Big thanks to all who have done this trip before me, thank you for the help. Some photos are at the address below
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67839058@N03/7996807491/
Here is a summary of my discoveries and top tips:
London to Calais Day trip (Standard anytime day return), Bargain it is at £23.75 with a Network rail card (vaild all day). Reference The Manual, shipping links, France - Calais, Rail cards."the normal peak travel restrictions on the use of rail cards is Waived"
Full price £33.90 from London
I left Swindon on 5.23 to Paddington and was in St Pancras at 6.45.
Bought ticket from East Coast in Kings Cross - with help of a picture of the ticket, and the codes 1072 (London terminals) and H 426 Calais. Ticket must show route Stena P&O to be valid on the P&O ferry. Staff member said, "I've never sold one of these before I'll remember this" with a big smile. (Did not receive control tickets - this did not cause me a problem, I think it is common)
Caught HS1 Javlin at 7.09 to Dover, ticket worked barrier, train manager checked ticket and was happy with it, must have seen a few before "Yea that is fine"
Super ride in Javelin train, very relaxing, enjoyed the race with the motorway, we won every time! (are there no refeshments, bit poor for a quality product), arrived in Dover Priory station on time. Train was quite after Stafford, lots of spare capacity. Arrived Dover 8.21, took a taxi to P&O Dover ferry terminal £5, journey less than 10 minutes. It would have been fine to use the bus: every 20 minutes £2, you leave by station exit then turn left and bus stop is around 50 metres. Bus arrived at 8.50 at ferry terminal just in time for last checkin for 9.25 ferry. (check in closes 45 mins before departure officially. You just walk in to the terminal, queue at the p&o desk and they give you a boarding card. As I had no control ticket they retained my out bound portion of my train ticket.
Bus transfer to ferry left at Bus stop B, same spot as bus arrival (and departure) from Dover Priory station. This took us past a friendly french passport control official who checked passports on the bus, then we all go off for security and UK Border control. Bus was just in time for ferry.
Spirit of Britain ferry - excellent new P&O ferry, upgraded to Club class included refreshments, nibbles and Champagne. £6 if purchased before boarding.
It was a lovely sunny day, great crossing good to see the white cliffs of Dover and the busy port of Calais
11.55 French time (UK + 1hour) Arrived on time, down steep ramp and bussed to terminal,
12.20 Found bus to Calais town/Rail station, confusingly named "Terminal Car ferry". Bus leaves from stop opposite exit. Driver did not speak English and ignored our request to stop in Town, we all got off at the rail station, which was just around the corner form where we were dropped off. (also departure point to terminal, timetable was displayed at the stop)
TOP TIP
Use the free bus in Calais, Bus stops signs are Blue square with a yellow surround, buses are like mini double deckers that have 10 seats and allow around 6 standing. They are painted yellow bottom half, large blue stripe and top is Grey and are called Balad'in. They run from near CCI (closest to ferry terminal and beach) via the Rue Royale (shops) to the Rail Station. Then on to just beyond Lafayette (shopping centre). Service is every 10 minutes, this is a great way to get to know Calais quickly. Get off at the station then hop on the little yellow bus and have fun.
Explored the railway station (small): Train for Paris 13.25 and another to Boulogne 13.31, then on to Calais Hotel ville, where there is a tourist information centre if you want.
Went on to the parks, war museum, shops, beach, promenade, Le phare (landbound light house) and Fort Risban. Useful plaques tell the history of Calais. Although Calais is run down in places they have really made an effort to make the town attractive. There is also a bus to Citi Europe if you want to shop until you drop, I preferred to look at the sights and walk on the beach.
The Lafayette shopping centre was ok Carrefour super market was the best shop. The centre was open through out the day, street market was finished and small shops were closed by 12 noon for their break! I enjoyed the walk on the beach in the sunshine.
Got bus back from Station at 15.15 , back in Dover arrivals terminal 17.10, having sailed on the older Pride of Canterbury - older ferry but the Club lounge was even better! They asked again for the control ticket, then wanted to hold on to my train ticket to London. When I pointed out that I needed it they photocopied it and gave me it back.
Would have caught the 16.44 Javelin to London from Dover but waited at the arrival building exit instead of Departure building exit and missed bus to station!!!!
A great trip, excellent value and highly recommended!
Warnings!
Don't miss the bus as I did!
