Although family holidays are intended to provide an enjoying and relaxing time for all, that’s rarely the case 100% of the time, and while families have been enjoying self-drive holidays to France for decades, there’s nothing quite as stressful as a car full of hot, restless kids who can’t wait to get down to the business of having fun!
When planning a self drive holiday to the European continent the first ferry route that springs to mind is Dover to Calais, and while this is the shortest (and often cheapest) option, it’s not always the best or most economical.
Firstly it’s worth noting that unless you’re starting off from the South-East of England then a Dover to Calais crossing is probably going to require you to negotiate the roads around London, including the notorious M25 – a less than ideal start to what is supposed to be an enjoyable and relaxing holiday!
The ever increasing price of fuel should also be taken into consideration – in many cases a longer ferry crossing can make financial sense too. Depending on your final holiday destination the total cost of travel for a short ferry journey and longer driving miles can be comparable to an overnight ferry crossing with less driving required once over the channel. This is especiallly true if you’re planning a trip to Brittany, the Vendee or the Dordogne.
Naturally the added bonus of selecting a longer ferry crossing is that it allows you to spend less time driving and more quality time with your family, plus a longer ferry crossing can make for more of an adventure for the kids. While the Eurotunnel is fast and convenient, ferries hail from a time when the world felt like a bigger place and the pace of life was a little more relaxed.
So, what are your options for alternative ferry routes? Many people find that if starting out from the West of England that Portsmouth or Plymouth are far more convenient ports of departure, and in addition to the accessibility benefits you can turn the longer crossing times to your benefit by taking the opportunity to kick back and relax a little.
While P&O are probably the best know of all UK ferry operators Brittany Ferries run several excellent services on these longer routes, including Plymouth ferries running to Roscoff. All of these longer routes are serviced by a fleet of modern cruise ferries, and if the last time you crossed the channel was more than a couple of years ago then you’ll be pleasantly suprised by advances made in the way of comfort and onboard facilities. These modern cruise ferries have shops, restaurants, bars and cinemas available to passengers and even on an overnight crossing you’ll probably won’t be able to fit it all in!
Accommodation options available on overnight ferries range from basic (but comfortable) club class seats, to stateroom cabins with sea views, although a standard cabin option will suite most families best. Whichever accommodation you decide on you can rest assured that you’ll reach your holiday destination substantially more refreshed and relaxed than if you decided to drive the whole distance!
James is a web developer and internet marketeer with a keen interest in the travel sector. He can frequently be found hanging out in online forums or editing his ferry website which provides information about Plymouth ferries
