Talking of ferry to France

[mmmmartin]

On the subject of ferries. Ouistreham / Caen ferry terminal, has anyone used it? Going as a group, some as foot passengers and some in a van. When they disembark, how does it work. I.E., can we meet up with the van in teh carpark? if there is one, or will we have to meet up outside on the street? I've looked at google earth and can see there is lots of space around the site. thanks

There is an obvious huge car park where the van can wait and you can't miss it, it's just outside the terminal building

 

[mmmmartin]

I am hoping to get a ferry across to Dunkirk from Dover with me bike, what is the procedure when riding up to the Port of Dover?
Do I follow the cars or do I have to get off and go in the terminal?

There is a route for cyclists but it is signed badly and is very complicated. From the station in Dover ride past Buffers the cafe, third exit at roundabout, then sharp left into small road. Turn right down alleyway, then left, then right and you enter a pedestrian precinct, head southward and down under the main road then turn very sharp right up the ramp and round to the left to exit the underpass. Straight across the next road to the seafront, turn left along the cycle path on the promenade. Cross the main busy road at the set of pedestrian lights, turn left then immediately right into the narrow road fill of parked cars. You arrive at the port and the fun has just begun.
Cross the traffic and follow the poorly painted red line on the ground, this takes you on the right hand side of the traffic flow through the border checks, and instead of entering the huge area for cars you turn sharp right and stop at a barrier where you tell a bloke you're on a bike and need to check in. He gives you a piece of paper that no one ever looks at and lifts the barrier. You park the bike outside the little hut on the right. Here's the important bit, try to look like a cyclist, maybe wear a helmet, and try to push your way to the front by saying you're only a cyclist. Otherwise you get stuck behind drivers with lorries of hazardous goods and they take an age to get through. Hand over piece of paper, receive something you're supposed to hang from your rear view mirror in a car (!) And ride to the lane you're told to. Make sure you're right at the front as they'll load you first and get you off last, so you're not squashed by the lorries.
At Dunkirk make sure you wait until the lorries have gone as the road out is narrow. Ensure you know the route des dunes into the town. All other routes are death.
HTH.

 

[cyberknight]

how did the OP get a ferry in the panniers and was it subject to customs charges ?

 

[TheDoctor]

The above advice is bang on. It's easy to miss the red line in Dover port, but it does work and avoids a very slight risk of squidgy death. Mind you, it's hardly a disaster if you end up mixing it with the cars. I've done it and lived!

 

[Ian at fleet]

how did the OP get a ferry in the panniers and was it subject to customs charges ?

Easy, if you'd seen the size of the suitcase I took on the French trip 2 years ago you would surely agree!
.

 

[Ian at fleet]

There is a route for cyclists but it is signed badly and is very complicated. From the station in Dover ride past Buffers the cafe, third exit at roundabout, then sharp left into small road. Turn right down alleyway, then left, then right and you enter a pedestrian precinct, head southward and down under the main road then turn very sharp right up the ramp and round to the left to exit the underpass. Straight across the next road to the seafront, turn left along the cycle path on the promenade. Cross the main busy road at the set of pedestrian lights, turn left then immediately right into the narrow road fill of parked cars. You arrive at the port and the fun has just begun.
Cross the traffic and follow the poorly painted red line on the ground, this takes you on the right hand side of the traffic flow through the border checks, and instead of entering the huge area for cars you turn sharp right and stop at a barrier where you tell a bloke you're on a bike and need to check in. He gives you a piece of paper that no one ever looks at and lifts the barrier. You park the bike outside the little hut on the right. Here's the important bit, try to look like a cyclist, maybe wear a helmet, and try to push your way to the front by saying you're only a cyclist. Otherwise you get stuck behind drivers with lorries of hazardous goods and they take an age to get through. Hand over piece of paper, receive something you're supposed to hang from your rear view mirror in a car (!) And ride to the lane you're told to. Make sure you're right at the front as they'll load you first and get you off last, so you're not squashed by the lorries.
At Dunkirk make sure you wait until the lorries have gone as the road out is narrow. Ensure you know the route des dunes into the town. All other routes are death.
HTH.

Thanks for the advice, once again the trip from Caen to Bordeaux 2 years ago was one of the best weeks away I've ever experienced you were/are great!

 

[Simon_m]

There is an obvious huge car park where the van can wait and you can't miss it, it's just outside the terminal building

Is that not where the cars and lorry's wait/queue to load back on to the ferry?

 

[martint235]

My advice is don't drink 9 pints of Stella on the ferry. In my experience, this ends up going very badly wrong.

In defence of the border staff at Calais, they are working to some fairly tough rules.

 

[martint235]

That is a subset of my advice, don't drink 9 pints of Stella. This in turn is a subset of my advice, don't drink Stella.

Yebbut on a ship, the choices tend to be very limited and as I remember it, Stella was the best available

 

[raleighnut]

My advice is don't drink 9 pints of Stella on the ferry. In my experience, this ends up going very badly wrong.

In defence of the border staff at Calais, they are working to some fairly tough rules.

I'll add to that, after drinking 9 pints do not try to use the 'heads' before you leave the boat if it has been a rough crossing DAMHIKT.