Buy your ticket in advance if possible, FCC at St Pancras could not find the ticket, they sent me to East Midlands next doo,r who said "You need to go to Charing Cross"
Then I went over to Kings Cross looking for FCC ticket office and found the East Coast office who as above sold me the ticket! Should have tried the picture of the ticket and codes at St.P!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have added a link with photographs of the trip
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67839058@N03/7996807491/
Here is a summary of my discoveries and top tips:
London to Calais Day trip (Standard anytime day return), Bargain it is at £23.75 with a Network rail card (vaild all day). Reference The Manual, shipping links, France - Calais, Rail cards."the normal peak travel restrictions on the use of rail cards is Waived"
Full price £33.90 from London
I left Swindon on 5.23 to Paddington and was in St Pancras at 6.45.
Bought ticket from East Coast in Kings Cross - with help of a picture of the ticket, and the codes 1072 (London terminals) and H 426 Calais. Ticket must show route Stena P&O to be valid on the P&O ferry. Staff member said, "I've never sold one of these before I'll remember this" with a big smile. (Did not receive control tickets - this did not cause me a problem, I think it is common)
Caught HS1 Javlin at 7.09 to Dover, ticket worked barrier, train manager checked ticket and was happy with it, must have seen a few before "Yea that is fine"
Super ride in Javelin train, very relaxing, enjoyed the race with the motorway, we won every time! (are there no refeshments, bit poor for a quality product), arrived in Dover Priory station on time. Train was quite after Stafford, lots of spare capacity. Arrived Dover 8.21, took a taxi to P&O Dover ferry terminal £5, journey less than 10 minutes. It would have been fine to use the bus: every 20 minutes £2, you leave by station exit then turn left and bus stop is around 50 metres. Bus arrived at 8.50 at ferry terminal just in time for last checkin for 9.25 ferry. (check in closes 45 mins before departure officially. You just walk in to the terminal, queue at the p&o desk and they give you a boarding card. As I had no control ticket they retained my out bound portion of my train ticket.
Bus transfer to ferry left at Bus stop B, same spot as bus arrival (and departure) from Dover Priory station. This took us past a friendly french passport control official who checked passports on the bus, then we all go off for security and UK Border control. Bus was just in time for ferry.
Spirit of Britain ferry - excellent new P&O ferry, upgraded to Club class included refreshments, nibbles and Champagne. £6 if purchased before boarding.
It was a lovely sunny day, great crossing good to see the white cliffs of Dover and the busy port of Calais
11.55 French time (UK + 1hour) Arrived on time, down steep ramp and bussed to terminal,
12.20 Found bus to Calais town/Rail station, confusingly named "Terminal Car ferry". Bus leaves from stop opposite exit. Driver did not speak English and ignored our request to stop in Town, we all got off at the rail station, which was just around the corner form where we were dropped off. (also departure point to terminal, timetable was displayed at the stop)
TOP TIP
Use the free bus in Calais, Bus stops signs are Blue square with a yellow surround, buses are like mini double deckers that have 10 seats and allow around 6 standing. They are painted yellow bottom half, large blue stripe and top is Grey and are called Balad'in. They run from near CCI (closest to ferry terminal and beach) via the Rue Royale (shops) to the Rail Station. Then on to just beyond Lafayette (shopping centre). Service is every 10 minutes, this is a great way to get to know Calais quickly. Get off at the station then hop on the little yellow bus and have fun.
Explored the railway station (small): Train for Paris 13.25 and another to Boulogne 13.31, then on to Calais Hotel ville, where there is a tourist information centre if you want.
Went on to the parks, war museum, shops, beach, promenade, Le phare (landbound light house) and Fort Risban. Useful plaques tell the history of Calais. Although Calais is run down in places they have really made an effort to make the town attractive. There is also a bus to Citi Europe if you want to shop until you drop, I preferred to look at the sights and walk on the beach.
The Lafayette shopping centre was ok Carrefour super market was the best shop. The centre was open through out the day, street market was finished and small shops were closed by 12 noon for their break! I enjoyed the walk on the beach in the sunshine.
Got bus back from Station at 15.15 , back in Dover arrivals terminal 17.10, having sailed on the older Pride of Canterbury - older ferry but the Club lounge was even better! They asked again for the control ticket, then wanted to hold on to my train ticket to London. When I pointed out that I needed it they photocopied it and gave me it back.
Would have caught the 16.44 Javelin to London from Dover but waited at the arrival building exit instead of Departure building exit and missed bus to station!!!!
A great trip, excellent value and highly recommended!
Warnings!
Don't miss the bus as I did!
Buy your ticket in advance if possible, FCC at St Pancras could not find the ticket, they sent me to East Midlands next doo,r who said "You need to go to Charing Cross"
Then I went over to Kings Cross looking for FCC ticket office and found the East Coast office who as above sold me the ticket! Should have tried the picture of the ticket and codes at St.P!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have added a link with photographs of the trip
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