Euro tunnel crossings.

Camper634

Camper634

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Could anyone tell me how early you can arrive for a crossing on the Chunnel and would it be possible to board an earlier train?I have a crossing booked for Monday evening but will probably be able to get there mid morning.Thanks for any advice.
 
we always arrive early, they give you some leeway for free and the charge if your looking for a longer difference depenps on demand
 
We were booked on the 07.50 yesterday. Arrived at 06.10. They asked if we would be ok with the 06 50? No problem we said. Ok follow the signs. We were directed on to a train and on our way at 06.20.
Very little checks in place, only passports. No gas or fridge check.
 
Just get there early and if they say there is a charge, then advise you will come back later.I am sure they will then let you on if there is space , which will probably be the case. (y)

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On Tuesday, we arrived at Calais about 1.5 hours early, and were allowed to take a 1/2 hour earlier train. Arrival at the tunnel should be at least 1 hour, but not more than 4 hours before your train is due to leave.
 
I was anxious and arrived at the terminal early. Checked in and got offered an earlier train. Drove straight on and arrived 40 minutes earlier than planned.

I guess it depends on how busy they are.
 
Last time out we were offered an earlier time, lined up green light down to the train loading, they stopped the van in front of us, no more room :( then escorted us back to the front of a new line, we were second on the next train still one earlier than scheduled. (y)
 
Thanks everyone.I’m probably going to be about 7 hours early though.😬

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I booked the train at that time because originally I was working until 8 am on the Monday morning.I have now managed to finish on the Sunday,hence I can travel down earlier.
 
jongood - I am one half of a ‘Frequent traveller wallet’ holder which was due to expire middle of this month (6 crossings left!). The account holder asked for an extension and we are now extended until end of June 2022. Can’t fault Euro Tunnel as we had already been extended on at least 2 occasions.
 
Camper634 said:
Thanks everyone.I’m probably going to be about 7 hours early though.😬
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Thats way to early. They would try and charge you any difference in price. I recall a couple of years ago turning up about 4 hours early in France, I was offered the opportunity to pay a supplement which I declined. I was then informed to arrive 2 hours before scheduled crossing and if available I would be put on an earlier train. I was then guided over too the right past the old dog passport area and fed back on the road away from the terminal.
 
Camper634 said:
Could anyone tell me how early you can arrive for a crossing on the Chunnel and would it be possible to board an earlier train?I have a crossing booked for Monday evening but will probably be able to get there mid morning.Thanks for any advice.
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Two options for you to consider.

1 - Just turn-up to checkin and they will offer you an earlier crossing but there might be a supplement for peak time perhaps if you choose not to accept they can let you exit back onto the arrivals road to come back later.

2 - A couple of hours before you arrive go online and see if there is space to change to an earlier train, this used to work upto about 45 minutes before departure and change to an earlier service depending on your ETA.

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Cal54 said:
jongood - I am one half of a ‘Frequent traveller wallet’ holder which was due to expire middle of this month (6 crossings left!). The account holder asked for an extension and we are now extended until end of June 2022. Can’t fault Euro Tunnel as we had already been extended on at least 2 occasions.
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Agreed they've been more than fair, trouble is we've now run out of crossings
 
we were booked on a early am train drove up from cornwall to stay in car park over night (yes found out not allowed) then put on next train 12.30 at night SHMBO not happy my ears bleed for weeks had to find somewere to stay had a caravan at time so no Aires SUCH FUN
 
Camper634 said:
Thanks everyone.I’m probably going to be about 7 hours early though.😬
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In that case I'd suggest you change your booking now to a more convenient time. Usually they'll put you on the next train if you're up to 2 hours early; more than that and they'll want a supplement. They are asking people not to turn up more than 4 hours early.
 
Just booked tunnel for skiing in Feb. The agent advised that up to 4 hours either way can be catered for but is not something they publish (have never checked myself) so as to avoid a free for all.
 
Eurotunnel fares are based on peak, mid and off peak times which change during the day. Morning crossings are at peak rate from Folkestone. Off peak starts at 4pm if leaving the U.K. so anything earlier will have a surcharge. If you are booked on say the 7pm train and you turn up early you may get put on the 6pm at no charge but not anything before the 4pm cutoff.
Coming back from France the peak time is late afternoon so the cheapest crossings are up to about 2pm.
Hope that makes sense.

Richard.
 
Camper634 said:
Thanks everyone.I’m probably going to be about 7 hours early though.😬
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Ring them and discuss the options which are essentially what other posters have mentioned. It may be that any extra charge will be small enough to make it worthwhile to go earlier.
 
Eurotunnel have just emailed me saying my tickets are extended until June 2022 but I still doubt I will be able to go.
 
Looks like Eurotunnel are extending F.T tickets. Just been emailed to say the remaining crossings will expire June 2022 instead of Dec 2021. Didn't have to ask so cracking result. Good old customer service. Well done ET.

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WillH said:
For us it's a 500 mile drive to the tunnel so arrival times are difficult to predict given the traffic problems we may encounter.
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Worked for me many a year ago when early. Be sure and give it your 'braw bricht' accent; innocent and bewildered.
They don't sweat the small stuff if there is a bona fide traffic issue.
 
I contacted the caravan club who I booked the crossing through and was told it would be £77 to change to an earlier crossing.Decidide to stick with the original plan.
 
Camper634 said:
I contacted the caravan club who I booked the crossing through and was told it would be £77 to change to an earlier crossing.Decidide to stick with the original plan.
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You would have changed from their quietest time in the evening, off peak, to their busiest morning crossing, peak, hence the sharp increase.
You can arrive at Cheriton up to four hours before your booked crossing so try arriving around 3pm and you might get on a train at just after 4 at no extra.

Richard.
 
Be sure and give it your 'braw bricht' accent; innocent and bewildered.

I don't have a Braw, Bricht accent, I'm a Geordie!

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