tour reports » Getting to the continent is getting expensive.....

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#1 | Getting to the continent is getting expensive..... datum

Mon Mar 30, 2026 11:37 pm

Living in the North East of England limits travel options somewhat when it comes to crossing over to Europe. Newcastle or Hull are the nearest ports and then its a fair trip down to Harwich or God forbid Dover.
We did not manage a trip last year due to my friend having a heart attack at Christmas and needing time to recover fully. Thankfully he is back in the saddle and we are planning our German trip in May.
A call to P&O for a return trip from Hull covering 8 nights including meals comes in at an eye watering £1100. Newcastle (DFDS) is not much cheaper. Fuel surcharges have been introduced adding £200 to what we might have paid in more peaceful times.
Hull is convenient for us and it is likely we will go that way this year but if we weren't getting free accommodation with my old school friend once we get there I think we might have stayed and toured in the UK.

Alan

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#2 | RE: Getting to the continent is getting expensive..... datum

Tue Mar 31, 2026 12:05 am (Last edited: Tue Mar 31, 2026 12:06 am)

I'm not keen on using Kent options of Dover ferry or the Tunnel. Much prefer Portsmouth or Plymouth. Moving north means the latter two are 4 hours away not 2 so I tend to favour the overnight ferries so I can have a leisurely trundle to the port.

I have a trip to Spain from Plymouth booked for 23 Sept out, 8 Oct back. Booked in July 2025 on an Early Bird ticket for under £480 return (cabin both ways). Something of a bargain. I just hope Brittany Ferries have hedged their fuel costs for this year and will not impose a fuel surcharge.

Next month, I have a Tunnel to France outbound on 30 April, return home overnight from Le Havre on 10 May. One might be spending a few more £/� on that trip.

Oh well, it's only money. I might have to drink fewer bottles of wine from the top shelf, and console myself with Aldi Basic claret.

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#3 | RE: Getting to the continent is getting expensive..... datum

Tue Mar 31, 2026 2:21 am (Last edited: Tue Mar 31, 2026 2:24 am)

The cost of travel due to Trump and the whole issue of where to safely visit means uk may be an option for many. With some areas already seeing £1.99 a litre for diesel ($2.63 a litre or just $9.96 a US galllon) I think fuel travel surcharges, flight or ferry, will be coming. Looks like the southwest, Devon and Cornwall will be busy IF you can find fuel for your holidays and more important, refill your tank to get home!
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#4 | RE: Getting to the continent is getting expensive..... datum

Tue Mar 31, 2026 3:44 pm

I'm lucky enough to have two road trips preplanned for this summer: heading for Norway (bike) and Spain (car). I must admit I'm getting bit twitchy about possible fuel shortages, especially for the bike trip. From what I can gather, though, in the countries I'll be visiting (the above plus France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark) petrol may get ever more expensive but shouldn't actually be in short supply. Time will tell, of course, but I don't think I'd have pre-booked these trips last year (ie non-refundable) if I'd known what was around the corner.

I did have a look at the logistics of carrying extra emergency fuel on the bike; but realistically, that would mean strapping on a relatively large 5-litre can, which would extend my range by what, 50 miles? Just not worth the hassle.

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#5 | RE: Getting to the continent is getting expensive..... datum

Tue Mar 31, 2026 4:05 pm

Zitat von Freddyfruitbat im Beitrag #4

I did have a look at the logistics of carrying extra emergency fuel on the bike; but realistically, that would mean strapping on a relatively large 5-litre can, which would extend my range by what, 50 miles? Just not worth the hassle.

One of the advantages of my V85TT is that it has a 300 mile tank range if ridden gently

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