'Cheaper to travel to France by ferry than plane'

It is cheaper to travel to Bordeaux and Nice by ferry and car than to fly-drive, one expert has found.

According to price comparison website Sky Scanner, it is possible for a family of four to travel to Bordeaux by ferry and car for a total of 563 euros (£443), whereas to do the same trip by plane and a rental vehicle would cost 714 euros.

Furthermore, families of four travelling to Nice in their own car via ferry would only need to fork out 754 euros compared to 834 euros by fly-drive.

The comparison website also found taking the ferry to Geneva in Switzerland and Freiburg in Germany to be cheaper for those wanting to drive on the Continent.

Sky Scanner's calculations were made assuming holidaymakers would drive a Ford Fiesta-sized car and ferry journeys were departing from Dover.

In related news, Ian Bradley, from the Association of Independent Tour Operators has advised this week that holidaymakers on budgets are increasing taking short breaks, such as weekend ferry trips to France.