I did BF for the first time in April this year, on the overnighter from Portsmouth to St Malo. BF staff and overall service was brilliant, especially the marshals at Portsmouth who were always waving me to the front. The whole journey was an absolute breeze and the cabins were cosy and comfortable. You give good advice about not getting there too early! I did and although we boarded early on the outbound crossing, on the return I was waiting in the bike lane for ages. Fortunately the weather was OK!
Interesting insight. I travelled to NL with Stena. Overnight. Wasn’t issued with label for my bike. I think that’s a great idea by BF. Securing bikes once on the ferry was left to each cyclist. Interesting that BF staff do that for you. Thanks for this. Interesting to see the differences between Stena and BF.
Nope, not at all. The people who work there tie them up with some polyprop rope so they don't all fall over but that's it. I never worried about the safety of the bikes, I guess it's unlikely someone would steal them as a) it would be logistically difficult and b) there's no access to the car decks during the actual crossing. I suppose they probably wouldn't let you lock them either, as theoretically the workers might need to move them for some reason so might not want a bike locked to a bit of their ferry. It's super easy, you just wheel your bike on a leave it essentially. I think on other companies' ferries you might tie them up yourself for stability, but I doubt any would want you/let you lock them.
Yup! I left everything on my bike except my valuables and a small bag for toiletries and a change of clothes. They have no requirement for you to take all your panniers etc off, you can leave whatever you like on the bikes (it's better too because then your panniers keep much of your bike from scratching against anyone else's!)
Yup, I booked a JustPark space, so someone's private driveway. It felt a little more comfortable than leaving it on the street. It was about £40 for the week I think but I can't quite remember.
How did you go about booking the tickets? On the websites I've looked at, you can only bring one bicycle per booking but we have four bicycles in our group.
I've only ever booked with the Brittany Ferries website. On theirs, when you select bike it automatically adds the same number of bikes as passengers. I've never used other ferry websites for bike bookings I'm afraid.
I did BF for the first time in April this year, on the overnighter from Portsmouth to St Malo. BF staff and overall service was brilliant, especially the marshals at Portsmouth who were always waving me to the front. The whole journey was an absolute breeze and the cabins were cosy and comfortable. You give good advice about not getting there too early! I did and although we boarded early on the outbound crossing, on the return I was waiting in the bike lane for ages. Fortunately the weather was OK!
Excellent. Thanks, travelling at the weekend.
Thank you for this really useful and helpful video.
Great advice. Thanks for posting
Inspiring Thanks
Interesting insight. I travelled to NL with Stena. Overnight. Wasn’t issued with label for my bike. I think that’s a great idea by BF. Securing bikes once on the ferry was left to each cyclist. Interesting that BF staff do that for you. Thanks for this. Interesting to see the differences between Stena and BF.
Ah interesting that's it's different! Yup, BF are really helpful, even when there are loads of bikes to deal with.
Great advice, thankyou for posting, did you lock the bikes up when you left them and went upstairs?
Nope, not at all. The people who work there tie them up with some polyprop rope so they don't all fall over but that's it. I never worried about the safety of the bikes, I guess it's unlikely someone would steal them as a) it would be logistically difficult and b) there's no access to the car decks during the actual crossing. I suppose they probably wouldn't let you lock them either, as theoretically the workers might need to move them for some reason so might not want a bike locked to a bit of their ferry. It's super easy, you just wheel your bike on a leave it essentially. I think on other companies' ferries you might tie them up yourself for stability, but I doubt any would want you/let you lock them.
I am planning a bike packing trip June for the first time, can you leave your tent and sleeping bags on your bike while crossing.
Yup! I left everything on my bike except my valuables and a small bag for toiletries and a change of clothes. They have no requirement for you to take all your panniers etc off, you can leave whatever you like on the bikes (it's better too because then your panniers keep much of your bike from scratching against anyone else's!)
Hi did you park a car in Portsmouth? We plan to do this (on street parking) and follow your route in April this year.
Yup, I booked a JustPark space, so someone's private driveway. It felt a little more comfortable than leaving it on the street. It was about £40 for the week I think but I can't quite remember.
How did you go about booking the tickets? On the websites I've looked at, you can only bring one bicycle per booking but we have four bicycles in our group.
I've only ever booked with the Brittany Ferries website. On theirs, when you select bike it automatically adds the same number of bikes as passengers. I've never used other ferry websites for bike bookings I'm afraid.
@@kitpascoe Ah right. Thank you!
for some unknown reason they dont appear to allow bikes on the portsmouth- Le Havre route
Ah, really? That's a shame, it would be such a useful route.
You just scared the hell out of me . I have a bicycle reservation for Portsmouth -le havre, just checked ! I’m on the day timer though
@@whatsleft100 happy to be proved wrong, cycling down the seine could be back on the agenda for me then!