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Original poster

Portsmouth to St Malo question

15 replies

CatsLikeCoffeeToo · 23/05/2019 07:41

Probably a daft question but we haven't done it before!

We're getting the ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo in a couple of weeks - how far in advance do we need to arrive? Paperwork says check in closes 45 minutes before sailing but I'm not sure how far in advance we should aim to arrive?

Also, I'm assuming you just sit in your car in a queue on the docks waiting to board? Can you go in a terminal to use loos, etc?

OP posts:
missclimpson · 23/05/2019 07:51

Yes you can go to the loos. The terminal is very nice now and has good facilities and places to get food. Do make sure you are back at the car in plenty of time to board or the people behind will be cursing you. When to arrive is a tricky one, because if you are early you inevitably get ramped which takes longer the other end, but if you arrive later you can still end up at the back of the ramp. I would go for at least an hour to an hour and a half before. Once or twice recently, we have gone through security and been waiting the other side for much longer than usual. There are still loos there, but a bit harder to get to them.
I haven't done St Malo for years, but do Portsmouth to Ouistreham several times a year.

OlafLovesAnna · 23/05/2019 07:51

We did it a couple of years ago and I think got there about 1.5hrs before the ferry leaves.

We just sat in a queue as you say but the terminal building was close by for coffee/loo etc and people were wandering around and getting in and out of cars.

Original poster
CatsLikeCoffeeToo · 23/05/2019 10:02

Thank you! Wasn't sure how early was too early.

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TeenTimesTwo · 23/05/2019 10:07

If you have kids (and even if you don't) it might be worth booking a cabin. They tend to be quite cheap in the day time. Then you can dump your stuff (eg extra coats, snacks, whatever) rather than have to have everything on you at all times.

Gedge77 · 23/05/2019 12:57

We got there about an hour before. There are toilets at the terminal..

Original poster
CatsLikeCoffeeToo · 23/05/2019 21:54

Thanks all - we have a cabin booked both ways, even though the return is daytime!

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INeedNewShoes · 23/05/2019 21:59

If traveling with young children I'd say don't get there more than an hour before as sitting in a queue in the car is obviously boring.

It's fine to get there 45 minutes before as long as you're in the queue at that point.

We're sailing Portsmouth to St Malo for our holiday too this year Smile

shellyandlayla · 24/05/2019 07:11

I've done the crossing 100's of times over the years and can reliably confirm if you scream on at the very last minute you will usually be one of the first off at the other side! (though maybe not 10 minutes before it's due to sail as we did once) the day crossing is very, very boring and long. Take lots to do.

Original poster
CatsLikeCoffeeToo · 24/05/2019 09:02

Ha ha, great advice but not sure my nerves will take it!

At the risk of sounding like a complete muppet: do you literally just drive onto the ferry in a line and park up as directed? Or is there any reversing/manoeuvring involved? It's about 20 years since I've done a car ferry and first time as the driver...

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TeenTimesTwo · 24/05/2019 12:22

There can be reversing depending on where on the ship you end up.
The loaders are very good at directions though, so just follow them.

I hate when we have to wait whilst on the ramp (even though DH is the driver), so if you aren't confident with hill starts then wait until it is clear at the top.

Make sure your handbrake is on and car alarm not set.

You can't get to the car decks during the crossing so make sure you have everything with you.

Warm clothes so you can go outside and see the IOW, Cherbourg peninsula, & channel islands as you sail past.

Ditsy79 · 24/05/2019 12:30

We normally arrive an hour to an hour and a half before. You do just park up though, and it can be boring with kids. You drive onto the boat and get directed for manoeuvring, they do pack you in quite tight and getting little ones out of car seats can be difficult. The ferries are fabulous though, our daughter loves sleeping in the cabins in a bunk bed!

INeedNewShoes · 24/05/2019 12:45

That's good advice re the ramp. My car's handbrake isn't wonderful so I hovered at the bottom of the ramp until it's clear at the top (I posted for advice last year and I think this was mentioned).

INeedNewShoes · 24/05/2019 12:47

Ignore the title of the thread. There's ferry stuff in there too.

Original poster
CatsLikeCoffeeToo · 24/05/2019 19:53

Thank you all! Never seen reversing on a ferry before but we always towed a caravan which may explain why! Thanks also for link to other thread - looks really useful.

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