simonburton

Any ideas on the best route?

Been looking at Newhaven to Dieppe, with a 4 hour crossing, but then only approx. 60km to Rouen, or Dover to Calias with approx. 220 km to drive.

I won't be driving, but still looking at the quickest overall route.

TopBanana

Where are you starting from?

Brendan Hughes

www.viamichelin.com

simonburton

Starting from Nottingham........

And thanks for the link - looks good

Rabid

Quickest route overall is going to be Dieppe but bear in mind if anything goes wrong ie technical problem with the ship you are going to have far less options than at Dover. Plus the crossings are usually more expensive.

It's all fast autoroute to Calais with a few bendy bits on it for fun. I'd go via Calais.

Why are you going to Rouen BTW?

MattW

Drove Swindon to Rouen a few years back. Pin in map for weekend away with some friends. We went via Calais, as we wanted a nice drive also. Darn site cheaper that way too.

simonburton

Rabid - off to watch the Nottingham Panthers play ice hockey in the Intercontinental Cup - rather than getting the bus which will take approx. 15 hours from Nottingham so we are informed, a few of us would rather take control of our journey down!

Brendan Hughes

VERY valid point. Particularly if you have a deadline to meet (ie kick-off time)!

Rabid

In that case go Dover>Calais and be sure of getting there. With sailings every 10 minutes or so you'll have a built in fail safe.

Newhaven is going to be a one shot deal for you, plus I believe Hoverspeed don't do crossings anymore leaving you in the hands of Transmanche- one of the most useless companies in the business.

You might not remember some of their fiascos but I do.

Daryl

Actually, Transmanche have a very reliable service these days, cancelled crossings are very rare. There are sometimes some restrictions due to low tides at Newhaven, but these only apply to the 'Dieppe' (and which are known well in advance), not the newer 'Cote d'Albatre' (which can do the crossing in 3 hours). The 'Dieppe' is due to be replaced in September by the 'Seven Sisters'.

Transmanche do run things on a bit of a shoestring budget, but the crossings are reliable and the ships decent, especially the new one. Prices are reasonable too. Having said that, I would probably use Dover if I was travelling from Nottingham

stevem2k

calais .

Use the eurotunnel too.

Steve

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Dover> Calais. Forget "Pig class" Newhaven> Dieppe

A16 to Boulogne, free, A16 to Abbeville, about €8, A28 to Rouen, free. Takes less than 3 hours, good stopping places en route.

Alcazar