Channel Tunnel Cost Increase

[DDJC]

As I may have explained before, due to my boys' disabilities, we need the certainty of booking and reserving everything before we cross the water. I don't want to re-hash the "That's not proper motorhoming" argument, so roll with me!

Anyway, over the last couple of weeks, I have been booking sites for our summer 3 weeks. OMG, but it is so much more expensive than last year. Admittedly, we always go for the premium sites with activities that my boys would enjoy (mainly posh swimming pools with slides and/or a beach), but even so, if I told you the per night cost of one particular site, none of you would ever speak to me again, out of sheer disgust at our profligacy in these economically tight times.

Anyway, all booked and deposits paid. Off to the Channel Tunnel website to book crossings. Get in early.

I should explain, we have a 7.15m, 3500kg moho. There are 4 of us so we can easily go overweight. Some of you will be outraged, but I have no problem going a tad over, because I know that the bus is safe, having bigger tyres and rear semi air. Therefore it is safe up to 3850kg, pending paying someone a couple of hundred quid to do the admin (Mrs DDJC can't drive >3500kg, although I can)

So we attach a little trailer. A titchy, narrow, unbraked spud of a thing, but it allows us to be legal. And this where I got the shock of my life on the tunnel website. Bear in mind that we can only go in August, during the school holidays - there is no alternative.

To get our motorhome under the water to France, costs a preposterous £276. Even if we had a 9m moho, it would there or thereabouts.
BUT, as soon as you add our 2m long trailer, the cost goes to ...

£620 !!!! ONE WAY!!!!!!!
There is no consideration on trailer size. If you have one shorter than 4.5m, it more than doubles the cost. Yet if we booked a motorhome with a total length that is longer that my moho+trailer, it is less than £300,

But that isn't the worst of it. For the return journey, the moho only cost is a scary £300.
But if you add a trailer, and you won't believe it, the cost goes to ....

£1030 for ONE EFFING WAY!

Try it. Get the price yourselves. I have tried several times, and it is the same. Last year we were getting crossing costs with trailer of £300, which is heavy, but affordable in the context of a three week family trip.

So I guess I am asking a few questions.
We could use the Dover Calais ferry, but I haven't used it for years and years. Can anyone tell me, from arrival at Dover to driving off at Calais, takes how long?
Is there any other way that you can book the tunnel without being royally shafted? I am going to talk to the Tunnel and plead my case about trailer size.
We could cut down the weight a little and pack it in, but I reckon we would still be over. How much over do you go, assuming you are confident that you are legal?
Any other weird or useful suggestions.

Thanks all,

 

[Soycd]

The tunnel can throw up some scary prices. I'd always go for the tunnel now but in your situation the ferry sounds like a no brainer. Yes its more convieient to use the tunnel, but at the end of the day with two young lads I'm sure you would prefer to spend the money you save by using the ferry, on treats for the family whilst away. When we took our three away in the motorhome back in the day, that was always the priority, spend money on fun!

 

[Nitram77]

Hi DDJC the Camping and Caravanning Club offer discounts for the tunnel and ferries. I think it's about 10% off.

We have found their UK sites to be top notch.

Good luck with your travels

 

[Adrian140974]

Tunnel doubled this year, we just paid 720 return for MH and TOAD!! X 3 trips. Allow 2hrs for ferry, about 20% cheaper but adds time to the journey.

 

[DDJC]

Hi DDJC the Camping and Caravanning Club offer discounts for the tunnel and ferries. I think it's about 10% off.

We have found their UK sites to be top notch.

Good luck with your travels

Thanks. We are members of both, but are looking to sack one of them. That is the reason we are looking at which club offers better crossing discounts.

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[DDJC]

The tunnel can throw up some scary prices. I'd always go for the tunnel now but in your situation the ferry sounds like a no brainer. Yes its more convieient to use the tunnel, but at the end of the day with two young lads I'm sure you would prefer to spend the money you save by using the ferry, on treats for the family whilst away. When we took our three away in the motorhome back in the day, that was always the priority, spend money on fun!

