Travel by Ferry
As a car (or transport of some kind) is essential when visiting the Dordogne, many of our guests use a ferry (or the Channel Tunnel) to reach France. There are a variety of operators and routes that have been included below, but here are a few tips from us that may help in your choice of route. There are other routes and operators available and these easily be found on the kinternet
The shortest route is from Dover (or Folkestone) to Calais. By ferry, the crossing takes around 90 minutes, whilst the Channel Tunnel is around 30 minutes. So if you are in a hurry, the Channel Tunnel is the best option. However, we find that if you are on holiday the ferry is a better option as it gives the opportunity to relax before startin the drive South. We always travel on P&O, but the other ferry operators are probobaly very similar.
There are other routes from Portsmouth for instance, but the sea crossing time is much longer. The road distance from the French port to the Dordogne is reduced, so less in motorway tolls and fuel costs, but this is offset by the saving in time if arriving at Calais.
Routes to the Dordogne will help decide how to get to the Dordogne by road and gives possible stops on route for those that are taking a leisurely trip.
The shortest route is from Dover (or Folkestone) to Calais. By ferry, the crossing takes around 90 minutes, whilst the Channel Tunnel is around 30 minutes. So if you are in a hurry, the Channel Tunnel is the best option. However, we find that if you are on holiday the ferry is a better option as it gives the opportunity to relax before startin the drive South. We always travel on P&O, but the other ferry operators are probobaly very similar.
There are other routes from Portsmouth for instance, but the sea crossing time is much longer. The road distance from the French port to the Dordogne is reduced, so less in motorway tolls and fuel costs, but this is offset by the saving in time if arriving at Calais.
Routes to the Dordogne will help decide how to get to the Dordogne by road and gives possible stops on route for those that are taking a leisurely trip.
P & O
P&O ferries run from Dover to Calais. If choosing this route, there are a couple of options that are worth considering. The Club Class cabin is a haven of peace and quiet. It offers a free glass of champagne as well as coffe, tea and soft drinks. Priority Boarding gets you on and off the ship at the front of the queue. The cost of both Club Class and Priority boarding assuming 2 people is around £30 for each journey. Gets the holiday off to a really good start.
Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel has car carrying trains that run from Folkestone to Calais.
Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries have routes from Portsmouth to Le Havre, Caen, Cherbourg ans St Malo, as well as Poole to Cherbourg and Plymouth to St Malo and Roscoff.