Simple, fast and a good option for travellers with pets We went to the UK this year and took the Tunnel both ways. We had our dog with, so this was way faster than taking the ferry and we didn't have to be seperated from our doggy. Prices are similar to the ferries. Taking the dog from the UK into mainland EU is simple. No special preparations are needed. The boarding areas both in Folkestone is pretty big with plenty of shops and fast food chains. Pet areas as well. The arriving area is quite a bit smaller. Just a shop or two and some fast food chain. Small pet area and a gas station. That's it. But it's all you need I guess. The Check-In is pretty fast (even faster if you prepare everything in advance online) and the lines are moving quickly. We got chosen randomly for a security check, which took a few minutes. Enough to miss our booked train. But that's wasn't a big deal, the next train left in 25 minutes, and we didn't have to do anything extra to get on that one. Time enough to eat a Burger in the car in the waiting line. Once inside it's a fast ride and pretty smooth and quiet. Most people stayed inside their cars....but you can wander around a bit, if you fancy a talk with some travellers. Exiting the trains is a fast affair. In a matter of minutes after arriving you'll find yourself on the motorway. Be sure to drive on the correct side :) We really liked the Tunnel. Of course, a ferry might be more enjoyable when it comes to travel. But if you have a pet, I'd go for the Tunnel. It's all very well organised. Travelling from Folkestone to Calais is a bit easier. Everything is thought trough very well with good signs. From Calais to Folkestone it's a bit more difficult. read more

Eurotunnel - Inside - Train Stations Near Me

The train service between U.K. and France is awesome. It's quick and you stay in your vehicle as you cross the English Channel and it takes about 35 mins. We chose the train as you are allowed to stay with your pet in the car, something the ferry does not allow. We had initially booked the ferry and ended up canceling it for the simple reason that you had to leave the dog in cargo in car. The train was easy and quick without stress for all. Prices are not too dissimilar to the ferry and the process is fairly quick and easy. Would definitely use this service again. It was my first time and I really liked it. read more

Eurotunnel - Train Stations Near Me

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Imagine a world where we travel in tubes. Well, that IS the world we live in. I was recently on my "Up Close In Your Personage" tour throughout UK, Ireland and EU. So much beauty. We were blessed with good weather. Sunshine days and favorable winds carried us from village to village. Now, I typically prefer a more "olde tymey" mode of transport like walking or bicycle or even the trusty iron horse. But my show dates were many and in a short period of time, therefore I hired a Splitter-style wagon. My production manager, Anthony, was very familiar with this type of vehicle, and he would drive us from place to place. I'll review that later. We leave London in the morning and drive for a few hours through the gorgeous English countryside. Along M20 we pass towns like Hinxhill, Smeeth, Westenhanger, Peene and Flailing Mouse. That last one I just made up. The rest of them are actual town names. The tension was building as we grew closer to our point of embarkment in Folkstone. Anthony was pedal to the metal. I was chewing my nervous gum with great purpose. Tunnels under the water make me a little anxious. We approach and pass through the check-in gate with the greatest of ease. The attendant was helpful, and he understood Anthony's Newfoundland English jargon. He cheerfully instructed us to proceed to the Flexiplus queue. There we were, front of the queue. We saw a few shops and restaurants there. I was tempted by their advertisements. "Starbucks. Come in and enjoy your favourite coffee. Open 24 hours." Or maybe, "Burger King. Eat from the world famous menu." I chose to stay close to the wagon lest we encounter any unexpected travel weirdness. That's when it would typically strike. When all is well. As we waited, I began to feel the need to use the facilities. I looked around. Lo and behold, not more than a few meters from us is a facility. I dash across the tarmac and facilitate inside of it. I reorder myself and jet back to the wagon as we are directed onto the next level of our odyssey. My anxiety is waning. We proceed up a long drive of which there are many. Make a right and then another right and down a driveway towards the train. There are articulated lorries (juggernauts, semi-trailers) being loaded into the train. They drive right in! We are directed to proceed to the next train car ahead. Front of the line. I get nervous again. Things are going well. Too well. I'm expecting the travel shoe to drop at anytime. A nice man with an exciting yellow High-Vis jacket motions us into a waiting train car. As we pass, he waves. No smile, just waves. That confuses me. We proceed through car after car until we are directed to stop by a smiling attendant. She smiles and holds up her hand as if to high five us. I return the gesture. Pretty cool. I never space high-fived on a train before. We settle in for our tube journey underneath the English Channel. Is that what they call it on the other end in Calais? Or does it become the French Channel? Anthony mentions that there are facilities a few cars up. I boldly leap from the wagon to explore. The high five has eased my anxiety and caused me to forget I would soon be in a tube under the ocean. These facilities aren't as spacious as the facilities on the tarmac. This is just one facility. A wee little water closet. But still I manage to facilitate. As I emerged from the WC, two families were standing nearby speaking french. They say "bon jour" to me. I high five them all (with my gloved left hand, of course). They respond with great enthusiasm. We become fast friends (ami). I return to the wagon. As I take my seat, Anthony tells me we're pulling into Calais. What? I never even felt the thing move. My anxiety was all for naught, and I met new French friends on a train in a tube under the sea. I can't wait to do to again. read more

