Cheap ferry tips to France

TRAVELLING to France by ferry is a must if you are having to move a lot of furniture and belongings.

However, it is obvious that the cost of a ferry ticket is a lot more expensive than picking up a cheap low cost flight.

But if you can be flexible with your times of travel you may be able to get a cheaper ferry ticket than you thought, here are some tips from cheap4ferries.

Try and stay clear of travelling to France at a weekend if possible as this is when tickets are the most expensive.

The same can be said for travel overnight as many ferry companies say it is compulsory to book accommodation with them, which naturally pushes up the price.

Also if you are bringing animals across to France be aware of the different rules and regulations each firm has.

For example, you can't travel to France with Brittany Ferries if you are bringing over rabbits! It is an old French superstition.

Below is a quick guide to booking a low priced ferry ticket for a selection of companies.

Brittany Ferries
Avoid travelling during weekends.
Travelling on an overnight crossing is more expensive as accommodation is mandatory.
Cheapest travelling times are: Outward, Sunday to Thursday. Return, Monday to Friday.

Eurotunnel
Avoid travelling outbound on Fridays and Saturdays and avoid returning on Saturdays and Sundays.
Travelling at off peak times will reduce the price.

Hoverspeed
Dover to Calais route will cross in around 1 hour with up to 15 daily return departures during the peak season.
Avoid weekend travel as this is usually more costly.

P & O Ferries
Avoid travelling weekends.
Overnight sailings more expensive than conventional ferries - accommodation is mandatory.
Cheapest travelling times: Outward, Sunday to Thursday. Return, Monday to Friday.

SeaFrance
Avoid travelling weekends.
Cheapest times to travel are: Outward, between 6:00 and 14:00. Return, between 13:00 and 23:00.

Comments

[Mel Lacey]

Your interesting article on Cheap ferry Trips to France did not mention SpeedFerries. I have found this Dover to Boulogne route to be the cheapest of all by quite a big margin.

Mel Lacey

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Mel

Many thanks for your comment.

I did write this piece quite a while ago now and do try and keep my eye on the latest from the ferry companies.

Earlier this year I wrote about SpeedFerries and a ticket deal they were offering, please see:

http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2006/01/new_deals_from_.html

All the best

Craig

[Maz Todd]

I too noticed the absence of Speedferries on the list. We've been using them for over 2 years and they are good value. Also the only ones to go Dover-Boulogne (according to the cheap4ferries website no-one does!)

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Maz

Many thanks for your comment.

As always if you have any tips about the SpeedFerries service please feel free to add an additional message to help other readers.

All the best

Craig

[cathy]

HD Lines is cheap (Portsmouth to Le Havre) - but very few cabins available so you have to take a sleeping bag, camping mat and anticipate a night from hell if there's a terminal snorer in the lounge. You have to travel to France overnight, but the return journey is a daytime one.

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Cathy, many thanks for those tips, sounds as though people need to pack ear plugs as well!
All the best, Craig

[Dave Roberts]

Why oh why has the Brittany Ferries "fast" crossing been slowed up to 3 hours..faster yes but hardly speedy..I think the advertised time was 2.30 which slipped to 2.45...now it's 3..I crossed once in 2hrs20mins.....that really cheers you up and gets you going..and they earn a big feelgood too..now 3 hours is just irritating..at least they arrive on time which is more than can be said of P&O when they sailed.

[Lloyd Ridgwell]

I would like to spend a day in Boulogne travelling as a foot passenger from Dover or Folkestone. Boulogne only seems to be served by car ferries. Any suggestions please?

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Lloyd
Since I wrote this post SpeedFerries has opened a foot passenger service between Dover and Boulogne:
http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2008/06/foot-passenger.html
Hope this helps
Craig

[Mike Ingram]

Perhaps your readers should do a price comparison between www.cheaperferries.com and either cheap4ferries or aferryto?