Eurotunnel question

[Willlow]

How strict are the booked train times? Is it worth paying for a flexiticket?
I can't decide if I should get a flexiticket but it is more than double the standard one.
I have to drive down from the north west and there are so many roadworks and unpredictable problems it's difficult to accurately know an arrival time.
I was wondering if I give myself an extra hour or so could I take an earlier train or vice versa or should I just suck up the expense and pay the extra?
Has anyone used it recently?
Also I have to check in my dog too so not sure how long to allow for that.

Would it be cheaper to drive down the night before and get a cheap hotel?

I've not been since Covid (or with a dog) but our strategy was always to book a later train than we wanted (but were prepared to catch it), drive with enough time for any and all road works etc. We'd get there when we got there and then they usually put you onto an earlier one if they have a space - which they often do due to other people being late. We were always prepared to wait for our train but I don't remember ever having to.

They might have become more grumpy about timings since Covid though.

We tend to book a fixed time on the way out (leaving plenty of time to allow for issues on the journey) and then flexiticket on the way home because being able to get onto the next train leaving whatever time it is is such a plus when you’re feeling miserable about the end of your holiday anyway.

@StylishMummy

Would it be cheaper to drive down the night before and get a cheap hotel?

I considered that but I can't leave until Saturday and then I would need to overnight in France as well. I was hoping to get a couple of hours into France on Saturday evening and then a full travel on Sunday.

Gladioli23 ProfSprout Yes I think I will do that, I wasn't certain if it was a rigid thing and we wouldn't be allowed an earlier one if it was available.

They usually will put you on an earlier one as long as it's about an hour before your booking. If not you might have to pay a supplement but it's normally only about 20 pounds unless its a super busy day.

Dog check in took about 10 minutes last time we travelled (August) but again will depend how busy the day is.

graywall That's all so good to hear, thanks.

Used it last week. The standard tickets allow you to arrive up to 2 hours early or 2 hours late. If you’re early and there is space on an earlier train they’ll move you to it for free. If you’re more than 2 hours early they will charge the difference in price to move you.

NavigatingAdolescence Perfect, that’s what I was hoping. Thanks