Folkstone eurotunnel parking

[Robert Houghton]

Hello, we're hoping to take our first trip to France via the tunnel in early October travelling down from Birmingham and onto Spain. Trying to decide on what time train to get and what would be best. We're wondering if it would be best to drive down the evening before (missing a lot of the heavy traffic) and park up close to the terminal and get an early ferry to be reasonably fresh and then get a chunk of the journey in france done on the first day. At the moment this is probably my preferred option, but I can't find anywhere obvious to park up. I would be very grateful for any advice please.

 

[Jo662]

Try the park and ride at Canterbury. We do that sometimes and you can spend the evening before in Canterbury and then just a short drive to the tunnel the next day.

 

[Two on Tour]

We always use the carpark at Farthing Common to overnight for an early train, which is about 4 to 5 minutes to the tunnel.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

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[Imala615]

Another for the Canterbury park and ride, note you cant enter after 8.30pm

New Dover Road Park and Ride | Find a car park | Visit Canterbury

Result

www.canterbury.co.uk

 

[Stealaway]

We tend to catch the train at tea time Sunday just to be traveling while the roads are quiet.
We prefer to stop the first night in France as there are many more free Aires within easy reach of Calais

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[Figaro]

Roads quiet on a Sunday ? Where is this place you speak of ?

 

[Clipgate]

So many places in Folkestone, not the Seafront anymore though.
Grimston Avenue has no restrictions and easy walk to the town
Earls Avenue similar fewer space at the top end.
Lots of choices if you look, top of Canterbury Road near the Chapel has a slight slope. A bit further to walk.
The Caple Le Ferne Old Road parallel with old A20 great views across the Channel.
Your spoilt for choice.

 

[Lenny HB]

Easier to get a late afternoon/early evening train as there are plenty of Aires within a 30 minute drive of the tunnel in France.

 

[138go]

We always use the Aire at Canterbury Park and Ride.

 

[eyeball74]

These are great suggestion. Thank you. We travel next Saturday in the early hours but are travelling from Newcastle on Friday evening so will use one of these park ups. Anyone know the best place to get fuel before we board the train? Don’t fancy filling up on the French side.

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[Manic]

These are great suggestion. Thank you. We travel next Saturday in the early hours but are travelling from Newcastle on Friday evening so will use one of these park ups. Anyone know the best place to get fuel before we board the train? Don’t fancy filling up on the French side.

I usually stop at Ashford Tesco’s just off junction 10 m20

 

[Clickem]

Tesco, off M20 as above, Hythe Rd, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0YE

 

[Clipgate]

Tesco Cheriton 5 mins from the terminal just one roundabout off the M20.

https://www.tesco.com/store-locator/folkestone/cheriton-high-street?sc_cmp=ref*yg*stc*2535&utm_source=yext_google&utm_campaign=local_Superstore_England&utm_medium=organic

 

[Speve]

You can park at the tunnel but it’s a bit noisy we did it a couple of years ago

 

[Stealaway]

Diesel in France is cheaper or very similar. Not worth the bother.

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[Riverbankannie]

If you are going to be relying on a stand alone satnav, or one in the MH rather than maps on phone, set the country to France and then your destination, before you get off the train. You get disgorged straight onto dual carriageway roads and then on to the A16 without places to pull over (unless you go into Cité Europe).
Be prepared by knowing the major towns on your route so you can follow overhead signs. You are presumably going in the direction of Abbeville and Rouen. Once you get going you can relax and will settle in quite quickly.
Have a great time.

 

[Littlewheels]

Easier to get a late afternoon/early evening train as there are plenty of Aires within a 30 minute drive of the tunnel in France.

Plus you gain an hour the following day rather than loosing it.

 

[Puddleduck]

A lot of the French fuel pumps are automatic and it's not a problem except that a very few don't like some of the UK cards. We take a selection of plastic but only once has a card been rejected (in Italy) and I just used a different card.

 

[eyeball74]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Easier to get a late afternoon/early evening train as there are plenty of Aires within a 30 minute drive of the tunnel in France.

I think the first time over, it is sensible to go in the morning and have daylight. Otherwise, yes, I agree but then we have always just stopped at Cité Europe out and back so we will have to think about finding an aire further away now.

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[Reallyretired]

We usually avoid buying fuel in the UK, preferring to wait till we get to France. Of course the price difference is a lot less than it used to be. Supermarket fuel stations usually the cheapest and as usually self service no language problems.
In the UK I prefer Asda as some other Supermarkets have a kiosk or self service pumps not working. I have not paid in a kiosk for a couple of years, because of covid and prefer not to waste time queueing.

 

[Riverbankannie]

In the UK I prefer Asda as some other Supermarkets have a kiosk

The only supermarket around here that has that funnel system to a kiosk is ASDA! I have to hold up the queue as the MH window too high to reach down to the lady at the window, so I have to stop ahead and get out.

 

[Lenny HB]

I think the first time over, it is sensible to go in the morning and have daylight. Otherwise, yes, I agree but then we have always just stopped at Cité Europe out and back so we will have to think about finding an aire further away now.

It will still be light past 7:30 in early October so shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Robert Houghton]

Thanks everyone for all the really useful and helpful advice. I am now in the unexpected but very welcome situation of having lots of possible choices !! It always feels so much better to have more than one option in case "plan A" doesn't work out. Thanks again

 

[xsparks]

Not sure about daylight at 7.30pm. The Halifax credit card works well in the EU and no charges.

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[Landy Andy]

We used to stop and get early am train. But we now get a late train, do 30mins the other side and enjoy a good layin and start off relaxed. We also get our fuel that side as it’s cheaper.

 

[Pekepal]

So many places in Folkestone, not the Seafront anymore though.
Grimston Avenue has no restrictions and easy walk to the town
Earls Avenue similar fewer space at the top end.
Lots of choices if you look, top of Canterbury Road near the Chapel has a slight slope. A bit further to walk.
The Caple Le Ferne Old Road parallel with old A20 great views across the Channel.
Your spoilt for choice.

Don’t think the residents would appreciate this. Much better to pay and stay somewhere. Lovely site at Hawkinge that is set up to help travellers with an early start. I don’t leave my house expecting to park outside someone else’s.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not sure about daylight at 7.30pm. The Halifax credit card works well in the EU and no charges.

London sunset around 18:30 so calais will be 19:30.

 

[teddybear]

There are a couple of pubs about 15 min drive from tunnel. We have sometimes driven down previous day. Stopped at campsite attached to pub , had a meal and caught train following morning.

 

[Madcaravanner]

We head down a day or two earlier and head to Little Switzerland CP

ALWAYS get at least one Spitfire OTT for the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel Le Ferne and it's such a beautiful place to relax looking over the channel

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