Crossing the tunnel

[nigel dewbery]

We are looking to cross through the tunnel next summer for this first time and were considering best times
Our current favourite is to travel into area day before and go over about 10am to get some miles in next day
Does anyone know a place near to tunnel uk side that’s suitable to stay at?

 

[suavecarve]

Also what direction they are going, but its France so Aires in every direction

The problem is, if going the other direction towards Rouen, there are less of the "You can get in here anytime" aires. Wissant, Watten (overflow at the blockhaus is ok) have the ability to be full so I would be less inclined as a virgin to turn up late in that direction and using the "blagging" tactics of a car park, cemetary etc when you might be looking for an overnight spot. But as you rightly say there are pretty much shed loads, but maybe not for a first timer late at night. The 2/3 mentioned are bankers (imv)

 

[MichaelT]

The problem is, if going the other direction towards Rouen, there are less of the "You can get in here anytime" aires. Wissant, Watten (overflow at the blockhaus is ok) have the ability to be full so I would be less inclined as a virgin to turn up late in that direction and using the "blagging" tactics of a car park, cemetary etc when you might be looking for an overnight spot. But as you rightly say there are pretty much shed loads, but maybe not for a first timer late at night. The 2/3 mentioned are bankers (imv)

As a virgin we used the calais one turned up at 10pm in the dark but good point. Cite Europe used to be great .

 

[suavecarve]

As a virgin we used the calais one turned up at 10pm in the dark but good point. Cite Europe used to be great .

We turned up on our virgin trip, no internet, no sat nav, no clue and in the dark. Headed for the Peage because I thought it was the beach. Ended up in Arras with a full aire (the old one) which looked like a dump. Then parked outside the church in Bapaume to be woken by the loudest of church bells.

But we learnt from that and next time we turned up with our lights still pointing to the left (but we had an alcometer) !!!! and ended up parking in a car park for a supermarket next to a caravan with legs down somewhere near Nouvion.

Oh the mistakes were plentiful !

 

[nigel dewbery]

Thanks to all, some great ideas which we will look at in turn and make our call
Nigel

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[Barti Ddu]

I would cross later in the day as the crossing is cheaper then you have a plethora of Aires to choose from within 30 to 60 minutes from calais, win win....

That's fine if you're relatively close. We're 360 miles away, so getting there in the afternoon / evening for an early morning crossing the following day is a lot less stressful than having to rely on the UK road system not delaying us on the day of travel.

 

[MichaelT]

That's fine if you're relatively close. We're 360 miles away, so getting there in the afternoon / evening for an early morning crossing the following day is a lot less stressful than having to rely on the UK road system not delaying us on the day of travel.

So if you are there afternoon or evening just cross. Canterbury closes at 8 anyway if thinking of using that. Obviously build in contingency for traffic etc though

 

[Aly1]

So if you are there afternoon or evening just cross. Canterbury closes at 8 anyway if thinking of using that. Obviously build in contingency for traffic etc though

I arrived at Canterbury after 8pm a few weeks ago and I’m pretty sure it never closes?
As a first timer I would use Canterbury Dover Road and cross the next morning when it was light.

 

[peterc10]

Canterbury closes at 8 anyway if thinking of using that.

Not any more. You can now get in at anytime as well as getting out. Number plate recognition for paying and getting out now.

That's fine if you're relatively close. We're 360 miles away, so getting there in the afternoon / evening for an early morning crossing the following day is a lot less stressful than having to rely on the UK road system not delaying us on the day of travel.

Most users of the tunnel are GB based. Crossings to France are cheaper from about 4pm onwards. On the way back to the UK crossings are cheaper in the morning.

We used to travel just after 4pm, which gets you into France at about 6:00 their time. With the longer nights in the summer that the OP is travelling in that will give them lots of daylight to find a decent Aire for the first night. There are many more places to stop off in the North of France when compared with the Southeast of the UK.

 

[Jo662]

I agree with suavecarve and get across asap,then stop over ready for heading on in morning.
We usually stay on a dedicated motorhome stop on a Carrafour car park in Berck,If thats the direction we want to go in.

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[Brains]

So if you are there afternoon or evening just cross. Canterbury closes at 8 anyway if thinking of using that. Obviously build in contingency for traffic etc though

I believe Canterbury P&R is now open 24x7.
If you arrive before midnight the cost is £8
If you arrive after midnight the cost is £4

 

[Barti Ddu]

So if you are there afternoon or evening just cross. Canterbury closes at 8 anyway if thinking of using that. Obviously build in contingency for traffic etc though

We were at Canterbury P&R 7 weeks ago. Open 24 hours.

 

[Hawkstone]

As a virgin we used the calais one turned up at 10pm in the dark but good point. Cite Europe used to be great .

Such a shame it’s not in use. We used to travel up in the afternoon for a late night crossing and then shop the next morning. We did the same on the return arriving early enough to eat at Steak and Shake then crossing at around 10. We saw the odd migrant but the police were always on hand to chase them off.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

We do the same. Great stopover


Free to stay over. All night toilets
Really good beer and decent food.
Often have live music in too.

Have to pre/ book though and they don’t allow many vans each night.

Now very restrictive - no stopping over Sunday or Monday, and other days you can’t enter the business park it’s on until after 5 pm.

 

[chaser]

Why pay to just park on this side ? Just go through at about 5 o'clock get there at half six their time, come off the tunnel straight onto motorway for about twenty minutes , turn off for gravelines , half past seven you can be in a restaurant in town ,all fixed up for a quiet night and away fresh early next morning.

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[MichaelT]

I believe Canterbury P&R is now open 24x7.
If you arrive before midnight the cost is £8
If you arrive after midnight the cost is £4

Thanks for updating last time we stayed it was 8pm closing

 

[BikerGraham]

Now very restrictive - no stopping over Sunday or Monday, and other days you can’t enter the business park it’s on until after 5 pm.

Thats very true but works for us. We have a 350 mile journey to get there so always after 5 anyway. Then away early in the morning.
But yep only 1 van allowed Tuesday to Thursday and 3 on Friday and Saturday. But ideal for us.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Other thing about crossing in the evening, and then overnighting in an aire close by on the other side is that you've used up one of your 90 Schengen days.