Eurotunnel - advice required from experienced users - August
Discussion
We are planning to use Eurotunnel in August this year - presumably the worst time of year, so just looking for some hints and tips to hopefully avoid the chaos.
The plan is to get an outbound train at circa 8am on a Friday or Saturday and return 8pm the following Friday or Saturday. Being NW based we'll stay with relatives the night before, circa 90 mins from Folkestone and do the same on the return leg. Should we go at different times of the day?
There's a a huge different in prices between flexible tickets and standard tickets and I'd like to use a standard ticket on at least one leg so we can use Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Which leg is best to use the flexible ticket and are we mad to not use flexible tickets on both legs?
Cheers
The plan is to get an outbound train at circa 8am on a Friday or Saturday and return 8pm the following Friday or Saturday. Being NW based we'll stay with relatives the night before, circa 90 mins from Folkestone and do the same on the return leg. Should we go at different times of the day?
There's a a huge different in prices between flexible tickets and standard tickets and I'd like to use a standard ticket on at least one leg so we can use Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Which leg is best to use the flexible ticket and are we mad to not use flexible tickets on both legs?
Cheers
JQ said:
We are planning to use Eurotunnel in August this year - presumably the worst time of year, so just looking for some hints and tips to hopefully avoid the chaos.
The plan is to get an outbound train at circa 8am on a Friday or Saturday and return 8pm the following Friday or Saturday. Being NW based we'll stay with relatives the night before, circa 90 mins from Folkestone and do the same on the return leg. Should we go at different times of the day?
There's a a huge different in prices between flexible tickets and standard tickets and I'd like to use a standard ticket on at least one leg so we can use Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Which leg is best to use the flexible ticket and are we mad to not use flexible tickets on both legs?
Cheers
Standard ticket out…. You should be in full control of your start of holiday plans. The plan is to get an outbound train at circa 8am on a Friday or Saturday and return 8pm the following Friday or Saturday. Being NW based we'll stay with relatives the night before, circa 90 mins from Folkestone and do the same on the return leg. Should we go at different times of the day?
There's a a huge different in prices between flexible tickets and standard tickets and I'd like to use a standard ticket on at least one leg so we can use Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Which leg is best to use the flexible ticket and are we mad to not use flexible tickets on both legs?
Cheers
Flex ticket back….. you are not in control of what happens in France, breakdowns, civil unrest ( it is FRANCE after all), illness etc etc.
It’s what I do.
Yes weekends are busy.
Fridays are generally not as busy as Saturdays, albeit August will still be heavy traffic. If you can get there before 7am then the queues will be less. The return journey will have heavy traffic at 8pm, if you can leave it till after 10pm then traffic is usually lower though trains are not as frequent (one or two an hour rather than three or four).
I used to use Flexi all the time, but the prices are now excessive and the benefits minor - there aren't dedicated customs/immigration lanes any more so you end up in more or less the same queues. At the very best, you may get straight on to an earlier train (but given that ET can't afford to marshal the departure lanes any more, I've just been driving straight onto the first train regardless of the letter I've been given) - I've made a dozen return crossings this year
With a standard ticket, they will put you on the first available train at no extra cost if you turn up within two hours after your scheduled departure time, and usually also if you turn up within two hours before
The only time that Flexi has proved worthwhile in previous years is when there has been industrial action in France resulting in a backlog of crossings (and they don't let you upgrade on the spot when that happens)
With a standard ticket, they will put you on the first available train at no extra cost if you turn up within two hours after your scheduled departure time, and usually also if you turn up within two hours before
The only time that Flexi has proved worthwhile in previous years is when there has been industrial action in France resulting in a backlog of crossings (and they don't let you upgrade on the spot when that happens)
We use the tunnel regularly, although only weekdays in August. We are also NW based, we leave home at 10am and book the 1620 train. On the way back we stay 50 minutes from Calais and get the 1120 train then drive back, arriving home at 1700.
It seems to be quiet at those times. I would suggest looking at the price as a guide to how busy they expect it to be.
It seems to be quiet at those times. I would suggest looking at the price as a guide to how busy they expect it to be.
We travelled for the first time this weekend. Standard in and out, got there 90 minutes early out, weren't offered an earlier train. Got there 90 minutes early on way in, weren't offered an earlier train but landed on one anyway. I'd be interested to know how their booking system regulates the flow of traffic.
