Cheapest day/time for crossing channel

I, too am checking all the ferry/tunnel prices. The tunnel is cheaper than dover-calais ferry and much more convenient. (I am based in Leicestershire). However, have you investigated Harwich to Hook of Holland. Its a Stena ferry, and is generally much cheaper than the traditional cross chanel ferries. Its also easy to get to southern France on Toll Free roads. You are still 200 miles north of Calais, but going south through Belgium to Metz in France is about the same as Calais to Metz. If you have bags of time, this is a very pleasant ferry and journey. I am favouring staying around Brittany this year, and would probably go Newhaven-Dieppe for £362.70 return, compared to about £516 on eurotunnel. (This is for going out after the coronation and returning a week after Bastille Day, about 9 weeks) 

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We've looked at both these ferries but for us once again the timings just don't cut it. 

When we were younger it didn't matter what time we took the ferry but nowadays it's all about the timings.

We have plenty of time in which we can travel that early mornings or late crossing do not appeal. It's worse coming back as there isn't always the convenience of Aires, not a lot of sites in the UK will allow you entry after or before a certain time.

We have used Harwich route twice, a return some 5 or so years ago, and then a single back from Holland last summer.

Its much cheaper than the other options-for us it would be just £215.70 on the daytime crossings however, go overnight and its double at £431.40 and now its not such a good comparison.

However, using you suggestion, once you get to HOH you have a near 650 mile trip ahead to reach coastal Brittany, go via Metz and that's up to 800 miles.

However, you may prefer a journey of less than 250 miles that will see you at Plymouth ferry port, and then you land in Brittany!

Aand J

Motorhomes are not charged as much as a car and caravan on the Tunnel. As already stated there are many variables. Everyone has to consider their own situation and also the price of convenience. The only crossings I have not used while touring are from Pymouth, Hull and Harwich.

We are all different regarding ferries and the tunnel, we are going to UK via St. Malo this September and back same route as we like this crossing as sailings suit OH who does not like early mornings. Have done the tunnel in the past when we had a dog but have not done that route for 15 years too many extra miles and the wrong side of UK to get to the sites we want and I am not keen on that route to get home.

This possibly will be the last time we come to UK with the van as we have a lot more to see over here and not so far to go.

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Home location and destination are key ingredients when looking at ferry routes.

the further north you live in the UK the less important it is to be specific about the port being west, east or central...it's then that the destination becomes more important...and then cost....

come fully south and this is reversed....A&J in Cornwall would be nuts to use the tunnel to visit Brittany when there is a ferry port at Plymouth.

similarly, a Kentish vanner would seem daft to use a Western Ferry if they are visiting say Belgium.

the further south you intend to travel also equals out the choice...

if visiting say the Carmargue (central) it really makes little difference if you start from Cherbourg, Caen, Dieppe, Calais...etc...you still have a long way to go from each.

once you've joined the motoring dots, it's then down to cost, preference, comfort on water/underground etc...

we have pals from west wales who often visit the west of France but use the tunnel (6-7 hrs drive) as they have a small dog and wouldn't be comfortable on the ferry...

so, it's horses (dogs) for courses...so many options thankfully ⛴️🚝

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Hence my comment re 'comfort on water/underground'...I certainly know some who wouldn't use the tunnel...and those who don't sail well..

tis certainly horses for courses, whatever you prefer...some like long sailings to Spain over shorter Western ones to vary the driving/sailing proportions.

we are having another go at the Santander sailing this spring.

we've used Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Newhaven, Dover, Folkestone and are happy with short, medium or long crossings and also found the tunnel a new adventure but it's just too far (for us) unless heading East-ish...

the main point is, there's plenty of choice for each of us....👍🚝⛴️🚴‍♂️🚐