Getting to Europe...

[mmcd87]

Hi,

For those living in Scotland that drive to Europe, does anyone take the ferry to cut the miles in getting there? If so what ferry crossing is best?

Thanks in advance.

[Papa Hotel]

I've sailed from Newcastle a couple of times although I've mostly taken either the ferry from Dover or the Eurotunnel. That's a long drive though, I prefer Newcastle but the wife hates it.

[scotty_d]

Crossed from Newcastle before and came back up from Portsmouth on the way home from this trip.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[cat220]

I've always went via Dover. As mentioned above it's a long drive, past couple of times I've done it overnight. The lack of traffic makes for good progress and less stress.

[Heartworm]

I've gone through Dover before, it's not too bad, but might try go norwich/holland next time.

[Robert Burns]

I've used Newcastle to Ijmuiden and Hull to Zeebrugge

The Newcastle ferry on DFDS was alright. The P&O on Hull was good, nice enough and good food. Takes about 4 hours to get to Hull with my chill driving before i get to autobahn. And with Zeebrugge no bad for getting on to the motorway network. Better for Germany than Calais due to distance and Ijmiden pureply for the citys that you have to go round and may get caught in traffic.

[S2red]

Hull best in my opinion better ships and food and cheaper though wee bit further from Central belt

[OperationAlfa]

S2red said:

Hull best in my opinion better ships and food and cheaper though wee bit further from Central belt

This.

Can get a reasonable price on the crossing too.

[Olivera]

Newcastle to Ijmuiden is the easiest imo, with Hull to Zeebrugge as an alternative. Driving to Dover is a stty drive and that's before factoring in the extra tank of fuel to get there and a place to kip overnight.

[2DDav]

Like a few other's, Ive done the Newcastle to Ijmuiden route a couple of time's. Certainly more relaxing imo than the drive down to Dover. Bonus with the Newcastle ferry being, its a relatively relaxed crossing (some of their boats are better than others), but when you get up in the morning your arriving in Ijmuiden refreshed and ready to go. Last time I went was not overly expensive either (although its been nearly 4 years since I was last on it). The only thing I would say, would be that on a weekend crossing its not the quietest nights sleep you will ever get as it essentially turns into a party boat with the day trippers heading over to Amsterdam, subsequently they tend to get a bit over-excited at the bar.

[KB_S1]

Hull to Zeebrugge.

Drive to Hull is pretty dire from Newcastle on, especially if raining.
Ferry is pretty good with a well priced Costa, some good 'duty free' bargains and decent food on the buffet.

[ALY77]

In the past I've used the Rosyth ferry, Newcastle, Hull and the Tunnel.

The worst by far was the Rosyth crossing, it was something like 18 hours if I recall correctly and it was a pretty small boat all things considered.

I prefer the tunnel as I don't mind the drive and its quick, cheap and frequent.
Hull was the best of the boats though, huge ship, reasonable crossing time and reasonable costs, just stay away from the Casino!