Driving through France - Advice Needed

[christopherwk]

Another question, as I'll also be driving through France for the first time next year - how much is the drive-up fare to go on the Eurotunnel without pre-booking?

How much more expensive would it be than booking?

It wouldn't be a problem booking for the outward journey as I'll know approximately what time I'll get to Folkestone, but on the way back, I'm not too sure when I'll arrive at Calais, as I'll be coming from the south (Dordogne), and the journey time will be unpredictable.

Can you buy a flexible ticket? Had a look at the website but can't anything on drive-up fares.

 

[tagnut]

Another question, as I'll also be driving through France for the first time next year - how much is the drive-up fare to go on the Eurotunnel without pre-booking?

How much more expensive would it be than booking?

It wouldn't be a problem booking for the outward journey as I'll know approximately what time I'll get to Folkestone, but on the way back, I'm not too sure when I'll arrive at Calais, as I'll be coming from the south (Dordogne), and the journey time will be unpredictable.

Can you buy a flexible ticket? Had a look at the website but can't anything on drive-up fares.

Best bet is to buy a ticket in advance for the latest time you expect to arrive. If you arrive early they'll usually let you on the next train with available space but bear in mind that depending on date/time these trains do get fully booked so you may have to wait until your allotted time regardless.

This happened to me a few years ago. I wouldn't just rock up and buy a ticket at the port when you get there. I'd expect the costs to be significantly more and you may not get on for a while if they're busy.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup as above, we always pre-book (it's a lot cheaper) and generally do end up on an earlier train.

 

[st13phil]

Can you buy a flexible ticket?

Yes, you can: they're called FlexPlus tickets. You can even mix a fixed-time ticket in one direction with a FlexPlus ticket in the other.

If you're travelling in a quieter period then do as others have suggested and get a standard ticket that's timed at the late end of your expected arrival window and the worst case is that you'll have to wait for the booked crossing. However, if it's a busy time and you want or need to get on the train asap after you arrive at the terminal, then book a FlexiPlus ticket home.

 

[Tiff]

I did this on the way home from Germany this year- they wanted 220 Euro for the 124 and me..

here's the bit from my trip story..

"Decided then I wanted to go home.. dunno if it was homesickness, the thought of another night kipping in the back seat, or what, but I headed for Dunkirk, round the Brussels ring road, watching out for the mad Belgians..their driving is atrocious! Got to Dunkirk to see if I could change my ferry ticket, but couldn't find a ferry office, had a look around and decided I quite liked the place! Sat on the beach with thoughts of all the soldiers in my head, and what the must have gone through, then sped off down to the Chunnel to see if I could get on the train,just for a change.. Rolled up to the barrier and asked for a price.. 220 Euro's says the man. "**&^%*^" off said I and proceeded to test the W124's turning circle."

 

[christopherwk]

Thanks for the replies, had another look at the fares. £50 give or take a few pounds if I book in advance, and £149 for a flexible ticket.

I'll definitely book for the outbound trip from Folkestone, as it's easy to predict what time I'll arrive there from London (it'll be early in the morning anyway), and I'll take the advice given, and book for the latest time I'm expected to arrive at Calais - possibly around midnight, if I arrive at about 8pm-ish, I expect it may be quiet, and will possibly get on an earlier train anyway.

The fare for turning up, I would expect to be more than the £149 charged for the flexible ticket - 220 euros (approx £186) sounds right!

I think I'll go ahead and book now, (also to beat the VAT increase)

 

[st13phil]

I think I'll go ahead and book now, (also to beat the VAT increase)

If you have any Tesco Clubcard vouchers they're worth 3 x face value (used to be 4 x ) against Chunnel tickets