Channel Crossings

[SlugLobber]

I've done both and the tunnel was fine on foot (on the Eurostar), but when I went on by coach/car, I hated it. I get claustrophobic and was in a right old sweat by the time I reached the other side.

I prefer the ferry if it's a long trip, just because I see the daylight/get fresh air! You can't beat a walk on deck and wrestling with those doors in the wind!

[Nicos]

SuperU hire cars out at €5 a day, yes thats right, thats not a typo, 5 Euro a day. Free/cheap flights and 5 euro a day car hire.... its the way ahead.

Ohh- thanks for that Bob!!!
* makes a mental note for future visitors!!!)

Hate the ferry personally- but at least there's a chance of a sleep and a lot less driving.
It takes us 12 hrs anyway with 5-6 hrs driving. Going Via the tunnel involves more driving- and traffic, and uses a lot more petrol.

Out of choice I'd fly too- but there's so much stuff to bring over- and FlyMaybe aren't as reliable as they could be
Cost of flying is restrictive once there's 2 or more of you too.

...mmm- yep- I do get very seasick too

* goes off to find out more about SuperU offers

[lynda66]

double-dare ya

dare away, it ain't gonna happen

[di]

I've done both and the tunnel was fine on foot (on the Eurostar), but when I went on by coach/car, I hated it. I get claustrophobic and was in a right old sweat by the time I reached the other side.

I prefer the ferry if it's a long trip, just because I see the daylight/get fresh air! You can't beat a walk on deck and wrestling with those doors in the wind!

I'm so pleased you put Eurostar in bracketsMy first thoughts were double

[bobleponge]

Ohh- thanks for that Bob!!!
* makes a mental note for future visitors!!!)

Hate the ferry personally- but at least there's a chance of a sleep and a lot less driving.
It takes us 12 hrs anyway with 5-6 hrs driving. Going Via the tunnel involves more driving- and traffic, and uses a lot more petrol.

Out of choice I'd fly too- but there's so much stuff to bring over- and FlyMaybe aren't as reliable as they could be
Cost of flying is restrictive once there's 2 or more of you too.

...mmm- yep- I do get very seasick too

* goes off to find out more about SuperU offers

Just go to your local SuperU and have a look at the cars outside. They are only little scabby things, but they're new, and if your guests arent travelling far, 5 euro a day is fantastic.
They are all parked up outside my local SuperU, in a line just outside the shop, along with the vans that they hire out for about 8 Euro a day as well.

[Nicos]

Vans??? - oooh!

[smallblueplanet]

Try searching here - pick Drive U (I think)?

Hyper U, Super U, Marché U : les Magasins U à votre service

[Nicos]

Thanks!!!!

[FionaH]

Great site but just realised how rusty my french is! We have stayed at a friends house a couple of times, renting a Hyper U car would be ideal. I get hysterical driving down to the house

[jackie j]

Never done either so not sure, we did go on a ferry crossing once from Torquay toJersey we were all sea sick but we never got to Jersey as the sea was too rough and they couldnt guaranty getting us home again as it was a day trip. As Plymouth to Roscoff is nearer for us that is probably how we will travel when we finally do get to go to France camping, this year maybe ( said every year ) !!!

[Jardiniere]

Hate ferries havent been on one for years...no longer take car to engerland but if we did we use the tunnel.
Usually fly but at Xmas we went by train...the worst part was crossing Paris on the metro - being more used to London Underground...or the DLR - the metro is a dump!
Also disappointed with Eurostar it wasnt as nice as our ordinary french train which was comfortable and had a trolley service ..albeit 5 hours from Cahors to Paris is a bit of a trek.............

[Flytrap]

Ferries are OK. Speedferries were not as nice as SeaFrance but were quicker (both in crossing and closer to our final destination). Still trying to get money back from credit card company since they went under.
Tend to use the Tunnel now and we also get Tesco Club Card Deal tickets. Tunnel far superior to any ferry (except the blinking toilets are never in working order).
Hate flying, and the so called low budget flights cost an arm and a leg if you need to book in any luggage in, plus all the many hidden extras and the endless waiting around etc. etc. then the cost of car hire on top. Would rather have the luxury of our own car and take everything we need, even if the journey is another 7 or so hours to our house in Charente. Naff all cars on the road in France anyway. The new section of the A28 is usually almost all our own.
Would like to sell the house but no chance these days, think we are stuck with it. Great house but not ideal location for us.

Flytrap.

[beefy]

If all is running on time and I'm in a hurry the tunnel every time.
But if i have a little time I like the ferry as well .No problems with lumpy seas - I actually enjoy a slightly rough crossing. Fire is what scares me about the tunnel.

[pigletwillie]

I used to be ok on rough water but was stuck for hours, just outside Dover harbour in 1987.

The night of the hurricane, it was horrible and since then I just cant do wobbly water.

[tootles]

Bob, the 5 Euro car hire is only for long term hire (2 years - how long are your guests staying!)
I loved Speedferries, quickest, cheapest ferry crossing and you din't spend your time being sold too, even coffee wasn't expensive, probably their undoing.
Not being able to shop in Tesco we don't get clubcard vouchers and thus can't afford the tunnel (£200 each way at Christmas instead of £44 on Speedferries - before the bust) Perhaps the Teasco vouchers are what is keeping the tunnel prices so high????