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Post by tod2 on Oct 25, 2011 7:11:37 GMT
I sat at my computer for nigh on 2 hrs trying to figure out how the heck we can make the quickist trip to Portsmouth from Paris on a Sunday in mid-May.
The train from Gare St Lazare at 9.10am seems to be OK, even arriving in Cherbourg without a change, but when it comes to ferries I can only find Brittany Ferries leaving 3 times during the day - the first two crossings will be too late for the train leaving us waiting until 5pm, arriving at around 7pm. We then need to catch the WightLink (of which there are numerous 20min crossings) get our hire car and check in to our accommodation.
I am guessing at this stage that the car hire will be closed and the office shut for the night.
Does anyone know if I have missed an alternative ? I am even prepared to go Eurostar and then get a train from London to Portmouth if you think that will be quicker. The reason I thought of the ferry was because we have to be in Portsmouth to get over to IOW.
Please help this totally confused old lady! ;D
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Post by onlymark on Oct 25, 2011 9:41:51 GMT
Just to clarify something out of interest. You absolutely want the quickest?
I know it is possible, for example, to leave Paris late evening on the Saturday to Caen, get the overnight ferry to Portsmouth arriving early Sunday and then take any Wightlink ferry on from there.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2011 9:52:01 GMT
Meanwhile, the SNCF ferry company, Seafrance, is apparently just about to go into bankruptcy liquidation. Every time one of the ferry companies goes out of business (usually meaning it is absorbed by another company), it tends to cause schedule modifications all up and down the Channel, so things can change between now and next May.
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Post by onlymark on Oct 25, 2011 10:18:54 GMT
And you are sure the car hire place will be closed?
If it is would it be convenient to pay an out of hours charge?
But, I should think it'd still be open.
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Post by tod2 on Oct 25, 2011 10:39:48 GMT
Thank you both for replying!
Mark - We have an apartment booked until Sunday morning when we hand the keys back.
Maybe it's a bit ambitious to think we could take the train, then 2 ferries and still have time to collect car hire and more worrying is that our cottage in the Appuldurcombe Gardens (caravan park etc.) may not be accessible after a certain time due to the office closing. I have emailed them but not heard anything yet.
If push comes to shove then I will have to let the apartment people know we are going on the Saturday instead and then thought of checking into a hotel in Cherbourg or even Portsmouth that evening and doing the crossing in the morning. Your idea is probably the best Mark - crossing at night.
Kerouac - I can see why they can't take reservations so far in advance because of the reasons you gave. I would want to book far enough ahead of time only to secure a cheaper rate, so at the moment am doing all the research to work out the options. Thanks for telling me about the precarious state some ferry lines are in.
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Post by onlymark on Oct 25, 2011 10:53:54 GMT
tell them to leave the keys in the Bar. That's open until 11pm.
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Post by onlymark on Oct 25, 2011 11:13:55 GMT
I'd put it down to the following choices -
1) Take the overnight ferry.
2) Be late
3) Travel on the Saturday at a more leisurely pace by train/ferry and spend the night in Southampton (Etap Hotel, 37 Euro)
4) As 3) but stay Cherbourg (hotelF1, 28 Euro)
5) Do as 3) but fly with flybe, Paris Orly to Southampton Saturday morning, 56 Euro one way including taxes.
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Post by tod2 on Oct 25, 2011 13:32:15 GMT
Thanks again Mark - I sent an email to: 'The Man in Seat61' - even though he said he was busy from today until 5 Nov. he still found time to reply and his answer for the quickist way to get there the same day is by Eurostar: "Eurostar Paris to London at www.eurostar.com. 2 hours 20 minutes, train every hour or so. Take Underground St Pancras to Waterloo. Allow an hour, actually takes 30 minutes including walking and waiting. Train London-Portsmouth (90 mins?) for ferry to Ryde (30 mins?) and train onwards to Sandown or Shanklin. Book London to Ryde/Sandown/Shanklin all in one go via www.nationalrail.co.uk" Mark. What an incredible website he has - So it looks like I have my answer. Thanks all! |
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Post by onlymark on Oct 25, 2011 15:04:17 GMT
I just hope all your connections are on time.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2011 20:59:51 GMT
Man in Seat 61 is a transportation treasure. This is true.
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Post by auntieannie on Oct 26, 2011 12:59:40 GMT
I just hope all your connections are on time. I second that. Travelling by train in the UK on a Sunday... hum.... and then you have to take the weather into consideration. But that would be more relevant if you were still planning to take the ferry. |
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Post by tod2 on Oct 26, 2011 15:35:34 GMT
Hey you lot! Stop making me nervous...... ;D
No, not at all, but seriously a question - If one misses a train connection because of rail delays /mechanical problems/weather etc etc., (the rail company's fault) is ones ticket valid for the next train, or the next or the next?? I'm talking about an advanced booking or a special discount ticket.
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Post by auntieannie on Oct 26, 2011 16:29:21 GMT
I am talking engineering works on railtracks that would mean trains could be replaced by buses for part of the journey, which would delay your journey by a few hours, with the best will in the world.
It happens all the time. And wouldn't be sorted by the next train usually.
If it is a special discount ticket only valid on one train and say you miss it because the Eurostar is 30 minutes late (it's happened) ... I am not sure because the train company is a different one. There could be some leniency, or you might have to buy another ticket.
When we bought special discount train tickets for our flight back from Switzerland a few years ago, and the flight was delayed, we had to buy new train tickets. If another company's train is delayed and you miss your connection, I don't know if they'd still accept the tickets. It will depend on the guard onboard the train.
Aren't there direct ferries from France to the Isle of Wight?
But then you'd have to go back to considering the weather.
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Post by onlymark on Oct 26, 2011 16:45:28 GMT
"would mean trains could be replaced by buses for part of the journey"
How do they get them down the embankment?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2011 16:52:04 GMT
Hey you lot! Stop making me nervous...... ;D No, not at all, but seriously a question - If one misses a train connection because of rail delays /mechanical problems/weather etc etc., (the rail company's fault) is ones ticket valid for the next train, or the next or the next?? I'm talking about an advanced booking or a special discount ticket. Yes, your SNCF ticket becomes valid for the upcoming trains or is valid for a full refund. In addition, for every 30 minutes of delay, you are entitled to compensation of 25% of the price of the ticket (i.e. the value of another free ticket if the train is two hours late). |
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Post by mich64 on Oct 26, 2011 23:32:03 GMT
I know you travel quite often Tod and probably know this, but remember to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train!
Cheers!
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