The tunnel was so simple for us. We did stay at the Calais hypermarket car park overnight both ways too. Despite the tabloid stories we didn't have any issues. We took a ferry to Bilbao when we took the car to Spain. The sea was rough and our cabin was at the front, which was a bit exciting! At was a relaxing way to do those miles though.
It's not just tabloid stories. We were going to spend a night there in the motorh. There was a crowd of migrants in the covered car oark across from us kept breakin off in one's and two's and walking through the car park and blatantly eying up the vans. One Finish guy took his dog for a quixk walk around the car park and challenged a guy who was chexking out his van at the rear. This went on for the 2 hours we were there. We along with a campervan mext to us left formthis reason. Police have now stopped overnight parking there due to securiry reasons and so it definitely isn't all tabloid press scaremongering.
Local to Pompey ourselves, ferry over the tunnel for us, we enjoy just having a wander, we're booked on three this year dover Dunkirk, Newhaven Dieppe, and dover Dunkirk again lol lots of wandering, stood at southsea countless times watching the hovercraft and it always a joy, enjoy your travels.
went over to Spain in December 19 by ferry, was due to return the same route in April 20 but due to the pandemic, Brittany ferries cancelled us so we returned via France and the tunnel in March. OMG, it was so much easier more than made up for the extra 550 miles we had to drive. The train every time for us now, not to mention the cost saving more than covers the extra diesel.
Hi Kat the ex Pompey Rating. Have been subscribed for a few weeks Ex Chief Tif here (time done), just completed a self build which I started in June 2018. Wife and I retiring at the end of April from second career. Ferry booked DFDS for 1st June Norway road trip the big inaugural Europe trip. Very excited. Like to say your Vlogs are great and very nicely detailed plus a polished website. Thank you and will be watching. T&S
Used the Tunnel and Ferry a few times when I was Stationed In Germany. It depended on cost as to which I chose. The Tunnel had just opened when I was ou there. The Nearest I have got to a Ferry trip from Portsmath is over to Gosport as a kid as I when to School on Hayling Island when My perants Lived in Scotland. (thonk they were trying to tell me something). I haven Travelled Abroard since I left the Forces nearly 20 years ago and we are looking at getting our First Motorhome this year and Exploring parts of the Europe has started to appeal as I have nevr been bothered by travelling aboard as have only really been interested in UK holidays, but watching some channels that have been on conversion builds and some of the places that they have been to has sparked quite abit of interest in trying out something new.
For me the tunnel every time. We bought the 10 frequent traveller tickets and they've extwnded them twice by 6 months each time and sona year in total.
Tunnel everytime for us. Less stressful for the 3 dogs. We've been to France twice in our motorhome and never planned anything apart from booking the tunnel in advance. We've stayed overnight a few times in the citie de Europe. Never had a problem. The only time we saw the immigrant situation was when we went to a booze warehouse where they hang around under the motorway bridges. There is a high police presence around the wine warehouse area as lorries are in and out. We just always make sure that one person stays in the motorhome while the other goes shopping.
Thank you for the informative video. I think advising people to be wary within 2 hours of Calais should be corrected to 2 miles! I have a house 1 hour from the port in beautiful countryside near the battlefields of Azincourt with lovely nearby towns in the Seven valleys region. Loads of great holiday spots particularly along the Cote d'Opale all within an hour of Calais. I'm not a French tour guide Lol, I just think saying within 2 hours is misleading for travelers.
That area is gorgeous- we do need to explore more of it. I think being wary isn't the same as advising people to never visit- I was just sharing what we do, bearing in mind we're usually driving from a long way away. But I'm sure when we do the beaches and history tour of that area, which we both want to do, we'll stay well within 2 hours without problem.
Lot's of good information. Thanks. For travelling on the ferry, when would be the best winter months if you know? We would also be travelling with a pet.
