Ferry or Tunnel?

[bikermole]

Hey guys,

I've booked a trip to the Nurburgring next May, and looking at the route, we have 2 options for travelling, to either take the ferry to Dunkirk, or take the Tunnel to Calais.

I went to the 'Ring this year (admittedly in a car) and we took the ferry. It took 2 hours, considerably longer than the shuttle, but Dunkirk is abut an hour further along than Calais, and we were able to chill out, enjoy a hot meal and plan the route a bit.

The ferry is cheaper, too, but not by enough to really sway the decision as the added cost of food puts it roughly on par, but I've heard a lot about the migrant issues in Calais, and is it just worth staying away to avoid any trouble? There was an article in MCN this week about the troubles over there.

What are your recommendations and preferences for travelling to the continent?

Much appreciated!

[Ste]

Take the tunnel to Calais?



Jungle snackbars might have opened in Dunkirk by next May but it seems a safer bet than Calais.

[waffles]

I went through Calais on Monday to use the Tunnel, I didn't see any migrants or anything that would impede the flow of traffic. Nobody killed me with a chainsaw or set me on fire. It may be different when you travel but there were no problems there at all this week.

Tunnel is more expensive granted but 25 minutes and you are straight on to the motorway the other side. Ultimately only you can make that choice though!
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[G]

I wanted to go via Holland anyway, but the Harwich to Hook van Holland night ferry works out quite nicely - get a bit of a kip, then start off first thing in the morning. A good number of years ago it was around £80 with a bike.

[TallPaul_S]

[Casper]

Ferry but that is due to location.

[Snowdonia Rider]

[TallPaul_S]

[bamt]

An advantage of the tunnel is that you don't get rough crossings with everyone around you emptying the contents of their stomachs.

[Copycat73]

[Enduro Numpty]

[weasley]

I've ridden to Germany twice and both times used the tunnel. It is quick and easy, you stay with your bike, no strapping down, no slippery deck, straight onto the motorway...etc. True you don't get a meal or seat, but you can do that before or after you board if you like. Also, they go frequently and if you miss one or get there early you can often take whatever train turns up next. Plus the terminal is closer and easier to get to (for me).
____________________
Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[gorillaonabik...]

I take the ferry because I like to get a few minutes kip. I just find a corner or seat and zzzzzz

Can't sleep on the tunnel.
____________________
FZR400 (blown engine), ZXR750 (blown engine), ZX6R (accident), CBR600 which had engine issues after which I learned to change gear..., CBR900, CBR924 (stolen), CB600, CB1300 (everything blew up), BMW K1300GT (written off, hit from rear while stationary), Bandit 1250 for a couple of months, Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (nicked) and somewhere in there, I wrote off a Ducati 748 at Cadwell.

[Copycat73]

[smallfrowne]

[bikermole]

Really appreciate the replies everyone, I knew I could count on you lot

Its up the everyone on the group to agree, but I'll take forward whats been said and we'll (hopefully) agree!

Probably be making a thread soon about what to do while at the 'Ring soon!

[thepuma]

Tunnel EVERY time.

Done the tunnel 5 or 6 times now and never been delayed longer than 15 minutes....Against my better judgement I decided to have a go on the ferry ONCE and it was delayed 3 hours AND took 2 hours on the boat...so vowed NEVER again to go by boat.
____________________
YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[Alpineandy]

The tunnel is quicker but if I have the time then I take the ferry to Dunkirk. I generally enjoy the chance to walk around or take a kip or have a cuppa etc. I know the tunnel is much shorter time-wise but IMO it's so boring.
____________________
The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Many years ago I used the channel crossings very regularly (so many years ago I had a choice of ferry, tunnel, seacat or hovercraft) when working abroad.

When I was first there the tunnel was the same price as the ferries, then the prices went up for the summer. At the end of the summer the tunnel prices stayed high.

Tunnel is quicker, but I have had very long waits for the tunnel, far longer than any wait for the ferry I had. Real fun when 1 tunnel is closed and they send a couple of trains through in one direction in the other tunnel, then do the same in the other direction.

I tended to use the seacats most of the time, but not a choice these days.

All the best

Katy
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[chickenstrip]

I don't trust the people who close the ferry doors.
____________________
Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Alpineandy]

[rubyhorse2]

tunnel is very easy and if i lived closer it would be my choice every time, but after a long ride down through England i would choose ferry.

so basically, if your close to tunnel use it, if not, go for ferry.

[Gone but not forgotten]

I would choose a ferry any day.
1/ I like ferries.
2/ I don't like tunnels.
____________________
Mick

[bikermole]

As before, I really appreciate the helpful replies!

We booked our ferry this morning as we ended up with a discount code for 20% off and 6 cans of beer included. We've got some cars coming on the trip too, so they can carry those

[TheDonUK]

Big Overland Trip - Ferry for sense of occasion

Day/Weekend trip to France/Holland//belgium/Germany etc - Tunnel.

I quite like setting off in the wee-early hours of the morning from NW London and blasting down to Folkstone.

Personal record, left 4AM, arrived 5AM (Including London traffic lights and petrol stop)
____________________
[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]