View from the Isle of Wight ferry. Copyright Gretta Schifano
This is a sponsored post.
Is it better to travel by ferry or by plane for family holidays to France?
Some of our best family holidays when the kids were small were spent either camping or in holiday rentals in France. We never considered travelling by plane and always drove to France on these trips. This was because the things we needed for a relaxing holiday with small children would never have squished into a suitcase and hand luggage (although we did manage to squeeze Baby Born and her pushchair into our daughter’s luggage the first time we went to New York as a family).
By driving to our holiday destination we were able to take things like our youngest’s own, familiar travel cot, a supply of vegetarian sausages for the barbecue, our eldest’s special blanket, and buckets and spades and a sun tent for the beach. These are minor things which we could and would have managed without had we travelled by plane but they are all things which made our holiday more relaxing. It was also great to put everything we needed into our car and then not have to unload it until we reached where we were staying.
Another reason we preferred to take our own car rather than flying and hiring a car on holiday with young children is that we then had our own car seats. Booking car seats with hire cars can be a risky business because you never know what you’ll get, and it’s a drag taking children’s car seats on a flight.
My kids always seem much happier on a ferry than on a short-haul plane trip. (Although they love long haul flights because they get food and entertainment on board.) On a ferry you can, obviously, walk around and even go outside on deck which is much better for energetic children than being stuck on a plane. There’s usually somewhere to buy hot meals and snacks as well as shops to check out. Best of all, many ferries have free WiFi these days as well as play areas for younger children. If we were planning a family holiday to France again I’d definitely choose to drive there rather than fly. Whatever age your children are it’s great to be able to take a car load of stuff on holiday rather than narrowing it down to what you can fit in your suitcase.
This infographic from Brittany Ferries comparing ferry travel with plane travel for family trips to France explains everything really well:
Image source: Brittany Ferries – Ferry To France VS Plane
What do you think? Do you prefer travelling by ferry or by plane when travelling with kids in tow?
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Brittany Ferries.
Brittany Ferries for us this summer Plymouth – Roscoff
Coombemill recently posted…Capturing Memories of Family Life
I’ve only ever flown to France for work, the idea of all the checks at the airport with 2 children in tow is enough to put me off. Having said that, the ferry back this summer with a toddler who refuses to sleep was not ideal.
Jenni recently posted…Orange Pear Apple Bear – Emily Gravette
I guess at least a toddler can move around on a ferry rather than being strapped in on a plane!
*whispers* we prefer Eurotunnel!!
My kids would love to go on a “fairy” as they call it though – thinking of taking our local one over to Guernsey in the new year!
Kara recently posted…Amazon Family
Eurotunnel’s great too, but not as much fun as the ferry!
We’ve used the ferry previously, before we had Little Miss. I find is so much more relaxing than flying. Only yesterday we were talking about heading to France next summer and perhaps taking the ferry, so this is a timely post!
Little Miss Adventures recently posted…Toboggan fun at Tallington Lakes
Have a lovely time in France!
Wow, the site looks wonderful and great post too. I don’t really love boats, but I also find planes a real hassle. Thought the Eurostar was great 🙂
Sarah Ebner recently posted…The Chocolate Festival – My Heaven! By Jessica
Eurostar is great too, as long as you don’t need to take loads of stuff with you.
Glad you like the site – thank you x
I’ve only been on a ferry once when I went on a school trip and I spent the whole time feeling very very sick! Never wanted to go on one since.
Maybe since it was 20 *ahem* or so years ago, I might have a better experience if I tried it now!
Shell Louise recently posted…Picnic by the Christmas tree
Go for it!
I think variety of experience is important. As a young child I remember making the trip from Ireland to the UK by both plane and ferry. Although I loved both I think beginning my flying experience with such a short and straightforward flight was great preparation for later, more lengthy ones.
Aisha from expatlog recently posted…Weekend Point & Shoot – Blizzards, books & bumps in the night
You’re right, it’s great for kids to try different things.
I agree the new look is great! I remember being so excited about going on a ferry as a child, my mum is terrified of flying so all our holidays were by ferry! x
Fritha recently posted…We Like To Read – Dick Bruna – The Christmas Book
Thanks you, I’m pleased you like the new look.
It sounds like you’re a ferry connoisseur!
Hi Gretta,
Delighted to see you’re back online !
We haven’t taken our boy abroad yet, but we did take him on the Isle of Wight ferry which he absolutely loved so we might try a ferry to take him to France.
I really like the infographic too :o)
Swazi xx
The Isle of Wight ferry is fun – we went on it at half term.
Firstly – loving the new look!
For me ferry vs plane has a lot to do with destination and what we’ll be doing there x
Mammasaurus recently posted…Photos: Christmas Tree Festival , St. Johns Church, Hythe
Thanks – I’m glad you like it.
I agree, it definitely depends on the destination.
I like ferry! We went by ferry as children and i would like to travel with my children that way as its quite exciting for them, and convenient too
anna recently posted…Advent Day 16 – Dead Sea Products
There is something quite exciting about a ferry trip, it feels mile an adventure in itself.
Oh that infographic makes it totally a no brainer. We went to Ireland by boat in May and loved it xx
Sounds fab!