Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravanning and Camping Abroad 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Ferry or tunnel??? Post Reply Post New Topic
Personbofs
12/7/2020 at 1:00pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 520 View bofs's Profile View Profile   Reply to bofs Reply   Quote bofs Quote  
Joined: 10/1/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2672
Site Reviews Total: 102
Site Reviews 2024: 5  
Site Reviews 2023: 4  
Site Reviews 2022: 11 
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 9  
Site Reviews 2019: 10 
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 22
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 54
Site Nights 2021: 24
Site Nights 2020: 36
Site Nights 2019: 55
Site Nights 2018: 47
We're hoping to go to France in September with our 2 dogs, taking our van from the UK rather than using the one stored in France so we can be more self-contained and avoid overnight stays in hotels etc. Our dilemma is whether to use our normal choice of the Poole to Cherbourg ferry (which is scheduled to be running again from the start of September) with a cabin or to use the tunnel. On the face of it, it is "safer" to use the tunnel as you stay in your own vehicle, but I expect the terminals will be much busier than Poole and Cherbourg harbours and I'm wondering whether the eastern side of France will be busier with visitors than the western side, with UK visitors and those from other European countries. Or am I just overthinking everything?
Advice from people who have recently used the ferries or the tunnel welcome - and other people's opinions. Thank you.


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


Personoxter
via mobile 12/7/2020 at 1:42pm
 Location: NE Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix + CRV View oxter's Profile View Profile   Reply to oxter Reply   Quote oxter Quote  
Joined: 02/10/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3894
Site Reviews Total: 83
Site Reviews 2024: 3  
Site Reviews 2023: 2  
Site Reviews 2022: 7  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 6  
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 14
Site Nights 2023: 14
Site Nights 2022: 47
Site Nights 2021: 14
Site Nights 2020: 11
Site Nights 2019: 36
Site Nights 2018: 8
Sounds like a lot of hassle and extra expense to avoid a stop over.

I’d sanitise and be careful if like us you keep a van there.

We have a van here too but wouldn’t dream of tugging it over there just to avoid a hotel stop.

If you go by ferry the risks are there too.

We won’t decided till much nearer September until we see the situation.

Good luck and take care whatever you decide bofs.



-------------
playing at tinkies


Personfranbee
12/7/2020 at 3:34pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan View franbee's Profile View Profile   Reply to franbee Reply   Quote franbee Quote  
Joined: 21/7/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3215
Site Reviews Total: 235
Site Reviews 2024: 19 
Site Reviews 2023: 19 
Site Reviews 2022: 21 
Site Reviews 2021: 7  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 11 
Site Reviews 2018: 9  
Site Nights 2024: 30
Site Nights 2023: 37
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 14
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 16
Site Nights 2018: 13
I would always choose the tunnel, and don't think it's any busier in the terminals than anywhere else. You would maybe only need to use a toilet, so any one is as covid free as the next.

If you take your van, you have your own facilities of course, and wouldn't need any other accommodation.
Presumably it takes you a day's travel to get to Folkestone? Cross in the evening and hole up somewhere in France for the night.


PersonJoannaLesley
12/7/2020 at 5:31pm
 Location: South Northamptonshi
 Outfit: Delta-Freelander View JoannaLesley's Profile View Profile   Reply to JoannaLesley Reply   Quote JoannaLesley Quote  
Joined: 31/8/2015

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1198
Site Reviews Total: 51
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 8  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 1  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 29
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 4
Site Nights 2019: 16
Site Nights 2018: 31
With dogs I would always use the tunnel.

-------------
Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


PersonTriaxle
via mobile 12/7/2020 at 7:16pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Roller Team 746 View Triaxle's Profile View Profile   Reply to Triaxle Reply   Quote Triaxle Quote  
Joined: 02/12/2018

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   316
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We are using tunnel this year for first time with caravan ( we are approx 45 feet all up so normally use ferry peak season). Opted for tunnel for social distancing reasons, though interestingly / surprisingly came in cheaper than p & o Dover Calais this year 😳. Was a bit of a shock tbh.


Advertisement



PersonNetherton
12/7/2020 at 7:57pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Netherton's Profile View Profile   Reply to Netherton Reply   Quote Netherton Quote  
Joined: 12/1/2019

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1230
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 3
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 12/7/2020
With dogs I would always use the tunnel.


From here in Cornwall to Brittany via the tunnel ? That would need a very persuasive dog and a very patient, longsuffering wife.


Personsaxo1
12/7/2020 at 8:26pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View saxo1's Profile View Profile   Reply to saxo1 Reply   Quote saxo1 Quote  
Joined: 29/10/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4489
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
The first time we crossed with our dog we used the ferry,we were a bit apprehensive at first but when I went down to check on her half way across she was snuggled up sound asleep in her basket.
We crossed over 30 times with her without a problem,3 of them o/night xings,you never know how they will be until you try.
saxo1


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


PersonVal A
13/7/2020 at 6:11am
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate View Val A's Profile View Profile   Reply to Val A Reply   Quote Val A Quote  
Joined: 19/10/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   18741
Site Reviews Total: 30
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 4
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Tunnel and hotel - and use your stored caravan. Hotels are full of sanitiser bottles, reception had one, the dining room had several, and our room has one. Lots of people in the service stations are wearing masks and there is also plenty of sanitiser there too (in the larger aires - otherwise take your own). The main reason is that the tunnel makes you stay in your car which is safer to me then being on a ship full of other people.