Not so young! Number One son is eighteen. Number Two son is fifteen. However, neither can be left alone, so they are permanent fixtures in the van - probably for several years to come.

 

[Orion]

Might be the problem?

I think you might be on to something there.

I’d suggest the OP try booking the Chunnel through another independent means and not his existing account, nor clicking on the saved vehicle, and see what comes back. I’ve recently done a couple of trial bookings for Adriatic crossings and the price rose when I went back and duplicated one booking. Did it again from a different laptop and not using my previously registered details and the price went back to the original.

 

[Jo662]

I have just priced up for your dates DDJC and it comes up alot cheaper, but still more than usual, than your quote.

 

[Jo662]

I think you might be on to something there.

I’d suggest the OP try booking the Chunnel through another independent means and not his existing account, nor clicking on the saved vehicle, and see what comes back. I’ve recently done a couple of trial bookings for Adriatic crossings and the price rose when I went back and duplicated one booking. Did it again from a different laptop and not using my previously registered details and the price went back to the original.

You do need to try a different device to book as Orion says DDJC

 

[L' Hobo]

Not so young! Number One son is eighteen. Number Two son is fifteen. However, neither can be left alone, so they are permanent fixtures in the van - probably for several years to come.

This is probably a very stupid question but, as the trailor seems to be the problem and, as you say, it might be possible to pack some more stuff in your Campervan.
Can you travel over to France in your packed Campervan and then hire a trailor (or small car as you can both drive) in France?

As I say, probably a stupid question for you as your now got a Ferry booking, but might give thought to other Funsters in similar position?

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[chaser]

Don't want to prolong this but just had a look at tunnel booking again and this comes up apparently if you have a vehicle mounted on the back it's included so really all you have to do is somehow get it off its wheels while crossing, could you tie it up to a bike rack?
Btw just to p you off I have just done our dates for this year and it comes out at £274 return, September

 

[Chris]

Slightly off topic but where are you planning to spend your 3 weeks away DDJC ?

 

[chaser]

Done a bit of tweaking of dates and times, got it less now, I'm sure this is actually less than we paid last year.

 

[DDJC]

Slightly off topic but where are you planning to spend your 3 weeks away DDJC ?

Kind of a seven stop wine route!!

Down to Champagne, keep on going to the Rhone Valley for Cotes du Rhone, down to the Med and Cotes du Roussillon, nip into Spain for a couple of days in the Costers del Segre, then near Biaritz for the little known AOC Irouléguy , before over to the Dordogne & Bergerac and then back up to the valle d'Loire for some Cremant d'Loire.

Of course there is a beach or swimming pool at each site for my boys, but Me and Mrs DDJC need a holiday too!

 

[DDJC]

This is probably a very stupid question but, as the trailor seems to be the problem and, as you say, it might be possible to pack some more stuff in your Campervan.
Can you travel over to France in your packed Campervan and then hire a trailor (or small car as you can both drive) in France?

As I say, probably a stupid question for you as your now got a Ferry booking, but might give thought to other Funsters in similar position?

Considered this, but we discussed it and have decided that unless the Tunnel can find a way to be sensible, we are going over rather than under. I'm phoning them tomorrow with a suggestion about total train length similar to what Plug said at #76. I'll let you know.

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[Chris]

Kind of a seven stop wine route!!

Down to Champagne, keep on going to the Rhone Valley for Cotes du Rhone, down to the Med and Cotes du Roussillon, nip into Spain for a couple of days in the Costers del Segre, then near Biaritz for the little known AOC Irouléguy , before over to the Dordogne & Bergerac and then back up to the valle d'Loire for some Cremant d'Loire.

Of course there is a beach or swimming pool at each site for my boys, but Me and Mrs DDJC need a holiday too!

