Eurotunnel taking the peee
Discussion
Returning yesterday got to the tunnel at 2.30pm but had a booking for 6pm. Asked if the ticket could be changed, was told it was 56 euros to get on the 4.20pm train. I replied no thanks, and magically I was told when she had checked again another train was available for free at 4.06pm. I wonder how many people say yes and pay up!
Obviously they want to shift you to an earlier train so the 6pm booking can be sold to some other poor sod who gets there early. I seem to remember the same thing happened last year, when we came back a second time to get a free transfer we got on, the first time it was a case of pay up.
Obviously they want to shift you to an earlier train so the 6pm booking can be sold to some other poor sod who gets there early. I seem to remember the same thing happened last year, when we came back a second time to get a free transfer we got on, the first time it was a case of pay up.
I was aiming for the 2000 DFDS ferry yesterday and ended up doing a bit of "drive it like you stole it" stylee from St Omer to make it. My convoluted route from Rouen to Calais taking in war graves ended up more complicated than intended due to a "route barée" and a "vehicule lourde" stacked up with pallets. Managed to get checked in by the skin on my teeth. I then sat with the rest of the traffic for the ferry to arrive. I think they were delayed on previous crossings due to heavy traffic (I wonder what could have caused that? :-) )
However a just after we should have sailed a chap arrived in the next lane and said they had refused to let him on and he had to wait for the next one. We finally sailed half an hour late without him and they surcharged him too. Abstards!
However a just after we should have sailed a chap arrived in the next lane and said they had refused to let him on and he had to wait for the next one. We finally sailed half an hour late without him and they surcharged him too. Abstards!
With Eurotunnel I just check in for the train that I booked (sometimes several hours in advance) and then drive round to the waiting lanes, even if my letter is not the one being called. 9 times out of 10 I just get waved onto the next train that's loading. Once or twice I've been shunted into a separate waiting lane for a later train. I've never paid extra or been charged. The loading sequence seems to be very poorly monitored - which suits me fine 
I've used the tunnel around 300 times over the past 5 or 6 years and very have often been offered an earlier train, sometimes with a £20 surcharge, depends on the time of day. I'm a frequent traveller so the cost is only £43 each way so no biggie.
They normally only man the entrance to the waiting lanes at busy times.
At least if you arrive late there is another shuttle on hand. Not the same if you miss a ferry!
They normally only man the entrance to the waiting lanes at busy times.
At least if you arrive late there is another shuttle on hand. Not the same if you miss a ferry!
Antj said:
we were 3 hours early, got on train no charge. good show i thought and customs actually joked for once
Amazingly the woman on customs Sunday night was happy and chatty too. Thats a first i thought. Even more amazing was that they had all their booths open. Last time through last Bank Holiday evening they had the usual one open with mega queues. All the others had people in, just sitting around talking amongst themselves. Oh, we were offered an earlier train too, foc
I know of someone that 'collects' the letters. He hangs the appropriate letter (obviously out of date) and drives round to the waiting lanes
Oh, top tip for the train is, if you goto the loos n the train, always check there's water coming out the taps before you put soap all over your hands
Oh, top tip for the train is, if you goto the loos n the train, always check there's water coming out the taps before you put soap all over your hands
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