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Subject Topic: first time channel tunnel
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Personf81ys8
14/2/2022 at 11:28pm
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Advice please on 1st time tunnel traveler. Turn up on spec? Book in advance? Recommended site near the departure point? Any advice will be helpful


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PersonPee-Jay-Cee
15/2/2022 at 8:23am
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Don't turn up on spec - always book
If you are early you may get on an earlier train but it will depend on space. You are often offered a choice of earlier crossings at check-in providing there is room - some will cost extra some won't.
We only use the tunnel and last used the ferry from Dover around 20 years ago !!
It's quick (35 mins) and easy - just makes sense for us.
Can't recommend sites nearby as we don't stop before taking the tunnel.


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PersonJoannaLesley
15/2/2022 at 8:29am
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Definitely book in advance. You can then choose your time of crossing (costs vary depending on the time of day). We always stay at the CAMC Black Horse Farm site, but if you are not a member others recommend the Drum Inn. Black Horse Farm have ferry pitches which allow you to come and go at whatever time you need to.

You can reduce the price of a tunnel crossing by using Tesco vouchers (3x face value).

Finally, we have found that it is the only way to travel with dogs. Ours, being whippets, are particularly nervous, but we can sit in the caravan with them while in the tunnel, before putting them back into the car.

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Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.


Person664DaveS
via mobile 15/2/2022 at 4:02pm
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We have just booked ours for June back July. We are staying at Black Horse Farm, one night before and 4 nights on return,as I am from Kent originally and like to have a look around old haunts!

We haven't decided where to go depends on weather. Possibly a favourite site in Loire area or further south, who knows. First night not too far as we have to purchase essential supplies you can't take now!

It will be a first on the tunnel with the caravan, we have been with just the car. Normally use ferry but fancied a change.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!


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Personfranbee
15/2/2022 at 4:13pm
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We only ever use the Tunnel now, helped by Tesco vouchers, always booked in advance for a late afternoon crossing.
However, Tunnel say that if you arrive within 2 hours of your booked crossing they will offer you a different time at the same price. We try to arrive earlier and almost always get on an earlier crossing. One time we arrived 24 hours early (as I got extra time off work). Went to a manned check in desk and for a tenner extra went on the next train.


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Personbilly
via mobile 15/2/2022 at 5:54pm
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It is cheaper to book in advance but you can do this as late as a couple of days before you want to travel. If you are flexible about day of travel & also time of day then check costs for all week because some days & times of day are cheaper than others.

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Every day should be a holiday!


Personfiona f
via mobile 15/2/2022 at 7:19pm
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Use the tunnel nearly all the time, helped as said, by Tesco vouchers. We prefer to get across & stay the first night in France, usually at Bien Assise, about 10 mins drive away.
Fiona


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PersonWhatamess
16/2/2022 at 1:29pm
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We stop at Bien Assise too. Lovely site.

Outward we’ve been staying at Black Horse CAMC site but the pub down the road isn’t good for food any more so we’re m looking for a pub stopover this year. The Drum is nice for camping but not cheap, especially if you eat there as well.

We normally manage to get an earlier train than booked too. Last year we rushed back from Portugal due to the pandemic. There were about four vans of us. Some were booked on the tunnel a couple of days later but we all got on the same train.

Nora


Personblueexpo97
16/2/2022 at 2:00pm
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We stay here going and coming back from the tunnel.
Lovely site, has adults only section, excellent toilet block and a huge Tesco about five minutes away.

If memory serves me correct, the tunnel is about 13 miles away and very easy to get to from the site.


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PersonCaerYnArfon
19/2/2022 at 1:49pm
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Another option to consider...

We cross fairly late in the day UK time (8 ish?) and drive 1.5 hours to Aire de La Baie De Somme Service station on the A16 just North of Abbeville.

Drive through the carpark away from the main buildings and lorries and park up overnight in the bays further down. (have a look on google maps you'll see the areas I mean) nice and peaceful miles from anywhere and there are always a couple of other overnighters there for company. Nice walks for the dog plenty of bunnies to sniff out lol!


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Personlidds0
via mobile 22/2/2022 at 6:46pm
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It will cost you a fortune if you turn up on spec at Eurotunnel. Always book in advance and check out the difference in tariffs according to departure time (we always go after 4pm when it's cheaper, then head straight to a site for our first night in France).


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Personbadger54
23/2/2022 at 9:48am
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Quote: Originally posted by CaerYnArfon on 19/2/2022
Another option to consider...

We cross fairly late in the day UK time (8 ish?) and drive 1.5 hours to Aire de La Baie De Somme Service station on the A16 just North of Abbeville.

Drive through the carpark away from the main buildings and lorries and park up overnight in the bays further down. (have a look on google maps you'll see the areas I mean) nice and peaceful miles from anywhere and there are always a couple of other overnighters there for company. Nice walks for the dog plenty of bunnies to sniff out lol!


That is what we always do on arrival in France, just follow the signs for M/H, there are even picnic tables down there.


PersonSGThomas
23/2/2022 at 10:11am
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We noticed that the Baie de Somme overnight fills up very quickly in the summer months. You might need to push on a bit to Val de Trie or Neufchatel en Bray


PersonNetherton
23/2/2022 at 2:25pm
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Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 23/2/2022
We noticed that the Baie de Somme overnight fills up very quickly in the summer months. You might need to push on a bit to Val de Trie or Neufchatel en Bray


Yes, I was warned that Baie de Somme could be full in summer, so in the days when we used to arrive at Calais at midnight we never risked driving down there to see. So we slept in three different Calais car parks - one with gypsy travellers and two without - but then we got advice on here to go and park at a supermarket instead at that time of night .


Person664DaveS
via mobile 23/2/2022 at 2:45pm
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The municipal in Calais is nice, fenced with security barrier, good facilities too.
It is a short walk to the sea front where there are bars and food outlets. There is a supermarket just up the road.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!


PersonNetherton
23/2/2022 at 2:59pm
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Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 23/2/2022
The municipal in Calais is nice, fenced with security barrier, good facilities too.
It is a short walk to the sea front where there are bars and food outlets. There is a supermarket just up the road.


But it’s closed for 5 months over the winter, and even in summer it closes every evening at 7.30 pm.



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