 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all, just looking for your two-pennies worth- I'm going to Ringwood in Hampshire next month with my two year old- just wondering from those who have experience of this- would you recommend the Calais-Dover route or a longer drive France side & then the ferry to Poole?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hmm. Not done it with a 2 year old but I would do Calais - Dover on Eurotunnel. I am Hampshire based, though the other (south eastern) side of the county. Depends a bit on timing, really, and when the child would be most likely to sleep - ideally you want to be driving the whole sleep time! Brittany Ferries tends to be very expensive, apart from anything else.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@L_555, would echo what @pam w, has said. We are based in same neck of the woods as Pam and every time we look at alternative routes to the eurotunnel we end up using eurotunnel again. The great attraction with the tunnel is the frequency of crossings and the cost. Much as we may like the thought of docking at portsmouth and and being home within half an hour, the cost and length of time of the crossing just doesn't stack up.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@L_555, the only thing I'd add is the southern side of the M25 is absolutely murderous in the rush hour(s) and all day Fridays so try to time you trip round there to avoid that if poss
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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yes, that's certainly true. I usually leave the Alps earlyish and am doing the M25 around 10 pm - which is much better, though the night time road works can be a bit trying. And by that time a 2 year old would probably be asleep!
Remember there are two classes of travel - First Class and With Children.  Some of the French motorway aires have great play areas for kids.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Avoid the spur road is my only advice.
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@L_555, Brittany Ferries would be more expensive but more enjoyable. We did Portsmouth Caen return at Christmas (although to northern France not the Alps) and the kids loved it, particularly the outward journey in an overnight cabin. We live in Surrey but even for us the journey from Portsmouth is far easier/pleasanter than the Dover/M25 experience. Last time we drove home from Dover we were stuck trying to exit the port for an hour whereas we were home in around that time from Portsmouth.
If you have a look on the Brittany Ferries website and put your dates in you will be able to work out the price. I think the one major drawback of driving to Caen instead of Calais is that I don't think you can avoid Paris on the Caen route. If you have a 2 yr old you would be best off on the overnight crossing 
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@L_555, I have just checked my daughter's confirmation from Eurotunnel of her return crossing Calais to Dover in April as they will be travelling with their 2.5 year and 4 month daughters and they are on a train at 06.20
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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and the message disappeared before I finished - so arriving around same time in the UK and then have the drive back to Farnham, so not as far as Ringwood, and it will be a Sunday morning if that helps with the traffic. They are doing similar timing coming down here in a couple of weeks so will be arriving early morning with us. Good luck with whatever you choose to do. Are you doing the drive on your own?
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@L_555, We drove from the New Forest to Chamonix the other day - not with a 2year old, it has to be said! The French bit of the drive was very easy - motorway pretty well all the way. You probably know they have aires with play parks for children, to break the trip up. Word of advise though, use the disabled loos!
We used the Tunnel, as always, rather than the ferries. It is only a couple of hours drive to the Forest from Folkestone. But if your satnav warns of trouble at the top of the M3, it may be worth persisting, anyway. They are converting it to a smart motorway (whatever that is) and there is a long stretch of narrow lanes & 50mph speed restriction, which our satnav always tries to divert us from. Good luck!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I drove in the other direction today and was stunned by the volume of traffic driving north - the northbound carriageway was really busy. The péage gates near Annemasse had huge stationary queues coming from Chamonix towards Geneva.
Going south was very easy. M25 no problem and the French motorway southbound was blissfully quiet; very few trucks on the road. Most of the time the road in front of me was empty. I drove over the Jura through Poligny which was very pleasant - nice change from the motorway, saves money and petrol.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Thanks all- yep- doing it on my own- I will probably leave early & go for a tea-time ferry based on recommendations- that way the tiny man gets a run-around, some dinner & his pyjamas on before back in the car for the UK leg- thanks very much for all of your advice!
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Just out of interest I believe the Poole ferry is in dry dock over the Easter holidays !! We live in Poole and always tunnel it. 
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