Breskens - Vlissingen Car Ferry

[davidfox]

We are sailing to Vlissingen and the outlaws are bringing the kids by car to Breskens, the ferry journey to vlissengen is 20mins and sails twice an hour,that part I have found out, anyone know if you have to book, and which part of vlissingen it comes into and does it sail on sundays?

Thanks

 

[sailorman]

Hi
doubt if u have to book
sundays might be a reduced service
the ferry terminal in Vlissengen is to the right of the locks as viewed from seaward
only a short walk to the Club/ Marina the other side of the lock, further into town.
y not meet in Middleburg

 

[davidfox]

one of the passage crew is leaving on the train from vlissingen

 

[sailorman]

train goes through Middelbourg then Goes ( Hoose)

 

[Jean]

“Car Ferry” no longer carries cars. Now carry foot passengers only. Yes they do run on Sunday and no need to book. There is a new toll tunnel around 10 miles to the East of Breskens. Car price not too bad but I’ve used it a few times with motorhome and costs around 33 Euros each way (must be the most expensive tunnel in Europe). I’m going again this weekend and will have to use the tunnel but much preferred it when the ferry carried vehicles.

 

[Jean]

Sorry about the odd characters on last post, computer playing up!

 

[kingfisher]

Sail on to Terneuzen, which is 11 NM upstream from Vlissingen, on the south bank of the Westerscheld. Terneuzen has a far better road connection to the rest of te world, as it is at the start of the Terneuzen-Vlissingen toll tunnel. The town itself is very nice, with better amenities than Vlissingen, and you can park the car next to the marina, which you can't in the Michiel De Ruyterhaven in Vlissingen.

Just to confirm again: the car ferry Breskens-Vlissingen has stopped service with the opening of the toll tunnel Terneuzen-Vlissingen. It only offers pedestrian services now.

 

[davidfox]

what about parking the car in Middleburg? we have a bit of a time constraint with getting to Amsterdam and the crew can catch the train apparently to the Hook from Middleburg I dont particularily want to sail further than I have to in the wrong direction, thanks for advice about the car ferry packing up, the outlaws would have been unimpressed!

 

[jonjo]

I just happened to be picking up my previous boat and crossed to Vlissingen on the final day of the car ferry service. It must have been a regional event, as there was a carnival atmosphere and ferry seemed to be carrying every cyclist from South Holland plus one confused Englishman.

 

[heerenleed]

As others posted, the ferry service is still up and running, but no longer takes cars. If the "outlaws" do not need the car in Vlissingen, they could cross as foot passengers and leave the car on the Breskens side. Make sure and moor in the small marina just inside the Vlissingen locks on the Kanaal Door Walcheren, as that's the closest you can get to the ferry. Quite a walk to the centre, but quite cheap. Otherwise they have to take the toll tunnel (cars € 5,- one way) and then, of course you can moor anywhere as long as you can park a car.
It also depends on where your in-laws arrive from.

In any case, this summer you MUST avoid the Antwerp orbital motorway. There are road works that are causing massive jams daily. The other alternative to get from Belgium into the Netherlands is by taking the north part of the Antwerp, from Gent following the signs to Rotterdam just before arriving at the Antwerp Kennedy Tunnel, and then go through the Liefkenshoek Tunnel, which is also a toll tunnel (€ 5 as well).

cheers

 

[davidfox]

We have 3 small kids that they are bringing with them plus associated rubbish, if we cannot get 2 weeks parking in Vlissingen then Middleburg would be good as train stops there for other crew to leave any suggestions?

 

[Jean]

It was a big event (I was there too) and also happened to be there that the car ferries set off for their new home (apparently serving between Italy and Sicily).

 

[Beagle]

[ QUOTE ]
We have 3 small kids that they are bringing with them plus associated rubbish, if we cannot get 2 weeks parking in Vlissingen then Middleburg would be good as train stops there for other crew to leave any suggestions?

