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Original poster

Dover to Calais - advice welcomed

54 replies

Nineandahalf · 07/09/2025 22:29

I've never done it as an adult!

Live up in Chorley.
Summer hols planning! Travelling to Paris with two little children.
Is it better to leave on an early evening , stay in a hotel part way and get maybe 4/5 hours sleep in a hotel, then go on to Dover for the 7am crossing ...

Or set off from home about 10pm, don't stay anywhere, and aim for the same time crossing ?

Basically, is it worth it to get any sleep.

OP posts:
Peccary · 10/09/2025 09:37

Someone's comment on the Le Shuttle terminal reminds me to mention that facilities at Dover are limited (probably because they want you to spend on the ferry)

We once were stuck there for 3 hours when there was some border control crisis, not fun and have always gone with the tunnel since. Take supplies if peak summer!

HarrietBond · 10/09/2025 09:45

If you go FlexiPlus (absolutely only worth it if you really need the flexibility - we do it in winter when we just can’t predict the roads) then you have access to the lounge. The lounge contains a treasure trove of food and drink that you can take away with you (the cakes are amazing) and we’ve fed our family on our lounge haul for a day before. Don’t drive straight on to the train and miss it.

DeafLeppard · 10/09/2025 09:49

Getting through Dover for the ferries is a PITA - it's very small and crowded. But tunnel is very dull, and we use the ferry as a break.

Florencesndzebedee · 10/09/2025 09:51

Testerical · 08/09/2025 00:33

I’d take longer over the journey and get enough sleep. Especially with little children.

Generally the tunnel is about £60-90 dearer than the ferry but around 1h15 quicker once you’ve accounted for check in, crossing and unloading.

If you’re not in a rush the ferry is fine and is nice with younger kids actually.
from Chorley, I’d personally drive down the night before your holiday and get a premier inn nearish to Dover but anywhere off the motorway will do rally).

Then, I’d aim for a ferry at about ?? 11 so that when you come out the other side, your young kids can nap for a large portion of the next bit of the journey.

what’s your destination? You might need another stop in France.

much nicer not to overdo the driving. I have a max of about 5 hours a day. Any more and it’s an endurance test. Plus you can get some beautiful accommodation driving down through France.

Edited

This is the way to do it. Once you’re in Calais, the Paris area Eurocamp are around a 3 hour drive.

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