Using the tunnel in a couple of weeks so I’ve been checking every few days how well it’s going with delays etc. The website is constantly saying about using shorter numbers of carriages, with corresponding delays of 30-90 minutes. Seeing as I only booked quite recently, shouldn’t they be adjusting the trains to accommodate all those travelling, rather than apparently consolidating crossings?
I don’t think they are being entirely honest with travellers when I’ve just checked and two trains scheduled to leave 30 minutes apart are both scheduled to leave at the same time with one having a 60 minute delay, and one a 30 minute delay. Surely they have just consolidated them, rather than it being a case of fewer carriages.
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We went out in late May and returned in early July.
On the outbound journey, we arrived early enough to be offered an earlier crossing but delays getting through immigration meant we ended up on the next crossing after our original time. There was a suggestion it was the fault of French immigration but we went through swiftly, without a hitch (it may have helped that we were already in the EES).
Coming back, we were delayed by 2 1/2 hours by technical difficulties. This was during the early July heatwave so maybe the heat had an impact, that said, once the technical difficulties were overcome, we were all loaded and dispatched very quickly.
I was lucky in June 2026 in that my booked departures were not delayed; outbound being 09:20 Tuesday 09 June in the morning, and the return was 00:15 Thursday 25 June morning.
I arrived well in advance in the hope to be able to board earlier trains and was informed they were very busy etc. etc...
I was grateful to be able to depart as booked, as some trains were cancelled resulted in long delays of 1.5h+ or so!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by spiritburner on 05/8/2026
Bothers us not. We'll be crossing in a few weeks. Got van to sit & brew up in. Beats an airport anyday.
Definitely beats flying even without the dog, or the sea route for me personally!
I have heard people moaning/complaining about the lack of shaded areas for dogs and no water once inside the waiting area for boarding. I do not know what they were referring to as they were toilets with water taps in the waiting area before boarding.
We did not travel during the hottest period in the day for both outbound and inbound crossings.
Besides, it would not be an issue for us as the dog would sit happily inside the van with me with the door wide open while we waited, and I had water in the fridge, always.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
We travelled both ways on the shuttle in July. On the way out we were early and opted for an earlier crossing but by the time they had loaded it was not much earlier than our original one.
There always seems to be a lot of security/customs staff standing about not doing a lot - this time before our gas check the inspector was having a very long and friendly chat with the car in front !
I think there was a bit of a delay on the way back too - although oddly NO inspection of our moho other than the gas check. We could have brought a whole family of immigrants or a fridge full of cheese back !
We have had longer delays in the past but it is still so much quicker when you arrive than using a ferry and will continue to be our choice going forward even though you do need an extra nights stopover in France if you are heading south. No big hardship!
We'll be going across in a few weeks too, we aim to arrive early and almost always get an earlier train. I think there were more checks than usual when we went in May, but we just go with the flow.
You can tell if they have combined trains, the allocated letter has 2 digits, then they send them all through at the same time.
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We went across at the end of May and returned on the last day in June. Both times got an earlier sailing, all of half an hour! But both times really busy, so ended up going about 10 minutes earlier than booked. Both times there was some sort of announcement about "unexpected capacity issues". Make of that what you will.
I agree with minicamper2001, I think these days they consolidate trains to maximise occupancy, hence some delays, and also that they're not being totaly honest with their customers. You only have to read some of the reviews on Tripadvisor, to see that a lot of people are now experiencing delays.
Edited to say that on checking departures just now, there are delays of an hour at Folkestone. Reason: "Due to an unexpected reduction in the number of trains in service, you may experience longer waits than usual".
At Calais there are 30 minute delays at border control, on checking departures they are also delayed by around an hour at the moment.
It's only last year and this year that we've experienced delays, before that, we always used to get an earlier train, and get away at that time. Not anymore.
