Arriving early at Chunnel (1 Viewer)

[DavidG58]

I cant find a definitive answer on the Tunnel web site

If you wanted to arrive and sleep, can you get through the barriers say 7 hours before your crossing, or will they bar you from entering?

We have arrived a couple of hours early on a few occasions you then get options to travel between then and your due crossing often at extra cost, so I might hope you can just pick your original crossing time and park up

I have a fear of being turned away and directed back onto the M20 if much too early

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Short answer is no you can't.

If you want to keep to your scheduled train time you can't check in (go through the barriers) more than 2 hours early. If you are earlier than that it will offer you alternatives one of which you have to accept. If you're very very early it may well charge you.

There's a services at junction 11 where you could park up though. I'm sure I noticed last time we went a signpost directing "Tunnel Early Arrivals" into there. The tunnel junction is 11A, it's only about 5 minutes from the services to the barriers.

 

[Pilote87]

Short answer is no you can't.

There's a services at junction 11 where you could park up though. I'm sure I noticed last time we went a signpost directing "Tunnel Early Arrivals" into there. The tunnel junction is 11A, it's only about 5 minutes from the services to the barriers.

Yes there is, BUT, as with most service areas, if you stay more than a limited period you will be subject to a charge. NO, I didn't say "a fine"

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DavidG58]

I am thinking mainly of the English side, I have been hours early on the French side and just sat and waited using their free wifi, which I don't think you get on this side

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Yes there is, BUT, as with most service areas, if you stay more than a limited period you will be subject to a charge. NO, I didn't say "a fine"

Probably yes. Never been there myself. The one time we've been massively early we paid Eurotunnel's extra charge and travelled early.

 

[DavidG58]

Yes there is, BUT, as with most service areas, if you stay more than a limited period you will be subject to a charge. NO, I didn't say "a fine"

Thanks, but I would rather pay to travel early than pay to park in a UK service area, principle mainly

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Madwife]

We stayed at the service area last year and my advice is don't! It was a waste of money and probably better to arrive early at the Eurotunnel and pay them the money if necessary to get an earlier train. We have arrived early, as in at least three hours before our booked train and never yet have been charged to get an earlier train.

Kath

 

[Deleted member 29692]

When we were charged extra we were about 14 hours early (don't ask!) so couldn't really complain.

 

[Phill D]

As Nic has stated 2 hours early max is allowed unless you coff up any charges for changes ( there may not be any ). you take an earlier train or drive away.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[frogijock]

Last December we arrived at the tunnel 5hrs early just accepted an earlier train 1 hour earlier than booked, ( 4 hour wait ) parked up till called, no problem

 

[Soozywoozy]

We have had a selection of experiences of turned up early

• changed no extra charges
• extra charges on some crossings to select, not on others (read the check in screen carefully)
• changed and paid the difference
• no other crossing available (to be fair this is often at the calais end in peak summer)

You can change online (depending on booking) or by phone 24 hours in advance, which again we have done

I would rather be on the other side, in france and option to get going a bit further than waiting in UK
I wish they did flexi plus for motorhomes - we always travelled that way with the car, and I was happy to pay for the option

 

[DavidG58]

I would rather be on the other side, in france and option to get going a bit further than waiting in UK
I wish they did flexi plus for motorhomes - we always travelled that way with the car, and I was happy to pay for the option

We have just booked the frequent traveller option, although we opted not to take the flexi option I did not see any restrictions if we had, although in fairness at the point of booking you are only prebooking a car, when you specify the time of crossing you then confirm vehicle / dog etc

But the premium charge for flexi looked bonkers, nearly three times the price, might as well book another crossing on the frequent user and take that, losing the original booking if needs be

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Soozywoozy]

But the premium charge for flexi looked bonkers, nearly three times the price, might as well book another crossing on the frequent user and take that, losing the original booking if needs be

Agree - but until this year we have been school holidays, peak times and not had the luxury of a motorhome to stop off en route if early/late, but have had to bat it back from south of france, which can take anywhere between 6 and 14 hours depending on the traffic. We had to guarantee a crossing back to get the kids back to school the next day/in time for exam results etc. I am all for extending my holidays for as long as possible

 

[Moodybrook]

Thanks, but I would rather pay to travel early than pay to park in a UK service area, principle mainly

David I have been researching for my trip. Come off at Tunnel slip then take the A20 back along the way you have come to a roundabout, take a right towards Etchinghill, ok. About 800 yds along there is a sleepy spot on your right, you'd back into a track leading to what looks like a farmers livestock loading pens, he is unlikely to be using it. Also if not happy, then about 200/300 yds further along on the same road there is an opening in the hedge with a cattle grid and a very lovely sleepy spot ! access to a disused MOD radio place I think.

