Quote: Originally posted by Matthew H on 27/8/2007
Hi.
We are planning a day trip from Dover to Calais on Thursday as foot passengers. Just two adults for one day only. We are trying to make sure we have enough cash for the whole trip. Does anyone have any idea how much it will be? What will we need apart from passports? Do we need travel insurance? etc etc.
Thanks alot for your help. We are camping for three days in dover so we need to make sure we can afford it.
Thanks Matthew
If you are staying in Dover then you will only use the ferries that do the Dover-Calais route, so as others have said, just Google for what you want. You could use a travel agent - many TA's do arrange day trips believe it or not.
Personally I would always recommend insurance (though not via travel agents!) as I know many people who've had problems and I've also had to use the medical section of the policies myself for various things. In France, provided you have the replacement card for the E111 (whatever it's now called!) you can be treated and although you have to pay for any treatment you can claim part of it (75%?) back. You never know what might happen .... and in particular, medical treatment can be expensive.
Previously you had to complete a medical claim form whilst in France ... now you can do it when back in the UK with no problem. But having insurance can provide better cover than the E111 replacement .... and a nasty accident or illness can result in a hefty bill, so to my mind insurance is essential.
We have an annual travel policy as we go to France etc a lot and an annual policy is a lot cheaper for us. For a day trip you may find it quite expensive, but should something happen it can be really worthwhile.
Calais is not exactly typical of much of France, but you can still have a great day and it can be a good experience. Personally I'd always want a car to be able to travel away from the touristy places. In addition, I'd always avoid the touristy restaurants etc .... but then I had a French girlfriend for years and she was a mine of information about such matters - so we went for the true 'French' places, grotty looking, paper tablecloths, but fantastic food! :-)
Basically, just go for it! If you enjoy the experience then please do go again but delve deeper into France and soak up the experience. It's a heck of a lot different now to what it used to be 35 years ago, but if you immerse yourself in the true French way of life you can really enjoy it.
We've just come back from a trip down to Biarritz and back up through the Loire and had a great time in most respects. In a short while I have a couple of calls to make over there and will 'enjoy' my stay once again! :-)
BTW, it can be really good to read some of George East's books/novels - or Stephen Clarke's ... to get a good insight into the French phsyche! I can really relate to some of the characters they portray! ;-))
Oozat
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Topic: Day trip to France.