Both sides seem woefully inadequate for peak times, we ended up on the 17:20 back yesterday, there were cones/barriers all over the place.
May be travelling again mid-week in May half term, watching thread with interest.
Both sides seem woefully inadequate for peak times, we ended up on the 17:20 back yesterday, there were cones/barriers all over the place.
May be travelling again mid-week in May half term, watching thread with interest.
JQ said:
We are planning to use Eurotunnel in August this year - presumably the worst time of year, so just looking for some hints and tips to hopefully avoid the chaos.
The plan is to get an outbound train at circa 8am on a Friday or Saturday and return 8pm the following Friday or Saturday. Being NW based we'll stay with relatives the night before, circa 90 mins from Folkestone and do the same on the return leg. Should we go at different times of the day?
There's a a huge different in prices between flexible tickets and standard tickets and I'd like to use a standard ticket on at least one leg so we can use Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Which leg is best to use the flexible ticket and are we mad to not use flexible tickets on both legs?
I generally take a 7.20am outward and whilst I haven't done it in August, it's generally very quiet. If you're early enough you can get on an earlier train - although the automated barriers (with ANPR) don't seem to offer you anything other than what's been booked. Bloody robots.The plan is to get an outbound train at circa 8am on a Friday or Saturday and return 8pm the following Friday or Saturday. Being NW based we'll stay with relatives the night before, circa 90 mins from Folkestone and do the same on the return leg. Should we go at different times of the day?
There's a a huge different in prices between flexible tickets and standard tickets and I'd like to use a standard ticket on at least one leg so we can use Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Which leg is best to use the flexible ticket and are we mad to not use flexible tickets on both legs?
The way back (in my experience) is much more of a lottery. I generally come back around 5pm and in June it is regularly very busy indeed. Allow much more time.
I think your journey out will be busy being a friday and that won't matter what time you get there. although, most seem to go early, we once had a booking at about 1pm - and the place was a ghost town. However of course depending on which part of france / europe you are going this might not be useful.
Way back - agree with others this can be very hit and miss. Last time to get through passport we q'd all the way from the terminal snaking round to passport. Didn't help only 2 passport booths for the french side. We also ended up missing our train (which we later found out broke down anyway) so instead of the 8:20 home I think it was, we got the 9:20 and was the 2nd from last car on that train.
Way back - agree with others this can be very hit and miss. Last time to get through passport we q'd all the way from the terminal snaking round to passport. Didn't help only 2 passport booths for the french side. We also ended up missing our train (which we later found out broke down anyway) so instead of the 8:20 home I think it was, we got the 9:20 and was the 2nd from last car on that train.
NDA said:
I generally take a 7.20am outward and whilst I haven't done it in August, it's generally very quiet. If you're early enough you can get on an earlier train - although the automated barriers (with ANPR) don't seem to offer you anything other than what's been booked. Bloody robots.
I’ve found the same, I usually book for a slightly later train than I hope to need and go to the booth that is manned. Smile nicely and hope they will get you on earlier and it probably works three times out of four. Sometimes on the Dover side there are no manned booths. NDA said:
I generally take a 7.20am outward and whilst I haven't done it in August, it's generally very quiet. If you're early enough you can get on an earlier train - although the automated barriers (with ANPR) don't seem to offer you anything other than what's been booked. Bloody robots.
The way back (in my experience) is much more of a lottery. I generally come back around 5pm and in June it is regularly very busy indeed. Allow much more time.
Travelled last week standard and ANPR on the way back gave us the option for an earlier train. The way back (in my experience) is much more of a lottery. I generally come back around 5pm and in June it is regularly very busy indeed. Allow much more time.
If peak periods I’d say standard out if early morning and flexi back if late afternoon.
JQ said:
NDA said:
Give Lyon a wide berth - which I'm sure you will anyway.
I'll be honest I wouldn't have know, so thank you.Generally the A40 from Macon towards Bourg and on to Geneva is quieter than going any further south and sometimes satnav will advise leaving on A39 at Dijon to pick up the A40 at Bourg. There's also a pretty route which leaves the A39 at the exit for Champignole and heads across the Jura to pick up the north bank of Lake Geneva - this is much shorter and can save time if there's motorway problem
On return the Tunnel is very good - you can arrive early and, if there is space, you can choose a slot up to two hours earlier from the touchscreens at the booth on a standard ticket. Even earlier bookings were available for IIRC £60
It's likely to be very busy in August so I'd be building in a big margin - almost planning to arrive 2 hours early.
