Driving advice Taking your car on a booze cruise

Most booze-cruising Brits head straight for Calais

Government plans to combat binge drinking could see all of us – including responsible drinkers – paying a little more for a bottle of our favourite tipple.

But even if prices stay the same, Britons will continue to be hit by some of the highest rates of alcohol duty in Europe.

Little surprise, then, that so many drivers still make their way across the English Channel each year in search of bargain booze.

Here, you'll find all you need to plan the perfect booze cruise, with expert advice on driving in France and an update on the rules for bringing alcohol and tobacco back into the UK.

Planning a booze cruise

Most booze-cruising Brits make a day trip to France, heading straight for the port town of Calais. It’s by no means the most beautiful part of the country, but it is easy to get to and has a huge selection of hypermarkets and wine warehouses.

Traditionalists may prefer the excitement of travelling aboard a cross-channel ferry, but the Channel Tunnel is a speedy (if more expensive) alternative for those who haven’t found their sea legs.

Crossing from Folkestone to Calais takes around 35 minutes with Eurotunnel, while ferries between Dover and Calais take between 90 minutes and two hours, depending on conditions and the company you sail with.

The Dover-Calais ferry takes around two hours

Taking your car to France

Whichever you choose, you’ll probably be charged a set price for your car, so it may pay to take some friends along with you and split the cost of the crossing. However, you’ll need to make sure you leave plenty of space for supplies. Roof boxes can be handy.

Consider hiring a car with extra space if you plan to buy a lot, but make sure you check the hire agreement carefully before taking it abroad. The Which? Car reviews have details on the carrying capacity of hundreds of cars.