eurotunnel

[samwise]

Unless you get sea-sick on a boating pond I've got a 2.5 hour crossing on the Steam Racket in June and July, so decided to book the Tunnel for the Euro crossings in June (and booking it for July too), and booked the Formule 1 in Coquelles for June (and will do for July too, once dates are worked out).

I'll be checking in at Douglas at 6.45am, docking in Liverpool at 10am or so, then down to Folkestone - I'll probably be glad to just crash in the hotel in France by the end of the day, especially if the Irish Sea has been rough and/or traffic has been stressy on the way down

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

Shenzi thanks details would be helpfull

Villages Hotel Calais
Tel. 0033892707518

I think this number is the Villages HQ, I have the actual hotel number somewhere This one will work though and for sure the operator will speak English.

It is literally 5 mins from the tunnel, get on the A16 heading for Lille/Dunkerque, come off at junction 44 Calais St. Pierre. Go left under the A16 at the bottom of the exit ramp, the hotel is on the roundabout in front of you.
If you need assistance get back to me.

Bob

 

[wessie]

Villages Hotel Calais
Tel. 0033892707518

You can book Village Hotels online at http://www.villages-hotel.com/index.php?i_sid=1250854254&i_lang=44

Rooms are 33€ in Sept. for up to 3 people

 

[Invicta Moto]

No, it only takes 30 minutes. You could sit on the bike or on the toilet if you wanted

Don't sit on the bike, when the train bottoms out at each end of the tunnel the bike wobbles from side to side like a good un and your extra weight will have the bugger on its side.

Never happened to me but have seen it twice in 2005.....

 

[Taff]

Er... not in my experience. Unless you pay significantly more you'll pay extra if you arrive earlier or later for you booked train (especially on the cheap tickets).

This poor sod is going to be even more confused after reading this lot. From memory, when you book your crossing I think there is an option to pay slighly more (£25 IIRC) for a flexible ticket ie they wont charge extra if you arrive too early or late.

Last year, I arrived about 20 hours earlier than I thought I would. No problem - had paid more for the flexible ticket and was guided straight onto the next train. Well worth paying that little bit more, to take the pressure off yourself.

 

[wessie]

This poor sod is going to be even more confused after reading this lot. From memory, when you book your crossing I think there is an option to pay slighly more (£25 IIRC) for a flexible ticket ie they wont charge extra if you arrive too early or late.

Last year, I arrived about 20 hours earlier than I thought I would. No problem - had paid more for the flexible ticket and was guided straight onto the next train. Well worth paying that little bit more, to take the pressure off yourself.

or just pay the standard fare with SeaFrance and roll up to whatever ferry you like. I usually book a late afternoon ferry on the return leg but sometimes arrive in time for an earlier one: SF have put me on the earlier ferry on each occasion without any extra fees. Same thing when I rolled up 24 hours late due to an extra day enjoying the Mosel valley.

 

[jonnie comet]

Hmmmm..........I arrived approx' one hour early both ways. When I put my credit card ( the one that I had booked the journey on ) into the terminal, it gave me an on screen choice of making the journey I had booked, or travelling on the next available ( earlier ) train. It actually gave me a choice of departure times on the screen stating " No extra charge "
Maybe it's a time of year thing.....

 

[GSmonkey]

I travelled during the summer and arrived early and got on the next available train out - that was with an economy ticket. From this respect, its much better than the ferry.

 

[adamski49]

This poor sod is going to be even more confused after reading this lot. From memory, when you book your crossing I think there is an option to pay slighly more (£25 IIRC) for a flexible ticket ie they wont charge extra if you arrive too early or late.

Last year, I arrived about 20 hours earlier than I thought I would. No problem - had paid more for the flexible ticket and was guided straight onto the next train. Well worth paying that little bit more, to take the pressure off yourself.

But it's only £30 extra if you're early or late so you may as well take the cheap crossing and pay extra if you get it wrong.

We've only coughed once and that was when my mate binned his VFR (just reapairable / rideable) near the end of the week and we abandoned the back roads in favour of the autoroute to cause him as little discomfort as possible - poor bastard was black and blue and every bump was felt tenfold.

Take the tunnel - stuff the romance of the ferry I just want to get there / home

Adam

 

[cookiemonster]

Hmmmm..........I arrived approx' one hour early both ways. When I put my credit card ( the one that I had booked the journey on ) into the terminal, it gave me an on screen choice of making the journey I had booked, or travelling on the next available ( earlier ) train. It actually gave me a choice of departure times on the screen stating " No extra charge "
Maybe it's a time of year thing.....

Yep, exactly the same for us. We went through for the first time last week. Deffo a quick blast to France - out friday, back sunday, wouldnt have considered it if it included 6 hours on a ferry.

On the way in we had enough time to use the facilities and then get straight on the train; on the way back we just rode straight through and on. Didnt stop, didnt get the passport out, nothing whatsoever.

Brilliant it was

 

[ktm520]

I thought the Tunnell was excellent, I arrived at 6:45 for the 7:30 crossing. I was put on the 6:58 at no extra charge.

auto check-in with a credit card, quick 2 minute security wipe.

10 minute wait til all the cars were loaded, sent to the front of the train (in front of the cars) but behind the vans. Had a carriage to my self.

Put the bike on the side stand. Hardly a wobble.

Within 10 mins of the train stopping I was out into the rain.

 

[Davey B]

Dozens of Tunnel crossing made...all good. Time saving part is great. First few crossing we made we could go early if we arrived early, for no charge, in maybe 2002/3 they started charging and then last years half a dozen crossings were all free to change crossing time. Thoroughly recommended.
If you've time, i also recommend the Norfolk Line Dover Dunkerque....especially if you've got kids with you....good food and a little cinema on board for a 2 hr crossing. Very relaxing!

 

[fcasado]

Er... not in my experience. Unless you pay significantly more you'll pay extra if you arrive earlier or later for you booked train (especially on the cheap tickets).

Dick

Standard (the cheap one)

Great value fares where savings can be made by booking well in advance, or by travelling at less busy times.
More flexibility - whilst only valid for the booked departure time we will, at no extra charge, transfer you to a space on the next available shuttle if you arrive at Check-In within 2 hours of your booked departure time
price includes vehicle and all passengers
amendments are subject to conditions and charges
non refundable