![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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Now looking at the route planners (AA and ViaMichelin), the route from Calais will miss Paris, the Route from Boulogne goes on the Paris Peripherique but is shorter and quicker - do I believe this ?
Are the route planners assuming the Peripherique will be empty ?
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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micky, Take no notice of the route planners don't go via Paris from either the traffic is usually very heavy. Go around by Reims, Troyes, Dijon, etc. there isn't a great deal of difference whether you choose Calais or Boulogne, they aren't actually very far apart.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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micky, from where you are, wouldn't Euro Tunnel be an option? 50 minutes from on to off usually and no faffing around inbetween. Other than that, I'd be inclined to Calais, having done the route you'll be taking quite a few times on the way to SC.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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That's a good decisive response on the roue, thanks.
I'm travelling down on Saturday 12 July and returning on Sat 19 July, Eurotunnel is expensive, Speedferries is reasonable so I'll probably use them.
Is there any way to get the Dover / Calais ferry cheaper, discount codes, etc ?
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll need to Register first of course.
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micky, Speedferries are fine in the summer. Because they are small things can get "interesting" in choppy seas in the winter though. You can use Tesco vouchers for eurotunnel discounts, not sure on ferries.
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micky,
As per Easiski, I use NorfolkLine when not using speed ferries. They're also very good on prices. Just booked our VW camper foor the 1st WE of the summer holidays with return 2 weeks later > £103. Longer crossing though...
From Boulogne, start aiming north (towards Calais) then straight away take the N42. You will cut across and find yourself very quickly back on the A26 all the way to Reims... The N42 is fairly easy with good portion of it being dual carriageway...
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Again I'd have to say the tunnel - while can be pricy at peak times, if you pick your crossings carefully are a lot cheaper. Free for us as always use Tesco Clubcard points
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Quote: |
while can be pricy at peak times, if you pick your crossings carefully are a lot cheaper
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Having used the tunnel on business trips,I know how good it is and I would love to use it privately..
However, never did I get quoted a competitive price by their website (compared to ferries) unless I was travelling in the middle of the night or week outside of school holidays. (We prefer using our Tescos points on buying food)
Ok ferries take longer all in all, although Speedferries do get you across very quickly as well, but the price difference is not justified by the time difference IMV..
Plus at this moment in my life, with two toddlers, the "break" on the ferry is a welcome one. Bt that's a different matter..
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We always used to take the tunnel at night for ski trips so benefited from the cheaper crossing. The younger children invariably slept through the whole process. Driving through the night was always a fairly stress-free option with no messing around to be honest.
That said, apart from one trip, we usually took the kids out of school.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I'm not sure if I should be admitting this in public or not but I'm crossing the channel tomorrow but I don't shop at Tesco
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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micky, Use the tunnel, what are the minutes of your life worth?
(pick your travel times carefully and it shouldn't cost an arm and a leg).
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Micky - take care with Speedferries ... They are fine and very cheap if you are absolutely certain you will make your specified crossing.
They can get very busy however /sold out (because they are so cheap) - so if you miss your crossing it isnt as easy to just get on the next one as with other ferry operators or eurotunnel.... and they arent very frequent anyway.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You know it makes sense.
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As we have an 8ish hour drive to LDA once we land in France we really need a crossing at around 8 am, and its on a Saturday in July so Eurotunnel is expensive, and I doubt we have many Tesco Clubcard vouchers lying around but I will check.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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micky, Go out before 06:00, you'll get there earlier and save £50. Come back after 20:00, have a lie in and save another £30. Job done!
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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Quote: |
We prefer using our Tescos points on buying food |
Kruisler, but they're worth four times as much if you use them for "Deals"; you only get face value at Tesco.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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micky, as Axsman, says take the early and late options. Coulsdon isn't all that far from Dover.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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(We prefer using our Tescos points on buying food)
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Worst thing you can do with them! For each £1 of points you get £4 off a crossing, far better value, our trip this year was £120 return or free with £30 worth of Vouchers
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Plus at this moment in my life, with two toddlers, the "break" on the ferry is a welcome one. Bt that's a different matter..
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Can understand that - with ours as toddlers they were a nightmare, being sea sick, falling down ferry stairs etc. Therefore go for the get them there as quick as possible option
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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micky wrote: |
As we have an 8ish hour drive to LDA once we land in France we really need a crossing at around 8 am, and its on a Saturday in July so Eurotunnel is expensive, and I doubt we have many Tesco Clubcard vouchers lying around but I will check. |
You will be very lucky if it only takes you 8 hours. It is 580 miles, the final stretch from Vizille to LDA being mountain roads.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll need to Register first of course.
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Done it twice this season - 10 hours from Calais Eurotunnel is a comfortable - no speeding ticket run.
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And on a Saturday in July, traffic aroind Lyon heading to the Cote d'Azur can be legendary.
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I think a car/travel dvd player is going to be essential too. |
I should think so Kruisler. My grand-daughter (4) can do quite long car journeys these days to a constant diet of those appalling Barbie movies and/or various vapid Disney princesses. Her parents wisely insist that they are only ever played in the car, so they become a special treat. Her brother (18 months) cares not a jot for Disney princesses and just wants to dash around. You have my sympathy. Have you tried drugs?
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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Kruisler, yeah know what you mean about tiring them out - I usually have a lovely walk through the carriages
I looked at the DVD option, but decided against it as thought would not be good for the ones who get travel sick. We now take a load of story CDs and Nursery Rhymes which are very good in keeping them calm, although possibly better when slightly older, ours are now 7 (twins) and 5.
Mind you mum and dad are heartedly sick of the Horrid Henry stories!
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