Going to France - Best way for your car!

[keith]

To all those, who like me are a little paranoid about where they park their car! I am planning on going to France end June early July, and am looking for advice from those like me who value not getting scraped wheels or door dents from those parked adjacent, which they have found the best.
The Eurotunnel allows you to book a space in a wider carrage (used by coaches etc), but would anyone suggest a ferry where you can get extra space, or is the train the best.
All comments welcome, even those telling me not to be obsessive!!!

 

[muttit]

I’ve been many times on the ferry....never had an issue - if you’re car is very low I’d suggest booking a low entry deck.

 

[Oneball]

I always go ferry, never had an issue either.

 

[philgarner]

You don't need extra space on the tunnel. The only risk is curbing your alloys on the small lip they have to keep cars in the centre of the 'lane'. I would say other cars and passers-by are lower risk on the tunnel than on the ferry.

 

[Guy]

I take the tunnel to France but have used the Ferry to Spain. For me, the biggest issue are the families carrying loads of kit squeezing between the cars. Nothing that doesn't polish out so far!

 

[Marco07]

I tunnel it three or four times a year and it’s honestly not going to be a problem for you.

 

[Bebs]

I’m in France at the moment in the GT, go around 4-5 times a year.
Tunnel is the way, forget about the ferry’s.

 

[jayblue]

I've used both quite a few times now. The ferry is nice for the view of the white cliffs but slow.

I prefer the tunnel. The lanes are narrow in the standard carriage but ok as long as you take due care.

As an added bonus the tunnel is more flexible with departure times. Never had any delays on there.

As you are with the car the whole time in the tunnel and people don't tend to leave their vehicles it's far more likely to leave the train in the condition it entered than the ferry.

 

[Simon1963]

I used to use the ferry but now use the tunnel. As others have said it’s much quicker and more flexible. The terminals don’t like a big build up of cars so if you arrive early they offer you an earlier crossing. I’ve turned up in the past and driven straight through to the waiting lanes without stopping in the terminal car park.

 

[StuartW]

On my maiden trip to France last month in the GT, I went by Eurotunnel which was fantastic.
I did get some small damage on my door however. I was so loaded up with complimentary food and drink at the Flexiplus lounge, when I got back to car, struggling not to drop my food bag and cappuccino while opening the door, the wind took it and it knocked into the van parked next to me. There's a lesson to be learnt there I know ...

 

[HTAFC4200]

I don't need to go to France to get my car damaged.... my Mrs threw her door into mine today

To clarify, it was an accident, she's just clumsy.

 

[Ewan]

I used the tunnel for the first time last autumn. So much better than the ferry. So tunnel every time for me from now on.

 

[Guy]

I used the tunnel for the first time last autumn. So much better than the ferry. So tunnel every time for me from now on.

Ewan, that is incredible! We are less than a year away from its 30th anniversary. Is this due to your commitment to seafaring or fear of tunnels?!

 

[midlifecrisis]

I don't think I've used the tunnel either, honestly can't remember...

I've definitely used the Eurostar once.

As for people walking past cars on ferries, I find that almost all passengers are respectful of others' cars especially nice ones.

 

[Scaf]

I think our cars (well any car) is at far greater risk from on street / public / and hotel parking than on either the ferry or the train.

I wouldn’t give it another thought and use the crossing that is most convenient to your circumstances.

 

[davy83]

I have always used the ferry but that's because i am coming from Aberdeen and i get the ferry at Edinburgh or Newcastle, and touch wood not had any scrapes or incidents on the ferry. I would echo the comment about people squeezing past the car. I have actually found the staff on the ferry quite good at where they get me to park and have received good spots a couple of times.

 

[Ewan]

Ewan, that is incredible! We are less than a year away from its 30th anniversary. Is this due to your commitment to se faring or fear of tunnels?!

I usually fly. Very rare for me to drive to Europe. Twice I’ve driven to Mallorca, twice to the Loire valley, once to the Lamborghini factory, and that’s it as far as I can remember. It’s so much quicker, easier and cheaper to fly.

 

[Guy]

I usually fly. Very rare for me to drive to Europe. Twice I’ve driven to Mallorca, twice to the Loire valley, once to the Lamborghini factory, and that’s it as far as I can remember. It’s so much quicker, easier and cheaper to fly.

I certainly agree with the facts but I do like a road trip and it is nice to be in your own car rather than a rental. Islands make it trickier of course. Of course it is always better to drive to Le Mans, Spa, Nurburgring...

 

[midlifecrisis]

But rentals are sooo much faster than any other car...

 

[zagatoes30]

Always used the Tunnel until the move to Ireland but now have to live with the joy of ferries and slow ones at that.

That said last year the Tunnel wanted £85 each way to change the registration on a car which p155ed me off