never been on eurotunnel - anything I should know?

[maxpower]

Hi, we're going on hols this weekend and taking the car on eurotunnel. I haven't been on it before so just wondered if therewas anything useful I should know in advance. (DH, me and DD (4) are travelling) thanks

it's too long to hold your breath through the tunnel.

I went on it for the first time last month and it's fab - will never use the ferry again!

If you turn up early, they'll get you on the next available train - we were about 3 hours early on our return journey, so that was great for us.

There's nowhere to buy refreshments on board, but there are vending machines alongside the lanes where you wait to board.

There are toilets.

The whole process is so much quicker than the ferry, checking in, boarding.

Enjoy your hols!

thanks stinkyfeet good to know about the early boarding

As we get closer to the peak holiday season you cant bank on getting on early (to manage expectations!). They dont call you forward from the terminal until it's close to boarding time which IMO is much better than queueing for a ferry.

We take a packed lunch and eat it in the tunnel (with the rule of no starting before the train starts moving).

One special plea - please dont let your DD run up and down the carriage. It is v. dangerous to go between cars (in case of getting crushed). We allow ours to get out of the car but cant go next to anyone else's car - prevents annoying other passengers.

Toilets on board arent always in operation and can be a bit grim so would recommend using those in the terminal before you get called forward.

Take drinks and food on board - it can get hot and crowded and the queue for the buffet car is ridiculous - don't even try it.

I hadn't appreciated that your ears block up same as on a plane and so had no sweets to help unblock them.
Loos were fairly grim, if you must use them, try and get first in the queue.

the journey is over before you know it. I felt quite ill sitting in the car when the train was moving but comfortable standing on the side.

erm Suzie I appreciate you don't know me but I'd never let my DD run around in such an environment. She's far too pfb!

The actual journey, you just sit in the car with the windows open. You provide your own entertainment. Your children have to be under your control the whole time.

If you are early for your train and head to the terminal, there's not an awful lot there. It can be quite crowded if you are buying food, depending on the time. There are a couple of shops, but not particularly interesting.

Eurotunnel is definitely no frills, but it is also no fuss. You drive on and and stop behind the car in front of you. It is not like a ferry where you are made to maneuvre into an impossible space, and then all squeeze out on one side of the car with your necessities for the crossing (then all those steep stairs, and fighting for a seat together).

When you arrive in France, you are on the motorway within minutes of the arrival. It's really quite amazing.

I think they say that you can take a train within two hours of your booked time (before or after). I'm not sure how strict they are with this, but when you get to Folkstone, you put the credit card into the slot that you made the reservation with (you don't have to fuss with typing in your name or any numbers), and it then gives you a selection of trains to choose from. If it is peak season, it is possible that there is only your booked train that you can use, but it is always a treat if you can board an earlier one. Let's face it, most of us arrive early and you can't exactly trust the M25/M20.

If you do have to use the on board toilets, be aware they close about 5 minutes before the 'get back in your car' announcement.

Hi Maxpower
Sorry, certainly didnt intend to cause offence. Some people are not as considerate.

As another tip - make sure that you can reach anything you will need on the crossing without opening the boot. The cars are packed very closely which can mean that the boot lid cant be opened plus not being supposed to stand between the cars.

Think there is some confusion Lamplighter - think you are talking about EuroSTAR as there is NO food sales/buffet car on Eurotunnel. It is very basic but very quick.

We have done Eurotunnel several times a year ffor years and years, but the kids have convinced us that they want to try the ferry this year

Enjoy!

I'd add to all this sage advice - if your dc don't like being hot take one of those little portable fans, as you can't have the aircon on (obv!) and it does get v.hot and stuffy on board.

Back in the day, they used to have their own radio station on board the train, but now it's silent apart from the announcements so entertainment is generally needed. We normally buy comics from Clacket Lane!

Just checking, but have you got a high vis jacket within reach of the driver's seat? It's one of those little known regs that can be quite expensive if you get pulled over!

it is great we use it a lot.
I'd agree with the toilet issue just make sure you use it on the terminal.
You can arrive early the booking system is fairly flexible. We used to arrive early and just check in and we would be out on the next available train. It doesn't have to be precise time as long as the trains are not full.
If you are late I don't know!
We never really leave the car once we're in- it is so quick.

thanks everyone

You don't get as good a view out of the window as you do on a ferry