Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
I'm booking a Ferry (portsmouth-caen) across for a trip to the Alps in August. I didn't even consider the channel as an option until seeing this thread.
Return ferry for a disco + 4 people overnight, with a cabin to get some sleep before driving was £660
Return eurotunnel for car under 1.85m (disco- wiki claims 1.841m, can anyone confirm?) comes to £138
I won't be able to get any sleep, but we could book in a hotel either side and still not spend as much!
Any advice on this? Will the Disco fit in the smaller section? No roof rack etc.D4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
17th Jan 2017 5:48 pm
markate
Member Since: 17 Sep 2011
Location: England
Posts: 705
Apparently if you lock it in Access mode it will fit into a standard height carriage but it's tight. I don't use the Tunnel as each time I try it, I've been massively delayed but I believe there is no difference in price booking a higher vehicle and if it's busy it has been known for Eurotunnel staff to put Discovery's into standard height carriages even when booked on overheight.
17th Jan 2017 5:56 pm
fisherman
Member Since: 16 Jan 2007
Location: Hornchurch Essex
Posts: 1789
In the 23 years I've been using Eurotunnel I have been delayed once returning last year for one hour.
I use Tesco vouchers to book as each voucher is worth 3 x the value. My D4 and 8m caravan normally cost about £360 return so £120 of vouchers. It takes 35 minutes to cross and you drive off within 5 minutes max normally, straight onto the motorway. I love it and wouldn't do it any other way.
Edit: It costs no more to go in extra high and you get off quicker.FFRR 2017 4.4SDV8 Autobiography. Cost so much I must be mad!
D4 HSE 2012 Like a second wife, more expensive but goes better! I almost cried this time!
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17th Jan 2017 6:02 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18573
I found out that the D3 would go in the standard-height as travelled at a busy time one year and was flagged down and asked if the Disco had air suspension; as it had I was asked to put in access height and redirected to <1.85m lane.
I now book standard height each time. Still have to slow down for the height barrier (wimp).06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
17th Jan 2017 6:04 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
We book the holiday Inn folkestone for £50 the night before and get the 0720 across, drI've all day then hotel again before carrying on to ski resort.
Aways go in over height (with the disco and now amarok with roofbox) but it doesn't cost any more and you seem to board quicker too.
As above, club card vouchers
17th Jan 2017 6:09 pm
ruben D3 Decade
Member Since: 26 Sep 2006
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 2440
Why not Dover to Dunkirk? by Ferrie in DFDS Seaways, I did it a couple of years ago and it was perfect, quick and quite economical, I recommend it without a doubt!!, Obviously no cabin needed and by the way in car category <1.85 with no problems at all
https://www.dfdsseaways.com/lost in translation!
DISCOVERY 3 SE man. TDV6 2006, my true love!
DEFENDER 2 SE D I6 MHEV 2024, other live.
17th Jan 2017 6:17 pm
spikekellyrm
Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
The Dover ferry is a similar price to the tunnel but adds an hour to the journey, I imagine it takes longer to unload the ferry too. Thanks for the idea though. Tunnel seems best suited to my needs, thanks all.D4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
17th Jan 2017 8:08 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
Tunnel every time.
17th Jan 2017 8:10 pm
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Martin wrote:
I found out that the D3 would go in the standard-height as travelled at a busy time one year and was flagged down and asked if the Disco had air suspension; as it had I was asked to put in access height and redirected to <1.85m lane.
I now book standard height each time. Still have to slow down for the height barrier (wimp).
They do but its a bit tightMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
17th Jan 2017 8:25 pm
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
spikekellyrm wrote:
The Dover ferry is a similar price to the tunnel but adds an hour to the journey, I imagine it takes longer to unload the ferry too. Thanks for the idea though. Tunnel seems best suited to my needs, thanks all.
Not if you use Tesco vouchersMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
17th Jan 2017 8:26 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
And Tesco Vouchers every time.
17th Jan 2017 8:27 pm
Compusmentis
Member Since: 18 Feb 2016
Location: Effingham
Posts: 237
Tesco vouchers work on DFDS to Dunkirk too
Personally, I like the ferry. It is a forced opportunity to get out, stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Time to get a good-ish meal, and for the kids to run about and not stare at an electronic screen.
I've done the tunnel many times in a truck, and a few times in a car. I don't really enjoy the 'sit still in your own car for 45 mins' bit - I've got 8 hours of sitting still in it to go once we hit France...
Truck drivers, of course, get collected in a shuttle bus, and driven to a central restaurant/lounge car for the journey. A meal used to be included in the ticket price, but sadly, no longer.
Oh, and I can swim better than I can dig... New gearbox & TC, 3 x front wheel bearings, belts changed, new oil pump, new battery, new rear prop, new front prop, new front diff, front arb refurbed, front cv boot kit, egr blank and BAS software patch, full rear suspension / drivelive rebuild, new front arms, LED trailer light fix, split charge.
Never had a 107, 90 or 127, but have had most of the rest!
17th Jan 2017 8:34 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14492
I have an expedition rack on my so always book the oversized vehicles bit. Loads of room and never any issues. I've just booked for a trip to Paris in half term. I would normally go by train, but my youngest daughter wants to visit the battle fields again.D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
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No longer the Old Buses original owner
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17th Jan 2017 8:35 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
Usually have a CB whip on the car so always go high vehicle route. If I don't then I stick her in off-road mode.
17th Jan 2017 8:37 pm
titters
Member Since: 27 Apr 2013
Location: london
Posts: 419
eurotunnel every time - I do the frequent traveller thing so it works out £43 each way - the return home is the - if you arrive when everyone else does (say 5-7pm sat and sun) then expect to wait for our gloriously understaffed immigration people to do their thing. Apart from that it has always been the easiest option especially as we have a dog - the pets passport system is great. We stopped using the ferry as you have to leave your animal in the car on the car deck and as soon as the boat sets sail all the motion sensored car alarms go off creating an aural hell for the furry ones down there.2006 TDV6 HSE Wrapped Matt Black STOLEN NOT RECOVERED
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- if you arrive when everyone else does (say 5-7pm sat and sun) then expect to wait for our gloriously understaffed immigration people to do their thing. Apart from that it has always been the easiest option especially as we have a dog - the pets passport system is great. We stopped using the ferry as you have to leave your animal in the car on the car deck and as soon as the boat sets sail all the motion sensored car alarms go off creating an aural hell for the furry ones down there.
