England to France - Channel Tunnel

Advantages: Quick, Easy, no walking or stairs for the disabled.
Disadvantages: I can't think of any.

Well, the Channel Tunnel. Lets start with a bit of history here. Apparently they had been digging it or trying to for far far longer than I can remember, or even my mother who is my travelling companion. According to my mum the original idea was Napoleon's. So, what is it? I have had a look at the website, and read all about it and now I know more than I did just by travelling along it, so in short, Euro tunnel is a long tunnel that goes under ...
...the English end starts in Folkestone, Kent and the other end is in Coquelles, France, that is near Calais. I didn't know there were three tunnels, usually they only use two single track rail tunnels and the trains go in one direction only, which means you go along one tunnel on the way there and come back on the other tunnel. The third tunnel is between the two and is used if there is an emergency and everyone needs evacuating, it is also used for ... Read review

Advantages: Could be good value, frequent, simple to book and travel, comfortable, fast
Disadvantages: Price strategy, the unnecessary waits, the width for some vehicles, no scenery, nothing to do on the train

This opinion is on the Le Shuttle service operating between Dover and Calais. There are two services that operate through the Channel Tunnel, the Eurostar and Le Shuttle. The Eurostar is a passenger service operating between London Waterloo and Paris or Brussels and Le Shuttle (it may be called Eurotunnel now, but it says Le Shuttle on the trains, so there!) is the service for passengers with cars. I traveled on Le Shuttle on my way to Spa-Francorchamps ...
...best way to get to France by car. >>Destination This service operates between Dover/Folkstone and Calais/Coquelles (sorry for any typos), basically it brings you a few miles inshore or both countries and these are the only options. The signs are clearly marked on the M20 and it’s not too far off the motorway. It also is not too difficult to find off France (and even Belgium) follow the clear signs to “La tunnel sur le manche”. ... Read review

Advantages: Very Quick, easy and the smoothest way to cross the channel
Disadvantages: None apart from cost

Le Shuttle is a delight. It couldn't be easier or faster to cross the channel by car. If you've not tried it yet, read on. Le Shuttle is the name given to the train that transports vehicles between Folkestone and Calais via the channel tunnel. HOW IT WORKS You enter the tunnel complex from the M20 motorway, driving south almost to Folkestone. The tunnel has its own exit ramp off the motorway. As you drive down the entrance road you come to a row ...
...number through your car window to the operator who confirms your details on their system and gives you a tag to hang from your windscreen mirror. They will ask how many people are in your party, and may ask whether your car is fuelled by LPG or if you have animals on board. They may ask if you have your passport. The tag you are given has a large letter of the alphabet on it. This indicates the train departure. You now follow the road and park by ... Read review

Advantages: Quick, clean, cheap food and booze
Disadvantages: You can spend loads of money

Note to self: If you work in an off licence the last thing you need to do is go to France and purchase more of the stuff!! Ok reminder over, I have to keep telling, myself this otherwise I might just find myself eloping to France; not only for the cheap booze, but the relaxed life style to accompany this! A couple of weeks ago I had the need to have a spending splurge and what better way than to get the neighbours together and the favourite family ...
...and filled the boots with copious amounts of alcohol, and enough cheese you could smell from Folkestone. Having travelled on Eurotunnel on many occasions we decided this would be the easiest option as the children are all penned in like caged rats and could not escape, even though we lost our little darling in the hypermarket but that is another story. We booked our tickets over the internet, and my husband being a little tight nearly passed a ... Read review

Advantages: Fast,affordable and good service
Disadvantages: Possible delays

...to cross from France to England without use or need for boats. It was an incredible dream and one that even in my own lifetime was felt impossible. ***The history*** Closely following the first evidence of the concept of this amazing tunnel, English designer Henri Mottry developed his own design for the tunnel. Following the advent of steam train construction of the British railway network gave rise to ideas of the tunnel being designed for the ...
...for a rail tunnel came about,Thome de Gramond would go on to work on the design for it for 7 years. However, it was 1880 before the first ever constructions began on the project, using the Beumant and English boring machine, but the project was abandoned within a few years. Between the 1880 and 1945 many more projects attempted to realise the dream but none of them were to elevate beyond the drawing board. 1955 saw the British defence minister ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap
Disadvantages: Industrial action

...From what I've seen over the last couple of years, France is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday destination for Brits. The extra convenience of the closeness, especially given the boon that is the Channel Tunnel, makes France the perfect destination for a short weekend trip (at least it does if you're based in the South of England and only wnat to go to Normandy or thereabouts). We've already laid plans for travelling out there three times this year, and this is the third year running that France is our target. If you want some of the reasons why, check out my opinion on Benodet. France is very similar and yet totally different from the UK, but has the advantage that it's so damned cheap - everything from food to petrol to hotels. It grieves me badly when I have to come home and see those over priced hotel stays... Read review

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Advantages: Easily accessible from UK, Cheap flights/coach transport.
Disadvantages: Small city and not many maps so you get easily lost

...country. Rain can arrive unexpectedly on what starts out to be a sunny day. For that reason, a raincoat and umbrella are often necessary. In summer, the humidity can be very harsh. Transport Coach National Express coaches (National Express Eurolines) run a London to Amsterdam service and the prices are very cheap. You can travel straight from the heart of London to the heart of Amsterdam for just £12 each way (plus £3 booking fee). This way you don't have to pay for taxes and transfers between airports. Rail It is not possible to get a direct train from London or any other city in England to get to Amsterdam but you can get on a train to Dover (Channel Tunnel) then go on the Channel Express train as a foot passenger. When you arrive in France (Calais) you can then get a train up to Amsterdam. This route would work out expensive... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful