Channel Tunnel Questions (1 Viewer)

[Secret Sid]

Hi All,

I am planning to use the train crossing on Monday 11th March with an early'ish time of around 08.00 across to France then heading down to the Costa Blanca. I have never done this and seeking some advise. I have read through various posts with different opinions and views on some of the topics.

I have a Flexi ticket and was wondering if I changed it to a day earlier (Sunday) it would help avoid any congestion? I am travelling down from the North East so would take me the best part of the day to reach Folkstone. Would It be best to get an evening crossing then pitching up in France or pitch up in or near Folkstone for and early crossing? I am also looking for advise on travelling avoiding tolls in France and noticed a few of you use the Western route. I have 3 or 4 days to cover the distance. What sort of towns / cities should I be aiming for on the route down?

TA Steve

It is generally quiet on the Autoroutes but you need to weigh up the costs. Probably better though if you are going to Spain in a limited time away.

 

[Broadway]

It is generally quiet on the Autoroutes but you need to weigh up the costs. Probably better though if you are going to Spain in a limited time away.

I agree. It’s great taking the non toll roads but zipping down the autoroute when needed is a real time saver. We used Fulli for the first time, having had emovis previously and it worked perfectly in both France and Spain.

 

[denisejoe]

Yes that has been our practice. It has worked well. If you can make Canterbury on Saturday before the car park closes you can get well on your way into France before the HGVs

Can now get into the Canterbury New Dover Road Park and Ride 24 hours a day since they started using ANPR.

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[Brains]

Can now get into the Canterbury New Dover Road Park and Ride 24 hours a day since they started using ANPR.

and it's £4 per day, starting at midnight.
So if you arrive before midnight and leave after midnight it's £8 for the night.

For the late starters, park in the pub carpark of the Old Gate Inn next to the P&R
and then drive into the P&R at 00.01 !
You will have earned a free £4 pint!

(The Canterbury P&R has a black and gray water dump area and you can fill up with water)

 

[GD13RUM]

Hi All,

I am planning to use the train crossing on Monday 11th March with an early'ish time of around 08.00 across to France then heading down to the Costa Blanca. I have never done this and seeking some advise. I have read through various posts with different opinions and views on some of the topics.

I have a Flexi ticket and was wondering if I changed it to a day earlier (Sunday) it would help avoid any congestion? I am travelling down from the North East so would take me the best part of the day to reach Folkstone. Would It be best to get an evening crossing then pitching up in France or pitch up in or near Folkstone for and early crossing? I am also looking for advise on travelling avoiding tolls in France and noticed a few of you use the Western route. I have 3 or 4 days to cover the distance. What sort of towns / cities should I be aiming for on the route down?

TA Steve

We left West Yorkshire three weeks ago and stopped over at the Canterbury park and ride, arrived at tunnel for 8.15 for the 9.15 train, travelling west cost of France to first camper car park at Veigné (6 1/2) hour
Left next morning and traveled to Montech camper car park, both really good
Left next morning and travelled to camping Salata northern Spain, stayed three days.
Left salata and travelled to Alcossebre
Weathers very mixed at the minute but a lot better than uk
Three weeks in and we are at Devesa gardens.

I hope you work out a good route

G

 

[Bazzagas]

Hi All,

I am planning to use the train crossing on Monday 11th March with an early'ish time of around 08.00 across to France then heading down to the Costa Blanca. I have never done this and seeking some advise. I have read through various posts with different opinions and views on some of the topics.

I have a Flexi ticket and was wondering if I changed it to a day earlier (Sunday) it would help avoid any congestion? I am travelling down from the North East so would take me the best part of the day to reach Folkstone. Would It be best to get an evening crossing then pitching up in France or pitch up in or near Folkstone for and early crossing? I am also looking for advise on travelling avoiding tolls in France and noticed a few of you use the Western route. I have 3 or 4 days to cover the distance. What sort of towns / cities should I be aiming for on the route down?

TA Steve

We travelled down to the Tunnel from newcastle...384 miles about 6 hrs..
We stop off at a pub in great casterton called The Crown...lovey food and friendly people..also dog friendly..
Big car park..we parked at the back and had a quiet nights sleep..its about 3 hrs from our house then 3 hrs to the Tunnel.. its straight off the A1..

