Message Forums

Got a few trips planned this year but next year would like to take the Pathfinder a bit further afield, mainland Europe maybe? Dont really know where to start with regards to ferries/Chunnel etc ?

Has anyone done it and do you have any pointers ? Also how much would I expect to pay to get the camper across the water as most of the ferry sites I have been on dont seem to mention trailers.

As usual, any help would be appreciated.

Rich.

Try here

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/directory2/results.asp?type=35

Mike

Just booked today for the Loire area L`Etang site  with our folding camper just waiting for con that there is space available ,went Brittany last year so alittle more driving this year.We booked both times using the Carefree brochure from the C&C Club great price and really easy to do .One thing i found was that driving in France was much easier than in UK .No doubt as others will have found once you do it once it gives you confidence to venture alittle further .Can recommend France not sure about other countries .Ferry prices vary greatly depending on what time of day you are prepared to sail .

.........Alan...............

Went to Holland last august. Picasso with three bikes on top, 2 adults and 1 child with pennine pathfinder on ferry was £532 overnight return with cabin (booked 9 month in advance). We went Hull to Rotterdam and then just over an hour of travelling to Druinrell.  Just over an hour from Yorkshire to Hull therefore very little driving for first trip abroad.  Our holiday started as soon as we boarded, checking out the duty free, had a gorgeous evening buffet meal and a bit of entertainment for my daughter, piano bar and then bed, arrived in Holland suitably refreshed for about 8.00 a.m.

Booked everything direct with ferry company and Druinrell.

Some people that were travelling this way used holland for their gateway to Germany,austria and Italy, whereas one family did it the cheap way and travelled from Sheffield to Dover/Calais and and up into Holland and Druinrell, this involved a lot more driving and I suppose what you would save in petrol you spend on the cost of the ferry, they had more children so didn't work out cost effective for them,

I see you are further South so you have easier access to Dover and France. South of france is extremely busy on the roads in August as the French take a month off then. 

Went to Holland last august. Picasso with three bikes on top, 2 adults and 1 child with pennine pathfinder on ferry was £532 overnight return with cabin (booked 9 month in advance). We went Hull to Rotterdam and then just over an hour of travelling to Druinrell.  Just over an hour from Yorkshire to Hull therefore very little driving for first trip abroad.  Our holiday started as soon as we boarded, checking out the duty free, had a gorgeous evening buffet meal and a bit of entertainment for my daughter, piano bar and then bed, arrived in Holland suitably refreshed for about 8.00 a.m.

Booked everything direct with ferry company and Druinrell.

Some people that were travelling this way used holland for their gateway to Germany,austria and Italy, whereas one family did it the cheap way and travelled from Sheffield to Dover/Calais and and up into Holland and Druinrell, this involved a lot more driving and I suppose what you would save in petrol you spend on the cost of the ferry, they had more children so didn't work out cost effective for them,

I see you are further South so you have easier access to Dover and France. South of france is extremely busy on the roads in August as the French take a month off then. 

Went to Holland last august. Picasso with three bikes on top, 2 adults and 1 child with pennine pathfinder on ferry was £532 overnight return with cabin (booked 9 month in advance). We went Hull to Rotterdam and then just over an hour of travelling to Druinrell.  Just over an hour from Yorkshire to Hull therefore very little driving for first trip abroad.  Our holiday started as soon as we boarded, checking out the duty free, had a gorgeous evening buffet meal and a bit of entertainment for my daughter, piano bar and then bed, arrived in Holland suitably refreshed for about 8.00 a.m.

Booked everything direct with ferry company and Druinrell.

Some people that were travelling this way used holland for their gateway to Germany,austria and Italy, whereas one family did it the cheap way and travelled from Sheffield to Dover/Calais and and up into Holland and Druinrell, this involved a lot more driving and I suppose what you would save in petrol you spend on the cost of the ferry, they had more children so didn't work out cost effective for them,

I see you are further South so you have easier access to Dover and France. South of france is extremely busy on the roads in August as the French take a month off then. 

I hate the run around the M25 etc  for the cheap ferries & the Chunnel. I have always found the Chunnel great, for any towed trailer & especially pets. I travel from Hants.

A way of keeping down the costs (doesnot really apply to Dover or Chunnel) is to make the ferry booking in Jan. There is usually a good saving to be made. Depends where you are travelling from & your destination. This year I am trying LD lines for the first time. In a weeks time I am doing the 7am crossing to Dieppe, for Chinon. Then in Oct I am trying the overnight Portsmouth to Le Havre. Both with dog.