Travelling from Scotland...
Travelling from Scotland...
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Discussion

Ibiza125

Original Poster:

82 posts

227 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
Right so I have been a previous regular to Le Mans, attended 05,06,07,08 and previous times we have always gopt the boat from Rosyth - Zeebrugge, but this has now been stopped.

So we are thinking travelling from Hull - Zeebrugge (as we prefer driving through France opposed to the UK...), but we can't seem to book this in advance, they are only taking bookings until December! Has anyone tried booking with them i.e. phoning them up?

The only other option would be to go all the way down to Dover for us I think! Which I want to avoid doing at all costs..!

We WILL be going next year regardless, so see you's there! :P

WillumXI

1 posts

157 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
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Hi mate. I think the Newcastle - Amsterdam ferry would be a better option for you!

Some Gump

13,018 posts

215 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
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WillumXI said:
Hi mate. I think the Newcastle - Amsterdam ferry would be a better option for you!
Tha's a long ferry, and the bar is grim.
Great laugh though smile

leyorkie

1,813 posts

205 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
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I wouldn't panic for booking this ferry as its not really the most obvious route for Le Mans.
Dover crossings very busy and full up but not Hull.

ellroy

7,823 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
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We use Hull every year and only ever book in the spring.

Never an issue with space they are massive boats.

Look forward to seeing you in June!

fluffnik

20,156 posts

256 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
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Another vote for Newcastle - Amsterdam.

You usually clear the port by 10 and can be well into France for lunch if you don't fancy mayo on your chips.

James_N

3,301 posts

263 months

Saturday 3rd August 2013
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Ibiza125 said:
but we can't seem to book this in advance, they are only taking bookings until December!
Likewise for the Portsmouth crossings. Its a bit too soon to book them yet.

gav iscon

3 posts

160 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
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James_N said:
Likewise for the Portsmouth crossings. Its a bit too soon to book them yet.
Brittany Ferries crossings are now online.

Ibiza125

Original Poster:

82 posts

227 months

Friday 9th August 2013
quotequote all
I gave P&O an email and got this in return smile:

"We still haven't loaded our prices for that time next year. You would need to check around October onwards."

Phew!!

Dickie Dastardly

725 posts

195 months

Monday 12th August 2013
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Hull - Zeebrugge gets my vote when travelling from Edinburgh; Wednesday crossing going out, Monday coming back.

You can't book until nearer xmas but there is never a problem.

thumbup

fluffnik

20,156 posts

256 months

Tuesday 13th August 2013
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Dickie Dastardly said:
Hull - Zeebrugge gets my vote when travelling from Edinburgh
Any reason for a preference over Newcastle - Amsterdam?

Dickie Dastardly

725 posts

195 months

Tuesday 13th August 2013
quotequote all
fluffnik said:
Any reason for a preference over Newcastle - Amsterdam?
Well to be fair i've never done Newcastle to Amsterdam.

With the Hull trip the ferry times are good (both departing Hull and arriving in Zeebrugge and likewise coming back) and the run is excellent without seeming too long. There are also a lot of nice cars heading over from Hull which also adds to the occasion...

frag68

273 posts

173 months

Wednesday 14th August 2013
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I am also looking at Hull - Zeebrugge next year as driving from Glasgow to Dover for the Tunnel in a Westy was no fun last year. The Newcastle route is also appealling, but I think the drive through Belgium might be a bit long, but if only adding on a couple of hours, then I may consider this route.

I suppose its six of one and half a dozen of the other really.

I have been on both routes in the past and have enjoyed the sailings. I also agree that that these are not normal routes for people crossing to Le Mans, so booking should be OK

fluffnik

20,156 posts

256 months

Wednesday 14th August 2013
quotequote all
Dickie Dastardly said:
fluffnik said:
Any reason for a preference over Newcastle - Amsterdam?
Well to be fair i've never done Newcastle to Amsterdam.

With the Hull trip the ferry times are good (both departing Hull and arriving in Zeebrugge and likewise coming back) and the run is excellent without seeming too long. There are also a lot of nice cars heading over from Hull which also adds to the occasion...
...and to be fair I've never done Hull - Zeebrugge. hehe

I like the short(ish) drive home from North Shields but it looks like the Hull boat gets you on the road sooner, I might have to give it a go - when do you typically clear customs?

ellroy

7,823 posts

254 months

Wednesday 14th August 2013
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930-10 am off the boat as a rule of thumb.

fluffnik

20,156 posts

256 months

Wednesday 14th August 2013
quotequote all
ellroy said:
930-10 am off the boat as a rule of thumb.
It's usually between 9:50 and 10:20 when you get your passport back and wished a "Niesh Day" by the Marechaussee in IJmuiden, so I'm unconvinced that the extra drive at the home end is worth it. The timings gave me hope of being on the road before 9...

Caterbroon

73 posts

159 months

Wednesday 21st August 2013
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Seriously thinking about the hull-zebrugge crossing for next year. Don't fancy the drive from west lothian to Dover / Portsmouth in a Caterham but Hull is fine.

Any idea about timings from Zebrugge to Le Mans once on the other side? google maps reckons 4 and a half hours but I'm guessing thats motorways. What would it take on 'proper' roads and does anyone have any suggestions for good routes?

Forgot to ask - what does the ferry from Hull cost?

Edited by Caterbroon on Wednesday 21st August 09:45

Ibiza125

Original Poster:

82 posts

227 months

Thursday 22nd August 2013
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Everytime we have done it we have taken roughly 6 hours to get to Le Mans from Zeebrugge, taking all the good routes, fuel/supply stops.

I would love to tell you what routes to take, but we kind of made them up every year haha!