Eurotunnel advice

[PeenaM]

Hi all, So as the title suggests I’m looking for advice for going on the Eurotunnel.
We’re booked to go to France in may half term, Sunday-Friday. 2 adults, 2 kids & 1 dog. My eldest is autistic & ADHD amongst other things! I know it’s going to be busy as it’s half term, but I’m hoping to make it as quick & seamless as possible.

Is there a time of day that is better to travel? We have a 2.5 hours drive from home to folkestone (traffic dependent). And then a 3 & a bit hour drive once we leave Calais.
We obviously need to do the pet passport bit too, does that take long?
Never done the Eurotunnel before, and not been abroad for 12 years. So feeling slightly anxious. Thankyou in advance 😊

If you can afford it I’d highly recommend booking Flexiplus - means you can turn up whenever and board basically straight away. Also get a separate toilet/food area where you get to help yourself to lunch or brekkie etc. We’ve found it so worth it so there is no stress about being late and you skip the queues.

I haven't done the pet passport thing but have found the Eurotunnel experience to be generally fine. Passport control well signed and easy. On the return journey last year everything was very delayed but somehow it didn't even feel that long.

However I would say that if your oldest is autistic, try to avoid the passenger centre where the restaurants etc are. The food is bilge (the usual burger king/chips) and the acoustics are HORRENDOUS. My DD struggled and had to find a quiet corner with her headphones (a struggle in itself). Would advise eating before you get there. Wees may be unavoidable obviously.

Once in the train it's absolutely fine and then you just drive off and into the world!

We usually leave home around 5am, and a 7am shuttle. The dog part is pretty quick. We have a 10 hour drive the other side though otherwise we’d leave later. My theory always was that if you go early the traffic hasn’t had much time to build up going through if there are any issues.

Ideally we plan on not leaving the car ? (Other than the pet passport bit)
Is that possible?

I would take food etc in the car with us. I Was thinking if I booked for lunchrime - there is one at 11.50am then we would eat as were on the train. Hoping that eating & having her ipad would distract her enough.

@hotchocfiend does the flexi plus give you priority boarding?

It's possible. You'll have to park up for a bit usually because of the long check in time, but you don't have to get out!

Main thing is the whole complex is designed for herding loads of people through in cars so they are pretty clear about what you need to do and it's very difficult indeed to get it wrong! They don't assume a level of knowledge you might not have. So I would try not to worry.

If you don’t want to leave the car then Flexi will make this more feasible. Yes there is basically a separate lane for Flexi Plus so you might have to queue a little at passport bit but otherwise you’re straight through on the next available train.

We’ve only ever done it very early in the morning or late at night.
pet passport is very quick, just scanning the microchip and checking paper work.

TBH I find it far less stressful than catching a flight, and that’s with a reactive dog who hates high viz jackets and motorbikes, both of which are plentiful when you’re queueing at passport control 😂

Thanks all!
All of your advice is much appreciated x