Rest stop at Folkstone Eurotunnel terminal

[Sandra_374419428]

We're novice tourers and are planning a trip to France. Is there anywhere in/near to the Folkstone Eurotunnel terminal where we could rest up for around four hours? We would like to catch a 5am shuttle and would probably arrive around 1am and so it would be helpful to grab a couple of hours sleep.

Sandra & Tony

 

[Chrisbee]

There's a new services just off junc 11 of the M20. Never used it myself as I live 30 minutes from the tunnel. It's signed "early arrivals" for the tunnel but I think there is a parking charge for over 2 hours parking. No idea if there is a caravan parking area

 

[Chrisbee]

Have a look here. http://www.stop24.co.uk/index.php?page=home&hl=en

 

[jaffasdad]

The rest stop has no dedicated caravan area but allows you to stop on the coach park. When we were there last September at about midnight a patrol pulled up within minutes of our arrival and asked how long we were staying. The 2 hours were free but after that it was expensive, I think about

 

[Olly]

When are you planning to travel.?

If it's not at a peak holiday period, at the time of day you are talking about, there would be plenty of space within the caravan parking-area of the terminus ( caravans share with coaches ) and I don't think you would be turned away for early arrival.

On a couple of occasions, although we don't plan to sleep there, when we have reached the check-in barrier early, we have had the opportunity of travelling on an earlier train.

Olly.

 

[Sandra_374419428]

When are you planning to travel.?

If it's not at a peak holiday period, at the time of day you are talking about, there would be plenty of space within the caravan parking-area of the terminus ( caravans share with coaches ) and I don't think you would be turned away for early arrival.

On a couple of occasions, although we don't plan to sleep there, when we have reached the check-in barrier early, we have had the opportunity of travelling on an earlier train.

Olly.

Many thanks to all for the very helpful suggestions. We're planning catch a shuttle early morning on the last Saturday in June. We will be travelling with our two small dogs (which have pet passports) and aim to camp near Cherbourg (we want to travel with our dogs and to minimise their stress - hence the use of the tunnel). Any/all other hints, tips and advice most welcome.

Sandra and Tony

 

[Chrisbee]

Many thanks to all for the very helpful suggestions. We're planning catch a shuttle early morning on the last Saturday in June. We will be travelling with our two small dogs (which have pet passports) and aim to camp near Cherbourg (we want to travel with our dogs and to minimise their stress - hence the use of the tunnel). Any/all other hints, tips and advice most welcome.

Sandra and Tony

Yes, have fun.

 

[Woody3]

Do you have shares in Eurotunnel and get a discount? Otherwise the ferry is much cheaper. Most of those of us who are regular travellers use Norfolk Line to Dunqurkue. Yes it is farther east, yes it takes longer, but as it carries more lorries and caravans than the Calais route there are few (if any) children running around, the boats are all fairly new, well equipped, and quiet, and - above all - Norfolk Line know how to look after their customers. Once over the other side there are plenty of places nearby to the ferry terminal to put the legs down and get some more sleep f needed - you will have had possibly a couple of hours on the boat and you can arrive on the docks in Dover up to two hours early as well.

When you add up the waiting, queueing, and getting on and off, there is really little difference between rail and ferry - unless it is poor weather!

 

[Olly]

Many thanks to all for the very helpful suggestions. We're planning catch a shuttle early morning on the last Saturday in June. We will be travelling with our two small dogs (which have pet passports) and aim to camp near Cherbourg (we want to travel with our dogs and to minimise their stress - hence the use of the tunnel). Any/all other hints, tips and advice most welcome.

Sandra and Tony

Like you, our reason for using the Tunnel is K18 ( two canines..! ). The only additional point I would make is to look on Google for information on 'Processionary Caterpillars'.

There shouldn't be too much danger on the Cherbourg peninsula in June but as a result of global warming, these horrendous bugs are moving north all the time.

Have a great time - we are booked on the Tunnel later today.

Olly.

 

[DeliDave]

Used Tesco vouchers to pay for our tunnel crossing now that P&O dont take them for Dover Calais

 

[DianneT]

We always catch a 3.30 am ferry after leaving Suffolk around 11.00pm the night before. Then we travel down to our first 3/4 night stop near Bitburg Germany. My husband sleeps for a few hours before leaving home I stay awake till the next first night in Germany. We stop every 2 hours for rest and food or drink. We find the Tunnel excellent especially when you get incidents like last month when our friends who went by Norfolk Line spent 2 extra nights waiting in Dover to get over the channel (while we had spent 2 nights at Oberweiss, Germany) due to the French Fishermens Blockade and this happens all the time. We saw nothing of it thankgoodness but had to wait for our friends to join us for 2 days. Tunnel is not overpriced if you book early we got it for