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[Kevin Wood]

just dont drink . dont need it then

Sadly, thats not Frenchies thinking. Its a requirement to have one, even if you are T-total.

The concept of not having half a bottle of wine with every meal, let alone being teetotal, is completely alien to the French. In fact, seeing how my french colleagues approach the subject of drink driving, I wonder how rigourously  their low limit is enforced, when you're not a tourist.

[Varche]

just dont drink . dont need it then

Sadly, thats not Frenchies thinking. Its a requirement to have one, even if you are T-total.

Given they are in more trouble than we are, you'd think the French would do all they can to increase tourist numbers.

In the grand scheme of things Dover-Dunkirk takes the same time as Dover-Calais... Quicker load and unload, 2 Hrs on the boat but 30mins further along the way you are heading

Yeah thats what Google is suggesting, but tbh, I'll just follow SatNav after the Ferry, with no-tolls option ticked.

Just checking, its 25 mins ish to Dunkirk from Calais, so guess as you say its all much the same. Got a discount code for DFD Seaways, their Ferries tend to be lot newer than P&O.

Bit of a bold statement. Britain is in the clag like the rest. Its day of reckoning will come
I do agree with you over welcoming tourists. However the cutting down on road deaths is something the EU has been plugging away at for nearly ten years now with member countries introducing more measures. In Spain there has been a dramatic reduction this year. No one can afford fuel to drive around!

[biggriffin]

Dfds crossing to dunkirk is longer,if you use the other mob out of calias that use to be sea france, wont ever get on them froggy boats again,got food poisoning suffered for a week. We have to use the train now unless its to bizzy. absolutely crap the Train but quicker if theres no que,
 Use toll roads as they are quicker,just slow down for the tag to beeb at the barrier,

[Lazydocker]

DFDS also do Dover-Calais if you prefer. I don't use P&O as I have used DFDS (or Norfolk Line as they were) for years and generally had very good service. In fact, I started using NL when they first accepted the paying public in addition to freight as I'd always had good experiences with freight crossings

In fact, I proposed to the current Mrs LD on a Norfolk Line ferry as we were entering Dunkirk at sunset

[Nick W]

As I live 45minutes away from both Dover and the tunnel, I don't find the small difference in time taken to make paying extra for the tunnel worthwhile.
Plus, using the ferry gives you the opportunity to walk about, have a meal and generally set yourself up for a long drive when you get to France. Thinking about it, these attributes would be even more important if a long journey was necessary simply to get to the crossing.

As for not using the toll roads, if I have a specific destination, then I want to get there by the most efficient route. And that's normally France's excellent motorways. For instance, our house is near Cognac, and is 430 miles from Calais. The route we now take is Calais - Rouen - Lemans - Tours - Poitiers then off the motorway to Saleignes 40 miles away. Even with a stop for lunch, I expect to arrive before 18:00. That's not possible staying off the motorway and is well worth the 23Euros it cost last time.

[biggriffin]

as said its easier on the toll roads to cover the miles quicker and stay on the cruise control, if i remember its€ 23.50 from
 st.omer to paris in a car.

[Sir Tigger KC]

In my trucking days I spent a couple of years driving all over Europe and I was lucky that the company I worked for were happy to pay the tolls.  Once I was heading back to Calais from Bordeaux and had plenty of time so I thought it would be fun to come off the motorway and take to the A roads... What a mistaka to maka!!    Shed loads of traffic, loads of hold ups tails backs etc and I got back on the motorway ASAP, set the cruise and put my feet up all the way to Calais!!! 

[tunnie]

Thanks all, I'm probably going to go Dunkirk route 

[OOMV6]

For Calais to Luxembourg there are no tolls anyway. Leaving Calais, head to and go round Lille. Shortly after Lille is Belgian border

[OOMV6]

Calais Luxembourg less than 3.5 hours. Very simple run.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Calais Luxembourg less than 3.5 hours. Very simple run.

Yes, and that is an interesting route.  Done it many times, and I recommend stopping in Ypres.  Good cafe - restaurants, and a lovely Belgium chocolate making shop.  Also, if you love history, just spend some time at the Menin Gate Memorial and have a think or prayer, especially at 2000 every evening!

Opps. Sorry I am thinking of going via Dunkirk!