80 CROSSING COSTS...

Although we still don’t know exactly when we will travel to Monte Carlo, we can take a punt in July and start estimating some costs.  As detailed here and here, the two ways to get from England to Europe are via Le Shuttle or on one of the ferries that operate in the English Channel.  So, how much sausage are we looking at?

Plucking two dates out of thin air, crossing into France on the afternoon of Thursday, July 10th, and returning two weeks later on the 24th, here is what I’ve found.

Le Shuttle: 

Thur 10 Jul

16:20 UK → 17:55 FR

£93

Thur 24 Jul

17:36 FR → 17:11 UK

£102

Total Cost £195 return

DFDS Ferry

Thur 10 Jul

14:25 UK → 16:55 FR

£104

Thur 24 Jul

16:35 FR → 17:05 UK

£104

Total Cost £208 return

They are similar in terms of price. In fact, if the ferry is booked before January, the cost drops to £182. Neither price includes extras like speedy boarding or access to a Premium Lounge, although these can be added for a fee (£46 on the ferry, £153 on the train). 

Each method of crossing has pros and cons. The train takes 36 minutes to cross, whereas the ferry takes 90 minutes. Although the train feels like a no-brainer, an hour and a half away from the wheel after driving all day might be a relief. It also allows everyone to grab something to eat before pushing on to Belgium. 

The train also won’t be affected by the weather. In contrast, the ferry most definitely will if the wind and rain appear and the crossing gets choppy. But at least you can see the weather as you leave the car and stroll along the deck, watching the White Cliffs of Dover disappear behind instead of being stuck in a tube for half an hour.

The train has much more flexibility regarding the number of departures daily, especially if the weather is bad.

There is a lot to think about before we book anything, but as a starter, we know it will cost about £200 to get to France and back. How we get there will depend on how quickly we need to cross the channel, if we need a break from driving, and if we want to do some Duty-Free Shopping.