Travelling to Europe

Border_Collie · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject: Travelling to Europe

When visiting Europe for a day trip, long weekend or holiday, how do you prefer to travel?

I always used to enjoy travelling on SeaCat.

999tommo · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject:

Whilst not always the cheapest (Sea Cat is) I prefer Eurotunnel as the simplicity of driving on and 35 mins later driving off, is just brilliant. The only downside is the view out the window !! Wink

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GPS_fan · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:57 pm Post subject:

Now, then, do you use SeaCat as a car ferry, foot passenger or do you travel by coach on SeaCat Wink

This is a tricky question because it always seems to be the ferries which offer the best deals rather than the tunnel route (Eurostar or Shuttle).

If you're on a booze cruise, there's little point in going as a foot passenger.

Being a coach passenger may limit the flexibility of travel whilst you're on the continent.

The last time I was on the continent was over 10 years ago when GPS was fairly new to the public domain and we were quickly surrounded by French customs officials - all eager to see this amazing gadget, not searching for anything in the car. After the best part of an hour speaking in rather poor French, broken English and with much pointing, we managed to communicate how it worked.

How things have changed now
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wiz · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject:

Channel Tunnel as 999tommo said the views not that good but it is fast and you don't have to worry about rough seas either Smile

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classy56 · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject:

I know coach drivers are Godlike, but even we can't drive on water Very Happy

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Tim Buxton · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject:

It depends what I'm doing and where I'm going! When we go to Brittany, it's generally Portsmouth-Caen. On the bike, it's generally Chunnel and on a booze run it's dover-Calais more often than not. Package holiday = flight.
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Border_Collie · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:45 pm Post subject:

I'm lucky because I live a short distance from The Chunnel or Dover Ports and can make regular day trips.

SeaCat was the way we preferred to travel,under an hour to their dock, and about 50 minutes crossing. I still continued that way until the service stopped. I'd always said I wouldn't travel via the tunnel but after a few trips on the ferry and being stacked up like sardines, and getting the odd 'dig' on the sides because people could hardly get in and out of their cars without hitting yours, I decided to use the Tunnel. 45 minutes from home, book in 30 minutes before departure, a 35 minute crossing and I'm on the Autoroute in under two hours. I also like the flexibility when, if you happen to arrive early, they will, if space permits, ask if you want to travel on an earlier train.

One thing I haven't been able to work out, the pricing of their breakdown/travel insurance. It's cheaper to book both as a car with 5 passengers (£12 for the day), than book the breakdown and travel insurance 5 passengers separately (can't remember how much that is).

I had considered using Fast Ferries catamaran but found the last one back was about 19:30 French time.

Border_Collie · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject:

Skippy · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:24 am Post subject:

You need an option "What ever is cheapest!" Smile

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999tommo · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:56 pm Post subject:

The cheapest option as fas as I have found, is the Sea Cat crossing from Dover to Boulogne, operated by Speedferries. I got a return crossing last year for £50. This covered the car and up to five people. The cheapest Eurotunnel return I have had is £79, but I had to book almost a year in advance for that price.

I think you can get cheaper for booze cruises, but you have to return within 5 days, which I don't do. I drive lots of miles, get lots of wine over a two week period, then come home.
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mostdom · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:24 pm Post subject:

I used to love the Hoverspeed, just the experience was worth it, but always plaged by the weather, and a shame it is now retired. Sad

My preference is the ferry as when driving the length of France the 75 min crossing give you a chance to rest in comfy seats and get a bite to eat. makes for safe driving when you get off. I think tommo can respect that!

Difficulty is my sister gets sick on the boat so If she's on for the ride I have to take the chunnel. Not being able to get away from the car for a short while is a pain! Sad

If I were on a day trip either would be fine.
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999tommo · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:38 pm Post subject:

Respect !! Yes, that's at least two good drivers on the forums then.. Wink

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classy56 · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:08 am Post subject:

GPS_fan · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:01 am Post subject:

GPS_fan · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:06 am Post subject:

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