Chunnel - arriving early

[Ian McFarlane]

We are crossing to France in the early hours of Monday morning and this
time we are using the chunnel. Have always used ferries before and if
arriving early have normally got a place on an earlier boat than the one
booked.

What happens with the chunnel? Is there likely to be space on an earlier
train if you arrive early or do you have to wait until the one you are
booked on?

Not actually taking the caravan this time, just a solo car, but we
booked with the CC so posting in this group.

Ian

[David klyne]

"Ian McFarlane" <icmcfarlane@NObigSPAMfoot.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b7dc287be8d05c498968b@usenet.f9.net.uk.. .
> We are crossing to France in the early hours of Monday morning and this
> time we are using the chunnel. Have always used ferries before and if
> arriving early have normally got a place on an earlier boat than the one
> booked.
>
> What happens with the chunnel? Is there likely to be space on an earlier
> train if you arrive early or do you have to wait until the one you are
> booked on?
>
> Not actually taking the caravan this time, just a solo car, but we
> booked with the CC so posting in this group.
>

Ian

I have generally found that on both the tunnel and the ferries that you can
generally get on one two crossings earlier than booked. I find it best not
to ask and let the suggestion come from them. However, returning from
Germany in early July we arrived at Calais two hours early for our booked
ferry. We were asked to return to the car park and come back at the proper
time. I then asked if there was any chance of an earlier ferry and was told
it would cost an extra £500!!! In all the years we have been going it is the
only time it has happened but I shall obviously be a bit more cautious next
time!!

David - Milton Keynes
www.caravantravels.co.uk
Details of our Caravan Travels in the UK and Europe with help and advice and
site reports

[Richard Murphy]

It's a couple of years since we last used the chnnel, but what seemed to
happen was that you get a card to hang on your mirror with a letter on it.
This may or may not correspond to your booked crossing time!

So - you get there, and are given what your are given. You can alsways ask -
the worst that can happen is they say no, and you get time to relax and
spend lots of dosh in the shops!

"Ian McFarlane" <icmcfarlane@NObigSPAMfoot.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b7dc287be8d05c498968b@usenet.f9.net.uk.. .
> We are crossing to France in the early hours of Monday morning and this
> time we are using the chunnel. Have always used ferries before and if
> arriving early have normally got a place on an earlier boat than the one
> booked.
>
> What happens with the chunnel? Is there likely to be space on an earlier
> train if you arrive early or do you have to wait until the one you are
> booked on?
>
> Not actually taking the caravan this time, just a solo car, but we
> booked with the CC so posting in this group.
>
> Ian

[Nigel]

"Ian McFarlane" <icmcfarlane@NObigSPAMfoot.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b7dc287be8d05c498968b@usenet.f9.net.uk.. .
> We are crossing to France in the early hours of Monday morning and this
> time we are using the chunnel. Have always used ferries before and if
> arriving early have normally got a place on an earlier boat than the one
> booked.
>
> What happens with the chunnel? Is there likely to be space on an earlier
> train if you arrive early or do you have to wait until the one you are
> booked on?
>
> Not actually taking the caravan this time, just a solo car, but we
> booked with the CC so posting in this group.
>
> Ian

Ian:

We've found that the Chunnel can be quite accommodating and have allowed us
to go on a train up to two hours before our original booking - any earlier
than that they seem to charge.

Some good deals available at the moment via their website - even cheaper
than using P&O stockholders discount on the ferries!

Nigel.

[Ian McFarlane]

In article <2njjhbF1gs0qU1@uni-berlin.de>, nigelowenREMOVE@ntlworld.com
says...
>
> "Ian McFarlane" <icmcfarlane@NObigSPAMfoot.com> wrote in message
> news:MPG.1b7dc287be8d05c498968b@usenet.f9.net.uk.. .
> > We are crossing to France in the early hours of Monday morning and this
> > time we are using the chunnel. Have always used ferries before and if
> > arriving early have normally got a place on an earlier boat than the one
> > booked.
> >
> > What happens with the chunnel? Is there likely to be space on an earlier
> > train if you arrive early or do you have to wait until the one you are
> > booked on?
> >
> > Not actually taking the caravan this time, just a solo car, but we
> > booked with the CC so posting in this group.
> >
> > Ian
>
> Ian:
>
> We've found that the Chunnel can be quite accommodating and have allowed us
> to go on a train up to two hours before our original booking - any earlier
> than that they seem to charge.
>
> Some good deals available at the moment via their website - even cheaper
> than using P&O stockholders discount on the ferries!
>
> Nigel.
>
>

Thanks for all the responses. I think I shall aim to get there about 2
hours early and see what happens.

Our crossing times aren't our choice out at 01:45 am and back at 05:30
am but at the time we booked in April that was our cheapest option at
£143 through CC. Have just booked an open return with Seafrance to go
back out in October, one of their direct mail shot offers for £85 (car
only).

Ian