Ferry...one way or open ended return

I'm heading off in a couple of weeks or so for a couple of weeks or so.

Due to work for once I have to holiday at peak time
I'm resigned to not getting any deals.

Does anyone have any experience of either open ended return tickets or just buying a single and then turning up to hopefully get a return on the way back.

I don't really want to be tied down on return date or place.

Im not sure about bikes, but a ferry from Europe to the UK is normally more expensive than t'other way round. You have your holidays right in the middle of the school holidays so dont expect big discounts, but you may well get a cancellation if you just turn up. It happens, a few bikes go on a ride out, and one comes a cropper or breaks down and it has to be recovered. That is what I used to do. repatriate bikes for the RAC and AA in a truck

I have just returned from Europe in the car. I was due to come back last Saturday, but we decided to return early, called P&O and there was no charge to come back on Thursday. Was meant to be on the 19:55 departure, but made good time and they let me get on the 16:20 for no additional cost.

Book an anticipated return date date and just call them a couple of days before you expect to come home....

.

Thanks for the tips chaps.

Oi Wheelnut, any tips on the mainly lorry oriented ferreis that run from Poole (think). Cheaper? better?

[TSM]

try www.norfolkline.com, half price for motorbikes.

I am going in two weeks, for two weeks the boat cost me £58 return.

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Thanks for the tips chaps.

Oi Wheelnut, any tips on the mainly lorry oriented ferreis that run from Poole (think). Cheaper? better?

There is only Brittany Ferries that run from Poole, they have three ships, well 2 ships and a Catamaran thing, You will not be allowed on the Coutances as it is Freight only, but the Barfleur or the cat will take you. Its certainlty the best route at the moment according to some lads from Plymouth I spoke to a few weeks ago, one even had an SV :P

One thing with the Western Channel is that the Barfleur runs from Poole at night but returns to Portsmouth, it then does an afternoon sailing to Cherbourg and then returns to Poole

From Portsmouth there are also crossings to Bilbao(Spain), Caen (Quistreham) and St Malo using Brittany Ferries

If you do use Dover than Norfolk Line is the best route for cars and bikes

Don't RiDE normaly have a offer in the magazine for 30% of P&O ferry or something in the summer? Only for Portsmouth though...

Originally Posted by Grinch

Don't RiDE normaly have a offer in the magazine for 30% of P&O ferry or something in the summer? Only for Portsmouth though...

Brittany Ferries have taken over the P & O routes. I believe there is one crossing to Le Havre now and one to Bilbao

Originally Posted by Grinch

Don't RiDE normaly have a offer in the magazine for 30% of P&O ferry or something in the summer? Only for Portsmouth though...

I used the ride/bike/mcn code and got the return crossing for #45. Was probably a 5 day return though.

Originally Posted by TSM

try www.norfolkline.com, half price for motorbikes.

I am going in two weeks, for two weeks the boat cost me £58 return.

Thanks TSM, thats a done deal. £58 vs over £200 with Brittany Ferries (mind you didnt hunt for a cheaper deal with them).

Good advice.