Eurotunnel return Sunday night....?

[eastsider]

Has anyone got experience of getting the Eurotunnel back Sunday night, how feasible is it with the drive, traffic and so forth? Looking at the 22:20 train from Calais, which means arriving to check in around 21:30. Obviously we’ll pack up Sunday morning ready for swift departure after the race – 4-5h drive once we’re out of LM?

Or should this plan involve moving the car to somewhere away from worst of circuit traffic before the end of race? Or even missing the end of the race (would rather not).

Any tips or suggestions welcome.
cheers

[Harryh87]

We're on the 21:50 train so with the race finishing at 15:00 and allowing an hour to get away and 5 hours driving we think we might be ok, google advises 4.5 hours driving

[eastsider]

Thanks Harry H, agree on that driving time normally but traffic getting out of circuit can snarl up for a few hours, and also on the way eg around Rouen can be slow. I remember reading (on beermountain I think) about a suggested plan to move car away from circuit lunchtime sunday, watch the last few hours from Mulsanne then get out to the East.

I was also thinking it might work to move car into town (carrefour car park?) and watch end of race from Tertre Rouge, leg it for tram into town 3pm sharp then drive out to the North?

If anyone has experience or ideas would really appreciate!

What happens with Eurotunnel if you miss your booked train anyway - go to back of the queue and we'll get you on the next one with space, could wait a while though...?

[Harryh87]

A pow-wow might be in order then with the team, we've got a few noobs and they're hellbent on watching the finish :-/

[The Leaper]

I've left for Calais twice in the past on Sunday. Best way is to leave the race 30 minutes before the end and listen to the finish on RLM. This avoids the 2 hours car park exiting time.

R.

[struttob]

Why on earth would you go all that way watch 23.5 hours of the race and then leave early - change your tunnel to Monday afternoon and do it properly ! (IMHO)

Bob

[The Leaper]

I agree re the 23.5 hours, but better to be there for 90% than none at all.

R.

[icepop]

It's actually 97.916% recurring of the race, , and if we get down to the race being decided in the last half hour my backside ain't moving from whatever banking it's sat on.

[eps]

We've left for the Eurotunnel for both the past 2 races, after the event has finished. It wasn't a problem, although we weren't on a 22:30 crossing, more like a 23:30 or something, if you get there earlier, then great, you might sneak on an earlier one. We left around 4:30 or even 5:00 - last year we moved the cars out of the campsite (Houx) - this was the biggest snarl. It is highly possible and you don't have to push it too much, but it's entirely doable, just with a little planning.

[gt6]

unfortunately the tunnel closes early on sunday with last schedule trip 22.20 so get there after 21.30 and you are stuck with a long wait and a big bill so be warned, It has been that way for many years now so why people are talking about 23.30 trains i am not sure but the tunnel closes early on sundays in june due to maintainance. If you head back in plentyof time then great otherwise don't risk it as the french plod are everywhere on sunday evening

[eastsider]

Thanks all, yes gt6 is right, the last scheduled train on the eurotunnel booking site is 22:20h, there are also 21:20, 21:36, 21:50.

gt6 said:

unfortunately the tunnel closes early on sunday with last schedule trip 22.20 so get there after 21.30 and you are stuck with a long wait and a big bill so be warned

Why would you be in for a big bill if you are in time for your booked train? If you miss your booked train I can understand that it would get time consuming or expensive...

I think we will aim earlier train and plan to move car out of campsite before race finishes.

[eps]

I'll have to check my records on the train times. All I can say is that I've watched the end of both of the last two races and made it back to the Eurotunnel in plenty of time. This is without hoofing it too much or excessively either and using the Peage.

ETA : Yep we were on the 22:20 last year. We got there some time before this and were allowed to go on an earlier train iirc.. but not that much earlier. We were also mostly fuelled up, so it was just a case of getting most of the way there before having to stop.

ETA2 : We were 22:42 the year before that.

Edited by eps on Tuesday 22 January 12:17

Edited by eps on Tuesday 22 January 12:20