HI MM17:
Can't added anything to the options given. I have used both. I can tell you about the ferry service. My wife and I spent 90 days covering Europe this last summer on our 1150GS. While visiting all of Great Britian, we headed back to France in June. It was raining so hard, we decided to use the Brittany ferry service out of Portsmouth as a rest break. The service was great. Nice meals and very pleasant environment. Made the reservation for the overnight departure. Got us into Caen, France, the next morning at 7am. Had plenty of time to make the ship at Portsmouth, for its evening departure. We reserved a room with shower/restroom. I booked online, from the US, due to limited rooms. I just googled european ferry services.
If you have any questions, just give me a PM (Tricare, MEDEX, EVAC policy, Toll Road sites, European traffic emergency equipment requirements sites, Green Card, etc). I used some military benefits overseas that came in handy, during an unexpected minor emergency. Also, picked up a roadside assistance policy from ADAC in Germany for about $120 USD. Came in handy in Portugal when I lost my final drive (16,000 miles) on the bike.

Good point! For the longer sea crossings, you should book further ahead, unless you are not bothered which port and service operator you want to use - I have done both options. As explained here, for the longer routes you really do need an overnight cabin which is going to cost more, much more, than the short sea routes. In fact most operators on the long routes make the cabin booking compulsory to cut out those who want to sleep on the floor etc.
+1 for Britanny ferries who are French owned so they have a good menu on board.
Aferry.com tends to be up to date with all the options for who is sailing to where and from where, so it is a useful first search point even if you end up booking direct with the operator of your choice.

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Dave

Although never having taken the train, I have to say that I love the Ferry and have no desire to 'discover' the joys of the Chunnell. I like to have a meal (such as it is!), walk around on deck, feel the sea air on my face, look at the horizon; to just be still in the 'fresh' air for a while!

Booking early is also a great idea. I missed my ferry last Summer, and they just put me on the next one - no extra charge (P+O).

Much as it pains me, f you're meeting friends in Paris, why not just fly there? If you're travelling with them, this makes greater sense. If you're litterally just heading from Gatwick to Dover, again this makes sense. If you'd quite like to see some of the UK first, then I'd go for the Ferry.

Enjoy your travels.

Cheap ferries France England LD Lines : Channel crossing ferry to France

I always found the (often overlooked) Newhaven - Dieppe ferry more convenient than the tunnel. Closest ferry to Gatwick, on the direct route to Paris.

It's a bit of a haul to Dover (from Brighton) and the Pas de Calais is flat and boring. Overall I'd say the travel time on the ferry is less - certainly the mileage is!

Be sure to pre-book. It's unlikely they won't find a space for a moto but turning up on-spec could result in a higher fare.

http://www.directferries.co.uk/

The above is an OK site for comparison, but it can be cheaper to go direct.

Eurotunnel: Faster Than A Ferry To France - Folkestone Dover to Calais

All of them do have offers from time to time, and the earlier you book, and sometimes the more unfriendly times you travel, can all bring the price down. The only time I've turned up without booking was £300 return for a car on the Chunnel, whereas the last crossing was for a 4m tall, 7.5m long camper and £36 one way

Most people will struggle to be sea sick on the train, but it does go dark outside the carraiges for 20 mins or so while you are under the sea, not nice for some! And in this day and age any are liable to strike action causing delays.

Personally I like boats, it feels like its becoming a trip not just an extension of the motorway. And as for not going to the UK at all?!?!?!?!?! Theres quite a lot to see you know



And while in France, 6 July, long weekend, Classic Le Mans

http://www.lemansclassic.com/en/s01_...01p01_home.php

Every 2 years, not the June "normal" race, but bonkers enthusiasts on 4 wheels from every motoring era, 1923 to 1979 in sensibly arranged groups running I think 4 hour rotating stints for 24 hours. Camping essential, many camping areas only metres from the circuit, everyone well behaved, prebooking would probably be essential for camping very soon, just entry on the door may be OK but you'll struggle to stay close by. Ride up early Friday, tent up, chill out and enjoy the noise! Well worth a look if you can

Yes, but you have to stay in the well lit carriages.
And there are plenty of windows for looking out at the fishes.

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Vitim Bridge Clubwww.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533442
www.sibirskyextreme.com

Beware of a scam on the tunnel. I booked and paid in advance over the phone. When I checked in at the port the guy in the booth said they had my booking but my card had been rejected and at this late stage I would have to pay cash. When I asked for a receipt he said my ticket was the receipt, which sounded reasonable at the time.

Months later when I got home I found that my card had been successfully charged on the day I booked. It appeared that the guy had lied and pocketed my cash. As it was a one way booking he possibly assumed I would not be coming back even if I spotted the con later.

When I phoned the company they intially claimed it could not have happened, that I had no proof and that the guy in question was a long-term employee and very honest. When I asked for his name so I could report him to the police for theft their tone changed and I was referred to someone else who then said they would send me a refund. I subsequently received a cheque.

All part of the adventure, but in retrospect I guess I should still have reported it to the police.

That's shocking mate. I have never heard of it happening before though. We have only used the tunnel once and have only got praise for it. If it had of happened though, her who must be obeyed on pillion would have kicked up a stink and forced the poor bloke to call a supervisor in. I hope Eurotunnel sacked the bloke!

@MM17. Your choice really. I always want to be riding, so the extra time and sea sickness means tunnel for me. I used to use Hovercraft and seacat before....remember those? Only thing is, as has been pointed out, your stuck by your bike. Fine with me. And just sit on the floor. And at that time of year you will be bunged in with all the other bikers too, so make some friends.

I'd guess most people will be aware of the possibility of seasickness on the boats and have some idea of their own susceptibility, but there is an equivalent for the tunnel - not trainsickness but earache.

Earlier in the year we came back to the UK using the tunnel from a family trip to France with my daughter totally bunged up with a cold. The increase in air pressure as the train descended into the tunnel caused extreme pain in one of her ears that lasted until we emerged in Kent.

The rest of us then suffered extreme earache in both ears as she complained that we should have taken the boat!

If travelling into France or the southern part of Europe I generally prefer the 'Chunnel' as the trip over is quick & will not be affected by adverse weather conditions. I usually try to get a 7.30ish morning slot as that way I miss most of the traffic travelling down to the UK terminal & due to the time difference you miss the rush hour on the French side too. If I want time to relax when getting to the continent I prefer to get an overnight ferry as you can have a few s, chill out & then get your head down but you are still back on dry land first thing in the morning & can get a few miles done before hunting down a breakfast stop.

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Andy L

From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.

Another Tunnel plus (and in fairness I have only used a ferry for 1 'one way' trip since the tunnel started any operations, trial or commercial) is that there are up to 4 departures an hour.

If you miss your exact booked Departure, but arrive within the booking 'window' thereby avoiding surcharges, you will not wait long for the next train.
But between 11.0pm and 7.00am it can be 90 minutes or so - the same waiting period as ferries in peak times!

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