Booking the Channel Tunnel for the first time HELP!

[landscaper]

Just trying for the first time to see how much a tunnel crossing will cost us and am a bit baffled by the website - we have a 7.5 m motor home - do you just book in as a campervan? are there any size limitations? We are taking our dog can we all just stay in the van? your help would be appreciated!

 

[Yorick]

On short journeys we always stay in van.

Shut the curtains and enjoy free beer and food

 

[icantremember]

Yes, just book as campervan (size does not matter) and yes you all stay in the vehicle through the tunnel.

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

Motorhomes or camper vans all one price!
Stay in van with dog for comfort,easy way to travel stress free. :thumb:




Vlad

 

[sdc77]

You just sit in the van with your dog.. Its only half an hour.. Flys by.

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[SUGGY]

Hi, if i remember right, click campervan it will then open another window asking for more details , i think most people round down the MH length
if all else fails phone them but first look on the internet for a local call number so you dont pay premium rates ,

 

[82220]

Tunnel Train

Just book as camper, its easy, Stay in camper, great if you have dog, sometimes extra security checks & sometime they check Gas is off, when leaving uk, we use travel time to have meal break before arriving in france

 

[Styx]

Don't forget you can use your Tesco vouchers at a rate of 3 to 1 if you collect them - all you need to know here

Broken Link Removed

:thumb:

 

[Gizmouk]

Just trying for the first time to see how much a tunnel crossing will cost us and am a bit baffled by the website - we have a 7.5 m motor home - do you just book in as a campervan? are there any size limitations? We are taking our dog can we all just stay in the van? your help would be appreciated!

Motorhomes go in coach carriages.
Just sit in the back with your dog - chances are you wont even notice the train is moving

 

[Allanm]

You will need to turn the gas off before you get to the check in, or just after. You will be stopped and this will be checked just after you go through passport control, and again on the way back as you get to the waiting lanes.
I assume you have the appropriate docs ( pet passport), for the dog.
Just stay in the van till you drive off. I generally turn the gas back on just before we get off the train.
On your way back, you need to check into the Pet Control building which is just after you check in and get your return ticket / hangar ( you did take him / her to a vet to have worming tabs 1 and 5 days before your return?). You need to veer off to the right following the signs, park in the car park and take the dog in with its passport, booking reference and van reg number ( this is a good time to turn your gas off). They will give you the scanner to scan the dogs microchip, sign the forms and give you a card to put in the windscreen.
Then you drive to passport control and onto the train.

Have a great trip

Allan

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[cmcardle75]

Just trying for the first time to see how much a tunnel crossing will cost us and am a bit baffled by the website - we have a 7.5 m motor home - do you just book in as a campervan? are there any size limitations? We are taking our dog can we all just stay in the van? your help would be appreciated!

You pretty much must just stay in the van. At least, the van will provide far more interest than the boring train carriage. One big advantage of the tunnel is its dog friendliness, as it is quick and you can stay with them.

Just check that any LPG limitations are met. If you've got a diesel or petrol, you should be OK. If your engine runs on LPG, you haven't a chance. Limits for fixed or portable habitation LPG are generous. However, there are strict rules for gauges and isolation valves. They WILL check. Read the rules and make sure you can comply.

 

[Floydster]

On your way back, you need to check into the Pet Control building which is just after you check in and get your return ticket / hangar ( you did take him / her to a vet to have worming tabs 1 and 5 days before your return?). You need to veer off to the right following the signs, park in the car park and take the dog in with its passport, booking reference and van reg number ( this is a good time to turn your gas off). They will give you the scanner to scan the dogs microchip, sign the forms and give you a card to put in the windscreen.
Then you drive to passport control and onto the train.

Allan

I think you'll find you have to check your pet in BEFORE you check in yourselves and vehicle.
Enjoy your trip.

