Best value channel crossing?

[Chris71]

Just discovered I am going to Le Mans this year, which has made me a rather happy bunny.


However I'm under strict instructions to find a cost effective way of crossing the channel. So probably not the tunnel then.

What are people's recommendations? Heading out on the Thursday (or maybe Wednesday) beforehand, returning early morning on Monday.

[timbo48]

We've just used Norfolklines, Dover-Dunkirk, £37 return. However, it was booked on a special offer for which we needed a code, which was EBS at the time. Might be worth trying and would only add 20 mins or so to the more usual Calais route and same roads as for Calais.

[Chris71]

Cool, will look into that.

Are there any affordable options if I sail to somewhere further down the coast? That said a road trip through Northern France isn't the worst option, particularly a few days before the gendarmes really come out in force.

[zippyprorider]

search the le mans thread loads of people posted up some norfolk line promo codes mine was 20quid return!

[johnvthe2nd]

Chris71 said:

Cool, will look into that.

Are there any affordable options if I sail to somewhere further down the coast? That said a road trip through Northern France isn't the worst option, particularly a few days before the gendarmes really come out in force.

Dover - Bologne LD Lines is another low cost option a bit further down the cost, but you don't gain much.
Le Havre or Caen is probably out on cost, and you spend too many hours on the ferry for the miles you gain (and you can't even have a beer ...)

[Chris71]

Can you get any sort of flexibility on ferry tickets like you can on the tunnel or are you screwed if you miss it?

Not an objection as such, just mean I'd have to look for slightly more conservative boarding times.

[The Leaper]

Chris71,

If you are thinking of being flexible as regards arriving at Folkstone or Calais for Le Shuttle, think again! Three years ago my son and I came back on the Monday and due to his car breaking down we were a few minutes late for our booked time of around 2:00 pm. Le Shuttle was so fully booked that day that the next available booking was 6 1/2 hours later. There were many returning from Le Mans in the terminal who had arrived a bit late, mainly due to chaos at the tolls and also roadworks close to Calais I recall, so there were lots of people stuck for the 6 hours or so.

I suspect you could be a bit flexible on the way out because people going to Le Mans organise their times over several days. The Monday is the most popular day to return.

R.

[Chris71]

I've actually had a very good experience with the tunnel before - I've usually arrived significantly ahead of schedule and been given the option to switch to an earlier crossing every single time I think. It might not always be the case, but under some circustances they obviously do allow some flexibility.

Like I said it's not an issue if the ferries don't. I just have to look at booking something over the next few days and so I'm starting to consider times - I'll give myself a more leisurely journey time if I'm going to be really screwed if I miss it.

Can someone remind me how long it takes to get from Le Mans to Calais on the autoroute?

[Nick M]

Chris71 said:

I've actually had a very good experience with the tunnel before - I've usually arrived significantly ahead of schedule and been given the option to switch to an earlier crossing every single time I think.

Can someone remind me how long it takes to get from Le Mans to Calais on the autoroute?

Agree about arriving early for the Eurotunnel and being given the option to go earlier, but arriving late is a whole different ball-game. Particularly when one of your party has forgotten their passport and their girlfriend has to do a mercy dash to Folkestone.... It can seem an awfully long time waiting for them to arrive....

As for Le Mans to Calais, bank on it taking about 4 to 4 1/2 hours. There *will* be loads of plod around and there's always the risk of congestion at some of the toll booths or around Rouen.

[Chris71]

Nick M said:

As for Le Mans to Calais, bank on it taking about 4 to 4 1/2 hours. There *will* be loads of plod around and there's always the risk of congestion at some of the toll booths or around Rouen.

Yep, I remember seeing scores of the buggers lying down in the grass with their speed traps wearing cammo. It's a pretty boring trip physically too, so I'm happy to stick the cruise control on at 129kph and get car spotting.

[timbo48]

"Can you get any sort of flexibility on ferry tickets"
We missed our ferry by an hour or so on our return trip due to car trouble in Morzine but got on the next one without any questions being asked. Ferry was half full so no problems with space but probably different after the race (Norfolkline at Dunkirk, our ferry was the 2205 boat and we were over an hour late for that).

[E36GUY]

Norfolk Line usually let you get on the next boat (assuming there is available space) if you are late for your booked crossing at no extra charge. I've lost count of the number of times we've missed ours!

[sarairving1]

I booked mine through Seafrance for £72 going about 8 Wednesday morning and coming back about 5 Monday afternoon so reasonable timings...
Happy days x

[E36GUY]

sarairving1 said:

I booked mine through Seafrance for £72 going about 8 Wednesday morning and coming back about 5 Monday afternoon so reasonable timings...
Happy days x

Almost twice the price of Norfolk Line

[Steve@oms]

I booked Eurotunnel for £22 return - gotta love Tesco vouchers!Has to be less than 3 nights though so getting first train on Thurs (about 1 am ish) and return Monday afternoon. Normally drive through the night on Wednesday so no major change to our normal routine.