Questions about channel ferry crossings

[Dalbir]

Hi guys,
Im trying to get to UK as cheap as possible from either departing places, and i hear Calais the cheapest. Now i have found the lowest price to be 82€ (incl. bike) for a 3 day return ferry, which i will only use one-way to get to uk. To me that sounds alot of money. DOes the price seem right? i was expecting it to be much cheaper, after all its just a ferry crossing.
I been told by some people i met, there is another possibilty, meet some truck drivers going across and try to get the bike into the truck and go for free. Has anyone tried this and where is a good place to try? 82€ one-way to cross the tunnel, im even considering about leaving my bike in germany and travelling on foot or ryan air. And pick it up later. Any suggestions???

[kules]

Hi guy the pricw sounds a little bit high to me. My experience is the shortest way by sea is the most expencivest if you go to other ports it probably will be a little be cheaper but I gues driving around and check prices will burn a lot of petrol so no savings. About loading on truck I don´t have any experience. Go to google and search for "channel ferry crossing"

Hi,
Ferry prices have gone sky high in the last couple of years. The Ferry companies will tell you it is because they lost all the revenue when Duty free stopped. I think it's because the competition from the tunnel did not materialise due to the heavy debt to the banks.

Anyway the cheapest crossing I found this year was Norfolk Line Ferry Dover to Dunkerque, try their early riser crossings. If you use a Discounted ticket with any company pay cash because the companies are getting wise to the idea of booking a cheap return and not using the return. I know P and O will try and get you for the full fair if you use a credit card; it's in the small print. Also the discounts are better going UK to France rather than France to the UK, but don't try and get a discount ticket and not using the first half it won't work.
I don't hold to much hope of finding a friendly trucker most of the trailers will be sealed. You may find someone in a van but it' along shot.

If you go by plane from Germany try Berlin Air I got a 29 Euro ticket from them, but you are going to end up hear with no transport. http://www.airberlin.de/

I would expect to pay around 40 euros for bike and rider on an early morning ferry with Norfolk Line. Ask for the current deals.

Steve

[Dalbir]

Thanks for your responses. After much searching, looks like i,ll have to pay quite a bit to cross tthe channel. Will head to Calais and ask around, otherwise just pay up.
Hoping to enter UK on Tue or Wed.

Cheers
Dalbir