UK Ferry Tickets

English and Scottish football clubs have had outstanding records in European competition for a long time now, so there`s always been a reason to travel abroad for matches. However, since the `modernisation` or the game in the 1990s – with the introduction of the UEFA Champions League, the FA Premier League, and the SPL, for example – football has arguably reached another level, and European matches can become major international events.

Taking your car abroad can be one of the best ways to get to see European games, for several reasons. Firstly, you get to avoid the hassle of going to an airport, waiting for the flight, being herded onboard etc (and also possibly spending too much in the overpriced airport shops). Around the destination city, you`ll need to shell out again for transport to get you around, not to mention to the game itself. These are problems on any holiday, but if you`re going anywhere where thousands of others are going, you`re more likely to experience delays and unsympathetic handling from the authorities, making you wish it was just you and your own group of friends going. This leads onto another benefit of using your car abroad to see matches, which is the unique atmosphere you get from travelling a long journey with just your friends. Travelling in your own car doesn`t have to mean you miss out on the `big group` atmosphere, either. There are fans clubs who arrange to travel together, with regular meetings at set points – for example, at a particular hotel along the way – and some may even be able to negotiate discounts at particular hotels. If you haven`t travelled by ferry before, you may be surprised how cheap it can be for a group of you, even with a car on board. The UK has regular services to many European countries, leaving from several different ports across the country, such as Dover, Hull and Newcastle, leaving you with a short internal trip from anywhere in the country.

For home England games, or finals, of course, the same type of trip can be done, arriving at a Wembley Stadium Hotel, without necessarily going on a coach journey. If going abroad, you should check whether you need an international licence to use your car there. For EU countries and some others, you do not, although you will need your full licence, including plastic ID and counterpart. You should also take proof of ownership of the vehicle you are driving (i.e. a valid V5), as well as, obviously, your passport (some countries require passports to have at least 6 months validity remaining for entry). It is also a legal requirement in most European countries to display the `GB` sticker on the rear of your car, and also to ensure your headlights are reconfigured to point to the opposite side (which can be done easily with a adjustment kit from a motor factor)

Guest Article by David Dean (MATCHhotels)

Monday, February 16th, 2009