France and Belgium crossings made easy!

Choosing the best way of getting to France and gaining access to the major european motorways has often meant extensive planning and research. There are now more options for reaching the major international routes across Europe.

Firstly, there is the eurotunnel. A fast and simple train taking around 40 minutes from Folkestone in Kent across to the french coast. Day trippers can expect to pay arond £60 return including a standard car, longer stays and non standard cars (trailers etc) are charged at higher prices.

Having said that, the drawbacks are that the facilities on board are limited to extremely cramped toilet facilities and you are limited to your own vehicle for the duration of the crossing. This is not a good option if you consider the initial crossing as part of your vacation or short break.

The next option is to travel from Dover (once again in Kent) across to Calais in France. P&O, LD Lines, Seafrance and Norfolkline are the operators (Norfolkine operating to Dunkerque port a few miles north of Calais). This will be around a 90 minute crossing with full on board facilities for the family, shopping and catering including bars at attractive prices. Once again, day trippers and short break customers can expect a deal usually priced within a few pounds of the eurotunnel option.

Service 'quirks' exist between the operators, and travellers will have to consider their needs in advance of travel.

Firstly, Seafrance charge a supplement at the port if you wish to return on a different ferry than the one specified on the ticket, and P&O reduce catering facilities on some early and late crossings.

Sadly, Norfolkline are the latest ferry operator to also reduce their passenger facilties and customer experience. They say that customers were 'taking advantage' of their vip lounge facilities. The action taken at the time of updating (early 2009) is to withdraw all vip lounge included food (except limited fruit and biscuits), restrict alcohol to 1 glass per customer per crossing and dress seaview tables for food only customers  - which is purchased at full price in the general bistro areas. This reduces the service standards from superb and exclusive to what the bankrupt operator Speedferries offered.

From the North of the UK, there is a service from Hull in East Yorkshire. This service takes a few hours crossing to France and uses the port of Zebrugge, just north of Calais. Whilst facilities on board are excellent, the cost of the crossing could create a debate as to the benefits of driving to the Kent ports and there are very few offers for short breaks or day trippers along with the port is mainly freight.

Another worthwhile option is the now established operator Transeuropa ferries. The service is from Ramsgate (near Dover) direct to Ostend harbour operating three / four times per day. The crossing is almost 4 hours however, they do not operate the fluid pricing policy introduced by the other ferry operators and you can see every price for every sailing up front on their website before you book.

Transeuropa also appear to be making a significant effort to welcome the car passenger in terms of on board facilities. With this service, you disembark right next to Ostend train station linking to Brussels and have the benefits of not having the hour drive from Calais into the Belgian area.

It is always well worth checking out the offers of all operators directly. The routes are becoming quite competitive and this is making day tickets from about 30 GBP each way. The main operators to search are: P&O, LD Lines, Seafrance, Transeuropa ferries, Eurotunnel, P&O north sea ferries & Norfolkline. It is well worth checking each website directly as there can be a significant difference between fares for the same routes and times.

Please note that the Hoverspeed service has been withdrawn.

Overall, there are positives and drawbacks in each of the travel options. Do you want to sacrifice on board facilities but get across the channel quickly? Do you want maximum on board facilities but a slower crossing, or perhaps a direct crossing to Ostend cutting out the driving although having a longer time on board.

It is disappointing that Ostend International Airport does not at present serve the UK. Having said that it would be advisable to take a look at their site occasionally as it is presently a cargo and passenger airport served mainly by TUI. It's only a matter of time before it's discovered as one of the most local airports to the UK on the European mainland.

Whichever method you choose, you will find many areas across both France and Belgium friendly, clean and inviting with great shopping, eating, bars and hotels plus transport links by road and especially rail to both other major tourist areas including Brugge and further afield to Luxembourg, Netherlands and Germany..

 Happy travelling!