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Dover to Calais crossing (25 posts / 3,491 views)
Nick Nick
Posts: 7,155
Post #1 14 Jan 2026 19:14
0
Me and my mate are booked onto Carp Arena at the end of May this year.
I've been Angling in France a few times but not for 20yrs - so not too familiar with the ferry bookings etc nowdays.

We are going Dover to Calais as the lake is only an hours drive from Calais.
Taking a standard transit van with 2 of us.

I've looked at P&O , DFDS and the tunnel - all coming in about £300 return.

Are these prices fixed throughout the year? is there anyway to get a deal?
Also - best option to book with a cancelation policy in place - just in case the carp are spawning and we need to cancel....(hopefully be done with that end of may but you never know)

Any other help / tips much appreciated lads - as we are keen to get the crossing booked.

Mr-Bean-Laden Mr-Bean-Laden
Posts: 2,243
Post #2 14 Jan 2026 20:37
0
P&O doing a 15% early booking discount at present.

A car is over £200 so your van price sounds right. Ferries seem to have gone up a lot since covid
phil090781
Posts: 2,335
Post #3 14 Jan 2026 20:57
4
In reply to Post #2
I wouldn't use those unscrupulous scumbags if they paid me.
Hitman Hitman
Posts: 9,171
Post #4 15 Jan 2026 06:57
0
In reply to Post #1
100% train all the way 👍
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #5 15 Jan 2026 08:00
0
In reply to Post #1
Not quite as long as you, I haven't been for 6 years but things won't have changed that much.
I too now prefer the train, though I miss the ferry crossing as there's more time to relax.

IIRC from my last trip on the train a standard ticket allows you to change train within a few hours of your travel time (though sometimes they charge), but not for days, for that you need a different type of ticket. This is the different ticket page

LINKY POO™ https://www.leshuttle.com/uk-en/tickets-fares-add-ons/flexiplus

DFDS allow you to change 72 hours before or after travelling if available and foc, I can't see a anything beyond that, may be worth asking them, they, in my experience are very flexible.

LINKY POO™ https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/passenger-information/dover-france-ticket-types
Fivenil Fivenil
Posts: 2,037
Post #6 15 Jan 2026 08:22
0
Aferry.com. They are doing a 35% discount on certain crossings at the moment. Im out end of May and been quoted £184 for my Kuga with Irish Ferries.
Perfectcast Perfectcast
Posts: 117
Post #7 15 Jan 2026 08:40
1
In reply to Post #1
Hi,
If your a member of The Angling Trust the you can get discount on DFDS

LINKY POO™ https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/exclusive-offers/angling-trust
Carpbourne
Posts: 302
Post #8 15 Jan 2026 09:27
0
In reply to Post #7
P&O , people have short memories on them
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #9 15 Jan 2026 10:04
0
In reply to Post #8
If you weren't using P&O at the time, or if you are new to fishing in Europe, you may not even know about the P&O sackings.
The_Andyman The_Andyman
Posts: 11,332
Post #10 15 Jan 2026 12:06
0
In reply to Post #5
Just for info, the cheapest non refundable train tickets are now restricted to 1 hour of your booked travel time.

You can change the times / dates before travel and will pay the difference in ticket price and now also a £20 administration fee, even if you make the amendment yourself online.

Even the refundable ticket can be changed dates significantly if amended before the travel date / time.
nice-guy nice-guy
Posts: 131
Post #11 15 Jan 2026 12:22
0
In reply to Post #1
Have a look at fishing ferry. I use these all the time cheapest by far normally
scar
Posts: 6,095
Post #12 15 Jan 2026 13:34
0
In reply to Post #1
Check out AP Crossings on Facebook, I save money using them every time and get upgraded tickets such as, fully flexible instead of standard and cheaper than booking direct.
I had to return home a day early last May on the Tunnel and it was no problem.
Just used them again for the ferry this coming April.
daneeyre
Posts: 255
Post #13 15 Jan 2026 14:28
0
Speak to Charlotte or Wendy at AP crossings. Just booked my 4 tunnel crossings in my van for this year's trips. Average 280 return fully flex incase I want to extend trips etc. Used AP exclusively for the last 20 or so crossings and they are great
Nick Nick
Posts: 7,155
Post #14 15 Jan 2026 17:57
0
In reply to Post #1
cheers lads!
some really helpfull info there....
Will look into it and make a booking!

is there any benefit from using the train apart from travel time?
framey framey
Posts: 5,319
Post #15 15 Jan 2026 18:04
1
In reply to Post #14
Belgium is only about half hour away on the train so longer in bed lol
Probably more trains per hour than ferries
Ferry takes hours.
But at least you can get out on the ferry get some food to while away the monotony of the journey.

I haven't been for years so can only guess it's the same kind of set up.
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