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[Basa]

Hi All,

I am planning to use the train crossing on Monday 11th March with an early'ish time of around 08.00 across to France then heading down to the Costa Blanca. I have never done this and seeking some advise. I have read through various posts with different opinions and views on some of the topics.

I have a Flexi ticket and was wondering if I changed it to a day earlier (Sunday) it would help avoid any congestion? I am travelling down from the North East so would take me the best part of the day to reach Folkstone. Would It be best to get an evening crossing then pitching up in France or pitch up in or near Folkstone for and early crossing? I am also looking for advise on travelling avoiding tolls in France and noticed a few of you use the Western route. I have 3 or 4 days to cover the distance. What sort of towns / cities should I be aiming for on the route down?

TA Steve

Have a look at the About France.com website, lots of info about routes. There is a good route combining tolls and non tolls and when using specific tolls could save you a fair amount of time
Eg use the tolls around Tours, small charge but can save you about an hour

 

[jongood]

Yes that has been our practice. It has worked well. If you can make Canterbury on Saturday before the car park closes you can get well on your way into France before the HGVs

Unless they ve changed it again its open 24 x 7 these days.

 

[Moto GBR]

Do you pay by Credit / Debit Card at the Tolls?

TA Steve

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[MichaelT]

Do you pay by Credit / Debit Card at the Tolls?

TA Steve

Yes or cash but card is easier you just pop it into the machine, no need for pin number.

 

[JockandRita]

Yes or cash but card is easier you just pop it into the machine, no need for pin number.

Moto GBR. But remember to press the flashing green led button, should you require a receipt.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[dalspa]

I tend to pay by card as it is so easy, however, I’m always concerned that I might drop it. Feeding a note into the machine was even more perilous especially if a howling wind was blowing through the toll booth , as it mostly does.

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[TheDenOnWheels]

We recently did Dieppe, to La Jonquera (Spain) in 3 x days, via Nonancourt, Orleans, and Clermont-Ferrand. It was non toll Autoroutes/Dual N Routes most of the way. The only tolls we paid were the Millau Bridge, (shan't be doing that again at €33 a pop), and the short stretch of the A9 to avoid driving through Perpignan.

I'm the only driver, and plated at 6850Kgs, my maximum speeds ranged from 80 to 110Kph, ( 50 - 70Mph). Had I been solo, I could easily have made Valencia in 3 x days, or Alicante in 4 x days............non toll.
From Eurotunnel at Cocquelles, it's only a couple of hours more driving.

Cheers,

Jock.

At Millau we drove down into Millau before bridge staying at the Aire du Camping Car and exploring quaint town before driving up up other side. For less than bridge ..

 

[JockandRita]

At Millau we drove down into Millau before bridge staying at the Aire du Camping Car and exploring quaint town before driving up up other side. For less than bridge ..

Yes, we have done that in the past ourselves, but chose to cross the bridge this year saving us valuable time, and getting into Spain.

We will detour through the town on the way back, as we'll be in a more leisurely mode.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Jo662]

We recently did Dieppe, to La Jonquera (Spain) in 3 x days, via Nonancourt, Orleans, and Clermont-Ferrand. It was non toll Autoroutes/Dual N Routes most of the way. The only tolls we paid were the Millau Bridge, (shan't be doing that again at €33 a pop), and the short stretch of the A9 to avoid driving through Perpignan.

Cheers,

Jock.

The Millau bridge was expensive JockandRita ,we paid €16 in October

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[JockandRita]

The Millau bridge was expensive JockandRita ,we paid €16 in October

Yes John, Class 2. Due to our height, we are Class 3 which was €33 in January, and it went up again in February to €36.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Geistguy]

I don't think that's unusual from our past experience. They used to run 4 trains an hour now its 1 empty one. Wonder if the days of the tunnel are coming to an end as it can't be commercially viable to run it like that.

Could be the tunnel's terrific price increases, ferries still look busy.

 

[MichaelT]

Could be the tunnel's terrific price increases, ferries still look busy.

Or they can't compete with low paid foreign workers the ferries employ.

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[TwistNShout]

We stayed in the CAM site 4miles from tunnel lovely site with a pub opp and shop It took 5mins to get the tunnel. We took the 7am crossing no congestion and a super easy process for it being our first time !

