Yep, lots of options which has to be good for competition, and you have two different views already in the previous posts.

In general, if you book in advance/online you will get a better price than if you just bowl up - in doing the latter, you are "committing" yourself to that particular form of travel, come what may, and the travel firms know this. However, if you go to Dover, rather than the train terminal, there are a number of options, so you can shop around for a deal: all depends on if you want to dedicate time and effort to this type of thing - I have done a bit of "people watching" in the past when this way of getting a ticket was very common, including the option of taking a return ticket and ditching the return portion.
Very amusing to see.
Be careful about day return tickets: I think some operators don't sell them after certain times of day (I've ended up paying full price!!). Pay cash, it cannot be "traced": even credit cards have addresses related to them and the ferry companies keep records on their computers.

I have never used Norfolk Lines, but I have heard good reports about them: I think that they don't take coach parties, so you get away from the school trip syndrome - hordes of kids, running riot around the boat while the teachers disappear to the bar. A complete PITA at some times of year.

Look back in the posts in here and you will find info about Fastferries - they stopped taking bikes for a while but they are now making the effort to bring in our custom for their service out of Dover.

The train: good, fast, efficient - you don't feel as if you have really stopped, which can be a disadvantage if you are in need of a break. But, they do have good services at each end (none on the train), so there is no real reason why you can't stop "properly" - but, psychologically, you just want to press-on.

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Dave

Just for a quick comparison.......
Went over from Dover to Calais with P&O last November, booked about 6 months in advance and it cost £50 return (1 adult & 1 bike).
Just booked up with Eurotunnel for a trip in September and it cost £60 return (2 adults & 1 bike).
Hated the ferry! Ages to get on, crushed by crowds of people on the boat, the inevitable seasickness, £10 for a cup of terrible coffee, ages to get off.
The Euro tunnel is quick and easy, can't fault it. Roll up, get on the train, half hour over there then straight off onto the motorway.

I use Portsmouth-Le Havre. Outward it's an overnight trip. I upgrade to Club class lounge and crash on the floor. Everyone does it, some even bring sleeping bags and pillows. You can even "hire" a blanket for 10 euro, refundable when you return it. You get into Le Havre at 0800 ready for a full days riding. The return is a bit of a nightmare though as you get back to Portsmouth at 21.30. From November they're putting another ferry on the route so you'll be able to overnight on the way back too. This will make it a good ferry for those up in the north. You'll have all day to get to Portsmouth, departs 23.00 and the return home will be a full day as the ferry will get in at 08.00. So, good for 2009.

Speedferries has introduced the Hitchlugger product onboard their vessel. We used it last month with no problems and the ticket was only £30 return!

That's the one!
So much for "Fastferries", but I guess a search engine would have recognised the difference!

Great price BTW.

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Dave

Yup, super quick economical service. Only possible problem is, they can take maximum of four bikes on any one crossing.

i went last friday & returned monday, seafrance dover-calais. it was £35-40 return booked online the day before. i looked at the tunnel but they wanted £102!
i normally use seafrance as the food tends to be better than P&O in my experience. not tried the other companies so cant comment.
i booked a 22:50 return & turned up a bit early, i actually got put straight on the 20:50 for zero cost and i hadnt even had chance to ask about an earlier boat.

EDIT: forgot to say, about a month ago i came back from spain & rode into calais & booked the next boat with P&O, it was something like €60 for a single that way. so its true they rip you off at the docks.

Does anyone know if a burgman scooter would be tied down on speed ferries in regard to your comment about the racks.
Im curious as i wan to take it abroad next spring.
thanks

I used that route a few years ago when it was run by P&O: it is now with a French ferry company I think.
The overnight service was a definite advantage - much more civilised, and when you cost out hotel charges there is not much difference in overall costs.
I too have tried riding very long days, either side of a ferry journey - not fun at all, especially when your pillion is falling asleep on the back and close to dropping off the seat altogether.

It has been said already: there are quite a few advantages in a ferry/train service that runs very frequently: for one, if you are late, then they will nearly always get you on the next available crossing, no matter what one you were booked on - the same goes if you turn up early.

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Dave

Some ferries also have a children's play area with padded mattresses (near the coloured plastic balls) which are not in much use in the middle of the night. I've slept on those before without being disturbed.

However, I prefer the tunnel too for the reasons given above.
Stephan

Just wanted to say the quote one more time after the last couple of posts: it is that kind of "attention" from the various operators which makes me completely and utterly disloyal to any of them.
I too have a few shares with Eurotunnel - not enough to be worth any perks - should have sold them many, many years ago.

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Dave