Stena line landbridge

CiniO

I'll need to book a a landbridge to Europe soon. I was always going with Stena line (Dublin- Holyhead) and they provided a ticket for Seafrance ferry Dover-Calais.

However now Seafrance seems to cease operation (link) so I don't know what's the story now? Do Stenaline provide a ferry to France with some other ferry company, or what? This was the cheapest way to get there up to now.

Other option is to use the Euro-tunnel. It's 30 quid more expensive than with Seafrance. Did anyone used them as part of landbridge?
From what I remember Seafrance was always great at letting you on earlier ferry than you bookes if you arrived earlier. Is this the case with Eurotunnel as well, or you have to be there exact on the time booked?
It's not easy to plan ahead exactly how long it takes to drive from Holyhead to Folkstone/Dover, as traffic in UK is bit unpredictable. I don't want to wait for 4 hours for a train, but I don't want to be late for it as well?
Does anyone know what's the policy with Eurotunnel. Would they let you on earlier train if you are early, or later train if you are late?

Fratton Fred

For the sake of €30 I would book the tunnel.

Whenever I have used it, they tend to do a fill and go type system, so you can get on an earlier train. The only issue I believe is when you have booked a cheap train and only expensive ones are available but this would only apply at peak times.

The terminal at the tunnel isn't great, but it is better than the terminal at Holyhead. There is also a big service station at the junction before the tunnel where you can kill a bit of time if need be.

What time do you expect to get to Dover?

CiniO

Fratton Fred wrote: »

For the sake of €30 I would book the tunnel.

Whenever I have used it, they tend to do a fill and go type system, so you can get on an earlier train. The only issue I believe is when you have booked a cheap train and only expensive ones are available but this would only apply at peak times.

The terminal at the tunnel isn't great, but it is better than the terminal at Holyhead. There is also a big service station at the junction before the tunnel where you can kill a bit of time if need be.

What time do you expect to get to Dover?

I don't even know if it's going to be expensive or cheap train, as I just do booking with stenaline, and they get me reservation for eurotunnel, so they are dealing with it.

I'm planning to take 9:30pm ship from Dublin to be in Holyhead at 0:45am. Then drive through UK overnight and book a train for the morning. I reckon 6 hours should be enough to drive through UK, but you never know what you can expect so it would be probably wise to take like 9 hours just in case, and book a train for about 10 o'clock in the morning.
It's going to be midweek. Is this a peak time for tunnel crossing?

Thanks for all the info. Service station before tunnel to kill time sounds nice.

Fratton Fred

Midweek shouldn't be a peak time train so I reckon if you book a 9am train you will be able to board anytime you like.

Once you use the tunnel you will never want to go by ferry again.

You can get to the terminal at 8am and be on a French motorway by 9:30.

CiniO

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Midweek shouldn't be a peak time train so I reckon if you book a 9am train you will be able to board anytime you like.

Once you use the tunnel you will never want to go by ferry again.

You can get to the terminal at 8am and be on a French motorway by 9:30.

10:30 French time

I'll most likely do that so. 30 quid is not much and looks that it's going to be much more convenient solution. Actually a tunnel between Ireland and UK would be great as well - that would save me using any ferries.

I remember few years ago I used direct ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg in France (overnight) and it was the worst nightmare for me. Very bad stormy weather, and after 20 hours onboard, I was destroyed.

Thanks for advice.

fuzzball

plan to do the same this summer.but at a loss as to how long the drive from fishguard to dover will take, will have 4 kids in the car so it could be stressful

CiniO

fuzzball wrote: »

plan to do the same this summer.but at a loss as to how long the drive from fishguard to dover will take, will have 4 kids in the car so it could be stressful

Will you be on your own in the car with 4 kids? Seems a bit like a challenge.

I traveled with my 3 year old daughter and wife from Holyhead to Folkestone eventually.
I did it overnight as I was hoping for little traffic, but I was unpleasently surpriced as traffic was very very big.
I started at 1am in Holyhead, and at 7:15am I was checking in for Eurotunnel in Folkestone - so over 6hours in total almost without any stops on the way. My wife and daughter slept all the way.
Last year I did the same route, but during the day, and it took 9 hours. (6am to 3pm) on Saturday.

Fishguard to Dover is very similar distance.

fuzzball

I will be travelling with my wife from cork so it won't be a total solo run but i do forsee it being a challenge. the trip over will be a straight run , coming back will include a break in the journey.

the cost of the ferry (cork - roscoff) when cabins are included is 1800 euros which is far too much in my opinion

6-9 hours drive even by night is more than i expected but it is good to know in advance . unfortunately i will be driving through england on the saturday

i am also wondering if the dublin ferry route is a better one to take