Costs getting to the south of France

[Mike101]

Afternoon all,

So i'm off to see my brother in the south of France in a few weeks and i've come up with some interesting numbers re the cost. He lives an hour south east of Toulouse in a town called Castelnaudry.

I came up with three options.

1. Ferry to a channel port and then ride down and back. This will take 2 days riding 600 miles each day.

2. Ferry to a channel port and then ferry from Spain back. This will take 2.5 days...1 x 600 mile day...1/2 day 350 miles and 1 day on ferry. this is a seat and no cabin on the ferry from spain.

3. Cheapest ferry deal to spain and back. This will take 3 days. 2 days on ferry and 2 x 1/2 day riding 350 miles each day. This is a seat an not a cabin on the ferry

I included all costs such as fuel and tolls in the numbers and this is what i got.

1. £388
2. £372
3. £398

I'm not very flexiable on the dates i can go. So what lokoed a very expensive ferry to spain looks kind of OK to me....still a lot of money though.

Mike

[OB1]

The Chunnel is your friend! (thumbs)

As little as £30 each way and much quicker than the ferry.

[Billy Bananahead]

Me, I'd go for a cabin on the ferry. But if you can put up with bawling kids and stuff then I suppose a seat might be ok.
Have you thought about Motorail? You can get one to Toulouse. The timetable might be a bit off putting.
http://www.seat61.com/Motorail.htm#French Motorail

[AndyB]

No way would I go on a ferry to or from Spain without a cabin and a bed :pinch:

Personally I'd use the tunnel then split the journey and camp overnight so I could take a bit longer and avoid the tolls. It'd work out cheaper and be a much more pleasant trip.

[Mike101]

Hi all

The chunnel is no cheaper...that is option one with a £60 return ticket. The extra distance, fuell and tolls do not make it a cheap option for me.

A cabin on the ferry is £110 each way extra.

A stop in the middle will eat into my limited time.

No easy option i guess.

Mike

[Gedge]

When you going? in the summer months the fast cats do day crossings which can be faster /cheaper and no need for a cabin.. ( poole portsmouth or Newhaven).. what you havent factored in ( well maybe you have but not costed it) is the pleasure element.. sitting in the bay of biscay puking up compatred to a leisurely ride through France , stopping as and when , long lunches, sighseeing and great twisty roads... if you want a motorcycling holiday , why would you want to waste any of it on a boat??

[PHILinFRANCE]

Bloody hell Mike, what you riding ? best i've done from Calais to ours is 7hrs 25min and that was on a Vara 1000 and youre another 2.5 hrs south of us !!!
Phil

[chairhead64]

Each to their own I suppose,
but I'd rather be riding my bike than sat in a chair or laying on the floor trying to sleep along with a hundred or so strangers who have no consideration for anyone but themselves.

I know the Peage is long and boring but you'll see a lot more than you would on a boat,
its all about the riding, right? (thumbs)

[Mike101]

Bloody hell Mike, what you riding ? best i've done from Calais to ours is 7hrs 25min and that was on a Vara 1000 and youre another 2.5 hrs south of us !!!
Phil

I'll be on my K100. I reckon that from Calais it's 640 miles to my brothers place. I did Ullapool to home in a day and that was 645 miles...took me 12 hours in the saddle with 13 hrs in total taking in fuel stops etc.

From cherbourg it's 590 miles and 520 from Caen....and 370 from Santander.

The problem with long distance days is that it takes a day or so to get over it at the other end and i'm leaving on a Tuesday and arriving home on the following Monday.

Not sure whch option i will take...

The ferry looks nice as i can chill for a day but a cabin is too expensive..also i'm used to boats and i can sleep anywhere. I will find a corner of floor space and curl up with ear plugs in. if i can sleep next to my wifes snoring i can sleep on a ferry.

Mike

[92kk k100lt 193214]

AndyB has it right in one.

Weather doesn't affect the chunnel, its decent and there are some nice routes down. 600 miles on your own is pushing it in one day, no one looking out for you, riding in the dark on the wrong side, risk of dehydration etc plus you wont be starting too early. You may find fatigue setting in after 350 -400 miles

Chunnel seems cheapest of all if you prebook it, plan for an overnight camp en route somewhere, no need to book as most camp sites should have spaces unless you are in the very peak of the season. Even then a solo camper is usually squeezed in somewhere so you can ride until you feel right. Have dinner out and skip cooking so you get some good rest. Maybe plan to do 350 - 400 miles and camp, next day then 250 miles gets you there early. Allows you to skip the tolls if you want. It will be better and also quicker than a ferry to Spain.

Chunnel option looks like £60 plus petrol 1200 miles say €225 £180 plus tolls plus 2 nights camping. Looks a lot cheaper and more fun. Coming back you can ride in the dark because you will be used to driving on the right. Don't do it going down if you can help it.