Ferry or Tunnel: Which Would You Choose?
Your travel plans include a voyage between the UK and the Continent, and you must decide: ferry or tunnel? Here are some tidbits for you to consider.
Ferries travel between several ports in the UK and northern Europe. To arrange your travel by ferry, use the UKferrytickets online tools to explore your options and locate the best fares, best routes and best ports. In addition, some companies automatically discount their fares for online bookings. Remember, you will probably get your best ferry deals if you book at least 24 hours in advance.
A ferry voyage can add to your European travel experience. Travelling with the family? A number of ferries feature play areas, arcades and live entertainment in the high season. Many travelers love the ferry’s open decks and the opportunity to experience the wind and waves first hand. If that doesn’t appeal, the well-stocked shops on board offer great deals on fragrance and cosmetics, as well as heavily discounted prices on adult beverages (spirits and wine) and cigarettes.
Many overnight crossings feature cabin accommodation so you can let the ferry’s motion rock you to sleep and awaken refreshed and ready to spend the day enjoying tourist pursuits. Restaurants and lounges add to your comfort, as well. And if you are making a brief visit and don’t want to wrestle with traffic, many ports provide facilities so you can park your car, walk on the ferry, and step off to explore your destination port on foot.
Your other option, Eurotunnel, gives you a very quick trip to the Continent, 35 minutes. If you choose the tunnel, you will travel between passenger terminal buildings in Folkestone, UK, and Calais, France. You can visit the shops, pick up a snack in the terminal buildings, and enjoy the play area outside.
You will stay with your car or motorcycle during the crossing (cyclists board a shuttle bus and meet up with their bicycles again on the other side). You are well-advised to make a reservation in advance; standard fares vary and depend on the length of your stay and the time you are crossing; it is much less costly at midnight than at noon.
Review the resources on the web then decide which you will choose, tunnel or ferry.
Guest Article by: Colleen Morrison
Friday, May 2nd, 2008
