tunnel or ferry (for Z4 and Cayman)

[daviddi]

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.

I used the tunnel last year , when i went to italy, and agree its quite tight for the alloys, plus they do park you up really close, I'm off to france on wednesday and will be going via ..newhaven to dieppe, its half the price compared to portsmouth/le-harve

 

[dragonhead100]

Im going Dover Calais return in July, cost £40 with p&o, so I couldnt say no!!

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!

Didn't think about that!! I won't be happy with any dents!!!! :evil:

 

[wills]

I'm sure it will be fine - you could just wait until neighbouring cars have parked & passengers headed upstairs, and again get to the car early before disembarking..

Bon voyage..!

 

[Red Law]

Clearly a major factor is proximity to the tunnel and the flexibility of the south coast ferries. Seems like the overnight ferries up north are a different experience with a big benefit (other than proximity for those north of Watford) being the fact you can sail late evening, have a few beers and wake up ready to hit the road 8ish next morning fed and with Costas loaded in the holders to get you through to lunchtime.

Thinking of maybe heading to Spain in September though, so I guess that might be worth the extra UK drive for the direct ferries to Bilbao/Santander. Anyone had experience of that route?

 

[markos]

Never done the train but done the ferry 5 times, no problems at all, and I sort of parked in a way that the cars next to me couldn't open their doors on to my car, but potential door dings is a definite down side to ferries. Never seen any louts or drunks, and on the ferry from Belfast to Liverpool I booked a cabin and that was the best £20 I've ever spent, seriously.

Only thing I'll add is lock the car with the key on the ferry rather than the keyfob button as that way the alarm won't be activated. On the 8 hour Belfast/Liverpool trip my alarm must have been going off the entire time and so my battery was well and truly dead afterwards :thumbsdown:

 

[pvr]

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

Odd post

 

[playalistic]

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

Odd post

Not really when you read the post above it (that I assume he was replying to)

 

[ErwinBel]

I used the ferry a few times, the tunnel 7-8 times. The ferry is more eventfull: you can see the white cliffs, which is nice, once or twice. And you can get yourself a cappucino. But those are about the only things going for it, IMO. The cars are stacked closely next to one another. I just hate it when people "slide" past my Z4! In Le Shuttle, you stay in your car in most cases, just enough for a quick doze off. Use the late or the early runs to save a penny. You can really hit the pedal once you are past the French border in Belgium. I actually did my personal speed record one night, after the transfer. 240 kph, twice the national speed limit... You have to do this before the road merges with E40 in Jabbeke, after that the traffic makes it unsafe, even at night.

 

[iwatchlive]

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

was hoping that post of mine would get a rise off of someone but had perceived the joke would be noticed by the term wot wot at the end :wink: , however obviously not huh, took the bait....maybe I should just put posts like that in the lounge only huh? still some people dont have a sense of humour I guess, life is far easier to moan at than to smile at for sum

still I must have gone up in the world if I am a now that esteemed I make the grade of pretentious to55ers / BMW tw@t eh not bad for a wee kid from the streets of glasgow eh! wot wot

that reminds me... I really must go and get that boil lanced........

 

[Lance]

I do enjoy prodding the monkeys through the bars :lol:

A reaction is a cert every time.

Now a new hobby is needed, where did I put those hooks?

Oh and good to see paranoia is alive and well and humour bypasses are still happening.

 

[iwatchlive]

I do enjoy prodding the monkeys through the bars :lol:
A reaction is a cert every time.
Now a new hobby is needed, where did I put those hooks?
Oh and good to see paranoia is alive and well and humour bypasses are still happening.

Excellent :happyclap: :happyclap: :happyclap:

 

[Adam D]

Tunnel, much less hassle and stress although the views are a bit limited

 

[Anonymous]

Only thing I'll add is lock the car with the key on the ferry rather than the keyfob button as that way the alarm won't be activated. On the 8 hour Belfast/Liverpool trip my alarm must have been going off the entire time and so my battery was well and truly dead afterwards :thumbsdown:

I read in the user's handbook - "if you press the button twice on the key fob, it will lock the car without the movement sensor being activated."

 

[T1berious]

I used the Ferry a couple of years back, booked into the exec lounge and it was a very very relaxing journey. Drove to Tuscany.

 

[Franzino]

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.

I'm going to the Festival of Speed and we have to take the train. I know how tight it is and I'm also worried to damage my CSL alloys on that nasty lip. Where do you ask to go in the train that take the coaches and vans? I did not know this was possible!

 

[hype]

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.

I'm going to the Festival of Speed and we have to take the train. I know how tight it is and I'm also worried to damage my CSL alloys on that nasty lip. Where do you ask to go in the train that take the coaches and vans? I did not know this was possible!

We were automatically waved into the coach/van truck after Le Mans due to a Ferrari leading the pack - it was just a case of going right after the final barrier rather than left. If you're concerned I'd just ask someone in a yellow jacket after you've parked up and are waiting for your lane to open.

That being said, I personally don't think you'd have a worry about catching a wheel in the normal carriage. I was in the same pack going out and we were in a normal carriage - it's plenty wide enough really. Plus if you're in the coach/van truck it can be a long way to the toilet!

 

[Z4LauraLondon]

I've driven to France using both the tunnel and ferry. Prefer Ferry but then I like to look at the sea and it feels more like going on holiday.

 

[bigshurv]

Tunnel is easier, faster and you are on your way so efficiently. The ferry ONLY with a ticket into the executive lounge, away from the great unwashed and all the rampaging school kids. Agreed , you car is safer in the tunnel,so that gets my vote.

 

[pvr]

Last time I was on a ferry it was an extra fiver for the club lounge, well worth it with the free coffee and newspaper as well

 

[sjj84]

Last time I went it was on the ferry, time before on the train. Next time I think it'll be the train again.

Ferry was cheaper at the time we went, however the constant drone really did my head in, as did all the shouting/screaming excited children (I'm not child friendly). We were also rediculously squeezed in, surprised that no dents occured to be honest. The breakfast we had was disgusting and needed a second mortgage to pay for!! It was however a very simple method of booking, arriving, boarding etc. We were about an hour early on the way back and they put us onto an earlier ferry with no bother or cost, which was a bonus as when we were booking, the earlier ferry was more expensive. You do get nice views though, especially on a nice day.