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18/05/2008, 22:56 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 1,828 Re: Eurotunnel Fares -v- Ferries I have used Speedferries 20 or 30 times or so it seems and have never ever seen a person seasick, although I dont spend my time in the toilets - honestly officer In all that time I could only describe one crossing as a bit wobbly (again no-one I saw seemed sick), I find that if the conditions are not good there is some motion when the boat leaves the harbour before it gets up on the plane, thereafter for me it is smoother than a traditional boat. I think vomit comet is just a good but undeserved name that has stuck, I even use it myself. The worst ever trips I have had was a 2 1/2 day journey which actually took 6 sleeping on the deck of a copra cargo boat in the South Pacific closely followed by a Transmanche ferry in difficult seas with relatively few but severely intrusive "traveller type" passengers.    Report

04/06/2008, 8:24 P2 Joined on 13/09/2006 Posts 226 Re: Eurotunnel Fares -v- Ferries I have used the ferries but now opt for the tunnel. Yes, if you shop around you can go cheaper by ferry. However, as we take our dog over she would be absolutely scared stiff if she was alone on the car deck of a ferry, especially if the alarms of cars were going off during a rough crossing. The other advantages..... We have a 730 mile drive to our house in France. You turn off of the motorway in to the tunnel check-in, no driving through Dover and therefore reach it quicker (unless you live in Dover). It is normally a lot quieter than the ferry ports. The journey time is 35 minutes saving an hour plus the time from the tunnel turn off to the ferry port, which can be quite important on a long journey. There are no restaurants but there again you are not subjected to all the noise in the restaurants and bars on ferries, especially when coach parties are on board. The exit at Calais on to the motorway also seems easier. As for cost. We opt for the 05:50 from the UK so no supplement. Return 20:20 from Calais and, if we arrive early are allocated an earlier crossing. This adds a supplement of £20 or £30 around bank holidays. In my opinion an altogether better and more relaxed way of crossing and well worth any extra paid. Paul    Report

20/06/2008, 9:06 odile Joined on 09/05/2008 Posts 296 Re: Eurotunnel Fares -v- Ferries Gadsby made the decision - so tunnel it is! (she is the dog - really doesn't like the ferry) + ferry companies will come and go - but surely we could never lose the Tunnel and Concorde!    Report

20/06/2008, 17:27 Alan Zoff Joined on 27/07/2005 Allier 03 Posts 551 Re: Eurotunnel Fares -v- Ferries Concorde from Gloucestershire to the Auvergne. There's a thought. If they included that route, it could still be in the air. But would it be able to compete with Speedferries on price?  I for one would be willing to pay an extra tenner.  "Live your dreams, don't dream your life"    Report

20/06/2008, 19:10 powerdesal Joined on 07/01/2006 Sharjah U.A.E Posts 2,173 Re: Eurotunnel Fares -v- Ferries  cooperlola wrote: But it's going to take a lot to make me travel by ferry again - it is not just the speed and discomfort of the actual crossings (I too get horribly seasick on both ferries and the cats) but the lugubrious customs processes - which still seem to have to be gone through at both ends of the journey.  ???????? What customs processes?  We have never (yet) been stopped by customs at UK or French end of the speedferries trip. OK, we have only done the trip half a dozen or so times so there is still time. Steve Sharjah (but not for long ) + 50 (in France) ........................................................................... 7 days Ins'Allah (1 with the packers, 2 for the week end, 4 for work)( or maybe 8, or 9, or 10 or 11 or....)    Report

20/06/2008, 19:22 cooperlola Joined on 05/05/2006 72 - Sarthe - home of les 24 heures du Mans Posts 6,408 Re: Eurotunnel Fares -v- Ferries  powerdesal wrote:  cooperlola wrote: But it's going to take a lot to make me travel by ferry again - it is not just the speed and discomfort of the actual crossings (I too get horribly seasick on both ferries and the cats) but the lugubrious customs processes - which still seem to have to be gone through at both ends of the journey.  ???????? What customs processes?  We have never (yet) been stopped by customs at UK or French end of the speedferries trip. OK, we have only done the trip half a dozen or so times so there is still time. Well, when I go by Eurotunnel, I only get my passport etc checked at the departure side.  When I've gone by boat, this has happened on both sides of the channel, and I've had to queue both sides to be "processed."  With Eurotunnel, when I drive off the train, I'm free to go! Healthcare Issues Site    Report

21/06/2008, 17:19 Gluestick Joined on 22/03/2006 UK and Nord Pas de Calais Posts 2,342 Re: Eurotunnel Fares -v- Ferries Went over on Thursday with Number One Son as he wanted some wine; I wanted to cut the grass; and we both fancied a boy's day out and a decent lunch. First time on Speedferries: not an auspicious choice as the Manche was a tad rough! At one point I did think the damned thing was going to tip over! Price was excellent £23 for the return trip: 07.00AM sailing out and the 05.00 PM sailing back. Passports were checked both ends: in the case of the return journey, twice: once by the Police aux Frontiere and then again at check in with Speedferries. On Eurotunnel which Mrs G and I use frequently, passports are checked once only on entering the port restricted area. UK Customs of course, in Coquelle are amalgamated with Immigration. Never been stopped. On all ferries, I have always had to drive through the custom's shed at Dover and have rarely been stopped. Coming back from France last year again with son on a wine shopping exercise, we were stopped strangely enough by French customs, who looked inside his Terrano with amazement at the sheer quantity of wine, laughed soundly, asked a couple of questions (we explained that some was mine but the bulk was son's annual supply!) and waved us on. "Yes, but that apart, Mrs Lincoln, did you enjoy the play?" Gluestick    Report

24/07/2008, 10:08 goose Joined on 09/10/2007 Milton Keynes UK Posts 5 Re: Eurotunnel Fares -v- Ferries We always use Eurotunnel now mainly because we take the dog with us and you can sit in your car for the 35 minutes and be comfortable. The price is more but when I recently checked some of the ferries (we want to go from Portsmouth as we are in the area the day before we travel to France in October), after you have added a cabin or whatever to the cost it is nearly as much, if not more than the chunnel. Although we have had the car searched before getting on the train, we have (fingers crossed) never had a problem being stopped at the other end as you always drive straight off the train and onto the roads. I think this has to be the more civilised way to travel from our point of view as I am not a good sailor either Carol Carol    Report

11/08/2008, 14:57 teapot Joined on 28/07/2008 Posts 55 Re: Eurotunnel Fares -v- Ferries Hi Carol, interested in how much it costs you to drive from Portsmouth to Folkstone and back? if you add that to the tunnel price how does it compare? Also if you are travelling south  in France, what about the extra fuel cost to get from Calais to and from le Havre or the like and also the extra toll money. Add that lot up and I am sure the ferry is not that bad, then although the tunnel is only 35 mins ish you have probably an extra two hours from Portsmouth to the port and two back, also on the French side a couple more each hours way. Sounds hard work for the driver and the wallet.      Report

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