tunnel or ferry (for Z4 and Cayman)

[braingirl]

Maybe driving to germany/austria or similar in August, and wondering if i should go by ferry or eurotunnel. Driving trip for a spirited drive versus a Porsche cayman S. ..maybe heading to the ring.

Ferry:
Cheaper
wait to board
wait to disembark
potentially more relaxing
weather dependant

Tunnel:
more expensive
claustrophobic
quicker


Does anyone have any experience, and any specific recommendations?

and for those interested: http://www.fastestlaps.com

http://www.fastestlaps.com/comparisons/porsche_cayman_s-vs-bmw_z4_sdrive_35is.html

 

[Taz]

i opted for the tunnel cos i don't like boats, I eaily get sea sick

when in August are you going?

 

[oli445]

Have used the tunnel, ferry, sea cat and hovercraft! I am crossing next month and going on the ferry as it's cheaper and I'm in no rush!

 

[agentbiscuit]

What ferry are you guys using? All the quotes I got were significantly more expensive than the tunnel! Tunnel was circa £100 return. Ferry more like £300.

On my return leg I want to get the ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle. Anyone done that before? Saves me a lot of mundane uk motorway miles and i'll be flying solo by then as the rest of the boys are from abroad or Essex

 

[pvr]

My parents have just done the Newcastle boat from NL, it is some Danish organisation. They rented a cabin as well.

The food was worse than awful and a very long wait at Newcastle to get off the boat (about an hour ) because of customs.

Tunnel - I buy the £390 10 tickets each year, so that is 5 returns. Drive there whenever I get there and just get on, no fuss, no chance of damage and best of all - no football supporters in coaches to deal with. With the ferry you will most likely get door dents as they pack you in, as well as idiots putting the crates of beer on your boot / bonnet when loading their duty free load ... Never again for me, since the tunnel arrived I have never taken the boat again.

 

[Anonymous]

Can I come? An E89 and a Cayman would make for angreat trip!!!

 

[sars]

Definitely the Tunnel it is so much easier and quicker

 

[braingirl]

P&O - £69 to Calais (£30 fri and £39 mon to return)
Eurotunnel - £107 to Calais (again short stay saver fri to Mon)

The plan is to go evening of Friday 26th August and return Bank Holiday 29th August.
The exact itinery is yet to be determined, so open to suggestions.

 

[Banbury]

Tunnel is much more civilized
I did catch one of my alloys on the lip that runs along each side of the "road" within the train though.
So on the return I asked to go in the trains that take the coaches and vans. Inside it was like driving down an A road and no dink'd alloys.

 

[pvr]

No idea why they made it so tight, a real pain. With the X5 I have to fold the mirrors otherwise I hit the loos whilst passing them.

 

[Anonymous]

I've been on with my Range R and always got on without catching my wheels.....

 

[wills]

Ive taken my past cars on the ferry twice and both times had wings dinted by neighbouring cars, as theyre packed so tight.

From now on it's always the tunnel!

 

[a11y]

Always ferry for us but that's because Dover is a complete ballache off a drive: 10hrs+ vs 5hrs to Hull. Overnight crossing also works great as you have the whole next day ahead of you to travel.

Currently actually sitting in the bar on the Hull-Rotterdam ferry as I type

 

[Lance]

Ferry everytime!

Have tried the tunnel, quicker yes but only once it actually gets going. Three times I've used it and three times I've been placed in a later train, despite being there in plenty of time.

Ferry, used them dozens of time and never had a problem. P&O run often so earlier/later ferries are possible if ahead of schedule or running late. Surcharges do apply if stupidly early or late.

Norfolkline to Dunkirk is very cheap although slightly longer crossing, plus side is you're dropped further along the coast for a destination such as yours.

Both Ferries have a waiter service restaurant, which means the whole journey is used up enjoying a nice meal, especially good if going early as a decent brekkie is a must.

Personally it's P&O wherever possible. First one loaded heads to Langans restaurant and books a table.

Whatever you choose......enjoy

 

[Red Law]

What ferry are you guys using? All the quotes I got were significantly more expensive than the tunnel! Tunnel was circa £100 return. Ferry more like £300.

On my return leg I want to get the ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle. Anyone done that before? Saves me a lot of mundane uk motorway miles and i'll be flying solo by then as the rest of the boys are from abroad or Essex

Check the Rotterdam to Hull P&O service for price/time comparison with Newcastle. It'll be about an extra 90 minutes but the bars, food and cabins aren't bad, plus there's 2 small cinema screens showing 6 films. Usuall about £250-£400 return depending upon day and how late you leave it.

Never had any problems with knocks etc, BUT the Mrs went back to the Z last trip and locked it with the alarm activated - flat battery next morning so not popular with the cars behind. The guys helped me push it aside and had a jump kit; service is good on all fronts in our experience. Even cost us just £10 to bring a return crossing f/w last year when we bailed out the road trip due to days of bad wheather in all directions.

Docks at 8 a.m. and usually quick exit, once through the Hull traffic it's rapid route M62-A1M. Rotterdam side well connected by motorways direct to france/belgium/germany.

 

[iwatchlive]

Tunnel or Ferry, hhmmm, there is no question at all; tunnel all the way

There is no way I am taking a 35i (or 35is in your case) on any chav fest ferry, getting crammed in like a sardine, putting up with all the vomiting drunks and not even be able to stay with my vehicle. Can you set your alarm on a ferry and expect it to be answered (not a chance) and the movement will set the zed alarm off too!

Then you are just inches from the car in front, behind, and just as close either side, so that inevitably means you are completely at the mercy of furry diced Dave 'n' Trisha parked next to your "luverly Car my love" in his ford focus and what happens when he, she or one of the other numerous cars (or their inhabitants) surrounding you accidently open their car door onto yours (they do and will) have you seen the amount of claims for dings and dents car insurer's deal with just from ferry trips?

Alternatively, pull up at Eurotunnel and be in France within an hour or thereabouts, it’s easy and you have no cars either side of you & get to stay with (& look at) your lovely Zed.

I have been to the continent numerous times in the Zed via the tunnel and pulled up 1hr or more too early on three occasions and was offered the next slot which is usually about half an hour, so I arrived and was on a train within half an hour and in France in about 1hr 15 total after arriving at the entrance, go figure!

There is no competition between these too, and the Zed deserves the tunnel, not the chavvy ferry wot wot

 

[Lance]

Just thought of another few reasons to use the ferry,

The tunnel train has too many pretentious to55ers.

Has an excess of people with over active imaginations.

And attracts the sort that so many class as BMW tw@ts.

But, I suppose you make your choice and take your chance.

Cheers

 

[braingirl]

i didn't realise that this would become such a controversial thread! ..although to be honest I think I am tending towards the tunnel (could have a picnic next to the car)

 

[Richard!]

I have used both, ferry more in the past.

I prefer the train, every time I've gotten there I've been on the train in no time. Its easy to get on and off with no hassle.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a funny story....was on the ferry from isle of Wight not long ago, and we were at the front. In the open. We had the roof down. Very sunny day....gorgeous in fact. Weather was a little rough. And just as we got to Gunn Wharf, a big wave hit the ferry and swamped us!! We got soaked and had to get the car fully detailed to get rid of all the salt!!