Ferry or Eurotunnel

[SwingsAndRoundabouts22]

Heading to France in early October with a toddler and a baby. Eurotunnel more expensive but quicker - but can't get out. Ferry might be more fun. Anyone been on either route recently (Dover to Calais) and can tell me about whether there's any hidden timings I should factor in at the border either side?

October, half term ?

I would go with Eurotunnel.

Its quicker to board, quicker to get to France with passport delays similar for both.

Apart from strikes, which could happen to both options, the ferry has weather as an additional delaying factor.

You can get out of the car in Eurotunnel, in fact there are toilets on board and you can walk from carriage to carriage to the loos.

We've done both with young children. The ferry is more fun, there's usually a play area of some sort, they can run around and watch out the window as you leave/arrive in port. But it is slow going, both at the ports and the actual crossing. It's better to stay overnight at a premier inn near by then get an early crossing (like 6am), then the traffic shouldn't be as bad and it gives more time the other side. How far are you driving in France?

The Eurotunnel is much faster, and still exciting for a toddler as you get to drive onto the train. You can get out of the car to stretch your legs but there isn't really anywhere to go except the toilets. The crossing is so much quicker though and we never have a problem keeping the children amused in the car. Again it's good to get an early crossing if possible to avoid the worst of the traffic; we usually have a breakfast picnic in the car to pass the time.

For us, the time saving is worth the extra cost so Eurotunnel is always our first choice unless the ferry is significantly cheaper or we don't have too far to drive the other side. You can also use Tesco clubcard points if you have them to get a discount on the booking.

We always stop at Lidl/Aldi in Calais and pick up some lunch and snacks before hitting the motorway. Saves time trying to find a supermarket later on and the picnic/service areas along the motorway are usually pretty good.

I'd take the tunnel. It's just so much smoother, and quicker getting on and off, and no seasickness. After my first trip through the tunnel I never took a ferry again.

Tunnel every time for us. We're only an hour away, if I was driving down from somewhere further away I'd consider the ferry though just for a slightly longer driving break.

On that journey, tunnel.

We did the ferry this year but not that crossing. We did a lot more queuing than on the tunnel.

We took the ferry recently. As pp suggested, we stayed near Dover the night before so that we could get a very early ferry and had no problems. It was also mid-week which I'm sure made it even less busy. On the way back, we were later in the day and at the weekend so there were significant queues to check in and go through border control which meant that by the time we got on the ferry most passengers were grouchy to say the least. There was a small play area for children but very little seating (unless you paid extra for a lounge, which for a family would have made it more expensive than the tunnel). I didn't have small children with me but most who did seemed pretty stressed trying to keep them entertained with no where to sit etc. I think I'd have found that particular crossing easier if we could have stayed in the car as you do in the tunnel. We thought the ferry would be a good break from driving but actually there was no chance to relax at all.

So for me, unless there's a huge price difference I'd do the tunnel unless able to travel at very quiet times (eg first thing in the morning).

can tell me about whether there's any hidden timings I should factor in at the border either side?

EES is going to be a major delay outbound for both the ferry and Le Shuttle beginning 10th November this year. It's unclear which option is going to handle it best.

We prefer Le Shuttle, but that's mostly because it's much easier when travelling with pets. And we pay a Flexiplus premium to be able to just turn up and go on the next available train regardless of whether we get their early or are delayed enroute.

Eurotunnel. If you spring for the slightly more expensive ticket you can pick up free food and drink in premium with little wait. Only about 20mins on train.

Thanks everyone...sounds like Le Shuttle is definitely the better option for this journey! We're travelling on a Monday outside of school holidays so hopefully not too bad in terms of border checks (keeping fingers crossed for no strikes!)