Cheapest crossing to France

[TheCrazyTravel]

On the beginning of the next year, around 10th January, I will be crossing from the UK to France on my way to China and America, and I will do it in a very tight budget.

Do you know what's the cheapest options for crossing to France? I don't mind booking -if cheaper-, but I prefer flexibility if the price is the same.

Dover-Calais is 15,50 return ticket (I wouldn't return...) or 22 for one way, there is a cheaper way?

Another option, since I am traveling in winter and it's cold for wild camping and riding, is taking the ferry Portsmouth - Le Havre for 28 pounds one way, and sleep in the ferry in the seats. That way we get out faster of the Northern part of France, since we will be heading to Spain for the winter.

Any other better alternatives? Thanks!

[alpgirl]

You can use Tesco clubcard points towards some crossings.

[PH]

Portsmouth to Caen is £25.
Enjoy the winter sun.

[TheCrazyTravel]

Portsmouth to Caen is £25.
Enjoy the winter sun.

Where? The price I am seeing are a bit higher (30 pounds).

[TheCrazyTravel]

You can use Tesco clubcard points towards some crossings.

Not enough points in Tesco.

[T]

Where are you starting from, and how are you getting from home to the ferry port? (No point us suggesting super-cheap crossings from somewhere if it costs you a fortune in train tickets/petrol to get to that particular ferry port)

[iviehoff]

You could take the ferry directly to Spain, they run all year. Although this is more expensive in terms of transport, it saves you the costs of living on tour for a couple of weeks as you cross France in the winter, which may well not be much fun.

Btw, it's not warm in the interior of Spain in winter especially towards the north, where many places will actually be colder than SE England, especially at night. It is only really the coast that is pleasant in winter, and the best cycling tends to be away from the coast. Though in many areas you don't have to go very far inland to find that nice cycling, though you don't hvae to go very far inland in some places to be somewhere that snow can fall.

[Barrenfluffit]

Find a boat and offer to crew one way...
Watch out for the T&C's on using half a return ticket; the price is based on both legs.

[TheCrazyTravel]

Thanks for the answers.

Where are you starting from, and how are you getting from home to the ferry port? (No point us suggesting super-cheap crossings from somewhere if it costs you a fortune in train tickets/petrol to get to that particular ferry port)

I am in rainy Manchester, but I will be taking a train to London from where I will cycle to the ferry port.

You could take the ferry directly to Spain, they run all year. Although this is more expensive in terms of transport, it saves you the costs of living on tour for a couple of weeks as you cross France in the winter, which may well not be much fun.

Btw, it's not warm in the interior of Spain in winter especially towards the north, where many places will actually be colder than SE England, especially at night. It is only really the coast that is pleasant in winter, and the best cycling tends to be away from the coast. Though in many areas you don't have to go very far inland to find that nice cycling, though you don't hvae to go very far inland in some places to be somewhere that snow can fall.

I know Spanish weather, I have family there so depending on how cold it is I can stop for a couple of weeks while winter finish. In March is already over. But taking the ferry there is a bit too much, it will be a bit hard but I don't want to skip all France. We already cycle 2 weeks last winter through the center of England and, besides a few complains of my girlfriend, we made it.

Find a boat and offer to crew one way...
Watch out for the T&C's on using half a return ticket; the price is based on both legs.

Finding a boat to get a free ride could take a while, and waiting a few days wild camping in winter it is not too much fun.
I will take a look to the T&C's, but what's the worse that can happen if you don't return?

[iviehoff]

I will take a look to the T&C's, but what's the worse that can happen if you don't return?

They debit your card for the additional sum you agreed to pay if you didn't take the return trip. Because those are precisely the T&Cs generally applied these days to return ferry tickets that are cheaper than singles.

[TheCrazyTravel]

I will take a look to the T&C's, but what's the worse that can happen if you don't return?

They debit your card for the additional sum you agreed to pay if you didn't take the return trip. Because those are precisely the T&Cs generally applied these days to return ferry tickets that are cheaper than singles.

Can you pay in cash?

[PH]

Portsmouth to Caen is £25.
Enjoy the winter sun.

Where? The price I am seeing are a bit higher (30 pounds).

You're right, it's £29. It's £25 for a foot passenger and I was assuming the bike went free.
For £16 you could go through the tunnel, one way fare, no messing about with unused returns,
http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller- ... /bicycles/

[TheCrazyTravel]

Portsmouth to Caen is £25.
Enjoy the winter sun.

Where? The price I am seeing are a bit higher (30 pounds).

You're right, it's £29. It's £25 for a foot passenger and I was assuming the bike went free.
For £16 you could go through the tunnel, one way fare, no messing about with unused returns,
http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller- ... /bicycles/

I didn't know about this option. Do you need to book in advance or is it enough with phoning/booking a few days before?

[chocjohn9]

I have crossed on Eurotunnel but beware because you are only allowed on the 9am and 3pm trains and if you are cycling from London to Dover by 3, it is a push (I know because I have done it!) and yes, you need to book well in advance. You have to cycle to a hotel (forget which one) just before Dover and they put the bike on a trailer, you in a Transit van minibus.

A better option, in my view, is to cycle to Dover and walk into the bookings office at any time (no stress to arrive then!) and book a one way ticket with DFDS to Dunkirk. It takes 30 minutes longer to arrive than Calais (2h in total) - it is 30K further up the coast and if I remember well, it costs £20 one way. Cash or card on the spot.

Have a good trip.

[TheCrazyTravel]

I have crossed on Eurotunnel but beware because you are only allowed on the 9am and 3pm trains and if you are cycling from London to Dover by 3, it is a push (I know because I have done it!) and yes, you need to book well in advance. You have to cycle to a hotel (forget which one) just before Dover and they put the bike on a trailer, you in a Transit van minibus.

A better option, in my view, is to cycle to Dover and walk into the bookings office at any time (no stress to arrive then!) and book a one way ticket with DFDS to Dunkirk. It takes 30 minutes longer to arrive than Calais (2h in total) - it is 30K further up the coast and if I remember well, it costs £20 one way. Cash or card on the spot.

Have a good trip.

I would wild camp one night between London and Dover, and go to the hotel at 9am. If I could get Tesco vouchers I could get it for 12 pounds for 2 people, quite tempting. Or I might end up taking the ferry you mention.