[/ QUOTE ]

Just like Peter said, the "2nd" Marina of Vlissingen might be the right choise. Althouth located a brisk walk from the town center, it is actually quit near to the train station. Right there you could rent some bikes (not Harleys, bicycles) at the same location. That marina/harbour (actually a club instead of a commercial marina) got parking facilities for both car and the aforementioned bikes. It's an old dirty, rotten lock you have to get through but even in a storm it's do-able (we did it last year with a brand new boat...). A big advantage of this location is that you're still flexible about going around. In Middelburg you will be blocked by many bridges, in Vlissingen you are only one lock seperated from multiple headings.....

Vereniging voor Watertoerisme "Schelde", Prins Hendrikweg 4, 4382 NS, Vlissingen, tel: +31 (0)118-465912.
Website in Dutch

 

[heerenleed]

In that case, have them use the toll tunnel option, and still take the marina just inside the locks. I think that's the best bet for leaving a car for any length of time. Certainly not the marina in the heart of Vlissingen, no parking only at meters, nor Middelburg, where you moor in the middle of the old centre, parking cars is a pain....

Where do you plan to cruise? I could give you of dozen other, possibly easier, solutions if you tell me what the plan is..(I'm a local, you see)

cheers

 

[Beagle]

This might be helpfull....

 

[davidfox]

Thanks for all the help and advice, my plan Peter is to travel in at Vlissingen and out through the north sea canal after visiting the Ijsselmeer, my brother in law lives in Amstelveen and we plan to see him. we have visited Holland before by boat but not Vlissingen.

 

[heerenleed]

As you can see, David, Beagle has sent a plan of the Vlissingen port indicating where the marina is that I mentioned. It also shows the ferry terminal. The railway station is just N of the marina, walking distance.

Depending on how much time you have: Also Goes is a good alternative. It is on the same railway line that starts in Vlissingen and goes to Roosendaal and then on to Rotterdam with some direct trains. The mooring possibilities in Goes are well, there is the town harbour but there is also the yacht club marina which might have parking facilities. Most Dutch yacht clubs have their own marinas, and so need to provide parking facilities. The Goes advantage is that it's in the heart of the old town. The next place with a railway connection would be Dordrecht, that is, if you plan to travel North via the so-called Staande Mast Route (information here, in Dutch but opening hours and pictures are quite clear). Also a gem in its own right, but parking a car will be a problem.

Considering your plan I do think that Vlissingen or Goes are the best bets.
Are you sure you want to go to the IJsselmeer area?
I read from your posts that you are not familiar with the Zeeland area (SW, Vlissingen to Willemstad and Goes to Hellevoetsluis). This in itself is an ideal cruising area, yes, more obstructions in the form of bridges and locks, but not quite as crowded with Germans as the IJsselmeer, and certainly not the nasty short and steep chop the IJsselmeer always kicks up in any weather, let alone the midges in the IJsselmeer area.. Personally, I love all the old IJsselmeer towns, but I genuinly hate the IJsselmeer waters.

Whatever you choose, if you need any specific information, just PM me.

Cheers

 

[davidfox]

I have been to Goes before, absolutely lovely, but it is a bit of a slog after making the crossing, normally enter via the Roompot and base ourselves at Colinsplaat, I am quite familiar with Zeeland and have cruised all the places you mention, I hate midges, but will risk it smothered in repellant, thanks once again for taking the time and the advice
Regards

 

[heerenleed]

Have fun, then.
One last thing: if you want to avoid all the bridges between Vlissingen and Veere and their slow opening, try the other route: lock out into the Westerschelde again, mind you, on the early flood and let the flood carry you all the way to Hansweert where you can take the canal te Wemeldinge. There are two bridgdes, but the lockkeeper will tell you via VHF when they open which is usually twice an hour. Quicker transit if you want to go up North.

Again, have a safe crossing and enjoy your stay
cheers

 

[asj1]

Why don't you sail to Breskens instead, there is a large marina there. Last year I bough my new boat there. Breskens is fairly easily reached from Calais - about 3 hours I recall (by road not by boat!)