Thoughts on Le Shuttle

terry111

terry111

Full Member
Posts
87
Likes
46
We are looking to use the tunnel to France in April, returning a couple of weeks later. Normally we would use a ferry but as we have now acquired a dog, I'm thinking the tunnel will be easier.

The standard crossings are about £200 each way, but Standard Plus, and especially Flex Plus are much more (£420 each way for Flex Plus).

Obviously an advantage is the ability to change times with Flex Plus. I'm happy to have a fixed time for going out but if we need to come back at a different time, wouldn't it be cheaper just to accept a fee to change, or even just purchase a new, single return.

Perhaps I'm missing something?
 
We always take the standard fare, and have regularly changed our return crossing. I think there were times when changing cost nothing if you did it yourself online, you only paid if there was a difference in the crossing fare.

Google AI suggests it is still the same. An admin fee of £30 seems to apply if you do it via the call centre.
 
We always use eurotunnel, yes its more expensive but choose your time and book in advance ,
We book six months in advance and usually book the 0020 am train its gone up to about £140 + dog each way , our return is normally around 0730 on a sunday that way we are back in cambridge for coffee about 11am we have changed the time returning several times and have paid from £3 to about £40
 
You have to pay to take a dog on the eurotunnel? seems strange.
Seeing as you drive on, you then drive off and all the time inbetween you sit in your vehicle, should be a fixed charged for the vehicle only really.
 
wildebus said:
You have to pay to take a dog on the eurotunnel? seems strange.
Seeing as you drive on, you then drive off and all the time inbetween you sit in your vehicle, should be a fixed charged for the vehicle only really.
Click to expand...
I guess it's something to do with checking ahc or passport for the dog.
 
wildebus said:
You have to pay to take a dog on the eurotunnel?
Click to expand...
Drover said:
I guess it's something to do with checking ahc or passport for the dog.
Click to expand...

I was just about to say the same, but also that even if it's border control, or DEFRA, or whoever makes that requirement, Eurotunnel still has to provide the facilities.

You used to get a previous month's (i.e. unsold) copy of Dogs Today magazine. Or two, if you timed it well and were lucky. But that has stopped now. The poo bags at the exercise area are good quality though, none of the flimsy rubbish.
 
We only use the Chunnel and only ever book a single, never a return as we don’t know when we will be back. Although one time I got a call in France asking me to return pdq as my dad had died. We had to wait another 24 hours as we needed to get the dog to the vet first.

You will also pay £25 or so for the privilege for the dog to be checked at departures for AHC or EU pet passport. The exercise area is a joke, but the poo bags are well worth pulling a dozen or so for use later. Facilities are even worse in Calais
 
Just a thought, I believe Irish Ferries now let you take a dog on board.
I have seen drinking bowls on ship. Certainly cheaper than the tunnel.
PJ
 
We use the tunnel as more convenient and I am very seasick! We always book standard fare and have changed it many times. Usually do it at no charge for the journey, this time there was a £20 admin fee though. Often arrive early at the tunnel and have never had to pay more to go through early as long as only two hours prior. Although we did go through once ( COVID) a day early at no charge. When we had the dog it was so much easier...she didn't like to be separated and it was quicker.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top