Sounds fantastic

 

[JON8H]

Do these companies think that we are stupid and will just continue to pay out more and more money? The costs with dogs to travel to Spain by ferry is now edging towards £2,000 which is beyond reasonable. Very unlikely to be doing it again.

They ferry operators have already noted the large reduction in travel on the ferries, my guess is that it will continue to reduce as more people take their holidays in this country.

 

[nicholsong]

Up to 3-4 years ago our MH was UK-registered so we needed to go to UK for MOT, we seemed to be paying in shoulder seasons about £50-70- Dunkirk-Dover one-way.

The prices now seem ridiculous and I am pleased we are on the Continent and can just drive.

 

[TONCAZ]

As I may have explained before, due to my boys' disabilities, we need the certainty of booking and reserving everything before we cross the water. I don't want to re-hash the "That's not proper motorhoming" argument, so roll with me!

Anyway, over the last couple of weeks, I have been booking sites for our summer 3 weeks. OMG, but it is so much more expensive than last year. Admittedly, we always go for the premium sites with activities that my boys would enjoy (mainly posh swimming pools with slides and/or a beach), but even so, if I told you the per night cost of one particular site, none of you would ever speak to me again, out of sheer disgust at our profligacy in these economically tight times.

Anyway, all booked and deposits paid. Off to the Channel Tunnel website to book crossings. Get in early.

I should explain, we have a 7.15m, 3500kg moho. There are 4 of us so we can easily go overweight. Some of you will be outraged, but I have no problem going a tad over, because I know that the bus is safe, having bigger tyres and rear semi air. Therefore it is safe up to 3850kg, pending paying someone a couple of hundred quid to do the admin (Mrs DDJC can't drive >3500kg, although I can)

So we attach a little trailer. A titchy, narrow, unbraked spud of a thing, but it allows us to be legal. And this where I got the shock of my life on the tunnel website. Bear in mind that we can only go in August, during the school holidays - there is no alternative.

To get our motorhome under the water to France, costs a preposterous £276. Even if we had a 9m moho, it would there or thereabouts.
BUT, as soon as you add our 2m long trailer, the cost goes to ...

£620 !!!! ONE WAY!!!!!!!
There is no consideration on trailer size. If you have one shorter than 4.5m, it more than doubles the cost. Yet if we booked a motorhome with a total length that is longer that my moho+trailer, it is less than £300,

But that isn't the worst of it. For the return journey, the moho only cost is a scary £300.
But if you add a trailer, and you won't believe it, the cost goes to ....

£1030 for ONE EFFING WAY!

Try it. Get the price yourselves. I have tried several times, and it is the same. Last year we were getting crossing costs with trailer of £300, which is heavy, but affordable in the context of a three week family trip.

So I guess I am asking a few questions.
We could use the Dover Calais ferry, but I haven't used it for years and years. Can anyone tell me, from arrival at Dover to driving off at Calais, takes how long?
Is there any other way that you can book the tunnel without being royally shafted? I am going to talk to the Tunnel and plead my case about trailer size.
We could cut down the weight a little and pack it in, but I reckon we would still be over. How much over do you go, assuming you are confident that you are legal?
Any other weird or useful suggestions.

Thanks all,

Just done Calais Dover ferry from what i can remember it was no longer that 3hrs from turning up at Calais to driving off in Dover, the only problem there could be is if you have a really keen customs officer then it could be longer.

 

[ronboyracer]

As I may have explained before, due to my boys' disabilities, we need the certainty of booking and reserving everything before we cross the water. I don't want to re-hash the "That's not proper motorhoming" argument, so roll with me!

Anyway, over the last couple of weeks, I have been booking sites for our summer 3 weeks. OMG, but it is so much more expensive than last year. Admittedly, we always go for the premium sites with activities that my boys would enjoy (mainly posh swimming pools with slides and/or a beach), but even so, if I told you the per night cost of one particular site, none of you would ever speak to me again, out of sheer disgust at our profligacy in these economically tight times.

