Experiences with returning Eurotunnel Crossing
Discussion
PH,
I have been chatting to a guy at work who uses the Eurotunnel around 3 times a year to get cheap booze and tobacco. From his experience that when boarding the UK side, you normally have to arrive for the particular crossing that you are booked onto as they like to put the cars on the allocated crossing.
Now on the return leg when boarding in France he said that normally you just turn up and they bung you on the next crossing not really careing on which train you go on. We are booked on the 1AM crossing on Monday to leave plenty of time to get to Calais after the race ends.
From everyones experience, during the increased activity the Eurotunnel sees after the race, what normally happens at the French end? If we turn up early, would we be able to go on the next crossing?
Thanks!
Sav
I have been chatting to a guy at work who uses the Eurotunnel around 3 times a year to get cheap booze and tobacco. From his experience that when boarding the UK side, you normally have to arrive for the particular crossing that you are booked onto as they like to put the cars on the allocated crossing.
Now on the return leg when boarding in France he said that normally you just turn up and they bung you on the next crossing not really careing on which train you go on. We are booked on the 1AM crossing on Monday to leave plenty of time to get to Calais after the race ends.
From everyones experience, during the increased activity the Eurotunnel sees after the race, what normally happens at the French end? If we turn up early, would we be able to go on the next crossing?
Thanks!
Sav
If you turn up early they will put you on the next available crossing, however on the sunday/monday after le mans the shuttles will all be pretty well full, so chances are you will end up on the shuttle you booked, however you may be lucky as they will cram as many cars as possible on each service. However if you turn up late then you have missed your slot, you will be put on the next available service but you may be charged extra and on the Sunday night you may find that you are stuck in france until monday. Best tip is book a trip back later rather than earlier.
Have used the Chunnel 3 times now, on the way there you have a good chance of an earlier time slot, on the way back, no hope at all, its always been very busy.
Plus, on the return, leave yourself enough time to check in, it normally takes more than 30 mins to get through check-in and passport control.
Steve
Plus, on the return, leave yourself enough time to check in, it normally takes more than 30 mins to get through check-in and passport control.
Steve
It all depends how busy they are. I have had several emails now from Euro tunnel telling me I must be there on time, not to arrive too early! and If I miss my slot tuff! Lemons is one of the busiest times of the year for Euro tunnel, you might be OK if you have a Flexi ticket, but if you have gone cheap and cheerful (like me) its unlikely they will change your time.
gt6 said:
If you turn up early they will put you on the next available crossing, however on the sunday/monday after le mans the shuttles will all be pretty well full, so chances are you will end up on the shuttle you booked, however you may be lucky as they will cram as many cars as possible on each service. However if you turn up late then you have missed your slot, you will be put on the next available service but you may be charged extra and on the Sunday night you may find that you are stuck in france until monday. Best tip is book a trip back later rather than earlier.
This. And for heaven's sake, don't be late as they will bump you to the next AVAILABLE train, not the next train, and it could be hours and hours until you can get on. The Eurotunnel terminal is a desperately crap place to be stuck. Did five hours there in April.
...a cautionary tale from returning from Spa and the Ring on Sunday 5th May.
I was later than the originally booked train due to the great weather in Germany (...ooops) we arrived at the terminal at 10:30pm to be told the next available crossing was 1.28am!!!! Apparently they do maintenence every Sunday night. I'm not sure if this is an ongoing arrangement or suspended on especially busy weekends BUT last weekend was a bank holiday and they did it!!!
Just be careful...as mentioned, being stuck there is NOT fun...i did it with two tired kids and one very p**sed off wife :-)
I was later than the originally booked train due to the great weather in Germany (...ooops) we arrived at the terminal at 10:30pm to be told the next available crossing was 1.28am!!!! Apparently they do maintenence every Sunday night. I'm not sure if this is an ongoing arrangement or suspended on especially busy weekends BUT last weekend was a bank holiday and they did it!!!
Just be careful...as mentioned, being stuck there is NOT fun...i did it with two tired kids and one very p**sed off wife :-)
Coming back from Le Mans 24 hours a few years ago with my son we ran into a combination of a minor breakdown plus road works near to Calais so we arrived maybe 10 minutes past our check in time. We were told we had more than a three hour wait until the next available time.
A few days ago I received a Eurotunnel e-mail to advise me that as the France-England crossing will be exceptionally busy on the Monday after Le Mans we should ensure we check in on time. If we are late we will have to wait for the next availabe slot which will be some hours.
The message is clear.
R.
A few days ago I received a Eurotunnel e-mail to advise me that as the France-England crossing will be exceptionally busy on the Monday after Le Mans we should ensure we check in on time. If we are late we will have to wait for the next availabe slot which will be some hours.
The message is clear.
R.
