I will be buying a ticket for the Euro Tunnel first thing on Boxing day (0800). I have to be home and ready to go for to a party with the misses on the 27th at 1900. So I need to be off the Euro tunnel at Folkestone for 1500 latest... Having not used the tunnel before, can someone tell me how the ticket system works in terms of timing? It makes no sense to me, it doesn't really give the time for arrival. Just 'local' time. So if I want to be back for 1500, knowing it's around 35-45 min from Calais to Folkestone, do I get the 1400 train knowing I will be back at 1500? Or is this local time to Calais (on their site) meaning the 1400 train listed is in fact the 1300 train in old Blighty? http://tickets.eurotunnel.com/booking/fare.asp Sorry if I've not explained it very well, it's just the site isn't clear on time zones... Anyway, once there, I will ride to somewhere, get a hostel bed (I've done my fair share of backpacking so don't mind hostels), go out for a nice meal and a few beers. Wake up the next morning and ride home. I was initially going to go to Ghent in Belgium, it seems it will be none stop pissing it down, whilst I don't mind the rain, I won't actively ride into it if I have alternatives. I don't mind long rides, as it's what I want to do, ride my bike... Any suggestions? UK stop offs welcome, but I would of course like to escape the UK even for a small amount of time. Thanks! Final and quick note, if I'm not back by 6pm absolute latest, my balls will be in a vice so tight, I will put Michael Jackson's voice to shame. It's a 2 hour ride from Folkestone to my door
1) That is an amazing reply, gave me a chuckle... 2) I'm a special case, just went to book tickets and it does indeed show local departure and arrival times, so a 1436 GMT+1 departure arrives at 1411 GMT... So now, where shall I go???
All times quoted are local time. So yes, CET is an hour ahead so you'll 'gain' an hour on the way home. It takes 35 minutes and at the other end you just ride off onto the motorway, easy. With your ticket you have a two hour window to travel without penalty, so you can be early or late and if there's room they'll put you on the next train. When you check in at the tolls, you insert your payment card and it'll give you your ticket, very simple. Your ticket will have a letter on it, that'll be your train. You can normally go around to the train one letter early and get on if there's space. They normally run between two and four trains an hour. It's a nice ride if you head West towards Normandy and stick to the coast road where you can. Some good museums and little towns with nice restaurants along the way. Or scoot East towards Brussels and the Ardennes for some nice roads. I hope the weather stays good for you!
It is, there's large timetable boards in the carpark, and inside the terminal building. They've got a Burger King and a Starbucks so you can have a bite to eat and a brew if you feel like it. The French side has a nice little cafe type thing in the terminal that does a nice line in Pizza and pasta ;-) I'm at the tunnel a lot, and come January I'm working in France so I'll be on the train most days
Le Mans is nice with plenty of Olde World charm in Plagenet City behind Cathedral, and lively motorsport orientated café/bars in new town.
Chunnel is great. Wouldnt ever do ferry again after travelling on it, unless I was in the car and going further south.
