Use of tunnel

[BarryB_5039906]

Hi there

We have crossed the channel many times but this year, for the first time, we are using the tunnel. I have heard that your gas cylinders are checked to ensure they are less than 80% full. Is this correct? Also if we arrive early I understand we can go on a different train. I hope to arrive at 7.30am so will they allow us onto the 7.50am train (given there is space of course) even if this is within the 30 mins check in time?

Happy travels BarryB

 

[Bluebird1]

Hi Barry

They do check your gas cylinders but only to check that they aren't connected.

I have turned up early on a few occassions and have been allowed to take an earlier crossing. Great way to cross.

Andy

 

[jaffasdad]

The checks on gas cylinders are more lax than they were a few years ago. Returning from France last month, the French official just asked me if the gas was off and didn't even come out of the kiosk although in England it was checked visually. Yes, you can be put on earlier trains but sometimes you will be asked to pay extra. Trains can also be cancelled without notice - this has happened to me twice - and information about what is happening is like the proverbial! Another problem that we encountered last year was that our letter was not called to go and line up ready to board. Myself and another motorhome decided to go ahead and join the queue and, had we not done this, we would have missed the tain. Despite these blips, it's a great way to cross.

 

[rob_jax]

Barry,

For the past two years I've been using the channel tunnel on my regular commute to Holland - and:

1. You should be called for passport and other checks about 45 minutes before departure time.

2. The last call is about 25 minutes before departure time.

3. Gas and other physical checks may be verbal or a quick visual examination.

4. If you arrive slightly early you should be offered an early crossing for no-charge providing you are still in the same price-band, otherwise you can elect to pay the price difference for the higher band fare or keep your original crossing time.

5. And if you paid by credit card - make sure you have it handy when you arrive. The automated check-in procedure will ask you if you have your reservation number or the credit card you used as payment.

If you place your credit card in the reader, it uses that to identify you - no money is taken. And you're (almost) done.

Instead, if you enter your reservation number, followed by a load of other stuff, then the last question will be - "Now place the credit card you used for payment in the reader"

You end up at the same place, but several minutes later....

Robert

 

[ShadySadie]

Am I the only person who dislikes the tunnel. I can just about suffer it for a business trip or day out, but going on holiday with the caravan no thank you. I'm not claustrophobic until I see the tunnel trains. The train racing along in the dark tunnel is not a good start for a holiday to me and I find the ferries a more open ralaxing start to a trip.

I've not had a lot of luck with trains running on time due to breakdowns.

It's the ferry for me :

 

[Chrisbee]

For the last couple of years I have booked to return after 22.00 hrs to take advantage of the cheapest fare. Both times I have arrived at the terminal about 18.30hrs and both times offered a free transfer to any train leaving after 20.30 or to pay a suppliment for immediate departure. A quick tour of duty free (or rather EU tax paid ) and straight onto the 20.30 train. In effect you have a 4 hour window at least to leave at no extra cost. It makes the journey home stress free knowing you have such a wide margin of time to get to the terminal. Back in England just after 8 BST and a forty minute drive home.I really rate the tunnel.

 

[ShadySadie]

ps

We've travelled P&O and Seafrance many times Dover Calais and have managed to turn up 12 hours early a day ahead of our scheduled return time as well as two days late and at a variety of other times either side of departure and arrival.

It's never cost us a penny more either.

 

[Chrisbee]

Hi Sadie

Horses for courses I suppose. After my better half getting ill on a very rough crossing 3 years ago I can't see me being allowed to use the ferry again.

 

[ShadySadie]

Neighbours wife suffers sea sickness and he's claustrophobic. She drives to the tunnel as he's taken a pill and closes his eyes until she 's driven on to the train and out the other end.