Hi. We've done this journey from Wirral over a dozen times and the time getting to Folkestone can vary quite a bit.
The M25 is often the main cause of the problem. It's very unpredictable, or rather you can usually 'predict' a hold up of some kind, even on Saturdays. We've found its worth going anti clockwise joining from the M40. This was a tip from a lorry driver and it does seem better.
Seven to eight hours isnt uncommon, and that includes using the M6 toll road.It's a doable time, but if the M25 is bad it can feel like time is standing still. We've probably stopped off overnight about half the time we've taken this route, usually camping near the M40. Found some good pubs too!
------------- John
May/June.....France
Aug.......somewhere else in France
We started travelling to France when our son was just a six month old baby, and soon worked out our best travel plans.
We used to set off immediately after they'd finished school, late on Friday afternoon. That meant we generally got down to the ferry between 8.00 pm and midnight (traffic depending). We used to cross on the next crossing, and then always stay on the French side - sometimes at the port, sometimes an hour or so down the road in a motorway Aire. That gave us a feeling that we'd got an extra day in France - we were already there on Saturday morning and could have our first coffee and croissants (which you couldn't buy in Britain then or rather only at very posh places, not our local bread shop)!
In those days there were no forums like this to get advice, so no one to say 'Aires aren't safe' and we used to think it was great being able to have a free shower in the morning, and not pay for parking like you do here. Now there are certain aires that we choose to stay on, in preference to others, usually based on the quality of the shower and whether we 'rate' the croissants. There are, however, some sites where late arrivals have a special area to park up in, or others which may allow you to arrive late by prior arrangement.
I don't know which way you're heading, but we generally stopped at Aire des Deux Caps near Boulogne, or if we arrived rather earlier at another aire near St Hilarie des Cottes on the autoroute heading south east, or at Aire de la Baie de Somme near Abbeville.
It worked for us, and we continued with those timings long after our children had stopped coming with us, in fact until we both retired.
We seem to be in the minority' we always stay this side and get the tunnel the next day . Travel down from North wales , but I get stressed out that if there is a hold up on the M25 we might miss our crossing. So we travel down and stay overnight at Black Horse Farm, 15 minutes from the tunnel , so we get a relaxing night and set off bright and early the next day , Ready to stop for breakfast on the french motorways. P.s. Essential to take with you are tea bags , french ones are rubbish , also children's favourte foods just in case!
------------- Sue
Never regret anything that at the time made you smile.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
First time we went to France as kids in august in the 70's. We lived in Felinheli (North Wales) overlooking the Menai Straits.
I remember helping mum and dad pack the trailer finished about 9p.m. Then off to bed. Too excited to sleep.... About 3:30 a.m. it was time to go It was still dark but there was a wonderful electrical storm in the distance over Anglesey lighting up the sky.
It was so exciting, I had never been up that early before. I can still remember stopping on the A5 somewhere near Shrewsbury as the sun was coming up and eating bacon sandwiches and drinking coffee from a flask. Then later at a service station spending some of our holiday money on a Beano Summer special, sweets etc.
Then Dover... the first ferry crossing... brilliant. France! what an adventure. So many new friends, so many things to see just great.
We travel down from Northumberland and stop at 'Black Horse' over night. Good caravan friendly roads to the site and very close to the tunnel. The tunnel prices are usually cheapest early or late. We go through 7am to 8am. On the French side we like this site. Easy roads to it, cheap and close to the tunnel.
http://www.lesepinettes.fr/?lang=en
I think that if you're in the Caravan Club and show your card at a manned booth you don't pay for the caravan on the M6 toll. However, if travelling at anything other than peak times we just stay on the M6, as Francais recommends.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Travelling to Folkestone for Eurotunnel
