Lyza

Been a frequent traveller user for the past 4 years. Used  Eurotunnel  for the first time since the fire. Excellent crossing, on time both ways - in fact caught an earlier crossing on Sunday morning because we arrived early to ensure we did not miss the early call. Best service we have ever had I think, over a half term. Well done Eurotunnel. No delays for passports or customs. Long may it last!

Thanks for sensible advice - as usual. Well, I think we will give it a go. Watch this space. We are going in March. Lyza

Has anyone used this service, in bad weather? Or even good weather? What happens if it is taken off does Brittany ferries offer an automatic sailing on the Portsmouth Caen sailing? I had a very bad experience on the Hovercraft many years ago and I am wary of this crossing, but would love to arrive more quickly than the normal 6 hours. Lyza

Hi we are hoping to go to the Lille Christmas market, having made a booking at the hotel at Coquelles for Friday and Saturday night, coming by Eurotunnel. We don't want to go by car to Lille, hoping to leave our car at the hotel and wondered if it is possible to travel on Eurostar from Frethune station on a Saturday into Lille. Can anyone offfer advice as to the possibility of being able to do this and who shall I book with for the train journey? Many thanks Lyza

I have moaned about the service on the Shuttle at half term since last year. This time however the service was excellent, we were early and everyone seemed to be a lot more positive than before. Loading was effficient, the terminal was busy but coping well. Well done. I know this is how it should be all the time, it hasn't been our experience over the past eight months, but it really does make a difference when they get it right. Long may it last Lyza

Yes sorry I did mean the shuttle. I suppose that if the machines break down it might mean that a person looks at the ticket - but I suspect there are so many problems then with delays no one would want to stop the flow of the traffic. Lyza

Anyone ever done this? It seems to me if you trust a member of the family with the credit card, and their surname is the same, then they can use some of the unused tickets within the year. Any advice? Lyza    

Hi, another tip for tunnel travellers arriving from Yorkshire going to Brittany or well in to France as an onward journey, use the hotels at the Cite Coquelles, all Accor hotels and splendid value. Then leave early next morning refreshed and ahead of the traffic. We tried doing an 11 hour straight through journey on a number of occasions but find we are getting too old to do this and light the fire when we arrive! So a break after 4 hours travelling on the UK side after work, and then six hours on excellent roads on the French the following morning is a very easy way to undertake the journey without being tired for days. Brittany Ferries for us is very expensive as we are always tied to the school holiday weekends, and until a very bad journey in October had found a Friday evening a quiet time to go. I too hope the new financial position will put on a few more trains and ensure no tunnel works on a half term Friday night. The return journey to stay in Coquelles overnight and an early morning shuttle can be done within the £39 ticket price. Chance to shop for that last bottle of wine in the huge supermarkets, and a meal. Advice on a decent restaurant nearby would be appreciated though as we haven't found one. Any advice? Lyza

Hi, we went via Brittany Ferries at a major increase in cost because we needed a good journey on Friday night for half term. Had a lousy journey because of road works on the A34. Would we have been better taking our chances once again on the shuttle? How was it on Friday night 9th Feb? Lyza

Thanks very much for the feed back. We will try again at half term. - Glad to know the security works! best wishes Lyza

I am a frequent traveller, caught up in the chaos at half term - arrived 11pm and travelled at 4.30 am (next shuttle). Similar experience at the beginning of the summer holidays. I am very wary of using my tickets now as I can only go at those times and need reliability. If you used the tunnel, was it better over Christmas?  Did the booths work, and were there enough shuttles on? Lyza

We travelled out on  the first Friday night of half term. Frequent traveller from Yorkshire and arrived 30mins late at 11 pm. Conditions on arriving late  as frequent traveller is you can go on the next available shuttle. First shuttle available 3.30am.  Then the machine broke down and the man had to go to a kiosk to get the hanger. I expressed my concern that we had to wait 4 and a half hours. They said to engineering works in the tunnel which they 'forgot' to cancel even tho it was half term weekend. So a tunnel was shut. There were no announcements that night either. I think the staff were so fed up they kept a low profile. Arrived at hotel at 5.30 in the morning. The clerk who greeted us asked - The shuttle again? and just shrugged. It would appear to be a regular occurance. No problems on the way back. But surely that how it should be all the time. This is the second night Friday that our crossing has been  a problem. 

Sounds like you were on the same crossing as us. I too am a small share holder and frequent traveller. All I asked for was an explanation for the delay and received a very unsatisfactory response. It could have been interpreted as an apology, but I don't think they took my email seriously.  It is normally such a very good service, and it is a shame that on this occasion they got it so badly wrong. Lyza

Well thanks to everyone for the advice. Just got back from France. Completely trouble free journey back through the tunnel this morning. I have following your advice just emailed a long complaint to Eurotunnel. Let's see what they say. Best wishes and thanks Lyza

Now I hadn't thought of that![+o(]

We travelled on Eurotunnel on Friday night. A service which is usually excellent. There seemed to be a problem which was explained by staff as an extrememly busy day causing a backup of cars. But there was no movement on the UK side for about 1.5 hours. Once we were loaded we had a very long wait - about 30 mins, then we went backwards, never done that before. Then we sat in a tunnel - with lights for another 30 minutes. 4 trains came past us whilst we were stationary. We eventually arrived at the other side at about 3.15 am on Saturday morning. No explanation or real apology. Anyone know why it happened? Lyza

Hi anyone know of any plans for Ryanair to fly Doncaster - Brittany?  Doncaster is a new airport opening this spring, and Ryanair have just announced Doncaster -  Dublin. As there is no real connection North of England to Brittany I am hoping this might be a possibility. Anyone with any influence? Lyza

We had a quote for our house in Brittany to be re roofed  for £4500. It is a tiny house 8 metres by 4 metres both sides. We had the hooks replaced but have been advised that we should take the roof back to the wooden battens and new slates with stainless steel hooks. It seems reasonable to us, but wonder whether we need new slates as well as hooks. Any comments on this welcome. Lyza

I went to my statement yesterday  and they didn't show. Then I tried the redeem your points screen. They appeared as if by magic! So Club class crossing in August for nothing Thank you Eurotunnel! Lyza

We have a Citroen Picasso just reaching 22,000 mile and due for a service. We visit France every half term. Has anyone advice to offer as to the ease of getting the car serviced in France rather than in UK. I suspect it might be much cheaper in France. Lyza