Anyway, all booked and deposits paid. Off to the Channel Tunnel website to book crossings. Get in early.

I should explain, we have a 7.15m, 3500kg moho. There are 4 of us so we can easily go overweight. Some of you will be outraged, but I have no problem going a tad over, because I know that the bus is safe, having bigger tyres and rear semi air. Therefore it is safe up to 3850kg, pending paying someone a couple of hundred quid to do the admin (Mrs DDJC can't drive >3500kg, although I can)

So we attach a little trailer. A titchy, narrow, unbraked spud of a thing, but it allows us to be legal. And this where I got the shock of my life on the tunnel website. Bear in mind that we can only go in August, during the school holidays - there is no alternative.

To get our motorhome under the water to France, costs a preposterous £276. Even if we had a 9m moho, it would there or thereabouts.
BUT, as soon as you add our 2m long trailer, the cost goes to ...

£620 !!!! ONE WAY!!!!!!!
There is no consideration on trailer size. If you have one shorter than 4.5m, it more than doubles the cost. Yet if we booked a motorhome with a total length that is longer that my moho+trailer, it is less than £300,

But that isn't the worst of it. For the return journey, the moho only cost is a scary £300.
But if you add a trailer, and you won't believe it, the cost goes to ....

£1030 for ONE EFFING WAY!

Try it. Get the price yourselves. I have tried several times, and it is the same. Last year we were getting crossing costs with trailer of £300, which is heavy, but affordable in the context of a three week family trip.

So I guess I am asking a few questions.
We could use the Dover Calais ferry, but I haven't used it for years and years. Can anyone tell me, from arrival at Dover to driving off at Calais, takes how long?
Is there any other way that you can book the tunnel without being royally shafted? I am going to talk to the Tunnel and plead my case about trailer size.
We could cut down the weight a little and pack it in, but I reckon we would still be over. How much over do you go, assuming you are confident that you are legal?
Any other weird or useful suggestions.

Thanks all,

I must admit I do prefer the tunnel , but when they started mucking me about with the prices I went back to the ferry but I found the Dunkirk crossing better.
Good luck regards Ronboy.

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[Roclaire]

Might sound a bit rude ,but not every one can afford 3 weeks holidays abroad this year ,.in uk or abroad ,cost of living crisis ect .



So you have 2 choices either ferry a lot cheaper than tunnel by your account or ferry .
And simply cut your weight down on what your packing for your holidays ,
When we were in the army we could live in battlefield conditions for 10 to 14 days with just what we could carry .
So just pack lighter or even buy some items in France, or save some money and only go for 2 weeks .
You pay your money ,you have choices .ultimately it all down to you .

 

[MichaelT]

When we were in the army we could live in battlefield conditions for 10 to 14 days with just what we could carry .

So there's the OP's answer go to Ukraine for his holiday, problem solved.

 

[MisterB]

Then back up to the valle d'Loire for some Cremant d'Loire.

We had Cremant on the Christmas table this year. We had some brut and demi sec from Luxembourg and some demi sec from Blaye (chateau Marquis de Vauban - free Aire) the Luxembourg version was just about ok but the Marquis de Vauban was really good and gained high praise from number one child, the MiL and from Mrs Christmas herself.

I will def be buying a few more bottles next time we are there. They did a great offer of 18 bottles for the price of 12 .....which worked out at €10 per bottle.... So will prob go for that UNLESS someone can recommend one that my wallet would enjoy as much as number one child did..

 

[Peregrinator]

As I may have explained before, due to my boys' disabilities, we need the certainty of booking and reserving everything before we cross the water. I don't want to re-hash the "That's not proper motorhoming" argument, so roll with me!

Anyway, over the last couple of weeks, I have been booking sites for our summer 3 weeks. OMG, but it is so much more expensive than last year. Admittedly, we always go for the premium sites with activities that my boys would enjoy (mainly posh swimming pools with slides and/or a beach), but even so, if I told you the per night cost of one particular site, none of you would ever speak to me again, out of sheer disgust at our profligacy in these economically tight times.

