All, I'm looking for opinions regarding the option of taking an overnight ferry from Amsterdam to London (Rail & Sail) or take a train to Brussels and the Eurostar from Brussels to London. Advanced purchase cost is about the same, though there would be an incremental hotel night, instead of sleeping on the ferry. Also, I'll be travelling from London to Bayeux and thought the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen would be an efficient option. Train is 6 hours via Paris, then hotel in Bayeux or 12 hours and sleep on the ferry. Please give me your thoughts.
Thanks. Tom
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32821 posts
What time of year?
Posted by
OP
Southwest, Florida
317 posts
That's a good point. I should have mentioned, Amsterdam to London on Sunday, June 9 and London to Caen on Monday June 17.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32821 posts
Tom, I have seen your PM. In June will be some of the (probably) calmest seas in the Channel so if you want to use the ferries unless the weather turns (who knows?) the journeys should be decent. Have a look at what the Man in Seat 61 has to say about both, including photos and video. http://www.seat61.com/London-Paris-ferry.htm and http://www.seat61.com/Netherlands.htm Note that the ferry to Harwich leaves from Hoek van Holland near Rotterdam, not from Amsterdam. You need a train from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, change for a train to the ferry terminal at Hoek. Walk over the road and onto the boat. Walk off the boat in Harwich and follow the queue to the train nearby into Liverpool Street Station in London and onwards to your destination. By train, NS HiSpeed from Amsterdam to Brussel Zuid, change platforms for the Eurostar, sit back and walk off the train at St Pancras and on to your destination. To Caen you will need a train to Portsmouth and a bit of a slog, then train from Caen to Bayeux. I haven't done that boat. Generally now I rely on Eurostar myself and haven't been on a cross Channel ferry for probably 10 years. When I drive I also use the EuroTunnel as for 50 years I had enough rough seas to do me. I go under now because the weather and the French port strikes don't affect the Tunnel. YMMV, others may have alte-rnative views....
Posted by
OP
Southwest, Florida
317 posts
Nigel, Thank you very much for your thoughtful reply. What you have said makes a lot of sense. I am familiar with the 'Man in Seat 61' website (thanks to this forum) but I never thought to look there for a discussion of Ferry vs. Train. Thanks again for your response. It is much appreciated. Tom