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General Information
For
those coming from the continent we recommend the shortest crossing by
ferry; Calais to Dover. You will get the best prices for both short
and long stay returns, the most salings and a chance to stretch your
legs and have something to eat (no restaurants on Le Shuttle). Dover
to Calais 5 day returns for a car including passengers start from
around 50 UKP.
When
you get here
First
things first; we drive on the left! This can be confusing for our
American and European cousins who seem to get by driving on the
"wrong" side of the road. If this doesn't put you off, London traffic
and non-existent parking might. However if you are still game having a
car can get you around the places public transport can't reach. It is
also the ideal way to see places beyond London eg. Stonehenge,
Stratford, Oxford, etc.
Petrol
(or gas!) is currently around 75 pence per litre (approx 3-4 pounds
per UK gallon). You can buy unleaded petrol or diesel (yes, tractor
fuel!). All but a few garages are self service.
See
also
Car Rental
Car
& Le Shuttle
On-board Le Shuttle you will find no buffet, no smoking, no toilets
(well almost!), no fresh air, no White Cliffs of Dover. Although you
will relish a journey time of just 35 minutes (Calais to Folkestone).
Cost:
From 50 UKP (standby day trip available from mid-morning) - 200 UKP
(peak) return fare per vehicle inc passengers
Eurotunnel Reservations
Tel: 08705 35 35 35
Car
& Ferry
•
operators
•
english channel
•
north sea
•
irish sea
For
some ferries will be their first choice, for others there is no
alternative. Good news is ferries are now modern, safe and offer many
amenities. Plus there are now really fast ships operating on selected
routes - Seacats etc 35 - 40 knots. Prices range from bargain (10 UKP
or so for foot passengers) to expensive (300 UKP return for plush club
class overnight cabin & vehicle plus passengers).
Operators (Reservations Tel No.):
B & I
Ferries
Tel:
(020 7499 5744)
Brittany Ferries
Tel:
(023 9289 2200)
Hoverspeed
Tel:
(023 9289 2200)
(Hovercraft & Seacat)
P & O
Tel:
(01304 863000)
Scandinavian Seaways
Tel:
(0990 333 111)
Stena
Line
Tel:
(0990 70 70 70)
English Channel
The
main route from France is Dover - Calais, 1hour 15 mins (Hovercraft/Seacat
30 mins)
From
Dover to London use M20 then A20 (2 hours-2 hours30 mins)
The
South Coast's main ferry port is Portsmouth with routes to FRANCE:
Caen, 6 hours; Le Havre, 6 hours; Cherbourg, 5 hours; St Malo, 9
hours; to SPAIN: Bilbao 33-34 hours.
From
Portsmouth to London use A3 (2 hours-2 hours30 mins)
North Sea
From
the Netherlands Hook van Holland - Harwich, 7 hours.
From
Germany (Hamburg - Harwich, 19-20 hours)
From
Scandinavia (Esbjerg or Gothenburg - Harwich, 19 & 24 hours)
From
Harwich to London use A120 then A12 (2 hours30 mins)
Irish Sea
From
Northern Ireland take ferry Belfast or Larne - Stranraer (Scotland), 2
hours.
From
Stranraer A75 then M6 then M1 (7-9 hours)
From
Dublin, Eire, travel from Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead (N.Wales), 4 hours
From
Holyhead A5 then A55 then M56 then M6 then M1 (5-6 hours)
From
southern Eire travel from Rosslare to Fishguard (W.Wales), 4 hours,
onward to London Paddington.
From
Fishguard A40 then A48 then M4 (5 hours)
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