Well worth getting a transponder to sail through the toll booths. You pay a one off fee and a fee for every month you use it but well worth it for the convenience
Its getting very expensive now and for the last few years the organisation has been woeful. We got messed about every time we returned despite being on time. Half the party got on the train , half were held back despite the train being half empty when it lefty , photos from the lucky ones attested to that !!! ................. and also assisted the complaint when I finally got home !
My advice is get the earliest crossing possible as any delays or problems just get compounded as the day progresses. I never bother with a Flexi ticket as the price is ridiculous and the premium features are not really worth it anymore - no fast track through Passport etc as one poster above states.
Given my last couple of experiences I would boycott the entire company BUT it is still just about better than a ferry. How long this lasts is anyones guess as the ancient rolling stock is not being replaced and now prone to failure causing breakdowns. Being stuck in the carriage back on the UK side but unable to drive out because the doors would not open is frustrating to say the least ........and happening twice on 2 separate crossing starts to boil the piss.
My advice is get the earliest crossing possible as any delays or problems just get compounded as the day progresses. I never bother with a Flexi ticket as the price is ridiculous and the premium features are not really worth it anymore - no fast track through Passport etc as one poster above states.
Given my last couple of experiences I would boycott the entire company BUT it is still just about better than a ferry. How long this lasts is anyones guess as the ancient rolling stock is not being replaced and now prone to failure causing breakdowns. Being stuck in the carriage back on the UK side but unable to drive out because the doors would not open is frustrating to say the least ........and happening twice on 2 separate crossing starts to boil the piss.
Far Cough said:
Given my last couple of experiences I would boycott the entire company BUT it is still just about better than a ferry. How long this lasts is anyones guess as the ancient rolling stock is not being replaced and now prone to failure causing breakdowns. Being stuck in the carriage back on the UK side but unable to drive out because the doors would not open is frustrating to say the least ........and happening twice on 2 separate crossing starts to boil the piss.
Eurotunnel are finally renewing their trains, albeit with one train out being refurbished this will mean they cannot run as many trains at peak times. oddman said:
I go to Chamonix regularly. Morzine to Calais is easily doable in a oner. Last returned by this route a month ago
Generally the A40 from Macon towards Bourg and on to Geneva is quieter than going any further south and sometimes satnav will advise leaving on A39 at Dijon to pick up the A40 at Bourg. There's also a pretty route which leaves the A39 at the exit for Champignole and heads across the Jura to pick up the north bank of Lake Geneva - this is much shorter and can save time if there's motorway problem
On return the Tunnel is very good - you can arrive early and, if there is space, you can choose a slot up to two hours earlier from the touchscreens at the booth on a standard ticket. Even earlier bookings were available for IIRC £60
It's likely to be very busy in August so I'd be building in a big margin - almost planning to arrive 2 hours early.
Well worth getting a transponder to sail through the toll booths. You pay a one off fee and a fee for every month you use it but well worth it for the convenience
Question, if you cross into Geneva, do you have to pay the Swiss road tax sticker? Ie, if you pop into town for a coffee, you got to pay 50sfr? Generally the A40 from Macon towards Bourg and on to Geneva is quieter than going any further south and sometimes satnav will advise leaving on A39 at Dijon to pick up the A40 at Bourg. There's also a pretty route which leaves the A39 at the exit for Champignole and heads across the Jura to pick up the north bank of Lake Geneva - this is much shorter and can save time if there's motorway problem
On return the Tunnel is very good - you can arrive early and, if there is space, you can choose a slot up to two hours earlier from the touchscreens at the booth on a standard ticket. Even earlier bookings were available for IIRC £60
It's likely to be very busy in August so I'd be building in a big margin - almost planning to arrive 2 hours early.
Well worth getting a transponder to sail through the toll booths. You pay a one off fee and a fee for every month you use it but well worth it for the convenience
Ta
TTmonkey said:
Question, if you cross into Geneva, do you have to pay the Swiss road tax sticker? Ie, if you pop into town for a coffee, you got to pay 50sfr?
Ta
AIUI you only need the vignette if you use motorways.Ta
This is avoidable for many journeys in and out and through Switzerland
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