With us it depends in which direction we are heading on the France side from Southampton, if we are going to Spain we don't want to drive 100 miles to the tunnel in the wrong direction, however if going to Eastern Europe then the tunnel is our option, must say we like the ferry, but as you say its the expensive option, for us pets are not a consideration, when using the tunnel overnight about 20 mins away and no migrant issues where we stay.
Never found the tunnel to be cheaper than the ferry usually £150 ferry, £220 for the tunnel. We are from Yorkshire and we have no option but a 5 hour drive to any channel port, so price is an issue for non Dover crossings, worth saying In 10 years of travelling to France we have never had any issues around Calais with migrants even at the height of the Sangatte jungle. Fyi Dover marina has free overnight parking.
tunnel everytime for us as for campsite we stay at the drum inn last exit on m20 before the tunnel exit 20pound anight good food and beer shower and loos iknow some thats alot i dont think so for us
Ex Royal Marine from Gosport here and I used to suffer with the sea-sickness too! We used the tunnel most of the time when we travelled by car and now we have a motorhome I don't intend to change! I'm going to investigate the 10 trip tunnel ticket option before we make our first Europe trip and check out the savings!
Great video😊, thanks for sharing 👍! For me Brittany Ferries Portsmouth - St Malo works out best. Despite it being a little long and costing more, it actually the most relaxing and most enjoyable hence not being woken up at 4am UK time. I would say you get more with your money with St-Malo compared to Cean. Due to living close to Pompey it's not really worth the miles driving up to Calais for the tunnel or ferry.
With respect, I do think you're exaggerating the migrant problem in Calais and not staying less than 2 hours from Calais is overkill. I've been using Eurotunnel 3 or 4 times a year for years and have very rarely seen any illegals. I store my caravan about 45 minutes from Calais and use a nearby campsite for an overnight before heading South the following day
There are hundreds of people who cross every day and never had an issue. There are also people who camp near to Calais who have had damage and vandalism. I merely shared what we do and said you are free to do whatever you wish. But saying you have rarely seen any illegals is interesting- they're all over the place!
We live in northern France and use the tunnel often for shopping trips and visiting relatives - it's just so convenient. We haven't seen any migrants at or near the terminal for months. They now tend to camp out close to the aires and target UK registered trucks and motorhomes travelling towards Calais. My advice is (on the way back to the UK) don't stop at an aire or motorway service station within a hundred miles or more of the port.
Thanks for this, very helpful. Just wondering, where did you hear that there are many instances of Motorhome break-ins and vandalism by migrants in Calais?
We have been avoiding travelling to France due to our 2 dogs , we took them in 2012 but it was a big cost factor. The tunnel sounds like a good option for us. Thanks for the information 😁 Trev
Prefer tunnel but such along way to Spain Brittany ferries are an absolute ripoff Portsmouth to Santander £1250 They have no competition charge what they like a provide a truly shocking service Cancelling your crossing the day before
We once stayed in the euro tunnel carpark. Got there late and crossed in the morning fully refreshed.
The tunnel was so simple for us. We did stay at the Calais hypermarket car park overnight both ways too. Despite the tabloid stories we didn't have any issues. We took a ferry to Bilbao when we took the car to Spain. The sea was rough and our cabin was at the front, which was a bit exciting! At was a relaxing way to do those miles though.
Ohhhh- sounds like my idea of hell! I'd rather drive I think ;) Mr WB likes the 'exciting' part about sailing too.
It's not just tabloid stories. We were going to spend a night there in the motorh. There was a crowd of migrants in the covered car oark across from us kept breakin off in one's and two's and walking through the car park and blatantly eying up the vans. One Finish guy took his dog for a quixk walk around the car park and challenged a guy who was chexking out his van at the rear. This went on for the 2 hours we were there. We along with a campervan mext to us left formthis reason. Police have now stopped overnight parking there due to securiry reasons and so it definitely isn't all tabloid press scaremongering.