PersonSGThomas
13/7/2020 at 7:52am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
Joined: 16/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6707
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 116
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 4  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 15 
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 98
WE take the tunnel for convenience, speed and economy (with frequent traveller rate)

It is safer as Val A says and I find you are mixing with a better class of person when confined to your car.


PersonStackman
13/7/2020 at 12:38pm
 Location: North Dorset
 Outfit: Eurohike Buckingham 6 Classic View Stackman's Profile View Profile   Reply to Stackman Reply   Quote Stackman Quote  
Joined: 28/6/2004

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   171
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We are planning a trip across the channel in September. We usually go DFDS Dover to Dunkirk but when we checked their prices were similar to or higher than the tunnel.

Never paid more than £130 for a return crossing before but they wanted at least £200 for going over Saturday and returning the following Sunday.

Eurotunnel was £210 for a fully refundable crossing so we are going with them.

-------------
I can remember when this was all fields.


Advertisement



Personbofs
13/7/2020 at 12:44pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 520 View bofs's Profile View Profile   Reply to bofs Reply   Quote bofs Quote  
Joined: 10/1/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2672
Site Reviews Total: 102
Site Reviews 2024: 5  
Site Reviews 2023: 4  
Site Reviews 2022: 11 
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 9  
Site Reviews 2019: 10 
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 22
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 54
Site Nights 2021: 24
Site Nights 2020: 36
Site Nights 2019: 55
Site Nights 2018: 47
Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 12/7/2020
The first time we crossed with our dog we used the ferry,we were a bit apprehensive at first but when I went down to check on her half way across she was snuggled up sound asleep in her basket.
We crossed over 30 times with her without a problem,3 of them o/night xings,you never know how they will be until you try.
saxo1


We've no issues with taking the dogs on the ferry (though we use the Poole-Cherbourg crossing in preference to the Portsmouth-Caen as it's shorter and the ports are quieter) - it's more a case of whether it's safer for us (from a Covid point of view) to use the tunnel or the ferry.
Although you stay in your own car for the crossing using the tunnel, we would need to get out to take the dogs to the Pet Control and the terminals will presumably be a lot busier than Poole or Cherbourg.
We also wondered whether the eastern side of France will be significantly busier with tourists than the western side, due to the majority of UK and other European visitors arriving in France that way.


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


Personfranbee
13/7/2020 at 1:45pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan View franbee's Profile View Profile   Reply to franbee Reply   Quote franbee Quote  
Joined: 21/7/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3215
Site Reviews Total: 235
Site Reviews 2024: 19 
Site Reviews 2023: 19 
Site Reviews 2022: 21 
Site Reviews 2021: 7  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 11 
Site Reviews 2018: 9  
Site Nights 2024: 30
Site Nights 2023: 37
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 14
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 16
Site Nights 2018: 13
Hedge your bets, go down the middle........


Personbofs
13/7/2020 at 3:54pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 520 View bofs's Profile View Profile   Reply to bofs Reply   Quote bofs Quote  
Joined: 10/1/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2672
Site Reviews Total: 102
Site Reviews 2024: 5  
Site Reviews 2023: 4  
Site Reviews 2022: 11 
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 9  
Site Reviews 2019: 10 
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 22
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 54
Site Nights 2021: 24
Site Nights 2020: 36
Site Nights 2019: 55
Site Nights 2018: 47
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 13/7/2020
Hedge your bets, go down the middle........


Good thought


Personchristian3
via mobile 13/7/2020 at 5:30pm
 Location: NOTTS
 Outfit: TENT View christian3's Profile View Profile   Reply to christian3 Reply   Quote christian3 Quote  
Joined: 10/4/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   330
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I’ve used the tunnel for years for both domestic and commercial purposes. I think it’s safer and less hassle. We have booked a small air bnb which will be cleaned and we pick the keys up via a lock box. Then we travel down to the dordogne then onto the ardeche. I generally can’t fault the tunnel , I booked mine about a month ago in hope that we would be safe to go. Roll on august. Fingers crossed it’s all green lights still.


Personbernard1973
13/7/2020 at 9:05pm
 Location: South Shields
 Outfit: VW T25 Westfalia View bernard1973's Profile View Profile   Reply to bernard1973 Reply   Quote bernard1973 Quote  
Joined: 07/6/2007

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   141
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 2
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Driving down from Sunderland to the South of France or Spain I'd rather get the ferry as it breaks the drive up.


PersonGEORGEBB
via mobile 14/7/2020 at 8:05pm
 Location: Central Scotland
 Outfit: Coachman 630 Extra View GEORGEBB's Profile View Profile   Reply to GEORGEBB Reply   Quote GEORGEBB Quote  
Joined: 17/3/2016

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   200
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 1  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 7
Site Nights 2019: 14
Site Nights 2018: 0
Depends what side of the uk you are and where you are going in France
West UK going to Normandy or west coast, no brainer to get the ferry for me, we use the ferry bunk Beds as our stop over, driving down west UK on a Saturday for the overnight ferry is quite nice
Grab some supper and a glass of wine
Up early and back on the road fresh
Getting over to the tunnel from the west to drive back west is a lot miles to save 200 quid



-------------
Happy Days
Carnac twice the years before
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks july16
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks June 17
Strathclyde march 18, Anstruther Week April, Blairgowrie, May 18
Chateau de Lez-Eaux Saint Aubin Des Preaux 2 weeks 2018
Loree du bois Les Mathes 3 weeks jul19
Belhaven Bay 1 week july 2020



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravanning and Camping Abroad - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

5051 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder