Hello again, <BR>I am looking for the most convinent route from the SE of England over to the continent. Our accomodations in the SE will be in Canterbury, Kent. I am wondering if it is worth the extra money to take the Eurostar from Ashford, England(same price as if leaving from London) to Brussels, Belgium(We have reservations in Brugge, Belgium on the night of our arrival)then train to Brugge, or should we just go with the ferry from Dover to Oostende, Belgium and then on to Brugge? Any suggestions or ideas on this subject is greatly appreciated.Thanks

Last summer we took the Eurostar from London to Brussels and then took the ferry from Boulogne to Folkstone on the way back - didn't plan to take that ferry - but that's another story. <BR>Eurostar - quick, clean, fast, but expensive. Might want to take it just to say you've done that. Travel under the Channel is just like going through a long tunnel - no big deal. <BR>The ferry on the otherhand, is less $, clean and not as fast. The crossing can be rough (it was for us). <BR>If you want fast & convinent, then Eurostar is the way to go. If money is tight, then go the ferry. <BR>Others will have their opinion. <BR> <BR>-jh

We took the ferry from Belgium (we also stayed in Brugge at Flander's Inn-very nice) to Dover then train to London. The ferry ride was great, very smooth and met some nice local people. Enjoyed the view of the White Cliffs of Dover. Amazed how clear and blue the water was. Had a great time!!

We really enjoyed the experience of the ferry - actually the fast "Sea Cat"-crossing the channel from Dover to Oostend last summer. As a previous poster said, the views of the Dover cliffs and castle are superb. The trip from Oostend to Brugges, where we stayed, is less than half an hour. The train station is right where the sea cat docks. <BR>The crossing was fast and uneventful, and there's a big lounge with plenty of seating. Good time to plan what you want to do at your next stop. <BR>It seems to me like one actually saves time going by seacat rather than the chunnel if you're staying in the se of England, as you are and as we did, and your destination is Brugges.

The length of journey is just the same, four hours, but the Dover Ostend route has more to see and is cheaper. <BR> <BR>Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

John, could you please give me some details on the Bologne to Folkstone ferry crossing? How long was it? How much did it cost? How rough was the crossing? <BR>Thanks.

<BR>If I may put a word in, the crossing from Bulogne to Folkstone is by catamaran and takes 55 minutes. That from Calais to Dover is by ship, with stabilisets, and takes 75 minutes. As a result, the whole journey from Paris to London is 30 minutes shorter by Boulogne than by Dover. The costs of the crossings, and of the trip from Paris to London, are equal. Paris to London is about 40 pounds or 60 US dllars single. <BR> <BR>Catamarans bounce on the waves in a way that boats do not. Boats have better meals, and their route includes a view of the white cliffs. As you gather, I prefer the boats. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR>

My husband and I have done the boat several times from England to France and loved it. Once we did it with no car, the last time we took our car onboard. Both were a piece of cake. I enjoyed the ride, just a bit over an hour, the white cliffs of Dover were beautiful, and the boat is quite cheap. Without a car, you can take a train to Dover, there is a shuttle which runs often to the docks, and when you get to Calais, or whatever port you're going to, there will be a shuttle to take you to the train station. Really quite easy.