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Is the ferry "landbridge" still a thing?

  • 19-01-2026 01:55PM
    #1
    CelticRambler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,617 ✭✭✭


    Starting from France, I'd like to take my campervan on a trip across the English Channel (Dover/Calais) then across the Irish Sea and finally direct from Ireland to France.

    It seems that Irish Ferries are the only company that operates all three routes, that each section has to be booked separately as a one-way trip … and that the Irish Sea route is the most expensive of the lot (not including cabin)?

    Am I missing something, or is that just the way it is these days?

    I have no loyalty to any particular company, so happy to take the best deal from whoever offers it!



Comments

  • #2
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,970 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    stena still does it but youve to book over the phone

    https://www.stenaline.ie/europe-by-car/fares-france-via-dfds

    off season prices are decent, peak prices not so great



  • #3
    CelticRambler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,617 ✭✭✭CelticRambler


    Thanks, @munchkin_utd I'd be travelling in March, so off-season. Not a lot of difference in price, though, between them and Irish Ferries, unless they'd give me one of their "supersaver" rates.

    And most of their single fares on the Dublin-Holyhead route, like Irish Ferries, are dearer than Dublin-Cherbourg. Hmmm …



  • #4
    The Ging and I
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 448 ✭✭The Ging and I


    Its a trip I have done a lot. I see no advantage in driving across Uk ( unless I had a reason to go there) and I have not done this since Brexit as I usually have some wine on board. The direct sailing from Cherbourg or Brest are more relaxing. I might even try the Spanish route this year.

    Spot on about Hollyhead route rip off.



  • #5
    Hailtothethief
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57 ✭✭Hailtothethief


    Oh book direct Dublin/Rosslare to Cherbourg or Rosslare to Dunkirk. It's a lot easier. Dover can be a disaster with queues, time needed for checks, etc and I'm not mentioning the M25.....

    If I can recall, the last time I went landbridge was back in the '80's.



  • #6
    CelticRambler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,617 ✭✭✭CelticRambler


    The thing is I need to go to England, with one rendezvous in the south east (so Calais-Dover is perfect) and one up in Chester. If I'm that close to Dublin, rather than drive all the way back down through England, cross into Northern France and then have to drive halfway to Spain, I'd rather take the 'van to Ireland, pick up some stuff that's been sitting in my parents' attic for want of a decent luggage allowance these past several years, then take the scenic route home.

    Previously, I've always opted for the Eurotunnel crossing when visiting SE England (haven't been for quite a while, mind you), but there's no price or comfort advantage in it for this trip. I thought there might have been some hidden deal buried down the back of Irish Ferries' sofa that some of ye might know about, or any other operator, but it doesn't look like it.



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  • #7
    JohnDoe2025
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 795 ✭✭✭JohnDoe2025


    What about with a dog? Have the pet passport and all that, but wondering if direct to Cherbourg is too long and stressful, not to mention how bad northern Spain would be.

    Would a landbridge be better for the dog?



  • #8
    CelticRambler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,617 ✭✭✭CelticRambler


    Follow-up to my initial enquiry, for anyone wondering the same, and after contact with the two main companies concerned.

    Irish Ferries confirmed that they do not offer bundled IE-GB/GB-FR sailings in any shape or form. The best they can offer is the option to book, pay and use one crossing having signed up for their loyalty programme, then cash in whatever reward is gained on that sailing when booking the next. No good to me as I want everything booked and paid for before I leave home.

    Stena replied to say "yeah, we kinda do … but not right now" They haven't finalised their 3rd party contracts (i.e. the English Channel crossing) so they can't actually sell a landbridge fare at the moment, which explains why there's no instruction/invitation on the website to book one. Furthermore, they did not include Eurotunnel in their 2025 package (only the DFDS ferry) and there's no indication either way as to whether it'll be available this year.

    So it's three individual crossings for me : Eurotunnel at 210€ , Holyhead-Dublin at 260€ (picking up a passenger on the way! discounted by 25€, don't know why but I'll take it) and Dublin-Cherbourg 350€ incl. cabin (one-person occupancy)

    With the unexpected discount, IF were marginally cheaper than Stena for the Holyhead route, but literally only by a few euros.



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