|
28 May 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 72
|
|
Newcastle ferry closing
Next year I'm planning a 3 week trip to either the Nordkapp or Morocco (work will only let me take 3 weeks off once a year),and yesterday I heard on the radio that the Newcastle - Bergen ferry service is closing in September, so I searched the net this morning to try and find some information, I found this; DFDS to close Newcastle/Bergen on 1st September - bfenthusiasts.com
What's the best option now for UK -Norway?
|
28 May 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
|
|
On the two times I used it, that boat was an absolute mess. Extended loading times, no proper tie down, no decent cheap food and bars at 90% of Norwegian prices full of drunks and bingo playing OAP's. I'm sorry for the crew of course but I can see it was a weak product for the company.
On a more positive note, the route I'd suggest regardless of if this ferry is running:
Hull-Rotterdam: Better service by far & cheaper, runs every night.
Rotterdam -> Hamburg : Always good for a decent/cheap overnight
Hamburg -> Copenhagen -> Norway: the Bridge is an engineering marvel well worth a look.
North Cape
Norway -> Rodby -> Puttgarten & South : A great little ferry that cuts the corner and is perfect length to grab a cuppa and spend any remaining Scandanavian dosh.
The alternative is ferry/tunnel to Calais and north from there. In 2004 I did Southern Norway to Leeds via the Bridge and Channel Tunnel in three days on an XT600E, actually faster and cheaper than hanging about for DFDS and boy was there some decent sights, even from the motorway.
Andy
|
28 May 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
|
|
I've used the route several times. It's just got more and more expensive. I priced a trip for July. £591 Newcastle/Bergen return. Last year I had to go Dover-Calais, Puttgarden-Rodbyhavn and over the bridge because of the crazy prices. The Harwich-Esbjerg, Fredricshavn-Goteburg route is ok too.
As has been said, I'm sorry for the crew and land based who will loose their jobs. We have lost a useful, if expensive link with Scandinavia.
|
28 May 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
|
|
Hello guy's,
I feel I must stand up here and be counted.
Just 3 weeks ago, I left Newcastle, and did the overnight trip to Stavangar.
Me, the wife, and the Land Cruiser.
£231
You say it is overpriced, but remember where your heading for.
When the Japanese arrive from Tokyo, and complain Oslo is expensive, , , , , , , ,Get my drift ?
So, when you say, Newcastle to Bergen is ending, that don't mean, that newcastle to Stavangar is ending.
From what I saw when I got off at Stavangar, is that 90% got off there,
So the other 10 % must have gone to Bergen and Housemund (sp)
|
28 May 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 50
|
|
Bridge ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor
I've used the route several times. It's just got more and more expensive. I priced a trip for July. £591 Newcastle/Bergen return. Last year I had to go Dover-Calais, Puttgarden-Rodbyhavn and over the bridge because of the crazy prices. The Harwich-Esbjerg, Fredricshavn-Goteburg route is ok too.
As has been said, I'm sorry for the crew and land based who will loose their jobs. We have lost a useful, if expensive link with Scandinavia.
|
Sorry to ask, but what bridge? can you give full details.
Thanks
Tourman
|
29 May 2008
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 23
|
|
A good long round route to Nordcapp from the UK would be ferry to Dunkirk drive in my case to Rosstock ferry to Helsinki , drive up though Finland to the cape then return down though Norway via Oslo then head for the bridge to Denmark and ferry home or drive round , lots of miles but fun .
Im off to the cape end of July four weeks Stavanger in then Trondhiem , head for Sweden, Finland up to Kirkenes , return down Norways coast to Bergan for allmost the last ferry ,
feel a bit of a wendy doing it in the Hymermobil but haho
Twodogs
|
29 May 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
|
|
There is a bridge from Copenhagen across the Ore Sund to Malmo. You can drive from Holyhead or Lands End to the North Cape without ever going on a boat if you want to. Cutting corners via the Esbjerg, Rotterdam or Puttgarten Ferries is useful, but you can miss them out now without needing to go all the way into Russia.
The bridge is one fantastic bit of engineering. You start with a tunnel next to Copenhagen airport then shoot out of an island to go over a bridge hundreds of feet above the sea before dropping down into Malmo. Only things to watch for is the wind if it's gusty and the length of the run between fuel stops. Neither is any hassle if you take care.
Andy
|
29 May 2008
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: N.Yorkshire
Posts: 336
|
|
I got stuffed £400 return for newcastle-bergen this january, but living in the north of england, and being on a tight timescale it is the only realistic option for winter scandanavian trips.
Yes they are badly organised, expensive etc. but still better than no ferry.
The Newcastle-bergen boat goes via stavanger.
That's my winter 2009 plans buggered.
__________________
Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower
|
29 May 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
|
|
It's just a long way when folk have to make the trip, I am in the Manchester area, and it makes sense for me to drive over to Newcastle, drive the LC onto the ferry.
If I lived closer to the south, then for sure I would do a channel crossing and drive to Oslo.
It is very cheap on Ryan air, from Liverpool to Oslo. cost about £18.00 ~£50.00 depending on when you book. only takes 55 minutes !
But I suppose it would cost a small fortune to get a Land Cruiser in the cargo hold! So that aint gona' work.
This is how I got to Oslo this time, I left Manchester area at noon, and arrived in Oslo, 37 hours later, by way of Newcastle / Stavangar ferry. drive from Stavangar to Kristiansand, then Oslo.
What a nightmare of a road, I have never seen so much traffic, just my luck !
Driving miles was about 520.
I think I could do Manchester to Oslo, via the channel crossing in about 30 hours. but driving miles will be about 1350. which would also mean no sleep, bit of a bummer is that one.
So all in all, the extra cost in the ferry, would even out in the additional fuel.
|
30 May 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
|
|
Hull Rotterdam
Finish work at 5.00 and do the M-62 to be in Hull by 7.30. Have a nice 5 course meal, a few pints and a good nights sleep. Be on the Road in Holland before the men in Orange jackets at Newcastle have even got their dart board out to decide which lanes they will leave standing with overheating engines in what order!
Andy
|
30 May 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NOTTINGHAM U K
Posts: 38
|
|
i have a booking for the ferry on june 29th returning july 12th it cost me £408 return for me a passenger and bike using the mcn offer thought it was a good deal i intend to take a picnic onboard to save on buying their food which looks exspensive snd im on a tight budget most of which well be spent on fuel gettig to the north cape
|
31 May 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
|
|
Born2bemild,
Remember that for some strange reason, fuel in Norway is cheaper on Saturdays and Sundays,
Up to, and normally, 1 Kroner a liter cheaper.
Don't know why, but it's origins are many years past, and work colleagues don't know why either.
So, will up on Saturdays or Sundays !
The "Statoil" garages are normally the cheapest. At the moment, weekdays petrol is about 13.40NOK in the Oslo area, and Weekends 12.60NOK.
Another great thing here is, when you go to the first Statoil garage, buy you and your partner a "Statoil coffee mug", nice insulated, stainless steel, with lid.
Cost 19.99NOK for 2 of them.
This gives you unlimited free coffee at any Statoil garage.
They all have these coffee machines, and you just go in and fill up your mugs.
Great Idea I think.
Here in Oslo, we have a Statoil, just 200meters away, so whenever we are on our way home, we always, (most of the time) stop off for a fill up.
Don't need to buy petrol.
G.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|