Anyway, all booked and deposits paid. Off to the Channel Tunnel website to book crossings. Get in early.

I should explain, we have a 7.15m, 3500kg moho. There are 4 of us so we can easily go overweight. Some of you will be outraged, but I have no problem going a tad over, because I know that the bus is safe, having bigger tyres and rear semi air. Therefore it is safe up to 3850kg, pending paying someone a couple of hundred quid to do the admin (Mrs DDJC can't drive >3500kg, although I can)

So we attach a little trailer. A titchy, narrow, unbraked spud of a thing, but it allows us to be legal. And this where I got the shock of my life on the tunnel website. Bear in mind that we can only go in August, during the school holidays - there is no alternative.

To get our motorhome under the water to France, costs a preposterous £276. Even if we had a 9m moho, it would there or thereabouts.
BUT, as soon as you add our 2m long trailer, the cost goes to ...

£620 !!!! ONE WAY!!!!!!!
There is no consideration on trailer size. If you have one shorter than 4.5m, it more than doubles the cost. Yet if we booked a motorhome with a total length that is longer that my moho+trailer, it is less than £300,

But that isn't the worst of it. For the return journey, the moho only cost is a scary £300.
But if you add a trailer, and you won't believe it, the cost goes to ....

£1030 for ONE EFFING WAY!

Try it. Get the price yourselves. I have tried several times, and it is the same. Last year we were getting crossing costs with trailer of £300, which is heavy, but affordable in the context of a three week family trip.

So I guess I am asking a few questions.
We could use the Dover Calais ferry, but I haven't used it for years and years. Can anyone tell me, from arrival at Dover to driving off at Calais, takes how long?
Is there any other way that you can book the tunnel without being royally shafted? I am going to talk to the Tunnel and plead my case about trailer size.
We could cut down the weight a little and pack it in, but I reckon we would still be over. How much over do you go, assuming you are confident that you are legal?
Any other weird or useful suggestions.

Thanks all,

Forget the Tunnel, if the price is so large, why is it so important? there are only two ferry ports that are cheaper than the others, Dover & Newhaven, in that order.

 

[DDJC]

Forget the Tunnel, if the price is so large, why is it so important? there are only two ferry ports that are cheaper than the others, Dover & Newhaven, in that order.

Having used short hop ferries (Dover, Portsmouth), longer hop (Newhaven, Portsmouth, Holyhead and Pembroke) ferries and the tunnel, I can say that for us, the tunnel is the easiest and quickest to use. My issue is when that convenience is dwarfed by the continually increasing costs because we use a trailer, even though it is a <2m unbraked jobby. We have reached that point so unless the Tunnel can suggest a cheaper way of doing it, we are going Dover - Calais from now on

After the second time I used it, I will never use the Newhaven Dieppe ferry again. The cost is irrelevant, it was a nasty experience.

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[cyberyacht]

DDJC In what way was the experience nasty?

 

[Louis P]

Having used short hop ferries (Dover, Portsmouth), longer hop (Newhaven, Portsmouth, Holyhead and Pembroke) and the tunnel, I can say that for us, the tunnel is the easiest and quickest to use. My issue is when that convenience is dwarfed by the continually increasing costs because we use a trailer, even though it is a <2m unbraked jobby. We have reached that point so unless the Tunnel can suggest a cheaper way of doing it, we are going Dover - Calais form now on

After the second time I used it, I will never use the Newhaven Dieppe ferry again. The cost is irrelevant, it was a nasty experience.

I've just booked Newhaven - Dieppe for August and now reading this I'm worried. I've always used the tunnel but the pricing like this thread shows has gone to the dogs.

What was the issue with the crossing?

Also being nosey what sites did you book for your wine tour?

