Eurotunnel Help Please!

[93DW]

Hi All,

Im using the tunnel on thursday am to calais however im unsure of what time to leave home. I live in bedford so i will be going M1,M25,M20 however I need to be there for 8am. According to Waze the journey should take 2h40m. So I should leave home around 5:30? Thanks for any help in advance

[Collectingbrass]

Is your ticket flexible or not? Google maps says 2:10 - 2:50 from "Bedford" so if I was in your shoes I would say 3 hours plus some check in time at Folkestone. If you do get there early you can have a kip in the holding area.

IME you need a good hour plus from the south side of the Dartford crossing, so it depends how long it takes you to get there. I'd say you want to be over the bridge by 6:30am anyway.

[Geekman]

Even if the ticket isn't flexible, if they have room on one of the earlier trains they'll let you on.

[93DW]

Thanks for the help so far! Ticket isnt flexible so it looks like roughly a 5am start.

[PositronicRay]

I'm rarely on time, they just slot you on the next train. If an additional cost they just charge you the difference.

Don't sweat it, but peak times may mean less availability.

[hoegaardenruls]

If you do arrive with plenty of time to spare, you might also get offered any earlier crossing if there's availability - otherwise, a bit of time to have a kip or a wander round the terminal as mentioned

[Beggarall]

I have used Eurotunnel many times - either arriving early or late - they usually offer you a choice of departure times and an extra payment depends on the banding when you booked. For example, trains within a 2 hour time slot are usually at the same price , trains at night or very early morning are less whereas trains around midday are usually more. I think they are very reasonable in their approach and accept that a major pile up on the M25 can mean a late arrival. Sat Nav time estimates are surprisingly good - but don't count on this for the M25 which can be a nightmare and from Bedford you will have to decide whether to go clockwise or anti-clockwise - but if using the Dart crossing register in advance (and pay up!). Bon voyages!

[Magic919]

Booking a cheap hotel near the tunnel is good for an early start.

[br d]

Magic919 said:

Booking a cheap hotel near the tunnel is good for an early start.

I always do this, the Holiday Inn in Cheriton Road is a good one. Couple of beers, early night and jump on the tunnel fresh at 6.