Dover to Calais - Customs etc

[steve singh]

Hi Gents,

I'm scheduled to catch an approx 7am Sea France ferry (next sunday) which goes from Dover to Calais - first time I've ever caught a ferry (taking my car to europe for a bit of a family break / hoon) so I have a question.

I understand check-in times are 30 mins before boarding - however given customs etc. how early before departure time would people recommend I attend? I don't want to cut it fine...

Cheers,

Steve

[MidlandDan84]

There are no real 'customs' checks any more. Basically you arrive at Dover, follow the signs for Sea France, get to booth, pass your passports over, they have a quick squint in the car and that's it, less than 5 mins per car. Just have your booking reference with you.

[steve singh]

MidlandDan84 said:

There are no real 'customs' checks any more. Basically you arrive at Dover, follow the signs for Sea France, get to booth, pass your passports over, they have a quick squint in the car and that's it, less than 5 mins per car. Just have your booking reference with you.

Brilliant - thanks.

Just one additional thing, do you know if there are massive queues to get to the booth in the first place, or is the whole operation quite slick?

[greygoose]

It isn't the school holidays (as far as I know) and there are fewer lorries about at weekends so the queues shouldn't be long.

[Melman Giraffe]

greygoose said:

It isn't the school holidays (as far as I know) and there are fewer lorries about at weekends so the queues shouldn't be long.

Schools breakup today for 2 weeks!!

[CoolC]

It's been years sinse I last used a ferry, but the customs at Eurotunnel is a random selection of cars pulled over, they ask you if you've packed the car yourself, wipe the door handles/steering wheel for traces of whatever and send you on your way, 3 minutes tops.

[greygoose]

Melman Giraffe said:

greygoose said:

It isn't the school holidays (as far as I know) and there are fewer lorries about at weekends so the queues shouldn't be long.

Schools breakup today for 2 weeks!!

Queues will be halfway up the M20 then........

[grumbledoak]

They are nothing like Heathrow. Last time I was late due to traffic. It was basically "Go, go, go!" and I was the last car squeezed in.

Don't plan to be late, but they are very good.

[greygoose]

CoolC said:

It's been years sinse I last used a ferry, but the customs at Eurotunnel is a random selection of cars pulled over, they ask you if you've packed the car yourself, wipe the door handles/steering wheel for traces of whatever and send you on your way, 3 minutes tops.

That's just a security check rather than customs, they are looking for explosive traces. Checks increase if there are delays on the trains to fill up the time.

[steve singh]

Ok...so looks like I need to be there say an hour before check-in?

[grumbledoak]

Aiming for an hour should give you plenty of spare time if you get held up on the way.

[stuttgartmetal]

the sea ports are a reall khasi compared with the tunnel

[chevy-stu]

stuttgartmetal said:

the sea ports are a reall khasi compared with the tunnel

I used variou ferries a number of times over the years, and took the tunnel for the first time last September. I couldn't how much easier, faster and generally more organised it is. have used it twice again since in Jan and March, no more ferries for me.. !!!!!

[steve singh]

Thanks guys - kids wanted to go across on the ferry (see the sea and all that) so I had no choice.

Hopefully when the novelty wears off I'll be "allowed" to use the tunnel !

[audidoody]

Ferries are great for kids. Ask them about the special "Wild Ride' they do towing the kids behind the ferry on a 'Banana'. Great fun.

[audidoody]

Ferries are great for kids. Ask them about the special "Wild Ride' they do towing the kids behind the ferry on a 'Banana'. Great fun.

[audidoody]

Ferries are great for kids. Ask them about the special "Wild Ride' they do towing the kids behind the ferry on a 'Banana'. Great fun.

[Melman Giraffe]

audidoody said:

Ferries are great for kids. Ask them about the special "Wild Ride' they do towing the kids behind the ferry on a 'Banana'. Great fun.

Go on say it again!!! I missed it the 3rd time!

[K50 DEL]

steve singh said:

Thanks guys - kids wanted to go across on the ferry (see the sea and all that) so I had no choice.

Hopefully when the novelty wears off I'll be "allowed" to use the tunnel !

I can't see why anyone would chose to cross via a tunnel when you can use the ferry..... sit in the car staring at 4 walls or walk around on deck enjoying the movement of the ship, the smell of the sea etc

I have only ever used the tunnel once (had no choice) and will happily never use it again.

[chevy-stu]

K50 DEL said:

I can't see why anyone would chose to cross via a tunnel when you can use the ferry..... sit in the car staring at 4 walls or walk around on deck enjoying the movement of the ship, the smell of the sea etc

I have only ever used the tunnel once (had no choice) and will happily never use it again.

Time saving and hassle free.. THough agreed a bit duller.