Local to Pompey ourselves, ferry over the tunnel for us, we enjoy just having a wander, we're booked on three this year dover Dunkirk, Newhaven Dieppe, and dover Dunkirk again lol lots of wandering, stood at southsea countless times watching the hovercraft and it always a joy, enjoy your travels.
Fantastic! Hope you have great adventures!
went over to Spain in December 19 by ferry, was due to return the same route in April 20 but due to the pandemic, Brittany ferries cancelled us so we returned via France and the tunnel in March. OMG, it was so much easier more than made up for the extra 550 miles we had to drive. The train every time for us now, not to mention the cost saving more than covers the extra diesel.
Hi Kat the ex Pompey Rating. Have been subscribed for a few weeks Ex Chief Tif here (time done), just completed a self build which I started in June 2018. Wife and I retiring at the end of April from second career. Ferry booked DFDS for 1st June Norway road trip the big inaugural Europe trip. Very excited. Like to say your Vlogs are great and very nicely detailed plus a polished website. Thank you and will be watching. T&S
Thank you- have an AMAZING trip. Norway is epic!!!
Used the Tunnel and Ferry a few times when I was Stationed In Germany. It depended on cost as to which I chose. The Tunnel had just opened when I was ou there. The Nearest I have got to a Ferry trip from Portsmath is over to Gosport as a kid as I when to School on Hayling Island when My perants Lived in Scotland. (thonk they were trying to tell me something).
I haven Travelled Abroard since I left the Forces nearly 20 years ago and we are looking at getting our First Motorhome this year and Exploring parts of the Europe has started to appeal as I have nevr been bothered by travelling aboard as have only really been interested in UK holidays, but watching some channels that have been on conversion builds and some of the places that they have been to has sparked quite abit of interest in trying out something new.
For me the tunnel every time. We bought the 10 frequent traveller tickets and they've extwnded them twice by 6 months each time and sona year in total.
So many very options to France, and then also ferries to Spain to consider too depending where you're going - Nicola
Yeah- it can get a little confusing, especially if you don't know exactly where you want to go!
Tunnel everytime for us. Less stressful for the 3 dogs. We've been to France twice in our motorhome and never planned anything apart from booking the tunnel in advance. We've stayed overnight a few times in the citie de Europe. Never had a problem. The only time we saw the immigrant situation was when we went to a booze warehouse where they hang around under the motorway bridges. There is a high police presence around the wine warehouse area as lorries are in and out. We just always make sure that one person stays in the motorhome while the other goes shopping.
Very sensible advice!
Thank you for the informative video. I think advising people to be wary within 2 hours of Calais should be corrected to 2 miles! I have a house 1 hour from the port in beautiful countryside near the battlefields of Azincourt with lovely nearby towns in the Seven valleys region. Loads of great holiday spots particularly along the Cote d'Opale all within an hour of Calais. I'm not a French tour guide Lol, I just think saying within 2 hours is misleading for travelers.
That area is gorgeous- we do need to explore more of it. I think being wary isn't the same as advising people to never visit- I was just sharing what we do, bearing in mind we're usually driving from a long way away. But I'm sure when we do the beaches and history tour of that area, which we both want to do, we'll stay well within 2 hours without problem.
Lot's of good information. Thanks. For travelling on the ferry, when would be the best winter months if you know? We would also be travelling with a pet.
With us it depends in which direction we are heading on the France side from Southampton, if we are going to Spain we don't want to drive 100 miles to the tunnel in the wrong direction, however if going to Eastern Europe then the tunnel is our option, must say we like the ferry, but as you say its the expensive option, for us pets are not a consideration, when using the tunnel overnight about 20 mins away and no migrant issues where we stay.
Yeah, it's good to be able to use both options as they suit.
