Crossing the channel

smegballs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Karma :

Me and a mate have decided to go on a hitching trip to europe in April. Our target to get to is Berlin which I think should be easily do-able, given ourselves two weeks for the trip.

Now I have no worries about hitching to Dover, I've racked up a fair few hitch miles since my thread ages ago and within the UK I'm pretty confident now.

Crossing the channel is the only bit I'm unsure of. Looking on a few ferry website it seems that a lot of operators are doing "Car plus up to 9 passengers (within vehicles limits) for XX price" sort of deals. Sadly it also seems a lot more expensive for foot passengers as all the deals seem to be aimed and people travelling with vehicles.

Now with the "pay for the car, not the passengers" type deals, I see the potential for being able to hitch across the channel. Anyone had past experience or able to recommend how to cross the channel cheap/easily??

johnsmith222 · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Karma :

This guy has the right idea.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/05/article-1032232-003527DE00000258-222_468x511.jpg

oldpink · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Karma :

I doubt you will get a crossing as a passenger for two reasons
1) normally there per booked with the passenger count already stated
2) they don't know you from adam and you could be wanted by police or smuggling
would you put yourself in the frame for a stranger ??
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smegballs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Karma :

Chalky. · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Karma :

Swim.

pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Look at getting the ferry to Holland (beleive it is Rotterdam) Goes from the East coast, I think Harwich?
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Alabama Blacksnake · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Karma :

Holland isnt a bad shout as this was one of the places we where goin to visit. Swimming is out the question as im to lazy 22 miles or so is to far Laughing

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warped one · Banned Joined: 25 Dec 2007 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

It's the Harwich to Hook van Holland ferry.
Used to be pretty cheap if you under 26 (around £30 for a return I think we used to pay) - it was a catamaran hydrofoil so was pretty speedy.
However, last time I used it, it was a normal ferry that took longer and was only doing night crossings (may have been time of year - for me and my bike cost me £85 I think (October 2009); believe you were forced to get a cabin for this, but 100% as I'd probably have chosen one anyway, having a long day ahead. Worked out quite well for me as I left work finally at about 8pm on Friday, ferry 10:45pm or something - so maximised holiday I got as I was in the continent fairly refreshed for first thing Saturday morning to start the Holiday.