by booking the cheapest return ticket date with them I could find.
Feedback appreciated. Happy Gassing.
Marcos
Feedback appreciated. Happy Gassing.
Marcos
Book on the Internet, you get a printable booking receipt thingy. Book from UK with a UK address for a day return starting in the UK, then do the same with a mainland Europe address for a day return starting in Calais or whereever. 50 quid ish for each return trip. I have done this with the chunnel and Dover/Calais ferry a number of times.
If you're worried about credit cards/car reg been noticed then use the wrong reg going out - easier to explain a last minute change since 'the wifes car has broken down', then use the real reg on the return leg. Also use 2 credit cards and the wife/partners name on one of the legs. Fait Accompli as they say in Germany.
I'm still paying for the service so I don't feel like I'm ripping them off.
T/.
If you're worried about credit cards/car reg been noticed then use the wrong reg going out - easier to explain a last minute change since 'the wifes car has broken down', then use the real reg on the return leg. Also use 2 credit cards and the wife/partners name on one of the legs. Fait Accompli as they say in Germany.
I'm still paying for the service so I don't feel like I'm ripping them off.
T/.
if you built a big enough ramp at dover, and had along enough run up, say some where in the midlands - and you hit the ramp at somewhere near the boxsters top speed (gotta be around 150mph) then you may be able to jump the 22 miles...
have a camerea crew there as well, if you make it you will be a hero, if you don't you could still make enough money from "car wars" and "havoc" videos to buy another boxster, or even upgrade to a 911...
or am i not helping here???
have a camerea crew there as well, if you make it you will be a hero, if you don't you could still make enough money from "car wars" and "havoc" videos to buy another boxster, or even upgrade to a 911...
or am i not helping here???
In my experience Hoverspeed and the Seacat is usually the cheapest. Try and avoid a standard return where possible.
Hoverspeed used to do the bookings for the Newhaven - Dieppe slow ferry but stopped as the service was so unreliable. The company running the slow ferry is called Trans Manche ferry, however beware. Last year the ferry was prevented from sailing by the Maritime Authority as it didn't comply with safety legislation, and I think you will find its run aground twice if not 3 times outside Newhaven in the last year. I hasten to add that the channel was not dredged deep enough for it!
Doing a search on the internet for cheap ferry deals will also throw up some companies that do cheap crossings. I think they effectively block-buy space, thereby getting a discount, some of which they pass on.
Hoverspeed used to do the bookings for the Newhaven - Dieppe slow ferry but stopped as the service was so unreliable. The company running the slow ferry is called Trans Manche ferry, however beware. Last year the ferry was prevented from sailing by the Maritime Authority as it didn't comply with safety legislation, and I think you will find its run aground twice if not 3 times outside Newhaven in the last year. I hasten to add that the channel was not dredged deep enough for it!
Doing a search on the internet for cheap ferry deals will also throw up some companies that do cheap crossings. I think they effectively block-buy space, thereby getting a discount, some of which they pass on.
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trefor said: Book on the Internet, you get a printable booking receipt thingy. Book from UK with a UK address for a day return starting in the UK, then do the same with a mainland Europe address for a day return starting in Calais or whereever. 50 quid ish for each return trip. I have done this with the chunnel and Dover/Calais ferry a number of times.
If you're worried about credit cards/car reg been noticed then use the wrong reg going out - easier to explain a last minute change since 'the wifes car has broken down', then use the real reg on the return leg. Also use 2 credit cards and the wife/partners name on one of the legs. Fait Accompli as they say in Germany.
I'm still paying for the service so I don't feel like I'm ripping them off.
T/.
did similar last summer by booking the chunnel on the cheap day return (early crossing)then rang them when in frog to say I'd had a minor smash and couldn't make return. Then while in france booked a similar Return with Hoverspeed Diepe-Newhaven saying I needed to "pop home" for the weekend to visit sick relative, If they ever decided to chase me up for the more expensive Single ticket, I'd tell them the relly. died
If they realy got bolshy I think you would have a reasonable case to take the miserable extorsionists to court for sharp practices
. Got away with it and saved a lot of money , but still paid plenty so didn't feel guilty at all .
If they can charge you £20 for a return Booze cruise in January and make a profit , then how can they justify £400 if you want to extend the trip to more than 5 days
. scandalous 
trefor said: Book on the Internet, you get a printable booking receipt thingy. Book from UK with a UK address for a day return starting in the UK, then do the same with a mainland Europe address for a day return starting in Calais or whereever. 50 quid ish for each return trip. I have done this with the chunnel and Dover/Calais ferry a number of times.
If you're worried about credit cards/car reg been noticed then use the wrong reg going out - easier to explain a last minute change since 'the wifes car has broken down', then use the real reg on the return leg. Also use 2 credit cards and the wife/partners name on one of the legs. Fait Accompli as they say in Germany.
I'm still paying for the service so I don't feel like I'm ripping them off.
T/.
DO NOT PAY BY CREDIT CARD!!!!! they have a clause in their conditions that if you book a cheapo and do not use it as such they charge you the max for the crossing after the date! PAY CASH ONLY!!!!!! then no comeback!!!!!
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