As for waiting to board: when we went over at the end of May, that was during the first heatwave. Yes, there are toilets, but the waiting area for vehicles has no shade. We talked to a couple on a French campsite after crossing; it was their first time with their dog, they had to wait 2.5 hours and were quite stressed about the dog in that heatwave. Perhaps they should have delayed their crossing? But they weren't expecting to have to wait for that length of time, so difficult to know what to do for the best.
As I mentioned, our delay on our return trip was 2 1/2 hours, we didn't find this out until we were in the pre-departure area as we'd been called forward.
Like Ina has said in her post, there's no shade in that area and yes there are toilets and yes you can buy refreshments, I feel these should be complimentary if the delay isn't of the passengers making, especially when it goes on for so long.
Quote: Originally posted by MrWez on 06/8/2026
As I mentioned, our delay on our return trip was 2 1/2 hours, we didn't find this out until we were in the pre-departure area as we'd been called forward.
Like Ina has said in her post, there's no shade in that area and yes there are toilets and yes you can buy refreshments, I feel these should be complimentary if the delay isn't of the passengers making, especially when it goes on for so long.
That was the same situation as that couple I referred to in my post. No way of knowing beforehand how long you're going to be delayed for until after check-in. And as you say, once your boarding number is called, and you move to the waiting area, that's it. Like you, we were waiting a lot longer than anticipated, but nothing like your 2.5 hours fortunately.
I absolutely agree with you in that they should be providing refreshments in case of such delays as 2.5 hours. We are fortunate in that we can make our own drinks, and have water and other drinks onboard. Unlike people in cars, who don't have the luxury of having their own provisions or a fridge.
Unfortunately LeShuttle offers a very quick crossing (once you're actually lucky enough to get on a train!) and not every crossing is delayed. For us, it's still the preferred method of crossing, as no doubt it is for people who take pets abroad. But I do think that in recent years the service has gone downhill rapidly and as the OP said they aren't telling us the truth about the delays that are happening now.
I’m at a loss here to what some people want and seem to expect
I mean how much is it to ask for a complete canopy , probably with fans blowing cool air, covering the whole of the boarding lanes. I bet they wished they had thought of that at the construction phase.
Oh and let’s not forget about the usherette going up and down the lanes handing out free refreshments.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
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Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 06/8/2026
I’m at a loss here to what some people want and seem to expect
I mean how much is it to ask for a complete canopy , probably with fans blowing cool air, covering the whole of the boarding lanes. I bet they wished they had thought of that at the construction phase.
Oh and let’s not forget about the usherette going up and down the lanes handing out free refreshments.
I'm at a loss to understand what's wrong with booking a specific date and time and expecting to cross at that booked date and time. After all, it's not free and actually not what you could call cheap. Is that really too much to expect???
I'm afraid I won't go into the rest of your sarcastic post.
The issue seems to be being called forward to sit in the vehicle in blazing sunshine for 2.5 hours, rather than being called forward into the boarding lanes at a reasonable time to be prepared for boarding. Customers could then be waiting out the delay in the cool of the terminal, with toilets and refreshments readily available. I’m not sure what was difficult to grasp.
When I went through in June 2026, my bookings were clearly displayed on their boards with their statuses.
On the outbound journey, I was hoping to get an earlier departure, and was advised by the staff at the Pet Reception at Folkestone to chance it by arriving early at the waiting area which was what I did. I did not manage to get on an earlier departurre, however, my booked departure was not delayed.
On the way back, once I was informed I was not able to get on an earlier departure, I waited at or near terminal building until my departure was called, and my departure was not delayed.
However, I was aware on both occasion that there were delays with earlier trains.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
When delayed in past we've not been called to the final queue to wait. Does that happen? Been a few years but sure there was toilets & vending machines if needed. We always have some supplies onboard. Worst delay was being stuck on French motorway for 5 hours.
They normally hold the traffic in the terminal (more chance of you spending money....). But yes, there are toilets next to the lanes. We always have drinks and snacks onboard.
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Topic: Le Shuttle ongoing delays
via mobile 05/8/2026 at 7:58pm