Eurotunnel - That moment of the space five! - Train Stations Near Me

I highly recommend taking the EuroTunnel ("Le Tunnel") if you need to take your car across the English Channel. You don't get as nice of a view as you would on the ferry, but it is the easiest and quickest way. It's about 30 minutes, whereas the ferries take about 2 hours. We made our reservation online and paid about $85 USD round-trip. It might be more expensive if you buy tickets there. They recommend that you show up about 45 minutes before your reservation, but we showed up and got on the train without waiting a long time. Going through customs did not take long either. Have your passports ready. The French didn't care what we were doing, but the British did ask a few questions. Once we were in the train, we stayed in the car for the 30 minute ride, which was really smooth. Awesome engineering! You can get out of the car to stretch or use the bathroom. *You get a two hour time window on both sides of your reservation so if you show up earlier or later than your reservation, you can still get on without paying any extra fees. **There is a rest area before boarding in case you want to use the bathroom or get something to eat. The Folkestone side has a small kiosk by the car waiting area. ***Be prepared to drive on the other side of the road when you get off!! read more

Quick and easy journey. Wasn't sure how it would be due to covid but it was great. Friendly personnel. Main terminal had a Starbucks open which was good and hand sanitiser was available. We boarded effortlessly and journey was fast. read more

Probably the fastest way to get from the UK to Europe with a car for sure. It's a good idea to buy your pass ahead of time, I bought it last minute and it was around £200 return departing late Thursday night and back Sunday afternoon but booked ahead of time it could have been much cheaper. The last minute trips are slightly more expensive than the ferries but it's much quicker, the process through security is fast and easy. The process of waiting to board is a bit tedious but you can relax in your own car which makes it a bit more relaxing. The process of loading onto the ferry is fairly quick and once you are loaded the trip takes around 35 minutes which is so much faster than the ferries. So for convenience and speed I would recommend taking your car/motorbike across with the EuroTunnel for sure, just be aware you should probably book more than a few hours ahead of time if you can. The best thing is that you can board within 2 hours of your scheduled travel time for free if you need to return earlier. read more

This is a 5 star rating compared to the ferry alternative... Why? Because I really like driving and Eurotunnel is quick and convenient. Trains run regularly and overnight and you can pretty much arrive and get on the next train if you bought a flexible ticket. Even if you booked a particular time slot, they are quite accommodating if you're early or late. The rest area before you get on the train on both sides has recently been updated and is fairly reasonable, not unlike an airport departure lounge, but the best experience is if you turn up exactly on time for your train and get on it just as it's about to depart :) read more

A means to an end but pretty cheap for all that & swift too. Plenty of clear information regarding where to go to await boarding etc. + seemingly very flexible regarding allowing you on early if you manage to arrive a bit ahead of schedule. Duty Free areas not that special but if you're looking to stock up you'll probably be doing that somewhere else at the French end anyway. read more

If I could give no stars I would. Shockingly bad on service, information and schedule. We arrived 80mins before our departure and told there was no space on the earlier trains. We waited watching the boards for a call that never came. With our departure time approaching we drove through anyway and joined a queue to board. Ten minutes after we should have left, there was an announcement that the next train (the one 30mins after ours) was cancelled and the next train was another 30mins). All the info boards across the site were malfunctioning it seems. And no one was telling passengers anything. Chaos. Our first time using Eurotunnel and probably the last! read more

Having stopped the night prior in local hotel, we were at the embarkation spot in a jiffy. There must be car numberplate recognition as the electronic sign welcomed us by name. We collected our passes and boarding card for the car and filed on board following short wait. Staging area had coffee machines and toilets so use these prior to boarding. Nowt to do or se once on board and a bit hot due to close proximity of vehicles but air vents dotted along length of carriage. Toilets only on every 3rd carriage and ours was broken. Plenty of days out with vintage car rallies, bikers on road trips, golfing groups. The cost was £77 for car and four of us so at less than £20 per head no wonder this is so popular and a boon to local inhabitants - over to the continent quick time for a weekend adventure. We were jealous of this aspect living up north. And no bottle neck at Calais so well worth the experiment but pity nowt on board to see do or otherwise. In summary quick and convenient with minimum of waiting and great value. read more

I am still telling friends in the states how amazing this was. The engineering behind it boggles the mind, and it was very well run. Nice waiting areas on both sides of the channel if you get there early or they are running behind. read more

So much better than the ferry to get to Northern France. A little bit pricey at peak times but otherwise great value.

went at off hours but both times it was extremely fast and efficient. great bathrooms and fast food options before you get in line for the actual train. while in the line you can grab vending machines that even do hot coffee. for us the line never took more than 5 minutes though given all the empty lanes I can imagine it being more intense during peak hours. they seemed quite casual about the reservation times....we always made it within 2 hours of our selected time but it did not seem like it mattered. read more