Never found the tunnel to be cheaper than the ferry usually £150 ferry, £220 for the tunnel. We are from Yorkshire and we have no option but a 5 hour drive to any channel port, so price is an issue for non Dover crossings, worth saying In 10 years of travelling to France we have never had any issues around Calais with migrants even at the height of the Sangatte jungle. Fyi Dover marina has free overnight parking.
x navy? I didn't know that. sounds interesting. I would use the tunnel i think to avoid weather issues
tunnel everytime for us as for campsite we stay at the drum inn last exit on m20 before the tunnel exit 20pound anight good food and beer shower and loos iknow some thats alot i dont think so for us
Ex Royal Marine from Gosport here and I used to suffer with the sea-sickness too! We used the tunnel most of the time when we travelled by car and now we have a motorhome I don't intend to change! I'm going to investigate the 10 trip tunnel ticket option before we make our first Europe trip and check out the savings!
Do- the savings are huge if you use it enough. You can also use Tesco clubcard points- every little helps! ;)
Great video😊, thanks for sharing 👍!
For me Brittany Ferries Portsmouth - St Malo works out best. Despite it being a little long and costing more, it actually the most relaxing and most enjoyable hence not being woken up at 4am UK time. I would say you get more with your money with St-Malo compared to Cean.
Due to living close to Pompey it's not really worth the miles driving up to Calais for the tunnel or ferry.
Interesting- we've never tried that route. Definitely something to bear in mind, although I'm not sure if they have pet cabins or not.
@@WanderingBird Unfortunately they don't have Pet friendly cabins on St Malo route yet
Did you delete my comment regards our experience at Cite Europe, Calais?
With respect, I do think you're exaggerating the migrant problem in Calais and not staying less than 2 hours from Calais is overkill. I've been using Eurotunnel 3 or 4 times a year for years and have very rarely seen any illegals. I store my caravan about 45 minutes from Calais and use a nearby campsite for an overnight before heading South the following day
There are hundreds of people who cross every day and never had an issue. There are also people who camp near to Calais who have had damage and vandalism. I merely shared what we do and said you are free to do whatever you wish. But saying you have rarely seen any illegals is interesting- they're all over the place!
Moonshine Buck You can’t blame people to try and save/change their life, everyone would do the same in the same circonstances
We live in northern France and use the tunnel often for shopping trips and visiting relatives - it's just so convenient. We haven't seen any migrants at or near the terminal for months. They now tend to camp out close to the aires and target UK registered trucks and motorhomes travelling towards Calais. My advice is (on the way back to the UK) don't stop at an aire or motorway service station within a hundred miles or more of the port.
Like both 👌
Yeah, they're both useful in their ways
Which port is, the shortest travel on ferry going to France except Calais. Eg travel time 1 hr or 2 hrs. On ferry.
Thanks for this, very helpful. Just wondering, where did you hear that there are many instances of Motorhome break-ins and vandalism by migrants in Calais?
There have been regular reports of breakins in the news. I'm sure if you Google you'll find up-to-date figures and more information.
We have been avoiding travelling to France due to our 2 dogs , we took them in 2012 but it was a big cost factor. The tunnel sounds like a good option for us. Thanks for the information 😁 Trev
Tunnel is definitely easier and the dogs are less disturbed. Hope you make it this year!!
Thank you 😊
Tunnel for me as I have 3 dogs and no way am I leaving them in the hold. The bonus for me is I only live 10 mins from tunnel xx
Excellent choice of house. Makes life a LOT easier.
Thanks for sharing! Like #48.
Thank you Dennis. Are you off to Europe this year?
@@WanderingBird We will be back touring France in June!
Prefer tunnel but such along way to Spain Brittany ferries are an absolute ripoff Portsmouth to Santander £1250 They have no competition charge what they like a provide a truly shocking service Cancelling your crossing the day before
Yeah, they are very expensive. Didn't know it was that much to get to Spain- that's crazy!! Much cheaper to drive in that case.
Absolute disgraceful robbery price
4 tabs at the most
Very restrained of you. :)
I thought I recognised you as an Ex Jenny...
Are they still called that? It was disbanded a little before my time but yep.