Which ferry route is best?

[Claude455]

Taking into account the cost of fuel & tolls isn't it still significantly cheaper to get the ferry from Dover to Calais and drive down from there?

I appreciate some will place great importance on getting a good night's sleep on the overnight ferry, while others will live really close to a port, but to anyone else who took a ferry from Portsmouth, Newhaven or Poole, and to everyone who used the EuroTunnel - why did you choose that over the Dover/Calais route?

[Heartworm]

I've never been to Le Mans, but go to a festival not too far away. I've always done Dover - Calais, I spoke to some people this year who did Poole - St Malo, they said it was well worth the cost. Looking into it, it's not that much mor eif you have 2/4 in the car and saves a lot of driving, def using this ferry next year.

[muppetdave]

I usually do the Eurotunnel, but went Dover - Calais ferry this year (worked better as we took the littlun, so was a chance for him to stretch his legs etc.). For interest, I worked out a cost comparison of that versus one of the overnight crossings (can't remember which if I'm honest) and all in it worked out around £200 more. Granted if there's four of you sharing that's £50/head more, but as it was all my cost in the car I thought it was a bit steep for this year anyway!

[Sealine South]

I live in Southampton and always went Dover/Calais (in the days when you could enjoy the drive). I did the maths and worked out that if you are within about about an hour east of Portsmouth or west of Portsmouth then Portsmouth/Le Havre or Caen is definitely the way to go. The extra ferry cost is more than made up by the fuel, time, tolls, aggro.

[Polariz]

We didn't fancy the massive drive from Calais so we found that the Newhaven to Dieppe route was a good compromise between price and distance travelled. Crossing takes 4 hours and is at reasonable hours (10am departure, 6pm return).

Much more relaxing!

[eps]

You can even mix and match, a couple of years ago we did Ferry out and then Tunnel back, but this was mostly due to leaving on the Sunday.

[Gingerbread Man]

I live 30 mins from Portsmouth so did Portsmouth - Caen. Less driving on this side over Dover or similar and only 1hr45 on the french Side. No morning raids to catch the ferry/ train, a nights sleep both ways, board 11pm tuesday night ready for Wednesday 6am drive. Get to Le Mans still with most of a day left and plenty of time to shop, setup, wonder about.

If weathers crap, you see less of it.

Might cost slightly more, but all in over my 9 years, it's the best one if you can afford it.

[webby23]

Have done Dover Calais, Pompey Le Havre and Newhaven Dieppe

Newhaven Dieppe is the best for us here in Nottingham, nice ride down to the ferry, 4 hr crossing then only 178 miles to Le Mans

Left Newhaven at 11pm, arrived Dieppe at 4am, then down at Le Mans by 7.30am collecting our passes before the crowds arrived. Great to walk around the paddock while it was quiet too.

€22.50 toll each way, although we came back on the National roads, which was a fab drive

Paid £130 return for Le Mans 2013, booked last November.

LD Lines/Transmarche ferries greatly under-rated in my opinion and offer brilliant value for money

Edited by webby23 on Tuesday 9th July 17:29

Edited by webby23 on Tuesday 9th July 17:31

Edited by webby23 on Tuesday 9th July 17:31

[struttob]

I think that over the years we have done all the crossings with the exception of the tunnel.

The longer crossings, Portsmouth/Caen, Poole/Cherbourg, Newhaven/Dieppe, Portsmouth/LeHavre make a good start to the trip and a shorter drive from the port to Le Mans.

For us the drive to Dover is a right pain n the proverbial - and the drive down on the other side quite a considerable distance.

FWIW my favourite is Portsmouth/Caen - but Brittany have started to take the pi*s over the last few years so it is Newhaven/Dieppe with LD Lines for us for the last couple of trips.

Bob

[James_N]

Portsmouth to Caen is the most relaxing crossing. Overnight crossing on the Saturday / Sunday night the week before LM, nice outside cabin. Quick beer in the bar before retiring to bed, then a gentle cruise down to LM in the morning. Bliss

However this year, due to leaving it a bit late, and due to having a caravan in tow, the Caen crossing was coming out at £900 return

Needless to say, we took the tunnel. But the journey down there from the Midlands, is the most boring, soul destroying trip ever.

Caen boat booked well in advance next time!

[SEE YA]

James_N said:

Portsmouth to Caen is the most relaxing crossing. Overnight crossing on the Saturday / Sunday night the week before LM, nice outside cabin. Quick beer in the bar before retiring to bed, then a gentle cruise down to LM in the morning. Bliss

However this year, due to leaving it a bit late, and due to having a caravan in tow, the Caen crossing was coming out at £900 return

Needless to say, we took the tunnel. But the journey down there from the Midlands, is the most boring, soul destroying trip ever.

Caen boat booked well in advance next time!

That is going to be my route next year,main reason we are moving to the south west.
They are not open, for bookings till end of this month maybe August.

[F1 CJE UK]

Caen is a great little drive into Le Mans

Thats my plan for next time

Edited by F1 CJE UK on Thursday 11th July 12:06

[FraMac]

SEE YA said:

....
They are not open, for bookings till end of this month maybe August.

For travelling June 2014, the booking slot doesn't open until Septeber 2013. If you know anyone who is a member of their travel club and you quote their member number you should get a discount (not huge, but better in your beer kitty than their coffers).

[Polariz]

Ah slightly off topic here, but any idea why the toll cost me 52 Euro's on the way down? It was an automated booth, and I don't speak French, so doing anything about this wasn't on the cards really!

Newhaven to Dieppe route by the way.

[V8mate]

Polariz said:

We didn't fancy the massive drive from Calais so we found that ...

Massive? Really?

[Polariz]

When I say "we", I mean my 64 year old Dad. Over 4 hours would be pushing it.

[SEE YA]

Thanks just my luck I do not know of anyone who is?

FraMac said:

SEE YA said:

....
They are not open, for bookings till end of this month maybe August.

For travelling June 2014, the booking slot doesn't open until Septeber 2013. If you know anyone who is a member of their travel club and you quote their member number you should get a discount (not huge, but better in your beer kitty than their coffers).

[The Leaper]

70 year old dad here, been driving to/from Le Mans since 1996 always via Eurotunnel. 400 miles from here to the circuit. Where's the problem?

R

[struttob]

The Leaper said:

70 year old dad here, been driving to/from Le Mans since 1996 always via Eurotunnel. 400 miles from here to the circuit. Where's the problem?

R

If you have never tried another crossing then you should !

Been going since 1979 and that drive down from Calais is soul destroying compared to the jaunts from the nearer ports ! But then I am only 60 !

Bob

[DMN]

Newhaven-Dieppe or Pompey-Cean/Cherburg for me.

Yes the price is a little more, but its less driving time and more time to sleep. Combine it with going the old route up to Rouen, and its toll free.