There is also a Dover-Boulogne route for this summer which will knock about 30 mins off the drive from Calais to the west coast, and 60 mins off the Dunkirk to west coast drive. It seems cheap too.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
If money is no object take the longer crossing if you think you'd be more relaxed. But if you've got a budget, think of all the ice creams, day trips and bottles of grown up's sanity( wine ) you can buy with the difference. It's only as much of an ordeal or an adventure as you care to make it. I'm not being trite, really sometimes we worry too much and that's what rubs off on the children. Like someone else says above you can always stop off at a couple of hotels en route in a family room for a very reasonable price and still save yourself hundreds of pounds. Plus it's not always joy with children on longer ferry crossings...
The longest road run we've done is take the Dover Ostende crossing with an 18 month old, 7 year old and the MIL in a Punto!! We were travelling through to Hungary.
Kipper box set of story tapes for the youngest, Tracey Beaker box set for the older and we had some mood music .Food, drink, regular loo breaks making time for a go on the swings at the services, lots of chat and a kip on the German/ Austrian border.
We told them it was fun, laughed at all the mishaps and actually it was fun. Now our lot are older the journey is always one of the highlights of the holiday.
Caveat: we are cheapskates when it comes to travel and for that we can put up with some low level discomfort as its on a very short term basis.. we prefer to spend on meals out, experiences/ day trips for the children, quieter more relaxing campsites and stuff to bring back.
Really only you know what'll work best for your family.
If money is no object take the longer crossing if you think you'd be more relaxed. But if you've got a budget, think of all the ice creams, day trips and bottles of grown up's sanity( wine ) you can buy with the difference. It's only as much of an ordeal or an adventure as you care to make it. I'm not being trite, really sometimes we worry too much and that's what rubs off on the children. Like someone else says above you can always stop off at a couple of hotels en route in a family room for a very reasonable price and still save yourself hundreds of pounds. Plus it's not always joy with children on longer ferry crossings...
The longest road run we've done is take the Dover Ostende crossing with an 18 month old, 7 year old and the MIL in a Punto!! We were travelling through to Hungary.
Kipper box set of story tapes for the youngest, Tracey Beaker box set for the older and we had some mood music .Food, drink, regular loo breaks making time for a go on the swings at the services, lots of chat and a kip on the German/ Austrian border.
We told them it was fun, laughed at all the mishaps and actually it was fun. Now our lot are older the journey is always one of the highlights of the holiday.
Caveat: we are cheapskates when it comes to travel and for that we can put up with some low level discomfort as its on a very short term basis.. we prefer to spend on meals out, experiences/ day trips for the children, quieter more relaxing campsites and stuff to bring back.
Really only you know what'll work best for your family.
You just desrcibed our family to a 't'! Couldn't agree more!
I have just got what i thought was a good deal on Portsmouth to la harve,,
Portsmouth to La harve (Rtn) in cabin mid june for 5 people £345 that includes a trailer.
saves about 5 hours driving time for me, this is our first time camping in france so, i have nothing to compare against, apart from 5 flights to lanzarote £1280.. so i think weve done ok..
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Another vote for Norfolkline :D Been using them since they were Sally line, Although we are not going abroad this year :( for the first time in 12 years, I had a quote for my Caravelle and caravan at £116 return (midnight sailings.
As for keeping the kids quiet, they have a 15" tv with a playstation (for games or DVD's) plus a headphone amplifier so they can listen without disturbing me. I can't remember the last time I heard "are we there yet" :lol:
Last year we went Dover Calais and drove down to St Nazaire (towing caravan) . Petrol was even more expensive than over here (when we left home unleaded was at £1.19/ltr). Can't remember exactly how much we paid in fuel -somewhere in the region of £400 I think.
I've done the Dover Calais route lots of times and each time I say 'never again'. The drive is long and tiring (even with stops). Next time I go to France I will DEFINATELY use the longer crossing!!
Quote: Originally posted by wendywirdz on 23/4/2009
I've done the Dover Calais route lots of times and each time I say 'never again'. The drive is long and tiring (even with stops). Next time I go to France I will DEFINATELY use the longer crossing!!
We have always gone on the longer crossing. For us, just dont fancy the long drive from Calais but others do, each to their own i say.
i went direct through LD lines,, my kids are 3, 6, 12, in a passat with a trailer and a roof box, sailing from portsmouth to la harve at 1130pm in the evening of the 13th june, and returning 2 weeks later, saling at 1730,,pm.
i have just checked everything on mi book confirmation and every thing is correct to the above,, i think the little one must go free,
I'm with Jusy! I want the holiday to start straight away, and driving isn't part of it. And there is only one driver in our mob. We are taking the Condor Vomit Comet for the 6th straight year. About £200 return (tall vehicle no trailer) for the Spring Bank Holiday. Last year it was £400 in the August peak period.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Ferry and route questions
