h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Having finally decided to take our own car for our holiday in the UK this summer, here I am, poring over ferry timetables and comparing prices, times of departure, etc., etc. One option I want to compare is the Eurotunnel (although my stomach turns at the thought of travelling in an enclosed tunnel underneath all that water) but there doesn't seem to be any indication anywhere of exactly how long one is in the tunnel. I suppose for planning the journey, it will be more important to know when you embark, and when you disembark (which I haven't found yet either), but I need to know how long I'm going to have to hold my breath for.

Who has already done the journey with their car and survived it and can tell me how much time to plan for?

I seem to remember the tunnel itself being something like 20 minutes long or so.
As to being under load of water, don't worry, there's a big fat layer of rock in between.
... I've made it worse, haven't I?

I didn't drive myself, but went through it as part of a school trip years ago. There's space to get out and walk around a bit. I honestly can't remember how long it took though, certainly wasn't an age though.

Now I've found in an obscure corner of the Eurotunnel website "Crossing time 35 min". So is that actually the crossing or the time the train is moving? Then the 20mins under water would be about right.

Its 20 to 30 minutes in a well lit rail car. A bit noisy but not excessive. Toilets available and the trip is over before you know it.

You just sit in your car there is no need to get out, just sit and read easy no fuss no problems.

Try it you won't go by boat (4 plus hours) again as the wheasel on television said simple.

We first used Eurotunnel to get to France about 4 years ago. Since then, hubby won't cross the channel any other way. (He's a poor sailor.) Time in the tunnel is about 30 minutes - it only takes a few minutes, if that, to get from the embarkation point to the tunnel and from the tunnel to the disembarkation point. You book an embarkation time, but they won't necessarily stick to that. If they can fit you on an earlier train, they will.

As has been said, there is room to move about in the carriages and there are toilets, although not one per carriage IIRC. As you're only there for 30 minutes, just sit back and enjoy the ride.

IMO, Eurotunnel beats ferries hands down, for convenience as well as cost. We're even thinking of using Eurotunnel and driving to Italy next year, rather than doing fly-drive. We'd rather be driving than hanging around in airports and messing about with baggage reclaim/passport control at the far end.

oops

The bonus is the extra holiday time I estimate an extra day travelling time saved.

I've been on the Eurostar as a foot passenger (from London to Brussels), with a seat in a normal train carriage. Going through the tunnel itself took about 15-20 minutes and was no worse than being in a train at night-time. Haven't been in a car.

we've done it in a car and as foot passengers on the Eurostar. The latter is by far superior, but going by car is efficient and not as scary as you might think.

As others have said you are only actually in the tunnel for around half an hour, and it really is over before you know it.

Get to the departure terminal a minimum of 25 to 30 minutes before your departure for the first time perhaps an hour as it can be confusing.
Take note of the simple directions you are given and follow the signs don't be afraid to ask if not clear. Loaing is quick and easy.

Out the other end and on French roads in 10 minutes easy.

I'm not concerned about your surviving the Chunnel, TC, but I hope you can cope with driving on the left side of the road in England after having gotten used to the right side in Germany.

2 hours. Get out of the car. Have a wander about and stretch your legs. Get the breeze in your hair. Watch the sea go by and watch the white cliffs retreat and Euroland get closer. Watch the sea and the boats out there. If you are lucky you may spot some dolphins.

Try it and you won't go by tunnel again.

PP

I'm OK, Paul. I fly to the UK frequently and hire a car to visit my mother. And a couple of years ago I drove all over Ireland.

However, this will be with the left-hand drive on the left side of the road. I may leave it up to hubby this time, as in days of yore, when we always went by car. Petrol was cheaper then and we had three kids plus all the necessary accoutrements to transport.

I think I'll survive. It's not as if no one has been in that tunnel before.

We shan't save a whole day, though, Bob. I've done three comparisons:

We drive to Cherbourg/St Malo and take the ferry to Weymouth (our first point of visit is quite far West) That will take 8 hours driving + 5 hours ferry, plus 2 hours on UK soil. Makes 14 hrs.

We drive to Calais, take the ferry to Dover: 6 + 1 + 5 = 12 hrs
We drive to Calais, take the Eurotunnel to Folkestone: 6 + .75 + 5 = 11 3/4 hrs.

All times are not counting breaks, stops (possibly even overnight), checking in and waiting to embark, disembarking, getting lost in the ports, etc.

Flying and hiring a car would take us: Less than an hour to the airport, practically no waiting at Baden Baden, 40 mins max. (tiny airport, passport control a diddle) Flight, just over an hour, 4 1/2 hrs drive the other side. (All providing flight is on time and the M25 is not bunged up.) Travelling time approx. 7 1/2 hours.

I'd go to St Malo and take the ferry in that case

I DID see dolphins coming home from St Malo.

PP.

It's generally accepted that seeing dolphins in the Channel Tunnel is Not A Good Thing.

Not even the Miami Dolphins?

Especially not the Miami Dolphins!