Hi, we are planning a trip for next year 2014. Want to go from Amsterdam or Belgium area to Normandy , was wondering if there is a ferry available? If not, what is the most cost effective and easy way to accomplish this???
Thanks for any help you can give me....Cora
Posted by
near Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
521 posts
There are no direct ferries that I'm aware of - the most efficient route would be Thalys high speed train to Paris, and then an SNCF train from Paris to wherever in Normandy you are going. See www.thalys.com and http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ and on that second site specify your ticket collection country as France to avoid being redirected to a ticket agent. To go by ferry you would have to get the Hoek van Holland service to Harwich, train to London Liverpool Street with one change at Manningtree, Underground to Waterloo station (Circle Line/Northern Line or various other options), then a train from Waterloo to Portsmouth. There is a transit bus from Portsmouth station to the ferry port, then you would need one of the Brittany Ferries crossings, probably best to go to Caen. Not at all cost effective or easy. The Oostende service to Ramsgate, if it is running at all, is restricted to travellers with vehicles, by the way.
Posted by
OP
West Point, California, USA
3 posts
Kevin, Darn, thought it might be fun to travel the coast line. You have been very informative and I will check out all the websites you mentioned. So looking forward to our trip....thanks again....Cora