Google street map it. Don't leave litter as I want to use it

 

[cakey]

We were going to the park and ride in Canterbury last year and got there to late. Didn't know where to go but ended up on the B2068 Stone st, Look on Google earth and the road is dead straight for miles. There are quite a few lay bye's, bits of old rd. We stayed over night on one, ok pulled up after 10pm and left next morning 6.30am but served the purpose. Didn't have to pay and got to the tunnel for an early train.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[denisejoe]

didn't think you could go anywhere from the slip road but the tunnel

joe

 

[gus-lopez]

But the premium charge for flexi looked bonkers, nearly three times the price, might as well book another crossing on the frequent user and take that, losing the original booking if needs be

Unbelievable isn't it ? I'd like someone to explain to me how they work it out.

 

[Moodybrook]

didn't think you could go anywhere from the slip road but the tunnel

joe

Sorry you are correct It is the turn off for the A20 that I was looking at. Right next to the terminal so caught me out, funny enough google won't let me drive down that A20 exit, but it is there !

The turn off for the Chunnel is the next exit. So easy for early morning departure which is what I have booked !

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DavidG58]

Unbelievable isn't it ? I'd like someone to explain to me how they work it out.

But in fairness the frequent traveller option is possibly over generous, £54 each way for campervan if you travel between 16:00 and 06:00, at least £80 cheaper than I can book it direct with them as a one off trip

but no real answer to the flexi pricing

 

[PORKSTER]

Canterbury park and ride £3 cant go wrong BUT a friend of mine has often arrived very early for crossing either gets on early train at no extra cost or they allow him to kip in waiting area. I assume by the services/shops my experience of showing up early is get options to travel early at extra cost but always a free option too, press this option and your be directed to shops bit but carry on and go round chances are you will be on next train this has happened to me twice.

 

[Fenman]

Only once have we had a problem with early arrival at the French end.
Nine times out of ten we go automatic toll but we happened to get there 4 hours before our booked time and it was a late August Tuesday around 3pm. The lanes to the check-ins were clogged and we had to go to a manned booth. She took one look at our details and told us there were no spaces available until our booked slot and there was no room for extra vehicles in the car park - this was in a car not a large mh.
We were told to leave the terminal by the escape route and not come back until 2 hours before departure at the earliest.
So it can happen.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Canterbury park and ride £3 cant go wrong

Yes, it's ideal if you get there early enough. They lock the barriers at 8.30pm so you can't get in after that.

 

[SandT]

Last time we used the tunnel we arrived just over an hour early and we were charged £10 to get the next train.
It was delayed and we actually left at the same time as our original booking!
Euro tunnel refused to refund the £10 , never used them since!!
No hardship as we love the whole ferry experience.

Terry

 

[DavidG58]

Canterbury park and ride £3 cant go wrong BUT a friend of mine has often arrived very early for crossing either gets on early train at no extra cost or they allow him to kip in waiting area. I assume by the services/shops my experience of showing up early is get options to travel early at extra cost but always a free option too, press this option and your be directed to shops bit but carry on and go round chances are you will be on next train this has happened to me twice.

Thanks PORKSTER, that was more or less my own experience, but to date I have never got to the barrier more than about 3 hours before my due crossing, parking up by the shops to sleep would be a good option

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Mousy]

There is a @BritStops perfect for the tunnel, but you will all have to buy the book to find out where!

 

[Soozywoozy]

There is a @BritStops perfect for the tunnel, but you will all have to buy the book to find out where!

Love britstops, but would rather be at the other side of the channel raring to go. There's a great aire at bergues which is brilliant for late crossing and putting your head down for snoozles and off on the road the next morning

 

[chaser]

Love britstops, but would rather be at the other side of the channel raring to go. There's a great aire at bergues which is brilliant for late crossing and putting your head down for snoozles and off on the road the next morning

Same here , can't understand why anyone would want to stop on this side for the sake of twenty minutes you can be parked up at cite europe , contrary to what some say, perfectly safe, for free, ready for the off next morning, stocked up with wine and food from Carrefour.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[denisejoe]

Same here , can't understand why anyone would want to stop on this side for the sake of twenty minutes you can be parked up at cite europe , contrary to what some say, perfectly safe, for free, ready for the off next morning, stocked up with wine and food from Carrefour.

Wine is cheaper at Lidl's down on the roundabout by the hotels.

Joe

 

[chaser]

Wine is cheaper at Lidl's down on the roundabout by the hotels.

Joe

Better still but the point is, why stop here for twenty quid , when all you are going to do the next day is catch the train, might as well already be there, no getting up early or owt , just ready to go at your leisure.

 

[denisejoe]

Better still but the point is, why stop here for twenty quid , when all you are going to do the next day is catch the train, might as well already be there, no getting up early or owt , just ready to go at your leisure.

Totally agree - definitely wouldn't stay this side! We always stop at Cite Europe overnight. The new Lidl is on the roundabout by the hotels as you go in. If we're early enough we pop in on the way otherwise we'll go in there before moving off elsewhere.

Joe

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}