Travelling to France by ferry during the Covid pandemic is safe and secure, as all areas of the ship are thoroughly cleaned during and between crossings. There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travelers entering France, and passport validity requirements follow Schengen area rules. France remains the world’s leading tourist destination with over 90 million foreign visitors recorded in 2018.
From 1 August 2022, all COVID-19 travel restrictions for travellers to France have been lifted, and fully vaccinated people can now visit France without quarantining on their return to the UK. Brittany Ferries offers information on safety and security, insurance, entry requirements, and legal differences.
All ferry ports and Eurotunnel are very safe, and passengers should not believe everything reported in the media. Extra safety equipment, including two approved breathalysers, is required for crossing the English Channel via Calais daily. The crossing is longer, ranging from 90 minutes to 35 minutes depending on the operator.
A simple checklist for traveling to the EU includes information about passports and visas, traveling with a pet, taking your vehicle, and more. Taking the ferry can also be a better option for larger groups, as they can meet up in the ferry’s bar or restaurant.
Australian Government travel advice for France advises exercising a high degree of caution, understanding risks, safety, laws, and regulations. For those considering crossing the English Channel by ferry, there are several options available, including shopping, relaxing, and dining.
📹 Ferry or Eurotunnel – which is best? (Save £££ on Europe motorhome travel)
If you’re driving from UK to France, should you go by ferry or tunnel? There are multiple options, and today we’re sharing our tips …
Is the ferry to France safe?
In the context of the ongoing pandemic, ferry travel to France is deemed to be a safe mode of transportation due to the implementation of comprehensive cleaning protocols, social distancing measures, and the provision of an abundance of hand sanitizer stations, which collectively contribute to ensuring a secure and comfortable journey for passengers.
What can you not take on a ferry to France?
Traveling by ferry allows passengers to carry more items than planes or trains, but certain items are prohibited. These include knives, axes, hatchets, harpoons, spears, kilt pins, swords, machetes, sabres, scalpels, and scissors. Foot passengers are not allowed to carry ammunition or anything considered a dangerous weapon. Ferry operators permit the transport of dangerous goods for motorists, following strict rules.
Is Russia safe to visit?
Russian security services have arrested US citizens on false charges, denied fair treatment, and convicted them without credible evidence. They have also opened questionable investigations against US citizens engaged in religious activities. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilized southwestern Russia, leading to martial law in border areas with Ukraine. Under martial law, authorities can set curfews, seize property, and restrict movement. U. S. citizens should avoid travel to these areas.
Russian authorities have questioned, detained, and arrested people for “acting against Russia’s interests”, targeting individuals for posting on social media or supporting anti-Russian groups. The current “LGBT propaganda” law bans discussion of LGBTQI+ related topics, and the Supreme Court labeled the “international LGBT movement” as extremist in November 2023.
Terrorists continue to plan attacks in Russia, targeting tourist areas, transport hubs, markets, government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, events, schools, and airports. U. S. government employees under Embassy security responsibility are not permitted to travel to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus.
Is it better to take ferry or Eurotunnel?
The Eurotunnel is the quickest way to cross the English Channel, taking around 35 minutes, compared to the 90-minute crossing of the quickest cross-Channel ferry from Dover to Calais. France offers a variety of attractions, from glitzy resorts on the Riviera to rustic countryside towns. When planning to explore France by car, it’s essential to decide on the best method to cross the English Channel – ferry or Eurotunnel.
Is Eurotunnel reliable?
LeShuttle is a safe mode of transportation, with numerous security measures in place. The Safety Authority oversees the Channel Tunnel and its transport methods, and the tunnel is designed to be some of the safest infrastructure in the world. Security features include a 40km perimeter fence, high-level fencing around platforms, infra-red detectors, CCTV cameras, thermal detection sensors, a buffer zone, and the LeShuttle Truck Park. Additionally, drones and other top-secret protections are in place to maintain high security levels.
How common are ferry accidents?
Ferry accidents in the United States are rare but can have devastating consequences. In 2003, 11 people lost their lives when a Staten Island ferry crashed into a pier, in 2013, over 80 people were injured when a commuter ferry collided with a dock at Port Imperial, and in 2022, a collision at the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal in West Seattle caused $10. 3 million in property damage. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of ferry transportation, as every passenger and crew member deserves a safe journey and proper vessel maintenance.
Do you need a passport to travel to France by boat?
Passengers, including babies, must have a valid passport or European Union I. D. card when traveling to and from Britain or France. A visa may be required in some cases. If driving a vehicle, a valid driving license is required. UK passport holders traveling into EU member countries must ensure their passport is valid for at least three months from the date they leave the country, unless they have a residence permit or an EU long-term visa. The passport should be issued within the previous ten years upon arrival.
French people not resident in the UK and entering UK territory must carry a passport, while identity cards will no longer be accepted as a travel document. French people with settled or pre-settled status in the UK have their identity card valid until 2025.
Can I travel by ferry to France?
Passengers may choose to cross the English Channel by ferry or travel at high speed from Portsmouth, Plymouth, or Poole to destinations such as Cherbourg, St. Malo, Caen, Le Havre, or Roscoff.
Is it safe to go to Paris right now bed bugs?
