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Tip = Book on line |
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That way you have as view of prices throughout a period.
Remember
they allow you 2 hours either side of your booked time to check in.
So sometimes you can book a
cheaper shuttle than you really want and turn up either late of early.
e.g.
- Book a 07:50 and turn up late for the 09:50, saving around £20
- Book a 00:50 and turn up for the 22:50, saving around £20
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Approaching Folkestone on the M20
Junction 11a of the M20 is the entry to Eurotunnel, a straight run to the
checkin points.
The automatic checkin terminals can be frustrating. |
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Tip =
Hold your finger on the number on the touch screen until the number appears in the Confirmation
box. |
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Often a 5 seconds touch is needed.
These automatic terminals are
not the fastest in the world. Pressing harder or tapping the screen does not improve anything
except venting frustration.
The experience travels knows to just be gentle and patient. |
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Tip = Ignore the Boarding Letter |
Here we are having a picnic waiting at Dover to load onto the next shuttle
Here we are driving in the shuttle as part of the loading sequence |
They want you to visit the shop.
At
Dover, about 50 yards after the checkin barriers, keep right, NOT LEFT towards the
shop.
That takes you over the gas detector glass roadway and onto Customs and French Passport
Control.
Then around to the loading pad where the attendant will allocate you a lane.
At Calais , as you approach the shop, turn left up the first
row of parking, then left at the top towards the gas detector
Then through UK Customs and
Passport Control. The Immigration Control seem keen here to look in your vehicle for hidden
passengers, and Customs always seem to be busy looking in someone's car.
If you are very
early, you will be near the top of a lane, away from those loading for the next shuttle.
The
people that have been there first load onto the booked shuttle, but if there are spaces they will
load those other Boarding letters. They prefer to load coaches first, but it is worth a
waiting.
We usually have a picnic on the loading pad. |
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Now loaded and the compartment doors are closed, ready to start the
journey |
Loading is so easy, just drive along the smooth roadways and onto the
train.
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At Calais and Dover you drive away, no more checks
But remember
that the French Autoroute's slow lane is on the right.
The UK Motorway's slow lane is on the
left. |
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Tip = Dover to Calais. Do not buy fuel at the first station. |
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Tip = Calais to Dover. Always fill up in Calais |
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There are much better prices in Calais and many now operate 24 hours
using Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
I use Auchan at Coquelles, or nearer to the Autoroute at
junction 46 there are 3 stations with good prices.
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Eurotunnel 
