Ferries from England to France ...

Using the ferries you'll probably arrive at Le Havre, Caen or Cherbourg with Brittany Ferries leaving via Portsmouth or Poole. Some are shorter drives but longer sea crossings. How to choose? It's more to do with the timing of your departure and arrival!

Brittany Ferries: For 2008 quote this number C28587 and phone 08705 561 475  and they'll give you a substantial saving. It's who you know!

LD Lines are very cheap but travel only overnight from Portsmouth to Le Havre

To the east of Britain you have more choices. That Channel Tunnel for one. But also many ferry crossings to France exist at all times and prices.

One couple got a price of over £500 and decided it was ridiculous paying so much more than the price of our gite just to get to it. I offered to put our price up to make it seem more worthwhile, but they said no. So I phoned and got a price of £225 and told them. They then phoned up and got a price of £185. It pays to ask a couple of times!

It's cheaper to leave later in the day - and cheaper to return earlier in the day.

5 day tickets mean 5 days on French land. For some inexplicable reason the ferry is more expensive if you stay longer - up to 10 days is the next bracket.