Cheapest day/time for crossing channel

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You have been very fortunate!

Our only crossing of the Bay of Biscay was very rough. The ship had to slow down which only prolonged the "adventure". Grey cloud and rough seas meant that whale watching was impossible.

Our only cruise included a leg from Cadiz to Madeira. This also was very rough. In both cases the majority of passengers failed to arrive for meals.

We've used Bilbao and Santander in the past, trips were millpond like...lucky possibly.

now, after many years of popping just down the road to Poole we will be using Santander in early February...hope it's as calm as previously but we are reasonable sailors...⛴️

For us, sea journeys neither suit us nor the dog, so it's overland for us, particularly during the winter months when cancellations and rough crossings are possible.

As a result, another type of crossing - the Dartford Crossing - determines which Channel Tunnel service we use as we try to avoid the M25 during busy periods. 

We tend to catch an early afternoon shuttle on a Friday (to take advantage of the lighter HGV traffic on motorways over the weekend) which means we leave home between 9 and 10 am.  When returning, we book a crossing at about 9.30am French time on Sunday morning so we are home for lunch.

Both these timings, whilst not the absolute cheapest, tend to be less expensive than peak times.

We have at some point used nearly all of the crossings. 

As an experiment this year I worked out the cost of the Santander crossing compared to St Malo, Caen and Calais (tunnel) taking into consideration fuel, night halts, tolls and days (time) Santander was the dearest, St Malo next, the Tunnel then Caen the cheapest.

Santander was £130 more than St Malo, which in turn was £28 more than the tunnel, Caen was  £2 less than the tunnel.

We decided that given the time of year we were to be travelling we would prefer the St Malo crossing, the overnight ferry offers us the best timings.

We have done the Santander crossing a few times and though we love going on cruises we found we did get bored on the 24hr ferry. Now that it's even longer we have decided against it.

Caen we use in the Spring but in winter the timings aren't suitable. Calais is a long haul which in good weather we don't mind but in cold dark wet winter days isn't that appealing given where we live and the cost compared to St Malo.

Don't forget on the longer crossings to factor in meals and drinks, they can certainly add up. The crossing were based on a single crossing.

We do like the ease of the tunnel and will use it again, just maybe not in winter coming back from Spain. 

If I fly out to see number two son in Hong Kong the cheapest flight would mean me getting to Heathrow for a check in at 0530,  changing planes in Finland, and taking 27 hours 25 for the journey instead of 12 hours 40.
I don’t do cheapest - I do most convenient - for ferries as well as flights. 

+1 totally agree, cheapest doesn't always mean that, when you factor in other things like I mentioned above. 

I find all ferries boring. I'm bored before we have left port!

hi peedee, well as other have hinted the tunnel/Dover etc isn't convenient from down here!

Leaving aside the extra 300+miles each way, the overnight stops on both legs, the absolute pain in the whastsit of travelling to any SE port-and I would still choose an overnight on the Pont Aven, a real teat of a restaurant meal and a full day for onward travel!!

But, if we dont leave it aside but add those things to the cost equation we see that, for my outfit on 2023 trip dates the costs are;

BF PLY-ROSC WITH CABIN-£591.72

EUROTUNNEL WITH NOWT-£471+2 overnights+600 miles travelling

Many years ago, after a particularly awful trip via Dover-destination was usually Italy-we decided that so long as BF was no more than £100 extra it was worth paying-it was app £60 more and for many years since, with the BF 'caravan goes free' offers, was as cheap, if not cheaper, than Dover.

So, for us, the tunnel still isn't convenient or cost effective!!

 You sound more like ktt.............Kevin the Teenager!!

As Samuel Johnson may have said-"When a man is tired of ferry travel..............................."