Ferry Costs..SHOCK!

[sarah_374538832]

Just about to buy a caravan for myself, husband and 2 young children to travel UK and Europe. However I have just had a shock when checking ferry prices! Portsmouth to St Malo or Santander would be £1300 in August!! Unfortunately we are restricted to School hols and would like spend 3 weeks or so in the summer abroad and perhaps travel UK at other times! How best to reduce ferry cost??What are good value routes to Europe etc?

It's bad enough we live on Isle of Wight and have to pay £100+ to get off the island! The caravan we are getting is 7.2m long.

thanks

 

[ValA.]

I think I've replied to your post on another forum, suggesting Norfolk Lines Dover to Dunkerque, and someone else has mentioned a cheap deal with Condor Ferries. Worth trying both of them for the dates you're looking at.

 

[LesleyRussell]

Yes - as Val Mentioned - Condor are running a Sunday only sailing between Portsmouth / Cherbourg from may to September at around

 

[sarah_374538832]

I think I've replied to your post on another forum, suggesting Norfolk Lines Dover to Dunkerque, and someone else has mentioned a cheap deal with Condor Ferries. Worth trying both of them for the dates you're looking at.

Yes, you did, thanks twice! I've yet to work out which forum to stick to so tried both!

Seems it can cost more to get off the Isle of Wight than it does to go to France!

 

[ValA.]

Yes, you did, thanks twice! I've yet to work out which forum to stick to so tried both!

Seems it can cost more to get off the Isle of Wight than it does to go to France!

I use both all the time - you get different contributors to each website, and lots of useful information between the two.

There are several other people who use both forums too - so don't worry about it (except that it does become a bit compulsive if you're a computer lover like me!!).

 

[NickinFrance]

If anyone wants a BF Owners club number with will get about a 10% discount they can contact me via the admin (I think)

 

[Lara_374353049]

Hi Sarah,

We travelled with LD Lines in August 2009, Portsmouth to Le Havre,

 

[lee_374355239]

Hi i am sure condor dont take vans over 5.5 metres long hope i am wrong as i would like to go this way

 

[LesleyRussell]

Note for Lee -

they do. Our current van is 7.23m and we went last year. Also had a quote for this year on the basis of an alternative van of 7.95m.

 

[lee_374355239]

Note for Lee -

they do. Our current van is 7.23m and we went last year. Also had a quote for this year on the basis of an alternative van of 7.95m.

Hi just checked on line it says caravans up to 5.5 did you have to ring if so have you got there phone number thanks in advance lee

 

[emmerson2]

Norfolk Line was

 

[LesleyRussell]

Hi just checked on line it says caravans up to 5.5 did you have to ring if so have you got there phone number thanks in advance lee

You will have to ring Camping Cheques on 01580 214 002 - they do not have the facility for you to book it on-line. Three days camping cheques will be included in your price. These do last for 2 years - just in case you do not use them this year.

 

[NickinFrance]

Norfolk Line was

 

[Garfield]

Hi

We're going to a wedding near portsmouth in August and thought of getting a ferry to France or Spain till we saw the cost, we save Tesco points and get

 

[emmerson2]

Norfolk Line was

 

[sarah_374538832]

thanks for so many alternative options. yes, to avoid driving to Dover from Isle of Wight which is just over the water from Portsmouth would be ideal but if it's alot cheaper then I am sure it's worth the saving!

Now, where could I go with the caravan that would be warm at Easter!!??

 

[dethleffs640]

Hi Sarah,

For the last couple of years we have Wintered in the Algarve (Jan to May)We are there now, We have used LD Lines Portsmouth to Le Harve we found them the cheapest, arround

 

[RichardW1]

Val A

What other forum do you use.

Richard W

 

[sarah_374538832]

Hi Sarah,

For the last couple of years we have Wintered in the Algarve (Jan to May)We are there now, We have used LD Lines Portsmouth to Le Harve we found them the cheapest, arround

 

[ValA.]

Mainly this one:

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_forum_topics.asp?ForumID=7
or less so on Caravan Talk, and Touring and Tenting.

UKCS is certainly the most active on the Caravanning Abroad.