 

[joner8888]

As said above, one of the best parts is , if on your return trip you are early or late you can--

Just drive up to a booking in booth which is unattended early and a camera reads your reg number and on a touch screen it knows all about you
Then you are given a choice of buttons to go on a earlier than booked return trip or a later one at no cost.
It then prints out a ticket as what you want:thumb:
Drive in and wait.

 

[Roryboys Dad]

This video may help you with your concerns - [ame]http://youtu.be/rzW5TQtZ8EA[/ame]

To watch the Youtube video in best picture quality click on the 'cog' at the bottom right hand corner of the video and select '1080pHD'

The video is about 27 minutes long and unless you have a very fast connection speed it is better to download the Video and watch after the download.

 

[DrRogerRam]

Thanks RBD for your video.

Wondered what dash-cam you used since it is very good?

As a note for fellow dog-owners, when you come back before the Pet Passport section your dog will have to wear a muzzle when you take him/her to be checked/scanned.

Our Rosie, tricolour border-collie hates the muzzle & by the time we reach the queue has usually succeeded in scratching it off so it hangs like a rather fetching kerchief! Never known any of the Eurotunnel staff bother about that though.

We usually use the Tunnel for cheapness with our Tesco vouchers tripled up. The only 'however' for me is it's almost too quick compared with the ferry & somehow not as much fun. I'm sure Rosie much prefers being with us though.

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[Roryboys Dad]

DrRogerRam - As a note for fellow dog-owners, when you come back before the Pet Passport section your dog will have to wear a muzzle when you take him/her to be checked/scanned.

We were in the Pet Passport office last Sunday, along with about 20 others dog owners, and I've never seen any dog with a muzzle on in all the times we've been there.

Where did you get the info about muzzles?

The camera is a Driving Recorder DR32 - reviewed by Techmoan - [ame]http://youtu.be/P-dfvPX0dOs[/ame] Not the cheapest camera but very easy to use and gives a reasonably good quality picture.

 

[DrRogerRam]

We were told by a Eurotunnel French staff member the first time we came back. Thought it was a bit odd 'cos they ask you to do the scanning & stay behind their desk.

I've just checked their website & a muzzle is not a requirement .

Thanks for the info about the camera.

 

[The Dudess]

Done the tunnel lots of times with our dogs - definitely no muzzle.

 

[Linda and Steph]

Nice video :thumb:

The last time we were stopped before the ramp at the approach I asked the Hi-Vis wearer. The reason he gave was that we had gas bottles on and had to be at the very rear of vehicles so get held up in case any late cars turn up.

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

Are there no checks whatsoever on your dog when leaving the UK ?
If not how do they know you have one,Whats to stop you saying I'm going over to collect mine after his holiday



Vlad

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[Cyclewalkbob]

If you are a member of the Caravan and Camping club you get a 10% discount.

You also get a discount in the Caravan Club but you need to book campsites in Europe to get the discount

 

[The Dudess]

Are there no checks whatsoever on your dog when leaving the UK ?
If not how do they know you have one,Whats to stop you saying I'm going over to collect mine after his holiday



Vlad

No, none whatsoever. It's only when entering the UK with a dog/animal that the checks are deemed to be necessary 'cos the UK want to ensure that rabies is not brought over here with your animal. Why the insistence on tapeworm treatment I don't know 'cos we already have that in this country.

 

[Larby]

Are there no checks whatsoever on your dog when leaving the UK ?
If not how do they know you have one,Whats to stop you saying I'm going over to collect mine after his holiday



Vlad

The check-in at DFDS knew I had one because I declared it when booking. It is generally £15 each way but DFDS don't charge to France but charge £30 back to UK. There was someone on here recently that said they went out DFDS and used P & O back thereby saving £15 which offset the slighter dearer vehicle fare.
My experience is they hand us the scanner at check-in and check his "VIN" agrees with the Passport. We get the form and hanger indicating pet on board and the job's a good 'un.
No one has checked there aren't others on board whether 2 or 4 legged !!

 

[Roryboys Dad]

Eurotunnel have increased the charge for a Dog/Cat/Ferret from £15 to £16 each way - B*stards!