While Eurotunnel being the best value for money and the fastest option for channel crossing (in just under 35 minutes, through the chunnel tunnel), you have to be mindful about the restrictions that might prevent you from being allowed passage.
Here are the restrictions, in a quick to understand summery format.
Channel Tunnel Crossings with Commercial goods for resale:
Eurotunnel Passenger service is not allowed to transport vehicles that are transporting Commercial Goods for resale in the UK or on the Continent. The freight service must be used for transporting goods for resale. Checks will be made on commercial vehicles laden with Commercial Goods and drivers must be able to prove that the goods are not for resale.
Vehicle type and height
Both must be declared when booking tickets for Channel Tunnel Crossings to enable Eurotunnel to check the availability of single or double deck carriages depending on the hight of your vehicle, and to calculate the correct channel tunnel fares.
Vehicles up to 1.85m high
Even vehicles with roof boxes, roof racks or cycles which reach up to 1.85 m can be transported in the double deck carriages.
Vehicles higher than 1.85m
are transported in the single deck carriages.
Your vehicle category ?
It’s extremely important to identify the category your vehicle belongs to, in order to make a booking. Vehicles are divided in to the following 8 categories:
- Car with roof box/bikes: Any car with roof box, roof rack or cycles which reach over 1.85m in height.
- Car/Car Based Van: Any vehicle below and up to 1.85m high.
- Van: Over 1.85m in height, with a maximum laden weight of 3.5 tonnes or less.
- Camper van: Vehicles with living accommodation and cooking facilities.
- Minibus: with up to 17 seats including the driver.
- Motorcycle: Motorcycles without sidecar or trailer. A motorcycle with a sidecar is categorized as a car.
- Caravan: Vehicles capable of being towed and which includes living accommodation.
- Commercial vehicles: Any vehicle except for Passenger Vehicles are included in this category.Examples include
- Commercial vans
- Articulated lorries
- Coaches
Gas Restrictions
Vehicles powered by Gas
Purely gas powered vehicles and Duel fuelled vehicles including LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or equivalent are not allowed on Channel Tunnel Crossings by Eurotunnel, under any circumstances.
Gas Containers
Used for powering domestic cookers etc in caravans and camper vans.
Gas containers must be declared and they will be inspected, therefore must have easy access. These must be switched off whilst Channel Tunnel Crossings.
Gas connection systems must be in good condition.
Keep these few simple things in minds and you can have a fast and a cheap channel tunnel crossing.
1 response so far ↓
It is good to keep all this in mind. I have been on the end of not knowing all the ins and outs of this prior to my travels and having to rush around to make things right before we boarded which can be very stressful. Take heed of this info and you will be very prepared and ready to go.