-
First Impressions -
very easy to book on the
internet, booked by the drivers name rather than car registration
number which is handy if you don't know which vehicle you are
taking. The port is easy to find from the motorway and with a 7am
crossing there was no queuing to get into the terminal.
-
The Port -
There is a small terminal
building with a reasonable duty free shop, coffee shop, cafe and all
the usual. The Bureaux De Change did not open until 7:30am which was
a problem as I had left everything to the last minute and had no
Euros.
-
Embarkation -
When your crossing number
appears on the screen in the terminal building you return to your
car and follow the lane letter to your train. Driving onto the train
is quite a tight corner you would probably have to concentrate in
something big, but the stewards are quite helpful. When you are on
the actual train there is a steward who guides you where to stop.
-
Comfort -
It is as comfy as your
vehicle! You are not in there for long so I tend to stretch my legs.
-
Facilities -
The only
facilities on the train are toilets every couple of carriages. If
you are bored you can always look at the view out of the window.
-
The Journey -
The journey is smooth and very
fast, the crossing only takes about 30 minutes.
-
Disembarkation -
Again very fast, the doors
open you leave the train and your heading towards the motorway.
-
Value -
I Have always found it very
reasonable, I paid 90 English Pounds for 2007. They are also quite
flexible if you turn up early and want an earlier crossing (if they
have space). I do not know if it is a lot more for oversized
vehicles (trailers etc.) but I believe high vehicles have to get a
different train for headroom reasons, might be a problem with top
boxes etc.
-
Overall -
This is a "no thrills" way of
getting to France fast. The time saved compared with the equivalent
ferry crossing makes all the difference on the way home when you are
shattered. Be warned on the return journey it is easy to miss the
terminal from the French motorway (this happened to a member of our
team who eventually lost his temper and drove to the docks), this is
not a major problem if you look out for the signs.
-
Hints
- Remember you can not use the Eurotunnel if your vehicle runs on
LPG, you also can not take large canisters of camping gas on board
either. They are very strict on this and seem to stop every tenth
car to check.
