Euro Tunnel Advice?
Discussion
Im in the process of organising/booking everything for my euro road trip/Monaco GP.
Now I'm a bit confused with the timing of the Euro tunnel, as the timing is rather critical as i have a 4 hour drive to folkestone, then a 6 hour drive after calais to my first camp site.
How long does the actual crossing take roughly?
As i booked a 10:20AM departure, and it says, arrival in calais as 11:55?
Surely it doesn't take hour and a half on the train?
BTW i have not been on the euro tunnel before so no experience.
As if that is the case, i may need to change to an earlier departure.
Now I'm a bit confused with the timing of the Euro tunnel, as the timing is rather critical as i have a 4 hour drive to folkestone, then a 6 hour drive after calais to my first camp site.
How long does the actual crossing take roughly?
As i booked a 10:20AM departure, and it says, arrival in calais as 11:55?
Surely it doesn't take hour and a half on the train?
BTW i have not been on the euro tunnel before so no experience.
As if that is the case, i may need to change to an earlier departure.
FYI. You might be able to save a ton.
I went down last month, and they wanted £150 for a return.
It was cheaper to buy 2 sets of same day returns, which was only £70 for 4 trips, rather than £150 for 2.
I just didn't show up for the return train, and had no problems what so ever. Not sure if this is still the case, but worth giving a go if it is
I went down last month, and they wanted £150 for a return.
It was cheaper to buy 2 sets of same day returns, which was only £70 for 4 trips, rather than £150 for 2.
I just didn't show up for the return train, and had no problems what so ever. Not sure if this is still the case, but worth giving a go if it is
By the way, you can very often get an earlier crossing, so don't stress over getting there precisely on time - I've been let on 90 mins early after the expected traffic just didn't materialise, and I got straight on.
Other advice - you can't buy fuel at the terminal, so if you want to refill your tank before you go, don't turn off for the Eurotunnel, but carry on about 1/2 a mile to the next turnoff, where there's a Tesco filling station. On the way back just follow signs to the terminal (you don't rejoin the M20).
Other advice - you can't buy fuel at the terminal, so if you want to refill your tank before you go, don't turn off for the Eurotunnel, but carry on about 1/2 a mile to the next turnoff, where there's a Tesco filling station. On the way back just follow signs to the terminal (you don't rejoin the M20).
R1 Indy said:
Im in the process of organising/booking everything for my euro road trip/Monaco GP.
Now I'm a bit confused with the timing of the Euro tunnel, as the timing is rather critical as i have a 4 hour drive to folkestone, then a 6 hour drive after calais to my first camp site.
How long does the actual crossing take roughly?
As i booked a 10:20AM departure, and it says, arrival in calais as 11:55?
Surely it doesn't take hour and a half on the train?
BTW i have not been on the euro tunnel before so no experience.
As if that is the case, i may need to change to an earlier departure.
I'll just put this here.. Now I'm a bit confused with the timing of the Euro tunnel, as the timing is rather critical as i have a 4 hour drive to folkestone, then a 6 hour drive after calais to my first camp site.
How long does the actual crossing take roughly?
As i booked a 10:20AM departure, and it says, arrival in calais as 11:55?
Surely it doesn't take hour and a half on the train?
BTW i have not been on the euro tunnel before so no experience.
As if that is the case, i may need to change to an earlier departure.
R1 Indy said:
Oh my days, I really am a complete numpty!!!!
Of course France is in a different time zone!
Now where is that delete button
Win some lose some.Of course France is in a different time zone!
Now where is that delete button
Also, if you arrive within the two hour window of your "booked" trip you generally seem to be able to just get on the nearest one - BUT be warned if you buy one of those money cards the issuing of it can take 20 mins - yes I speak from bitter experience of one who missed his booked slot because of this.... Hence also how I discovered you tend to just be able to get on the next one...
Phil117 said:
FYI. You might be able to save a ton.
I went down last month, and they wanted £150 for a return.
It was cheaper to buy 2 sets of same day returns, which was only £70 for 4 trips, rather than £150 for 2.
I just didn't show up for the return train, and had no problems what so ever. Not sure if this is still the case, but worth giving a go if it is
Have been doing this for years, multiple times per year, same card same cars never had an issue.I went down last month, and they wanted £150 for a return.
It was cheaper to buy 2 sets of same day returns, which was only £70 for 4 trips, rather than £150 for 2.
I just didn't show up for the return train, and had no problems what so ever. Not sure if this is still the case, but worth giving a go if it is
As well as being dirt cheap also means you can leave your return date flexible, just book it the day before you want to come back.
Steviesam said:
What happens if I miss my return?
Do they put me on the next one, or do I have to pay again?
You have to arrive within 2 hours, I take that as meaning two hours before and 2 after, they have nearly always got me straight on within that 4 hour window and much earlier, some times had to wait a few trains, 40mins or so.Do they put me on the next one, or do I have to pay again?
wezo said:
I wouldn't worry unduly about the tickets for the train, we did it the last two years from Nice to Monaco and just bought the tickets from the station - there can be a bit of a que on race day, but not too bad, maybe 10 mins.
There is a good reason i want to buy the tickets in advance, as i have basically never used a train before, and don't fancy my chances trying to buy a ticket in france with limited french speaking ability!Anyway voyages/SNCF seemed to have done the trick, there is very few trains from frejus to monaco, so will drive to cannes, then train to monaco. All booked for under £50 for the 3 days including royal mail postage, so quite happy with that.
Does anyone know what parking at Cannes train station will be like? I take it i will need to pay for parking?
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