Paris is not currently experiencing a bed bug infestation, but it is possible to travel to the city. To avoid bed bugs, check with your hotel or property before your arrival and ask about their measures in place. There is no guidance on the UK Gov website to suggest that travelling to Paris is currently unsafe. To avoid bed bugs, keep your suitcase off the bed, unpack using the luggage rack provided by certain hotels, and keep dirty clothing separate.
Use a spare bag for dirty clothing and knot it each time you add it. The British Pest Control Association recommends keeping your room cool at nighttime with aircon. When returning home, unpack clothes away from the bedroom, ideally on a hard floor, and check every corner of your suitcase for evidence of an infestation. Wash every item of clothing, even those you did not wear, and if the washing labels permit it, wash them in hot water.
How safe is ferry travel?
Ferries are generally considered one of the safest means of travel in Europe, with the European Union (EU) implementing safety regulations for passenger ferries (ro-ro). These regulations should be aligned with on-board safety and hygiene protocols, as well as Covid-19 measures, safety rules, and infrastructure. All operators operating in European ports should adhere to these standards.
Is it unsafe to travel to France right now?
France is urging caution due to the high threat of terrorism.
📹 UK to France as a foot passenger? P&O Dover to Calais Ferry
The buses back to Brussels were really expensive, so I decided to head over to the continent as a foot passenger instead, from my …
The tunnel was so simple for us. We did stay at the Calais hypermarket car park overnight both ways too. Despite the tabloid stories we didn’t have any issues. We took a ferry to Bilbao when we took the car to Spain. The sea was rough and our cabin was at the front, which was a bit exciting! At was a relaxing way to do those miles though.
went over to Spain in December 19 by ferry, was due to return the same route in April 20 but due to the pandemic, Brittany ferries cancelled us so we returned via France and the tunnel in March. OMG, it was so much easier more than made up for the extra 550 miles we had to drive. The train every time for us now, not to mention the cost saving more than covers the extra diesel.
Hi Kat the ex Pompey Rating. Have been subscribed for a few weeks Ex Chief Tif here (time done), just completed a self build which I started in June 2018. Wife and I retiring at the end of April from second career. Ferry booked DFDS for 1st June Norway road trip the big inaugural Europe trip. Very excited. Like to say your Vlogs are great and very nicely detailed plus a polished website. Thank you and will be perusal. T&S
Used the Tunnel and Ferry a few times when I was Stationed In Germany. It depended on cost as to which I chose. The Tunnel had just opened when I was ou there. The Nearest I have got to a Ferry trip from Portsmath is over to Gosport as a kid as I when to School on Hayling Island when My perants Lived in Scotland. (thonk they were trying to tell me something). I haven Travelled Abroard since I left the Forces nearly 20 years ago and we are looking at getting our First Motorhome this year and Exploring parts of the Europe has started to appeal as I have nevr been bothered by travelling aboard as have only really been interested in UK holidays, but perusal some websites that have been on conversion builds and some of the places that they have been to has sparked quite abit of interest in trying out something new.
Tunnel everytime for us. Less stressful for the 3 dogs. We’ve been to France twice in our motorhome and never planned anything apart from booking the tunnel in advance. We’ve stayed overnight a few times in the citie de Europe. Never had a problem. The only time we saw the immigrant situation was when we went to a booze warehouse where they hang around under the motorway bridges. There is a high police presence around the wine warehouse area as lorries are in and out. We just always make sure that one person stays in the motorhome while the other goes shopping.
Never found the tunnel to be cheaper than the ferry usually £150 ferry, £220 for the tunnel. We are from Yorkshire and we have no option but a 5 hour drive to any website port, so price is an issue for non Dover crossings, worth saying In 10 years of travelling to France we have never had any issues around Calais with migrants even at the height of the Sangatte jungle. Fyi Dover marina has free overnight parking.
Thank you for the informative article. I think advising people to be wary within 2 hours of Calais should be corrected to 2 miles! I have a house 1 hour from the port in beautiful countryside near the battlefields of Azincourt with lovely nearby towns in the Seven valleys region. Loads of great holiday spots particularly along the Cote d’Opale all within an hour of Calais. I’m not a French tour guide Lol, I just think saying within 2 hours is misleading for travelers.
With us it depends in which direction we are heading on the France side from Southampton, if we are going to Spain we don’t want to drive 100 miles to the tunnel in the wrong direction, however if going to Eastern Europe then the tunnel is our option, must say we like the ferry, but as you say its the expensive option, for us pets are not a consideration, when using the tunnel overnight about 20 mins away and no migrant issues where we stay.
Ex Royal Marine from Gosport here and I used to suffer with the sea-sickness too! We used the tunnel most of the time when we travelled by car and now we have a motorhome I don’t intend to change! I’m going to investigate the 10 trip tunnel ticket option before we make our first Europe trip and check out the savings!
With respect, I do think you’re exaggerating the migrant problem in Calais and not staying less than 2 hours from Calais is overkill. I’ve been using Eurotunnel 3 or 4 times a year for years and have very rarely seen any illegals. I store my caravan about 45 minutes from Calais and use a nearby campsite for an overnight before heading South the following day
Great article😊, thanks for sharing 👍! For me Brittany Ferries Portsmouth – St Malo works out best. Despite it being a little long and costing more, it actually the most relaxing and most enjoyable hence not being woken up at 4am UK time. I would say you get more with your money with St-Malo compared to Cean. Due to living close to Pompey it’s not really worth the miles driving up to Calais for the tunnel or ferry.