Ferry times p'smith-caen, hook-harwich

Please excuse me for asking stupid questions…

I’ve only ever been on the Dover Calais ferry and i know that it takes 90minutes so thats easy, but im going on the Portsmouth to Caen boat in a month and the times are 0815-1500 so does that mean it lands in Caen at 1500 french time or english time?

Coming back most likely on the Rotterdam to Harwich boat and it will be a night crossing, so 2230-0630, but from my experience of harwich, the boat is in much earlier than 0630 so again im getting abit confused with the times…

Thanks. Simon.

The harwich hook runs two boats. One is a fairly quick passenger service that also takes HGV’s the other is more of a slow freighter.
I used to do the freight crossing but left in the morning about 11am i think but this was years ago. Cannot help you with the night crossing times sorry

Simon,

The times given are always local time - local to where you are. When you disembark you are in France… so it’s French time.

Same returning - local time.

Ok cheers, I think what’s confusing me is the boat into harwich gets there at more like 0530 from my experience of ferry trailers? So that’s why I’m thinking local as in local from where you left, ie get to england at 0630 dutch time minus 1hr to give you english time… Don’t know why I’m making a moutain out of f all here lol.

to answer your question in plain simple english

it leaves Portsmouth at 08:15 english time

arrives caen at 15:00 french time

I thought that the night ferries wallowed across slowly so drivers could get there overnight rest in. Maybe it’s 0630 expected to allow them the 9 hours even if they are delayed sailing.

Or have I got that completely wrong?

8wheels:
I thought that the night ferries wallowed across slowly so drivers could get there overnight rest in. Maybe it’s 0630 expected to allow them the 9 hours even if they are delayed sailing.

Or have I got that completely wrong?

The times Simon provided are:
Outbound: UK to France: 0815-1500 - Daytime. = 5¾ hours sailing.

Returning overnight: Holland to UK: 2230-0630 = 11 hours sailing.

Taking time differences into consideration.

Ferries travel with a number of considerations, including their passengers needs, but mainly tide times and timed sailing slots.

Didn’t do the sums but I know that the ferry can do that Hook to Harwich a lot quicker in daylight.

I still think that the 0630 quoted would be for latest arrival at Harwich but could be earlier.

8wheels:
Didn’t do the sums but I know that the ferry can do that Hook to Harwich a lot quicker in daylight.

I still think that the 0630 quoted would be for latest arrival at Harwich but could be earlier.

I’ve used hundreds of ferries, never known one arrive noticeably early… maybe a few minutes. They have to stick to very tight slots - especially in the North Sea.

You are right though, the day boat out of Harwich and the Hook used to do it in about 7 hours. There also used to be a twin-hull high speed ferry on that run - did it in about 4 hours or thereabouts. Tis a while since Iv’e used Harwich.

The Caen ferry docks in a small village called Ouisreham.Caen is about 12 miles away.
You can park in the port.Bar and cafe in the terminal.
Good food on the ferry.
May have to share a cabin.Cinema on board.
Can get noisy with school kids running around on the decks.
Have the Cmr in hand to show the Douanes when leaving the port gate.
Free tea and coffee in drivers lounge on the ferry.
Keep all the ticket stubs to get discount off the meal.
Money exchange in Portsmouth on the tourist side.Turn style gate to show the passport in exchange for a receipt.