We've all seen the news of queues at Dover, but there are more ferry routes to France that aren't suffering from the same problems. If you're looking for a ferry to France this summer but worried about delays at Dover, consider these five alternative routes.
Folkestone to Calais
With just 35 minutes crossing time, the Eurotunnel rail service from Folkestone to Calais is the quickest way to take your car over to France. Passengers stay in their vehicles as the train crosses, making it a really straightforward service to get you on your way. Return fares from £225 in mid July, https://www.eurotunnel.com/
Newhaven to Dieppe
Located between Eastbourne and Brighton, Newhaven is the closest ferry port to London. DFDS operates three daily departures to Dieppe from May to September, with the crossing taking four hours and return fares from £174, https://dfds.com.
Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg or St Malo
Brittany Ferries crossings from Portsmouth take longer, but save hours of driving if you are going to Brittany or France's west coast. Head to Caen (six hours), Cherbourg (8hrs) or St Malo (11hrs), with overnight options also available. Be careful though - this writer was in such a deep sleep on one Portsmouth to Caen crossing that, when the wake-up siren sounded, he ran to reception in his boxer shorts thinking there was a problem with the ship! Caen return start from £548 in mid-July, brittany-ferries.co.uk.
Poole to Cherborug
Another Brittany Ferries option to Cherbourg is the four-and-a-half-hour crossing from Poole, with the ferry departs at 8.30am each day in the summer, and prices from £531 return, brittany-ferries.co.uk.
Plymouth to Roscoff
Holidaymakers to Brittany can slash their drive time in France by taking the Brittany Ferries route from Plymouth to Roscoff. The daytime crossing takes five-and-a-half hours, with an overnight option also available, and the drive time of less than two hours to Domaine de Kerlann. Prices cost from £516 for a return in mid July.
