We have just come back from a week in Ireland, and due to me needing to use a trailer for camping, it actually worked out cheaper for us to book a cottage for a week and leave the camping gear at home, rather than pay the extra ferry costs and campsite fees.
------------- Steve.
Aztec Galeria 4 - For weekend camping
Sunncamp Grange Cotton canvas frame tent - For the longer stays.
Quote: Originally posted by allengenealogy on 15/5/2011
Why do you think we holiday in France! The 17 hour ferry to France with cabins both directions is only 100 euros more than going to G.B. They have us by the short and curlies over here. I die when I see the prices for the English Channel short crossings.
Where are you getting your French ferry from ? Any quote I get for July is usually £1200 !
Arthurdent. Irish Ferries had a great offer on last November.
Paying 520 euros this June but I know the price goes up and up in July. After 23 August this year the price goes down again and we have paid for our crossing then with Tesco Vouchers in full so it cost us £150 in Vouchers. Just hope it is not a rough crossing. To go through England would cost us more and we would pay more in diesel so happy days for 2011 but 2012 could be completely different.
You are right Marz, the price does go up in July and come down towards the end of August, but we have managed to pay half with Tesco vouchers, this year.
The prices with the offer in Novemeber worked out in some cases cheaper than last year. We know folk who are going in July for less than they paid last summer.You werent able to use Tesco with this offer. Unfortunately being limited to going in school holidays, dosent help with the cost.
You need to look at all the options, factor in all the costs involved and make your decision as to what route is the best for you.
Every year we price the different routes --
Direct from Ireland to France.
Landbridge via Scotland/Wales then one of the South coast crossings.
Landbridge via Scotland/Wales then short sea crossing from Dover or Tunnel.
Out of the three, the latter is the cheapest,but not by much, once fares, fuel, overnight stop, tolls,are added.If you can combine it with Tesco or caravan free crossing(Belfast to Stranraer with CCC)then it can be the cheapest crossing.
Using the South coast crossings make very little difference, once all the costs are added together.
It dosent matter whether you cross from Larne/Belfast into Scotland or from South into Wales there is little difference in the mileage.
Sometimes you have to go for sailings at "odd" times to get the best deal, but we prefer to go for the easy option, as it is our main holiday.
We use the crossing which is the most convenient to where we want to go, we are using the direct route this year, as we are going to the Vendee.
If we were going somewhere in Eastern France then we would use the lanbridge/tunnel option.
Its everyones choice as to what they do, after all thats what the freedom of caravanning/camping is all about.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Fair enough Marz (and NNNN). For July we usually use the early morning fast ferry from Dublin - Holyhead (£350) then down to Portsmouth for the overnight LD Lines to Le Havre (£300). Half the price of Irish Ferries, no overnight stops and not a whole lot more driving either compared to Rosslare. Tried Dover once but it's a heck of a drive and needs an overnight stop - Portsmouth seems much easer imo.
I didn't realise you could use Tesco vouchers for the Rosslare - France ferry though, I must have a look at that.
We are doing Belfast/Stranraer (end of June) free with Tesco vouchers ... then Dover/Dunkirk (£54) ... never do a stop between Stranraer and Dover (except for coffee/food). So yes, some mileage ... but still reckon it's the cheapest we've ever managed ... and we've done every combination available!
Kelper.
If you had enough Tesco vouchers and used them for the Tunnel as well as Stena you could have the crossings for nothing. Only thing is the tunnel is more expensive than the Dover/Dunkirk crossing you mention.
What date and time is the DD crossing?
Can never get it for anything close to that, but then we have to go peak season.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Hi, just to answer the OP, Wave Crest in Caherdaniel has been mentioned (1 hr from Kenmare in Kerry) and it is lovely as its right on the water's edge and overlooks the mountains on the otherside of the bay - the campsite has a very natural feel. No advance booking for this place unfortunately, but I never had a problem getting in thankfully. Dogs allowed.
Also another nice place is Eagle Point at Ballylickey near Bantry in County Cork - this site is also on the water's edge and lovely views too. Advance booking is possible. No dogs allowed.
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: Ireland