 

[DDJC]

Might sound a bit rude ,but not every one can afford 3 weeks holidays abroad this year ,.in uk or abroad ,cost of living crisis ect .

Not really rude, just not germane to the theme of this thread, which is how much the tunnel costs versus the ferry - an issue that many of those here have an interest in. Not really the moral issue of whether we should or shouldn't have sufficient funds to go abroad for three weeks.

We are fortunate to both be working and earning a decent salary. I hope it doesn't grind your gears a little bit more, but we are also going across the sea for a week in May and a week in October. It doesn't mean that we can afford to be stupid about spending >£500 to save about 90 minutes.

So you have 2 choices either ferry a lot cheaper than tunnel by your account or ferry .

Er, yes. That is what we have all been talking about.

And simply cut your weight down on what your packing for your holidays

As mentioned above, that is an option, but a challenge as our boys are disabled. We do use mostly very lightweight stuff. Our heavy items are the driveaway awning (essential for us as a family), the spare wheel and tool bag (essential for my sanity) and a travel fridge (because the moho one is on the small side). Of course if we were even richer than you opine we are, then we would buy a bigger moho with higher MGW.

When we were in the army we could live in battlefield conditions for 10 to 14 days with just what we could carry .

(yeah I know)

So just pack lighter or even buy some items in France, or save some money and only go for 2 weeks .

We do buy stuff in France and Germany / Austria / Italy even Switzerland, depending on where we are. But call me a sentimental old eco-nerd, but, buying stuff for three weeks then leaving it in nearly new working order, in some French bin after three weeks is not very responsible. This thread was about me moaning about the price of the tunnel.

Yes we could go for two weeks, but then I would only see two weeks of absolute joy on the face of my non-verbal Autistic son, rather than three weeks of him being totally happy. He gets so much out of family time in the moho, and frankly, I am very greedy about the amount of fun I can give him. Selfish, I know.

You pay your money ,you have choices .ultimately it all down to you .

Yeah I know, but a little advice from motorhoming friends who know more than me, is extremely useful, and in this instance has probably saved me several hundred quid.

 

[Figaro]

Might sound a bit rude ,but not every one can afford 3 weeks holidays abroad this year ,.in uk or abroad ,cost of living crisis ect .



So you have 2 choices either ferry a lot cheaper than tunnel by your account or ferry .
And simply cut your weight down on what your packing for your holidays ,
When we were in the army we could live in battlefield conditions for 10 to 14 days with just what we could carry .
So just pack lighter or even buy some items in France, or save some money and only go for 2 weeks .
You pay your money ,you have choices .ultimately it all down to you .

I'm not sure that's a very helpful response.

 

[DDJC]

DDJC In what way was the experience nasty?

I don't want to put anyone off using it. It was not good, specifically for us. Others have said that it is great. Horses for courses.

We arrived at the port at about ten PM (it is only 75 mins away from home). There was no one about. The quay was poorly lit and felt just unwelcoming. There is nothing to do so we all stayed in the bus. Embarking was erie. We weren't directed on. We just followed the guy in front. No body about. Finally, a fluorescent guy appeared and waved us to within a couple of inches of the moho in front. He wasn't even watching.

Anyway, on we went. Got our cabin ticket. The cabin was small but fine, except that it hadn't been cleaned. There was litter around, and the bedding smelt of someone else.

Lastly, the effing tannoy announcements at one and half four in the morning about the restauarant and shop opening and closing were ridiculous. We all got only about 3 hours sleep so for us, it wasn't good.

I know it is the cheapest crossing, but I think there is a reason it is the cheapest.

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[Margsmit]

Actually started to think further on the idea of a collapsible trailer, google soon showed me they are out there, this one from Towbag.

View attachment 701657

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp%3Fid%3D625&ved=2ahUKEwjW7q-Amqb8AhWZaMAKHVytAL8QtwJ6BAgREAE&usg=AOvVaw0ui84RUmi0rMIKIURhCu6c

Thought these had been discontinued