You can get on a later ferry - certainly with P and O - we have done several times, because we live in the North of England and traffic can be very unpredictable.  We've never been asked to pay anything extra - and on one occasion were three hours late when an accident completely blocked the motorway.

We generally book a late evening ferry and travel in both May and late August - it may well be different in peak season and with day sailings.

This time we're booked with Norfolk Line for £78.00 return, car, caravan and two people, in mid-May - and same amount again in late-August. 

Most of the French go on holiday just after Bastille Day which is the 14th of July - so later in July is the busiest time, along with the first and second weeks in August.  The best time to go is May/June, or at the back end of August/September.  At that time you can always get a pitch wherever you go - but in July I'd certainly suggest booking, especially as it's your first time with the caravan in France.  We use Camping Cheques, and an ACSI card, and going in May and later in August we don't book at all - but I must admit the first few years it felt strange, and I was always sure we'd find the sites full.  We never did, we've always found a pitch at those times of year.

We've been going to France since 1980 - and for the last fifteen years have been twice a year with the caravan, and on odd short breaks (flying) as well!  We love it - the French have just got 'the campsite thing' right - and everything about France is more caravan friendly than here.

Stan, the stupid O'clock was around 3am! most daytime ferries were full for that weekend (the busiest of the year!), we really wanted to do the cherbourg thing but the extra £300 or so is out of the question. The tunnel price was for car &van, we booked through the Camping club so got a small discount too.

We did the train last year and found it very easy and quick although if you miss your slot they may charge more for the next train.

Driving over there is really easy and you can really munch up the miles more so than over here, roads are usually quiet and on the autoroute you can usually engage cruise and go to sleep!!!

If its school holidays or french holidays I would advise booking, a lot of sites we looked at were already full for beginning of august. Why not try the camping club, £35 to join but you should get that back in discounts on site/ferry fees, also they are very helpful and organise it all for you. This year we have booked direct for the site and done the train through the C&C club.

Quote: Originally posted by richosimon on 28/3/2009

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The overnight Brittany Ferry Portsmouth to St Malo is the most relaxing and enjoyable as far as i am concerned but it works out expensive. We used it last year as it was the first time we had gone to france with the kids (9 and 11) they thought it was amazing. I booked a cabin which was a good move as they were all sold out if we had left it and tried on the night. The ferry leaves aroud 8-30pm and arrives in Saint Malo at 7-00 ish. Giving plenty of time to have something to eat in the evening a good look round 6 or 7 hours kip and a good breakfast in the morning before driving again. The cost is the only negative and it is a big negative. we allways book through the camping and caravan club and the price differance this year was around £500 compared to Dover to Calais. So this year it is Dover Calais and a stopover on the way to the Vendee. I still rekon i will be saving after diesel and the night stop each way.

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We are doing this route for the first time, as the last 3 years always gone Portsmouth  - Caen.

We live in Lancashire so its a good 7 hours drive for us down to the uk coast to start off with. So, taking into account an overnight stop in the uk and then same in France to break the long journey if we were to get cheap from Calais and petrol costs the overnight Portsmouth-St Malo ferry is good value in money and convienience terms.

Turn up in Brittany in the morning after a sleep on the ferry in a comfy cabin and a short 2 hour drive to our campsite is a reet good do!

Sometimes the cheapest crossings turn out to be the most expensive after the add ons.

Here if it for an overnight as seemingly they are good if you are arriving late.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=6682