Avoiding the Channel Tunnel--what's the best way?

Former Member
Former Member
So I'm planning a trip to the Netherlands, and want to go by ferry from Dover to Calais as part of that journey. Sounds simple, right? But BaseCamp is pretty determined to send me via the Channel Tunnel!

Firstly, I just entered my start and end locations. The route went via the Channel Tunnel; well, fair enough. It's a valid route, even if it's not the one I wanted.

So I entered a waypoint, located at the docks in Dover from which the ferries to Calais sail. BaseCamp's route had me drive to the docks, then turn right round and drive back to the Channel Tunnel . . .

So then I added another waypoint, located at the docks in Calais at which the ferry arrives. Can you guess what BaseCamp suggested? That's right:
1. Set off from my start point; drive to the docks in Dover.
2. Turn round and drive to the Channel Tunnel terminal. Take the Channel Tunnel to France.
3. Drive to the docks in Calais.
4. Then carry on to my final destination.

My next step was to add a waypoint which was actually in the English Channel, a little way out to sea from the Dover docks. BaseCamp's solution? Drive (swim?) out there, then drive/swim back to shore and . . . take the Channel Tunnel!

Seriously, BaseCamp, take the hint!

In the end the only way I could find to persuade it to give me a route using the ferry was to put a waypoint IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGLISH CHANNEL (!) where the ferry route was marked! Then at long last it chose the ferry route. Surely there must be a better way . . . mustn't there?

Has anyone else figured out how to persuade BaseCamp to prefer ferries to the Tunnel?
--
Glenn
  • Oops just realized that you're using Mac BaseCamp so the comment below doesn't apply. That said there's a similar option in the Mac version somewhere.

    ---

    Go to Tools -> Options -> Activity Profile -> Routing (tab), look under Feature Type Avoidance's, and make sure Ferries is unticked.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago
    Go to Tools -> Options -> Activity Profile -> Routing (tab), look under Feature Type Avoidance's, and make sure Ferries is unticked.


    Hi Stuart,

    That option is present in Mac BaseCamp too. I checked, and I did indeed have it unticked. Thanks for the suggestion though! :-)
  • Well I just created a route in MapSource (not BaseCamp) from Dover to Calais. Even with the Ferries avoidance unticked it went via the tunnel. I put a Via (using route drag'n'drop in MapSource) on the ferry (dashed) line and that did the trick.

    See this screen capture.



    PS: Last time I took that ferry was in 1985!
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago
    Oh yeah, drag 'n' drop works in BaseCamp too! Who knew!? ;) Awesome tip, Stuart, thank you!

    Pity drag 'n' drop doesn't work on my Nüvi!