Newhaven-Dieppe

[Tumerc]

We are off to Spain 1st week in January and looking at alternatives to our usual Dover-Calais and Newhaven-Dieppe looks appealing but wonder if 4 hours on channel at that time of year is a bad idea, has anyone done this crossing in January?

 

[Two of usI]

Yes, many times, you can have a rough crossing at any time of the year, but, if it's a major issue don't book until the week before ( before prices increase) and get a good idea of what could be coming weather wise......or book a cabin if you are really worried get onboard, head down and wake up over there.

 

[Barclaybasher]

The only time I have been seasick was on a Calais to Dover ferry......and it wasn't Winter

 

[Lenny HB]

We nearly always go Newhaven/Dieppe only ever had one really rough crossing and it wasnt a problem on their boat.

 

[MichaelT]

Really rough last September so we wouldn't trust it

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[MartinandBev]

Have used them loads of times, usually around November time and never had a bad crossing

 

[Steve and Denise]

Used it last year and will be doing the same this year,it saves the dreadful drive through some of France in the winter

 

[Lenny HB]

Used it last year and will be doing the same this year,it saves the dreadful drive through some of France in the winter

Savers us 400 miles on a round trip if going to the western side of France or Spain.

 

[tony_g]

Never had a bad crossing.in.10 years at any time of year.

 

[Tumerc]

Thankyou for your replies I think we will do it.

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[Helen Ariel]

We are off to Spain 1st week in January and looking at alternatives to our usual Dover-Calais and Newhaven-Dieppe looks appealing but wonder if 4 hours on channel at that time of year is a bad idea, has anyone done this crossing in January?

Yes last January. It was really stormy and I spent most of the crossing on the floor of the disabled toilet. Never again in winter. Channel tunnel this winter.

 

[Freo]

Outward on the morning sailing of 27th Dec last year. A wee bit rough leaving Newhaven but settled down about 1/4 of the way over. Pretty much calm by 1/2 way across and from then on. No issues whatsoever. No problem consuming breakfast on board, nor with retaining same.
(For the record, the return journey at the beginning of March was calm all the way across.)
I would happily use this ferry route again.
P.S. I did take Stugeron tablets as a precaution.

 

[stevewagner]

I love the crossing but sadly my wife doesn’t. On our return crossing in June last year she was so sick she spent the entire crossing clinging to the outside railing

 

[PlacidoD]

You will have a similar journey to my own though slightly longer. In my case all bar circa 15 miles is dual carriageway and I allow 5 hours for travel and set out eight hours before ferry departure.
If you turn left at the T junction bottom of the A26 (Just 200 yards short of the ferry terminal) you have a Sainsbury's 200 yards in that direction. I fill up at the PFS there and do a shop before joining the ferry queue. That "moveable feast" gives me a decent buffer in case of an RTA and major delays en route. You can also park up at the terminal overnight if you want to travel down the night before.

Don't forget to take advantage of the 20% Senior's discount if you qualify. To do that you need to ring them on 0330 5878787 during (French) business hours Monday-Friday.

P.S. I had a slightly rough return crossing overnight on 10th-11th September. Did not bother me. I slept through most of it! (And then made it past Portsmouth/Southampton before rush hour really got going thus avoiding running into it on the M25 on my more usual route!)

 

[Russell's Dad]

P.S. I did take Stugeron tablets as a precaution.

Being Scottish, I misread this at first. I then realised that tablets with the name I originally read would have the exact opposite effect of Stugeron.

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[john@32100]

Don’t forget to phone your order so as to get your age discount if applicable

 

[cyberyacht]

This was the breakwater as we left Newhaven in April. Force 7-8. Was a bit tricky walking to my table with my meal but otherwise OK. Rough or smooth crossing is just pot luck.

 

[Scotsblood]

We had a really rough crossing back in July, lots of vomit bags being offered! Would it put me off or choose another route, no.

 

[dash300]

Well worth booking a cabin rough or not. Cheap on the day crossings and nice just to lie down and relax in your own space.

 

[EuroTrotters]

We are off to Spain 1st week in January and looking at alternatives to our usual Dover-Calais and Newhaven-Dieppe looks appealing but wonder if 4 hours on channel at that time of year is a bad idea, has anyone done this crossing in January?

4 hours in the channel !

Try 14+ hours in the North Sea in a storm Force 10

Just book it

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[Baggydave]

We are off to Spain 1st week in January and looking at alternatives to our usual Dover-Calais and Newhaven-Dieppe looks appealing but wonder if 4 hours on channel at that time of year is a bad idea, has anyone done this crossing in January?

This is our preferred port seeing as we live just 30mins away. Newhaven is such a relaxed & friendly port. Town itself has no such appeal unfortunately.
We Normally choose a night crossing & go straight to sleep on the boat.
We head for the rear bar & sleep on the floor with an inflated mattress.
At that time of year it will be very quiet onboard. Both ferries have had a complete refurbishment so it’s all very comfortable.

 

[Just smiffy]

Rougher the better for me… always leave me sea legs at home…

 

[Mikeco]

Doing this route on Jan 15 with the 11am sailing but has anyone stayed overnight prior to sailing, towing a trailer this time so it would make things easier.

 

[Freo]

As PlacidoD states, there is a car park to the left, off a wee roundabout just as you enter the ferry terminal. If you’re sailing outward or return, you are allowed to use it to overnight for free, either before or after your journey. Just let them know at the ferry terminal so that they have your registration. I used it in both directions. There are no dedicated Motorhome facilities provided, although there are toilets and showers for the truck drivers which you can use if you like.
You may need to unhitch your trailer in the car park depending on your outfit’s total length.

 

[Minxy]

Rougher the better for me… always leave me sea legs at home…

I don't know why but that just made me think of a Weeble! Weebles wobble but they don't fall down!

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[john@32100]

This is our preferred port seeing as we live just 30mins away. Newhaven is such a relaxed & friendly port. Town itself has no such appeal unfortunately.
We Normally choose a night crossing & go straight to sleep on the boat.
We head for the rear bar & sleep on the floor with an inflated mattress.
At that time of year it will be very quiet onboard. Both ferries have had a complete refurbishment so it’s all very comfortable.

Yes love newhaven although I’m an hour and a half away outside Oxford

 

[Lenny HB]

Try 14+ hours in the North Sea in a storm Force 10

Been there done that on the Tor Line ferries to Sweden.

 

[Lenny HB]

Worst part of the Newhaven/Dieppe route is the 20 mile drive to Newhaven.

 

[PlacidoD]

As PlacidoD states, there is a car park to the left, off a wee roundabout just as you enter the ferry terminal. If you’re sailing outward or return, you are allowed to use it to overnight for free, either before or after your journey. Just let them know at the ferry terminal so that they have your registration. I used it in both directions. There are no dedicated Motorhome facilities provided, although there are toilets and showers for the truck drivers which you can use if you like.
You may need to unhitch your trailer in the car park depending on your outfit’s total length.

You can see the car park on Google StreetView in part-finished state. It looks like it might be the train station car park but is not. I have never known it full. You can in fact park a car there and board the ferry as a foot passenger. Cost is/was £4 per night. I did that on my first Dieppe trip staying in an AirB&B pre van ownership.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Dogs?
4h+ is a long time to leave them in the van.

Although I've never taken my van across the channel, it's now at the back of my mind for next year, if/when I get another hound.
I was surprised to learn that Newhaven, Dover, Folkestone are almost equidistant from home, so port would not be a deciding issue. Hound facilities would be.