Author Topic: Ferries Dover to Calais  (Read 2070 times)

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Offline Chrisjames

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Ferries Dover to Calais
« on: July 15, 2022, 11:51:28 »
Hi all

Can anyone advise on ferry crossings to France, we are looking to book with irish ferries in august.

My question is, what happens with motorbikes on the ferry, are they strapped down and anchored? who does this? are we supposed to do this and supply the straps or does the ferry workers do this and supply the stuff?

don't want to get there to find out we have to and then don't have anything

thanks

Offline Rusty Nuts

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2022, 12:33:25 »
I'd choose the chunnel. Does it have to be a boat?

Offline Chrisjames

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2022, 12:55:06 »
Its much more expensive to go on the tunnel

Online Rixington43

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2022, 12:59:19 »
From their website FAQs;

We are delighted to carry motorbikes on all of our ships and routes and we have some very competitive fares in place. Motorbikes, like all other vehicles, are carried subject to our conditions of travel.

It is Irish Ferries policy that motorbikes are secured on board all the time.

On our cruise vessels - Mv Ulysses, Mv Blue Star 1 and Mv Epsilon, bike owners will be supplied with adequate securing equipment on the car deck to secure their own bikes and crew members will assist where required. Before the ship departs crew members will routinely check all motorbikes to ensure that they are lashed in a safe and secure manner to prevent any damage to other vehicles or to the ship and will adjust the securing equipment if necessary.
Because of the high speed nature of the HSC Dublin Swift, members of our deck crew will secure the motorbikes on board this vessel.

Please note that the securing equipment is the property of Irish Ferries and must remain on board after use. However motorbike owners may bring their own securing equipment if they prefer. If you need help please seek the assistance of the Loading Officer on the car deck prior to the ships departure.


How much more expensive, Ferries suck ;)

Offline Barbel Mick

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2022, 13:32:02 »
When I booked for 2020 (still to travel  :dl_smiley_banghead:) from memory it would have been around £20 more for the tunnel. Those tickets were booked for June so August might be more expensive for both & the cost may have increased as well.
Personally I think it's well worth a bit extra to use the tunnel as it's quicker, not just in travel, but getting on & getting off, much less faffing about. But I suppose it depends on what part of France you are visiting.
Regarding securing the bike on the ferries, you don't secure it on the train, I've encountered both, they do it, or you do it yourself. They supply the straps.
Mick

Retired Breakfast Tester and semi professional tumbler.

Offline Chrisjames

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2022, 13:34:28 »
£181 per bike for return on tunnel
or £204 for all 3 bikes return on the ferry

Offline Barbel Mick

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2022, 13:38:45 »
Bloody hell!! It was £93 on the tunnel when I booked for June 2020....it looks like I'll have to cough up more hard earned when I finally use my credit voucher to book for next year.  :old:
Mick

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Online Rixington43

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2022, 14:24:36 »
Same here, when we travelled in June it was even money tunnel or ferry.
At that difference even I might consider the ferry, and that's saying something as I hate the bloody things :)

Offline grumps

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2022, 15:54:20 »
Tunnel is £112 return Sept.Booked about six months ago
If money can't buy happiness - explain motorbikes and beer.

Offline Ianmc

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2022, 17:00:10 »
    I have always booked the tunnel for about lunchtime as it is cheaper than morning or late afternoon.Much,much better than the ferry,35 mins.👍
    I was told of a sneaky trick when we last went on the tunnel.One of the loaders told me that if you are on a motorcycle, instead of joining the back of the car queue, go up the next empty lane, and if there is room at the end of the train, they will let you board even though you may be booked on the next train.
Ian Mc.

Offline Upt North

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2022, 17:09:04 »
That price is ridiculous. But I would still go on the tunnel.
After just spending about 72 hours on a return ferry to Bilbao, it maybe a while before I travel on one again.
Upt'North.

Offline grumps

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #11 on: July 15, 2022, 18:06:19 »
Quote removed

Every time I have done it they have formed an mc queue rather than put us into the car lane
If money can't buy happiness - explain motorbikes and beer.

Offline Youngman

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2022, 20:38:06 »
You don't have to take anything onto the ferry (or the tunnel). Side-stand or centre-stand down, some ferries have a slot to put the front wheel. Strap goes over the seat, some ferries have cushions to cover the seat. If you're fussy, take a towel. And leave it in gear. Chunnel's even easier, apart from having to turn my bike round and use the back exit so a chap with a very wide sports car and race tyres could get out without ragging his pricey tyres. They put him in the wrong carriage after he'd booked a truck one.
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Offline DesertStrom

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2022, 12:07:42 »
Another crossing to French France often missed is DFDS Newhaven to Dieppe & usually a good price.

Offline Youngman

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #14 on: July 20, 2022, 08:13:57 »
Aye - thumbs up for DFDS Newhaven/Dieppe. I used them back in May.
No issues apart from the one biker who did the full "I can't find my keys!" meltdown at Dieppe.
No spare either.
(It was in the pocket "I never use"  :icon_no:)
It's difficult to soar with the Eagles when you're really a Turkey

Offline Flanners

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #15 on: July 22, 2022, 11:18:29 »
Given the current 4 hour delays and total gridlock due to 'issues' with French Border control in Dover today...the Chunnel has just got a tad more appealing for me. DFDS Newhaven is a good route a lot busier than it used to be because of issues at Dover, odd crossing times and a 4hr crossing time mean I use it infrequently shame as it is a shorter distance from me. Used the Tunnel in June it was £98 rtn and was just absolutely painless.

Offline Artyman

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #16 on: July 23, 2022, 16:25:37 »
I'm heading over to Europe on the 1st Sept. I wonder if the queues will have died down by then...
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Offline Joe Rocket

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #17 on: July 25, 2022, 17:08:53 »
It shouldn't be too busy then. French tourists (families) would have already returned as school restarts here on 1st September. It's also Thursday, not bolstered by the weekenders.  :icon_wink:
So how's it going so far then?

Offline Youngman

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #18 on: July 26, 2022, 20:56:57 »
Looked at the DFDS Newcastle-Amsterdam return fare. £900 fecking quid for early August!!
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Offline kwackboy

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Re: Ferries Dover to Calais
« Reply #19 on: July 27, 2022, 06:20:34 »
Blimey ...  :shock:

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