First Time Trip Through the Chunnel — Eurotunnel/Channel Tunnel Travel

In the 25 years that I've lived in California, lots of things have changed in my native UK and throughout the European continent. Not always for the better, we hear, but in so many ways, I continue to be amazed and enthralled at the many advancements and developments in Britain and neighboring countries. 

One of which, The Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel), was completed four years after I'd left for the States. Though most of my immediate family members have traveled from London to Paris and/or Brussels on various occasions over the past few years, via Eurostar Train, I'd somehow managed to miss out on any underground cross-channel experience, myself.  

Not to be confused, the 31.4 mile long Eurotunnel provides the fastest route from Folkestone, England to Calais, France or the other way around, by car, or other vehicle. Drivers and their passengers actually drive onto the train and stay in their vehicle for the super fast half an hour journey.

Eurostar, on the other hand provides passenger rail service from several train stations in the UK, Belgium and France, including St.Pancras, London and Ashford, Kent. A London to Paris journey takes around two and a half hours. 

We opted for a Eurotunnel (commonly known as the "Chunnel") crossing for a few days in Belgium towards the end of our summer visit to family in the UK. 

The first step in planning to take the tunnel as visiting Americans is figuring out which rental car companies allow vehicles to be taken out of the country. Be sure to read the fine print whenever you rent a car abroad (or in the U.S. for that matter) and research requirements as to any of that pesky additional coverage that you might actually need, or not.

I opted for a Europcar 16 day rental out of London Heathrow. Prices vary wildly online, so do your homework and stick with it until you find the right car at a reasonable price. Service at Europcar Heathrow was excellent, a refreshing change of pace from most other recent car rentals when traveling in the States and overseas. If you're comfortable with a stick shift, you'll save mega dollars on a rental. 

A Europdrive package was the only add-on necessary, providing road side assistance and proof of ownership of vehicle as required in the EU for $75.

Round-trip chunnel travel for our rental vehicle and full-load of passengers was a bargain at $168. If you leave it to the last minute, you'll pay a lot more. 

Advance passenger information, passport numbers and vehicle info is required, making for fast check-in at terminals. 

Eurotunnel services had recently been hit by strikes and migrants desperate to enter the UK, targeting trucks for weeks and causing mayhem for hauliers, holidaymakers and locals, either side of the Channel.

Sangatte, a refugee camp half a mile from the French terminal near Calais, holds up to 700 refugees, mostly Kurds from Iraq, and Afghans.

I had no idea what to expect, in that we might have had trouble making our crossing. We experienced no delay, either way.  Still, the ease and comfort of our journey was poignant to my family. Our thoughts were with those who continue to put themselves through unbelievable peril in their hopes to penetrate the tunnel to reach Great Britain.  

How the Channel Tunnel was Built - Eurotunnel Le Shuttle

Comments

[Frankpetaluma.wordpress.com]

OK--SO I HAVE TO ASK: The English drive on the left side of the road and the French drive on the right. Does everyone sort it out or is there a test strip to adjust on the other side? :-) :-)

[frances rivetti]

Ha! It was a bit tricky driving a car built for the other side of the road, but fortunately for me, I have an international spouse who doesn't seem to be bothered by this a bit. Have you seen the movie, The Italian Job?!

[Frankpetaluma.wordpress.com]

The Italian Job--Funny you should mention it. We watched it again a few nights ago. About once a year we pull it out for a viewing--the remake version is the one I am assuming you are referring to. The original with Michael Caine was not as much fun for us