January is the time to take advantage of early booking offers for summer cross-Channel ferry crossings – Prices will undoubtedly rise in the Spring – but there will be some uncertainty about prices nearer the time – much will depend on demand and capacity plus issues such as the sterling exchange rate and/or fuel surcharges. But if you can lock in to the lowest prices available now, it is unlikely that you will do better.
After the demise and problems with Speedferries, the best safeguard must be to book with a credit card which should enable you to get your money back in the unlikely event of any business failures.
Using a site such as www.ferrycheap.com offers price comparisons and is currently advertising the following early booking fares:
P&O Ferries from £25
SeaFrance from £22
LD Lines from £18
Eurotunnel from£53
NorfolkLine from £14
Some fares may be single, or day trip – be sure to check and make sure you know the booking conditions in case you need to change the date/time of the crossing. Most companies, make some allowance for late arrivals because of traffic or breakdown, but there are limits, and of course on some of the longer crossings the next ferry may be 6 or more hours later/
