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I have travelled through the tunnel many times (even once before it was open to the general public) and only had really bad problems three or four times out of about 40, so you have to be quite unlucky. One time we went by ferry instead and hit a massive jam in the Dover area, missing our booked ferry,  so that was no better!

More often than not we allow plenty of time and end up getting there far too early and kicking our heals in the terminal.

moral - chill out - if a problem occurs it will occur there's not much you can do about it.  

Yes, there is a 'back' route off the old A20 near Junction 11A, which you can reach from the A20 or across country from the Canterbury area.

Just do a satellite map search on Google maps or viamichelin and you will see how to access it. 

We have used the tunnel dozens of times and only had a problem once when there was a strike.  Its a brilliant way to cross the channel. so stop worrying Iizex, all the signs are very clear and I am sure you will not have any  problem, just enjoy your hols.

Jill

Tunnel every time, beats cats and ferries hands down in terms of time and convenience. Drive on drive off, no worry about not being able to get out of the car as you won't be packed like sardines in a tin, or unruly kids running around, just remember not to drive off until the car in front of you has moved on.

Aim to get there early rather than late, as if it is not too busy, they may let yon get on an earlier train as much as 2h before your booked crossing.

Good luck and have fun!

DK

If Op Stack is on there are signs all the way round the M25 as you head into Kent. If it is, best thing to do is give the M20 a miss, and instead exit the M25 at junction 2 onto the A2. Stay on A2, onto M2, and pick up the A2 again just past Faversham (junction 7). This will take you down into Dover, past the port and then back London bound on the A20/M20. The Tunnel is signposted, with easy access.

It's a longer route round, but if Stack is on it can add hours onto your journey getting around the diversion, depending on what time of day you travel. Middle of the night, it might only add 20 mins, middle of the day it could add 2-3 hours.

And yes, there is a 'back door' by taking the junction 12 exit of the M20.

Op Stack has now changed, so lorries are no longer stacked between juntion 11 & 12, but instead kept further back, between j8 & j9. But if it's on, I still think you're better off doing the A2 route.

Quote: Originally posted by ben9 on 16/7/2009

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To be honest Operation Stack is usually caused by the ferries, they still let cars down the M20.

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The only problem is that they use the M20 to Stack the lorries, and so whether Stack is caused by the Tunnel or ferries, it's still a headache getting off at the diversions. If`Stack is on, no cars are allowed on the closed stretch of the M20, and this is what causes the delays.