Hi all, just wondering what the deal is regarding staying in queue at ferry overnight for an early morning crossing to France. Anyone done it?
We are going to Normandy from Portsmouth this Summer and have a 6 in the morning crossing. Can I just get there and check in at about 9 the evening before and wait until morning. It would make more sense than setting off from home in Central London at 3 in morning with 3 young kids etc.
Be great to hear what you all think.
Nick.
normally after checking in 6hrs before due to sail they dont let you sleep on the docks,(this is going on a hgv) if i were you and you want to sleep in the van have you thought about a layby(done this ourselves in our van) you can park 30min from docs and move on when you are ready. apart from this or leaving your home at 3am i would ring the docks and get there advice.
When we used the overnight ferry, to St Malo there were people staying overnight on the port who were going in the morning. That was 2 years ago, you could try ringing the port and asking them. If you can there is a pub about 30yds away from the port entrance.
i think the safety issue is a big thing to look at but many hgv drivers and moterhomes don't find it a problem! (its very much upto the individual) we have done a layby before and a pub carpark and we felt safe in both. we left the caravan on the car put the hitch lock on, and the wheel clamp and locked the door when we went to bed. we turned the gas on and off when we needed it and found this all fine. aslong as its a layby away from the road (try to get one with a verge inbetween) or a pub car park that will let you sleep. the other thing you could do is go to a service station with overnight facilities and pay the fee of around £12-£20 and you can leave when you want.this way your a little safer.
its a shame we arnt like france with every layby having a set of washrooms and toilets and loads of bins.
hope you all get sorted and enjoy your trips abroad.
At Portsmouth there are basically 3 sailings a day so as efkaven says if you arrive just after the night sailings (say around 2200hrs) you'll be first in the queue for the morning crossing and can comfortably spend the night on the dockside.
At Dover, where sailings take place all night, you'd be a nuisance and discouraged accordingly.
Hi Nick
If you wanted to set off from Dover I noticed free overnight parking just about 1 mile outside of Dover off the A2 "in a Tesco car park" - very handy.
You might want to check with the store first that it still applies;
On the several occasions we've sailed from Portsmouth we've used the C.C. site, Rookesbury Park, about 20 minutes drive from the ferry port. They seem well used to people coming and going for the different ferries.
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: Overnight at Ferry Port