Which site is that please? We normally stay in a nearby CL but my wife has been worrying because last year it was very muddy so we're staying at the Black Horse site in a few weeks. I think that we're on a 7.20am train.

 

[chopper602]

We used to set off (again from the North East), early Saturday morning for an early afternoon crossing. Recently we've tried leaving late afternoon Friday for a late night / midnight tunnel crossing, to end up in France in the early hours. Arrive at a favourite aire about an hour later. So up on Saturday morning ready for further travel to gain extra time out of our away time (leaving France sharpish and heading east/south).

 

[bobnick]

First pay toll in Portugal the lady in the cage decided and charged us Class 4. Don't know don't care if that's right or wrong.

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[LillyWales]

Hi All,

I am planning to use the train crossing on Monday 11th March with an early'ish time of around 08.00 across to France then heading down to the Costa Blanca. I have never done this and seeking some advise. I have read through various posts with different opinions and views on some of the topics.

I have a Flexi ticket and was wondering if I changed it to a day earlier (Sunday) it would help avoid any congestion? I am travelling down from the North East so would take me the best part of the day to reach Folkstone. Would It be best to get an evening crossing then pitching up in France or pitch up in or near Folkstone for and early crossing? I am also looking for advise on travelling avoiding tolls in France and noticed a few of you use the Western route. I have 3 or 4 days to cover the distance. What sort of towns / cities should I be aiming for on the route down?

TA Steve

Hi re your travel plans. We are keen skiers and have travelled to French Alps many times. Now we have a MH I would definitely overnight at the tunnel parking areas in Folkestone. It’s quite organised and safe.

I would not set off too early through the tunnel because exiting in Calais is easier whilst you get to grips with the first few roundabouts in daylight. But 8am it will be light by the time you get there , depending on customs scans and searches.

In January. February March there is often lots of traffic heading to the Alps through central routes and especially on weekends and varying school holidays in France. Personally I’ve found the speeds to be quite challenging. But the Western route might be easier, We usually come home this route.

I also wouldn’t avoid the tolls and I would invest in a tag. It makes the whole journey much easier and less stressful.

Wishing you a smashing trip. We are doing this trip Winter 24.

 

[Moto GBR]

Hi re your travel plans. We are keen skiers and have travelled to French Alps many times. Now we have a MH I would definitely overnight at the tunnel parking areas in Folkestone. It’s quite organised and safe.

I would not set off too early through the tunnel because exiting in Calais is easier whilst you get to grips with the first few roundabouts in daylight. But 8am it will be light by the time you get there , depending on customs scans and searches.

In January. February March there is often lots of traffic heading to the Alps through central routes and especially on weekends and varying school holidays in France. Personally I’ve found the speeds to be quite challenging. But the Western route might be easier, We usually come home this route.

I also wouldn’t avoid the tolls and I would invest in a tag. It makes the whole journey much easier and less stressful.

Wishing you a smashing trip. We are doing this trip Winter 24.

What is a Tag?

 

[RedFrame]

What is a Tag?

It allows you to pass through toll booths without stopping and debits your account.

Search Fulli Tag.

Cheers
Red

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[LillyWales]

What is a Tag?

What is a Tag?

Emovis Tag UK

Travel without stopping on European Motorways. Emovis Tag UK can provide UK customers with a tag for automatic payment of motorway tolls in France, Spain & Portugal.

www.emovis-tag.co.uk

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

We have booked a ferry pitch at Black Horse Farm which is about the closest to Folkestone and you can come and go any time. So we're aiming to get there after work on a Friday night, and early train on Saturday morning.

I use the Drum Inn, although it's up to 30 quid now and I always feel obliged to eat or drink in the pub!

 

[Moto GBR]

Thanks for all the replies,

I have drawn up an outline of the route and open to detour from it.

One final question, can I take milk , bacon, sausage across in the MH? There are conflicting reports, some say no then others say for your own consumption?

TA Steve

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[bobnick]

We stuff the fridge/feezer storage will all sorts of goodies.
Never had an issue yet.

 

[Cozz nd Keith]

We take it all. In fact the fridge is full and we’re leaving for the ferry in around an hour !

 

[bobnick]

The thing to consider is, if they do they will most likely say dump it in that bin before you go. Don't winge about it there or on here

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