Eurotunnel - how far in advance to arrive at Folkstone?
Discussion
Planning to cross to France with the car (plus wife & dog) on 15th July. How far in advance of scheduled departure do I need to arrive at Folkstone to get through all the queues and customs checks. etc.? Assuming a 8.20am departure.
Then at Calais on the return journey - are there similar queues/ delays?
All advice appreciated!
Then at Calais on the return journey - are there similar queues/ delays?
All advice appreciated!
wax lyrical said:
Planning to cross to France with the car (plus wife & dog) on 15th July. How far in advance of scheduled departure do I need to arrive at Folkstone to get through all the queues and customs checks. etc.? Assuming a 8.20am departure.
Then at Calais on the return journey - are there similar queues/ delays?
All advice appreciated!
An hour is usually plentyThen at Calais on the return journey - are there similar queues/ delays?
All advice appreciated!
Yup, an hour is easily enough.
However my recent experience is that the time taken from them calling my train to then getting through two lots of pass port control and, if you’re unlucky, a security check there’s a fair chance you’ll end up on the train after the one you’re scheduled on, even if you leave the departure area as soon as you’re called.
However my recent experience is that the time taken from them calling my train to then getting through two lots of pass port control and, if you’re unlucky, a security check there’s a fair chance you’ll end up on the train after the one you’re scheduled on, even if you leave the departure area as soon as you’re called.
Probably not representative but we travelled over & back earlier this year midweek & midday. There really were no queues. One of the days was a Tuesday after a bank holiday & no different. The animal check in was quick & easy.. In each case they just offered us the next shuttle departing which was one before our booked one.
From what I recall there are three types of ticket available;
1) A firm, fixed-time ticket. You’re either on that scheduled crossing or you’re not. If you’re not, you’ve lost your money.
2) A flexi-ticket. This allows you to either catch the scheduled departure, the one before, or the one after.
3) A flexi + ticket. This allows you to catch any crossing at any point within that 24 hour period, (that calendar day), with priority loading. It also give you access to the first class lounge with decent food.
On my way out of the U.K. I book the flexi-ticket.
On my return journey, I’ll usually book the flexi+ ticket considering I’ll have already had a 15+ hour drive to Calais with potentially unexpected delays.
1) A firm, fixed-time ticket. You’re either on that scheduled crossing or you’re not. If you’re not, you’ve lost your money.
2) A flexi-ticket. This allows you to either catch the scheduled departure, the one before, or the one after.
3) A flexi + ticket. This allows you to catch any crossing at any point within that 24 hour period, (that calendar day), with priority loading. It also give you access to the first class lounge with decent food.
On my way out of the U.K. I book the flexi-ticket.
On my return journey, I’ll usually book the flexi+ ticket considering I’ll have already had a 15+ hour drive to Calais with potentially unexpected delays.
105.4 said:
From what I recall there are three types of ticket available;
1) A firm, fixed-time ticket. You’re either on that scheduled crossing or you’re not. If you’re not, you’ve lost your money.
2) A flexi-ticket. This allows you to either catch the scheduled departure, the one before, or the one after.
3) A flexi + ticket. This allows you to catch any crossing at any point within that 24 hour period, (that calendar day), with priority loading. It also give you access to the first class lounge with decent food.
On my way out of the U.K. I book the flexi-ticket.
On my return journey, I’ll usually book the flexi+ ticket considering I’ll have already had a 15+ hour drive to Calais with potentially unexpected delays.
The first instance isn’t that harsh: https://www.leshuttle.com/uk-en/support/articles/w...1) A firm, fixed-time ticket. You’re either on that scheduled crossing or you’re not. If you’re not, you’ve lost your money.
2) A flexi-ticket. This allows you to either catch the scheduled departure, the one before, or the one after.
3) A flexi + ticket. This allows you to catch any crossing at any point within that 24 hour period, (that calendar day), with priority loading. It also give you access to the first class lounge with decent food.
On my way out of the U.K. I book the flexi-ticket.
On my return journey, I’ll usually book the flexi+ ticket considering I’ll have already had a 15+ hour drive to Calais with potentially unexpected delays.
You may have to pay the difference between your original fare and the fare for the train you eventually get, which is fair because peak services are always more expensive than off-peak. But so long as you’re within 24 hours you should have options that don’t necessarily include forfeiting the journey. With people coming from all over the UK and Europe, it’s inevitable that a proportion get delayed en route.
an hour is fine going out in the morning, probably enough coming back too.
Passport at Calais takes an age in busier periods (Much longer than Dover)
But don't sweat it - they are very flexible even with regular tickets and they need to be because plenty of people just can't get through passport fast enough in Calais to make their original booked crossing.
Passport at Calais takes an age in busier periods (Much longer than Dover)
But don't sweat it - they are very flexible even with regular tickets and they need to be because plenty of people just can't get through passport fast enough in Calais to make their original booked crossing.
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