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Topic: Eurotunnel first day of summer holidays

RichJean+Ellie

12/4/2016 at 7:14pm
Location: Telford Shropshire
Outfit: Kampa croyde 6 Series 3

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Ok, so we are taking the tent across to France this summer. Booked on Eurotunnel on Saturday 23rd of July (8.50am crossing) which is the first day of the school summer holidays!!!

Anybody travelled on the tunnel on the first day of the school holidays and got any tips on what to expect/what the delays are like? We have used Eurotunnel before but not at such a busy time!

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

OliverDay

12/4/2016 at 9:49pm
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Yes done most years around the first day for about the last 10 years. Tend to find it is well organised and there are extra trains if busy.

The terminal could be busy and a queue to go through the security check but no delays as still get on booked train.

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Ollie

2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup

The Morans

13/4/2016 at 11:50am
Location: Holmfirth
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We actually break up on the 15th July so it may not be the first day for everyone either.

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Jo and Nige

Easter 2016 Skye
August 2016 Ardechois

RichJean+Ellie

13/4/2016 at 5:46pm
Location: Telford Shropshire
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Thanks for the replies. Must admit when we have travelled with them before I have always been impressed by the efficiency of the operation.

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paul.jolley

13/4/2016 at 7:02pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: De Waard V. Zilverme

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Quote: Originally posted by RichJean+Ellie on 12/4/2016
Ok, so we are taking the tent across to France this summer. Booked on Eurotunnel on Saturday 23rd of July (8.50am crossing) which is the first day of the school summer holidays!!!

Anybody travelled on the tunnel on the first day of the school holidays and got any tips on what to expect/what the delays are like? We have used Eurotunnel before but not at such a busy time!

try putting your route into Google maps and use the leave now facility - it will estimate traffic levels at this time.

RichJean+Ellie

13/4/2016 at 9:28pm
Location: Telford Shropshire
Outfit: Kampa croyde 6 Series 3

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Not that bothered about delays getting there as we are staying overnight nearby to get an early start. More after advice on delays etc at the tunnel itself, Google won't tell me that!

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May 2015 - Arrow Bank 4 nights
July 2015 - Manorafon 4 nights
August 2015 - Piccadilly Caravan park 3 nights
August 2015 - Wheal Rodney 11 nights

Baileyjake

14/4/2016 at 1:17pm
Location: West Midlands
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unless there is a technical fault you wont be delayed if you arrive 1h before your booked crossing. during busy periods they put on 3 trains/hr and you will be on one of them.

i am travelling plymouth/roscoff on the saturday, the day after the schools break up. when we booked in january some routes were already full. i am planning on leaving in the early hours even though our sailing is not until the after noon and 3.5h is normal to get to plymouth. problem is it sometimes takes us 4h just to get to somerset on a friday afternoon.

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First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara

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lizex

14/4/2016 at 5:01pm
Location: None Entered
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We've been through the tunnel around the start of the school holidays before. Even on the busiest days the whole operation works like clockwork. If you're massively early they'll try to put you on an earlier train if there's space, and you're allowed to be up to 2 hours late.

That said, after recent events they were checking every single passport (as well as the usual API) and that did cause delays I believe.

It is a very slick operation though, even the loos in the terminal manage to cope on busy days.

Big Roy

14/4/2016 at 5:54pm
Location: Southport
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We travelled last year on the Sunday after they broke up, we arrived about 2 hours early but weren't given the option of an earlier train, we had to take the time we were booked.
It was busy but not overcrowded

exessexmum

14/4/2016 at 6:06pm
Location: Cambs
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Yup, one of mu kids breaks up on 15th, the others on the 19th. It's always really staggered.

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Amanda

RichJean+Ellie

14/4/2016 at 6:55pm
Location: Telford Shropshire
Outfit: Kampa croyde 6 Series 3

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Thanks for the re-assurances. As I say, we are staying overnight a few miles up the road so will get there leaving plenty of time to get through customs etc.

When we have used the tunnel before, we have always been put on an earlier train but don't think this will happen this time as we are in a high carriage because of the roof box and all the trains are full on that morning!

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May 2015 - Arrow Bank 4 nights
July 2015 - Manorafon 4 nights
August 2015 - Piccadilly Caravan park 3 nights
August 2015 - Wheal Rodney 11 nights

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Pinkpigeon

14/4/2016 at 7:48pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Coachman Amara 530 4

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Some of the kids near here don't finish till the 26th and some the 27th!

Les Medes

15/4/2016 at 3:25pm
Location: Little Hearing
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Do not forget to complete you API (Advance Passenger Information) as this will save you some time

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Les

RichJean+Ellie

15/4/2016 at 5:58pm
Location: Telford Shropshire
Outfit: Kampa croyde 6 Series 3

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Quote: Originally posted by Les Medes on 15/4/2016
Do not forget to complete you API (Advance Passenger Information) as this will save you some time

Already done!

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May 2015 - Arrow Bank 4 nights
July 2015 - Manorafon 4 nights
August 2015 - Piccadilly Caravan park 3 nights
August 2015 - Wheal Rodney 11 nights

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