Channel Crossings

The English Channel is crisscrossed by hundreds of ferries, hover-ctaft, jetfoils, and other craft, and there are dozens of ways to get from England to the rest of Europe. The shortest crossing, not surprisingly is at the closest point between France and England (Dover t0 Calais) and some Eurailers opt for this. Others choose similar tnps from one of the nearby ports such as Oostende in Belgium, on which there is a Eurail discount, or Boulogne. There are fifty percent discounts on many Channel crossings for InterRail undergo passholders, although those with the 26+ pass will find the selection much less extensive. Most of the vessels crossing the Channel are car and passenger ferries, although some routes are’ covered by hovercraft and jetfoils. These make the trip across the Channel in less than half the time of a ferry, but you can’t get out on deck and walk around. Some things to remember about crossing the Channel:

- Since England is not a Eurail country, you will have to pay for your rail ticket between London and the port in Britain (about USD 30 from London to Dover, for example). You also have to pay with an InterRail pass, although discounts are available.

- Even though the boats are slower, they do allow you to get a beautiful view of the white cliffs of Dover when approaching or leaving England. You can’t get this on the jetfoil, and the cliffs really are worth seeing at least once.

- Money-changing facilities on the ferry or at the port will cost you your eyeteeth, so change money before leaving for the ferry. Traveling to Britain from the continent, you should remember this because you’ll need money to buy an onward ticket to London when you arrive since your pass won’t work in Britain. Or you could buy this ticket at wherever you’re setting out from, although this may cost a small amount extra.

- There is a decent (35 percent) Eurail discount on ferries and jet-foils from Oostende to Ramsgate and Dover, with the jetfoil service costing slightly more. InterRail passes usually give 50 percent, and on a wider variety of routes.

- Since England is still not a Eurail country, your Eurail timetable lists the channel port city rather than London as the destination. For example, if you’re traveling to London from Paris using the boats and jetfoils that operate out of Oostende, look up “Oostende” as the destination to reach from Paris. Then check the Oostende ferry schedule (also in your timetable) to see if there will be a ferry or jetfoil to meet your train from Paris. The ferry/jetfoil and train terminal in Oostende are one and the same, and for some trains from Paris there is only a ten-minute wait for a departure to England. Typically, trains will also meet ferries and other crafts on both sides of the Channel, but check before you choose your ferry, in case there is a lengthy wait.

- British readers finally face a challenge at this point: finding the best combination of ferry and/or land transportation to get from their homes to the continent. Call a travel agent for information on when and where ferries leave your area, then prepare to juggle prices, discounts, arrival times, etc. Compare your best options