Calais ferry

[dbambi]

Coming from Ireland and about to cross the English channel for the first time in about two weeks time. Have decided to take a ferry rather than train mainly due to cost (21euro vs 51euro one way). My question for experienced members is this - why it takes 2.5 hours (according to P&O website) for a ferry to cross the channel? It's only 20 miles or so.

 

[MarkyRR]

I'm not sure, but I think it's 1.5 hours, but then + the hour ahead in France? That's how I read it when we booked to go over in September.

 

[MasterDabber]

Remember that France is 1 hour ahead of the UK. So if you take departure/arrival times both are local times. Bottom line, about 1.5 hours for the actual crossing.

 

[MarkyRR]

Yes: http://www.po-ferries-uk.co.uk/po-ferries-routes/ 90 minutes, + the hour time difference for being en-France

 

[newboy]

yup - factor in the fiddly bit at either end and 1.5 hr isn't bad really...

 

[ymfb]

Coming from Ireland and about to cross the English channel for the first time in about two weeks time. Have decided to take a ferry rather than train mainly due to cost (21euro vs 51euro one way). My question for experienced members is this - why it takes 2.5 hours (according to P&O website) for a ferry to cross the channel? It's only 20 miles or so.

Probably only half an hour the other way.

It always used to be a 75 minute crossing, but I haven't used the ferry for probably 10 years. It used to take longer to load and unload than the Chunnel as well. The only upside of the ferry is the enforced rest and the opportunity for a blowout meal.

 

[dbambi]

Remember that France is 1 hour ahead of the UK. So if you take departure/arrival times both are local times. Bottom line, about 1.5 hours for the actual crossing.

Ok, forgot to take that into account. Still, 1.5 hours for 20 miles? Isn't that a bit slow? Dublin-Holyhead service (about 68 miles) takes exactly 2 hours on a fast ferry and just over 3 hours on a slow one. Is port approach/departure exceptionally slow in Dover/Calais case?

 

[rodsharp]

We cross several times a year and prefer the ferry. It is about 90 minutes
(about an hour longer than the tunnel) but you can get away from your bike and eat / relax and rest before you set off again. Well worth it if you have a distance to get to Dover. If your local,the tunnel is probably better,take your pick.

 

[MarkyRR]

.......Dublin-Holyhead service (about 68 miles) takes exactly 2 hours on a fast ferry......

Bloody hell, 34 mph on a ferry!!??? They're not lying when they say 'fast ferry'! Shows how long it's been since I've been on one! Is this one of the fast-cat things you see?

 

[dbambi]

Bloody hell, 34 mph on a ferry!!??? They're not lying when they say 'fast ferry'! Shows how long it's been since I've been on one! Is this one of the fast-cat things you see?

It is indeed! The vessel s (Dublin Swift or Stena Explorer) are both catamaran type double hulled ferries and specifically designed for high speed (think that max is 40 mph). Slight downside for these vessels is their relative inability to withstand rough seas (as compared to their more conventional counterparts). Embarrassingly for me, had to vomit on board the Swift two years ago during a particularly rough crossing, it was so bad

 

[Mrs Puffer]

They don't call them "Vomit Comets" for no reason

 

[Greg Masters]

The Dover-Calais ferries do not travel in a straight line between the ports.

From Dover, they head out straight across the channel at 90 degrees to the main shipping lanes. When near the French coast, they then turn and bimble up to Calais. Hence the journey is longer than 22 miles.

Greg

 

[bmwbikeruk]

Coming from Ireland and about to cross the English channel for the first time in about two weeks time. Have decided to take a ferry rather than train mainly due to cost (21euro vs 51euro one way). My question for experienced members is this - why it takes 2.5 hours (according to P&O website) for a ferry to cross the channel? It's only 20 miles or so.

Good question! If by train, you won't have time to relax, enjoy your meal aboard, browse around in duty free shop, admire seascape before you disembark! I prefer ferry to wind down and relax after riding all way to port! I've crossed the Channel countless times with my bike by ferry and have been under the Channel by Eurostar only once on a ski holiday package!

 

[advancedbiker]

Why not use Eurtunnel

Just been over to Germany, I know in a coach, but 90 minutes each way on the ferry, but don't forget booking in time, going through customs each side. I would go by Eurtunnel, 35 mintues and you are across, or should I say under... Much beter of a motorcycle and you don't have it tied down.

 

[crumbles]

Just returned from Calais last night,ferry 25 min's late,but i was booked on a later one,but caught earlyer one,so not bothered,same going out last Friday aswell,but then i was also booked on a later one too.i do find that if you do turn up early they just put you on anyway.
As for price i payed just £26 return,as i think the tunnel was nearer £100, at the time's i wanted,Who care's if it takes longer,look at the saving's you make.

 

[hodge1150]

simple really, its uphill.

 

[gman2]

Just been over to Germany, I know in a coach, but 90 minutes each way on the ferry, but don't forget booking in time, going through customs each side. I would go by Eurtunnel, 35 mintues and you are across, or should I say under... Much beter of a motorcycle and you don't have it tied down.

I'll stick with the ferry. A chance to wind down after a long haul up the autoroute or rest before the long haul down the autoroute. A decent breakfast and comfortable seating.

And with the tunnel being at least double the price for the times I was going there was no argument