The Leaper said:
A few days ago I received a Eurotunnel e-mail to advise me that as the France-England crossing will be exceptionally busy on the Monday after Le Mans we should ensure we check in on time. If we are late we will have to wait for the next availabe slot which will be some hours.
The message is clear.
R.
^^^^^^^^^ This.The message is clear.
R.
Also, after the Classic last year I arrived at the check in with a "business/priority" ticket and went through the ticket bit fine only to find the lane at passport control closed and had to join in with everyone else. Held me up for an hour getting through due to volume of traffic. Not an issue in itself but Eurotunnel didn't want to know about a refund or discount on my next trip when asked.
We have never had any problem with Eurotunnel after Le mans. We just drive up, sign in and always get put on the next available shuttle (usually about 17.30 on the Monday). Hopefully we'll be ok again this year.
We've found being very apologetic, smiling and being polite and a splattering of schoolboy French works wonders with the people who are handing out the passes on arrival.
We've found being very apologetic, smiling and being polite and a splattering of schoolboy French works wonders with the people who are handing out the passes on arrival.
As a few others have said, LM weekend will be extremely busy.
You will be emailed to warn you about arriving either too early, or too late.
If you want to stand the best chance of an earlier crossing, arrive the advised 2 hours early. you "might" and probably will, get on an earlier crossing.
Do not arrive after you required check in. Also, leave enough time to get through the check in queue.
You will be emailed to warn you about arriving either too early, or too late.
If you want to stand the best chance of an earlier crossing, arrive the advised 2 hours early. you "might" and probably will, get on an earlier crossing.
Do not arrive after you required check in. Also, leave enough time to get through the check in queue.
Davwlk said:
We have never had any problem with Eurotunnel after Le mans. We just drive up, sign in and always get put on the next available shuttle (usually about 17.30 on the Monday). Hopefully we'll be ok again this year.
We've found being very apologetic, smiling and being polite and a splattering of schoolboy French works wonders with the people who are handing out the passes on arrival.
People? in all the recent times i have come back on eurotunnel the machine reads your number plate asks you to confirm then gives you two options and then prints the letter. No people involvedWe've found being very apologetic, smiling and being polite and a splattering of schoolboy French works wonders with the people who are handing out the passes on arrival.
That was an expensive mistake!I'm travelling with Sav - cheers for all the advice, guys.
As he mentioned, we're already booked on the 0143 Monday. There were some tickets available for 2220 Sunday when we were booking, but it seemed a little sketchy whether we'd make it in time, would far rather take in the celebrations and not have to hammer out of the campsites in the huge rush. We thought it'd be good, if we ended up arriving much earlier, to see if there was a chance of getting on an earlier one.. Never thought to check if there actually was a train in between - nice one, gt6!
So that'll be quite nice, then. Nobody at the terminal except those getting on our crossing, as the previous one left three hours ago, so it shouldn't be too busy.
That countdown at the top of the thread is getting closer
As he mentioned, we're already booked on the 0143 Monday. There were some tickets available for 2220 Sunday when we were booking, but it seemed a little sketchy whether we'd make it in time, would far rather take in the celebrations and not have to hammer out of the campsites in the huge rush. We thought it'd be good, if we ended up arriving much earlier, to see if there was a chance of getting on an earlier one.. Never thought to check if there actually was a train in between - nice one, gt6!
So that'll be quite nice, then. Nobody at the terminal except those getting on our crossing, as the previous one left three hours ago, so it shouldn't be too busy.
That countdown at the top of the thread is getting closer
Enjoy the celebrations at the end take your time and enjoy the run back by the time you hit Rouen the traffic will have got lighter grab a coffee at the terminal and chat about the race to those waiting like you for the first trip back on Monday oh yes remember if you take the old n138 (d438 now) rather than the motorway you will be waved along by loads of french at the side of the road.
Also if you need to stop somewhere the station cafe at Bernay is always very lively on Sunday night and does a very nice omelette and chips. However if you are a little pushed for time the macdonalds opposite is always open and as you head back out of bernay the supermarket does the cheapest fuel on route.
Also if you need to stop somewhere the station cafe at Bernay is always very lively on Sunday night and does a very nice omelette and chips. However if you are a little pushed for time the macdonalds opposite is always open and as you head back out of bernay the supermarket does the cheapest fuel on route.
gt6 said:
Also if you need to stop somewhere the station cafe at Bernay is always very lively on Sunday night and does a very nice omelette and chips. However if you are a little pushed for time the macdonalds opposite is always open and as you head back out of bernay the supermarket does the cheapest fuel on route.
And if you decide to pass by on the Bernay bypass remember that there is nearly always a couple of police here with a speed-gun. It'll work out cheaper on your wallet and better time spent to go via the town otherwise. I speak from experience! Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff