Ac50 Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 I am thinking of travelling BF Portsmouth to Caen in April. As my car is in France, I will be travelling as a foot passenger on the overnight sailing. Does anyone know how easy it is to get from the ferry port to the train station in Caen? Would be arriving in Caen around 7.30 am on a Sunday morning. Would prefer to travel Portsmouth to Cherbourg, but if I do that I would only get in at 19h30 on Sunday night, long after the last train has left. Friends have offered to come get me from the ferry port, but I hate asking, especially on a Sunday morning. Other alternative is to travel Portsmouth to Cherbourg but loose almost a day as ferry only arrives 19h30 Sunday night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 You don't disembark in Caen, the port is in Ouistreham, some way away. I would phone the port or BF - they have been very helpful when I have called them in the past. I don't have their number, but I imagine it is on their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJSLIV Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Brittany Ferries offer this advice.Ouistreham is just 15 kilometres north of Caen.By TaxiThere are usually taxis waiting outside the terminal for ship arrivals and departures. If there are no taxis, the tourist information desk can call a taxi for you.Taxi fares from the terminal to Caen train station range from 25€ during the day (7am to 7pm) to 40€ in the evening (7pm to 7am)*.By BusThere is a shuttle service between Ouistreham and Caen. This service does not run for the evening ferry arrivals in Ouistreham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 I'm not so sure about the bus not running in the evenings, I thought it connected with all arrivals/departures and am sure I have seen it there in the evenings. Maybe not in the winter months though? There will certainloy be a bus to meet the early morning arrival. The bus runs to/from the station in Caen. As BJ says, you can always get a taxi and the tourist office is manned for all ferry arrivals and departures if you need to call one (despite what BF says, I have seldom seen any waiting). They will also advise on bus services.As an alternative, what about travelling Portsmouth-Le Havre? That's an overnight service too and the station at Le Havre is not far from the ferry, you could even walk it if you don't have too much luggage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ac50 Posted March 19, 2007 Author Share Posted March 19, 2007 Thanks for the prompt replies. Still just not sure how feasible it is. I have done the crossing many times by car, and dropped friends off at the ferry terminal. I am sure nothing will be open at 7.30 am on a Sunday morning, especially the tourist office, and not sure how many taxi's will be there either. It is so frustrating now that there is so little choice of ferries and crossings from Portsmouth to Cherbourg. Can't believe I still miss P&O!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 You will definitely be able to get the bus at 7.30am on a Sunday, and the tourist office in the ferry terninal will be open so you would be able to get a taxi should you prefer. I can't say how many trains may be running though when you get to the station. Did you consider Portsmouth-Le Havre? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ac50 Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hi Will, thanks for that. I did look at Portsmouth-Le Havre, but I will be going to Carentan. By train it is only about 35 minutes from Caen, and there is a connection on a Sunday. If I get into Le Havre I would have to go into Paris and then out again. It has just made me realise how little choice we now have getting to Cherbourg. 18 months ago I worked in Portsmouth and commuted from Cherbourg every week - I just wouldn't be able to do it now. I am flying into Heathrow from Canada, but will be in Portsmouth for a friends 60th birthday party on the Friday. After that, I just want to get back to France as quickly as possible. As a foot passenger though, I am finding it really difficult. If I get the fast boat on Sunday from Portsmouth to Cherbourg it arrives after the last train leaves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hi Ac50 - slightly off topic, but enjoy your trip back "home." I know how much you are looking forward to it.Safe travels ! Lori Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrewjspencer Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 hi Ac50Will is right about what you can expect at the Ouistreham terminal - even at 7.30am on a Sunday. There are local taxi companies available - I've got this number on my phone and used them in the past - 02 31 97 39 41.Hope this helps.regardsAndy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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