Eurotunnel question......?

[Timpo]

Have you ever just turned up at Eurotunnel terminal, Folkestone and purchased a ticket to board asap, either with bike or 4-wheeled vehicle?
If so, how did you find the pricing compared to other times when you may of pre-booked?

Timpo.

 

[cookie]

i have. twice, i think.

c.£80 bike, one way. that's compared to roughly £35/40 return, pre booked.

 

[Glyno]

Yep works out at about twice the price. Internet it from wherever on the way.

 

[Timpo]

OK, I had a feeling it would be twice-ish the price, no problem for me to internet book it en-route.
Cheers.
Timpo.

 

[crumbles]

I to was curious as to what happened also if i turned up at P/O Dover,so i rang first,they said basicaly the same.

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

The Channel tunnel will always be more expensive if you just turn up, they are quite open about it on there site.

"Tickets purchased at check-in will therefore always be at the highest cost."

 

[Steptoe]

If you know an approx time you'll be crossing they're pretty flexible on pre booked ticket times.

I've arrived two days before the ticket time and three days after and they've let me on without any problems.

 

[stolzy]

Buying two day returns works out much cheaper. Came over yesterday - £59 return for a car (ie two day returns) - exactly half the price of a period return.

Madness to do it any other way IMO.

And steptoe is bang on about timing. If you turn up early, just ignore the letter on the hanger and drive straight to the waiting lanes - if there's space they always just put you on the next train.

 

[B4ndit]

Travelled on it this week.

Its all computerised now. We were offered (Via computer) the next train even though we turned up early. Only by an hour though. Not sure if it would do the two day early thing that Steptoe mentioned.

But it is very good service and IMHO the only way for a bike to go to France.

 

[cookie]

And steptoe is bang on about timing. If you turn up early, just ignore the letter on the hanger and drive straight to the waiting lanes - if there's space they always just put you on the next train.

they don't seem to worry about booked crossings IME. any old ticket, and it's straight on

 

[B4ndit]

Has anyone turned up late? And what happens then?

 

[HarvSki]

I did last time I used it. missed my train back to UK by about 2 hrs. this was at about 22:15 they put me on the next available one at 02:00!!! that's sunday for you, the trains stop at 22:00

 

[stolzy]

Has anyone turned up late? And what happens then?

Normally they just let you straight on the next train. I once had to pay a £4 supplement when I was 12 hr late and getting on a more expensive train than the one I booked.

 

[Timpo]

I have arrived late and early on the outward train with no problem, but last week i arrived 8 hours early and the French check-in took 52euro off me.
Another test this week will be..... I have made an error in booking my return date, so will try an 'ammendment on the hoof', but reading the small print in the T&Cs there is a little flexibility, but moving the travel date but a day may be just over the line.

 

[stolzy]

I have arrived late and early on the outward train with no problem, but last week i arrived 8 hours early and the French check-in took 52euro off me.
Another test this week will be..... I have made an error in booking my return date, so will try an 'ammendment on the hoof', but reading the small print in the T&Cs there is a little flexibility, but moving the travel date but a day may be just over the line.

The double-day-return strategy can become unpicked if you don't get the directions for the tickets right DAMHIK

 

[Timpo]

The double-day-return strategy can become unpicked if you don't get the directions for the tickets right DAMHIK

They claim that double ticket booking can be detected after date of travel and failing to travel correctly will be charged later to your bank card used in the initial purchases...... was that the case with you?

And to be fair, the prices and method of travel suits me perfectly, my OP was just a 'what if I...' type question.
The test mext is to try an move my return day travel by 24 hours...... and it was my error, so if they need a few bob to cover it, then so be it I'll pay.

 

[stolzy]

They claim that double ticket booking can be detected after date of travel and failing to travel correctly will be charged later to your bank card used in the initial purchases...... was that the case with you?

They're full of sh1t. I must have done this 20-30 times. Indeed, it was a Eurotunnel ticket agents who originally suggested it.

Only time I had a problem was when I booked the tickets the wrong way round.

Its very doubtful they could legally bill you for it if they did find out.