Advice on driving to France

[Walkthelakes]

We are going to ile de re from a North Yorkshire. Will be able to set off about 3.30pm on A Friday from around York. Takes about 5 hours to drive to Dover. Was thinking about getting a late ferry about 9.30-10.00 and then a hotel close to Calais. Other alternative is to get a hotel in Dover then an early ferry but I quite like the idea of being into France on the first night. For those who have driven to France which do you think is the best option?

The Dover ferries will allow you to go earlier or later - think it is a 4 hour window either side of your booked crossing. No need for a flexi ticket.

The A1 is a nightmare and difficult to predict how long journey will take.

Book a hotel in or near Dover and then if you are up early on Saturday you could get an earlier ferry.

The motorway down as far as Rouen will be quiet plus lorries don’t move around at the weekend which makes driving faster. You should make good time. Roads towards Ile de Re will be busy on a Saturday.

We've done the York Friday at 3.30pm journey down to Kent a few times and you're being really optimistic in your travel time I'm afraid, especially if a ferry which is a one shot deal. [Just seen posts saying they can flex which is great but not sure how late they go? Tunnel is all night.] It only takes one bit of travel disruption (and at the start of half term those roads are busy anyway) and you're doomed.

We always do the tunnel with flexibility. The new fares include a four hour flexibility one at a reasonable price which would be a good bet. I wouldn't want to rely on a ferry. Alternatively I'd go for a morning ferry to be safer.

ETA that the other bonus of the tunnel is no need to disturb anyone sleeping in the car if you end up running very late. The ferry means waking everyone up and taking them onboard, but we've gone from Kent to France late in the day without a single child twitching.

We usually go May term French children aren’t on holiday traffic usually fairly good once you drive off we also got a French car tag for the tolls there is a lot they save time & money on toll fee. Now we’ve used eurotunnel we’d never go back to ferry crossing it’s just so much easier and so quick in comparison

Thankyou everyone I think we have a plan! I’ve looked up prices abs the tunnel is only marginally more expensive for the quicker travel time and also more flexibility. I think we are going to stay in a premier inn and then get a shuttle at about 6am thr next morning. Even if the drive down has been a disaster we won’t be stressed about missing the ferry/shuttle which we may be if we booked it on the night. On the way back we are going to get the new haven dieppe ferry as my sister lives about ten minutes from newhqven so can break the journey there

Can you explain the French car tag? Just trying to be as organised as possible

They’re brilliant. You stick it to your windscreen and you can then use the fast toll lanes. You pay the total bill once a month when you use it and there’s an annual fee (very small). You can speed past all the people queuing to pay and the toll gates get VERY backed up at busy times so it’s a godsend. Ditto driving at night and not having to wake up a sleeping passenger to sort the toll out!

We have a 'bip and go' tag for the car, use the 50 lane and you only have to slow down not even stop.

As PP have said your driving times, on a Friday, are unrealistic!
Last Friday, I drove from near Dover to North Manchester (I had one stop of less than half hour) and it took me 7.5 hours!
There are lots of road closures, for repair work, from 7pm on a Friday so your timings are very unlikely to be accurate.
Book the Premier Inn near Dover terminal and you won’t have to worry about missing the ferry.

Thankyou. I think I will definitely get this. Where do you buy them from?

Thanks for the advice. We’ve decided to book the shuttle early on Saturday morning so we are not getting stressed about the traffic. If it takes forever we won’t miss out crossing. I’ve booked 2 hotel rooms in Hythe the night before and hopefully we’ll manage to get some rest. After Calais we plan to drive 4 hours and then stop in a village for a picnic then another three hours on to Il de re. On the way back we are going to have 2 nights at Puy du Fou and then drive back for the shuttle Saturday evening. Depending on how we feel we might just power on home or we might stop at a roadside motel. I’m still intimidated by the lengths of the drives but determined to take my lovely children abroad next year

We used liber-t or could look at emovis tag if you look on leshuttle they have an article about applying for it. Also check latest French guidelines about what you need to carry in the car last year we had to carry first aid kit, triangle and an high vis for everyone in the car & don’t forget head light stickers for in France ready for headlight use on other side of the road at night we usually put them on during tunnel crossing so we don’t forget later we get all our things needed from Halfords
you’ll also need a French crit air sticker to drive in low emission zones you risk a fine without it
https://critairsticker.co.uk

French motorways are a joy to drive on. They won’t be busy in May and there are loads of good services. Stock up on podcasts to keep everyone amused.

Have done it lots and also avoid the arguably better but super pricey ferries.

We stay in a premier inn in Dover - there are loads, and book an early tunnel slot. Our drive time is similar to yours and you like the others say Friday traffic is a bummer! Once the other side it’s a comfy drive and then you can enjoy.

Love our emovis and love the roads and just love it all - have fun! The worst part will be the return drive from Dover to Yorkshire…

We’ve got an emovis one. www.emovis-tag.co.uk

Just to add that if you are booking the tunnel you can get the emovis tag cheaper once you have your booking ref.
https://www.leshuttle.com/uk-en/discover/offers-and-discounts/emovis-tag