Ferry vs Eurotunnel?

[IsabellaofFrance]

We are off to France for 2 weeks next summer, we are going to a farmhouse in the Vendee.

We are taking our car, but can't decide between the tunnel or a ferry. Not much price difference. My reasoning for tunnel is that its quick, DH wants the ferry because it will break the 10 hour driving up a bit.

Just prices up an overnight from Portsmouth - £985

Thats not much less than 2 weeks accommodation.

re price but yes we didn't feel we could afford the ferry - hence why we did the tunnel going to Brittany from the south Midlands

i agree with the pp who stopped on the way then early tunnel, plus frequent stops at nice service areas

Overnight ferries are expensive. I go from the east of France to the nw of England so it works out for me as would have to stop overnight in Kent. I assume the Portsmouth overnight is similarly expensive.

If you're crossing to calais, then Tunnel everytime. You can hace a break in the terminal (much improved in the past year). Much quicker coming back through passports.

Yes to the Somme service area is great.

Also, Pont De Normandy service area is amazing (think that may be on your way). Basically, two bridges - huge one over the Seine, and a scalextrix type bridge just before it. The service station is on top of the toll. Proper restaurant, nature reserve, details of how the bridge was built.

We usually go to France or Spain via the tunnel (it's quicker), and then return on the Calais ferry so we can have a proper rest after a whole day of driving. If you book early there isn't much difference in price. Although we have a longish drive to Folkestone, I still think it works out quicker to cross the channel there as the route is quick and driving on the roads in France is generally quicker. Just avoid Black Saturday in August though!

We have done both.

I like the Eurotunnel for speed and ease. No need to turn up an hour early and wait to board (much). Also if you arrive a little early- there is often the chance to get on an earlier train - so can be a bit flexible.

Ferries have the positive of being able to get a proper break from the driving. At least a couple of hours of sitting/walking/eating etc. It does make a difference.

In the past few years we have been to France every summer. Generally using the Eurotunnel, but have tried a ferry crossing now and again to see what suits.

This summer we went out on Eurotunnel. I booked us an 8am crossing. It meant we had to leave home before 3am! But the roads are pretty quiet at night. I tend to let DH drive that stretch while I sleep. We swap over once we get to France and I do the bulk of the driving there - then he can sleep.

We returned home a different route - as we wanted to stop off somewhere else. So we had an afternoon and night in Honfleur - which nicely broke up our journey to Le Havre from where we sailed to Portsmouth. That was quite good value - and despite it being 5 hours, not too boring. I booked a cabin too, even though it was daytime - DSS slept most of the trip in there. It was nice to have the choice - and to have your own bathroom as well

If costs are too high for you can you travel on a Thursday or Sunday? It does lower the prices. We tend to set off on a Wed/Thurs and have a night or two in a town en-route. Of course then there are the hotel bills and extra restaurant/tourism costs but it adds to the trip.

My DM and DD join us most summers, but travel separately. They always get an overnight ferry as DM won't drive in France. sigh.. :) So he gets a good long break. I don't think they spend tons of money. I think keeping the bookings away from weekends does save them some ££.

If I lived only 3 hours from Dover, definitely tunnel! Kids will get enough of a break and the sheer excitement of going to the loo under the sea is enough to keep them happy! If you booked an 11am crossing (bearing in mind you can cross earlier or later than this if necessary), you could have breakfast at home then a lovely baguette lunch somewhere down the autoroute as your first main stop.

We've done places in France from Glasgow and have stayed round London before to get a 9am tunnel, it's just soooo quick!

I'm only just down the road and tunnel every time for me for convenience and speed. Did a cheap day trip today on the ferry and am knackered despite only 20 mins or so back home afterwards! Never get that tired using the tunnel. On the other hand, if it's a lovely day the children might really enjoy the White Cliffs thing. It does make a proper journey of it and you know you have really left the country!