As Brits, we’re fortunate sufficient to have a direct route relating to travelling throughout the Channel Tunnel. This ease of motion turns into barely extra complicated when driving a van.
That will help you navigate the journey in your van, we’ve put collectively a information that will help you get your car throughout the Channel Tunnel as simply as doable.
What’s the Channel Tunnel for?
Opening in 1994, the Channel Tunnel is an undersea railway line, round 50.46km in size, beneath the English Channel. It’s truly the one fastened hyperlink for travellers between Folkestone in Kent and Calais in France. You may additionally have heard it known as the Chunnel or Eurotunnel.
When travelling by way of the Channel Tunnel, you’d be taking LeShuttle, which is an underground railway shuttle service.
Can you are taking your van on LeShuttle?
Sure, vans are welcome on LeShuttle.
For all sorts of autos, LeShuttle is handy and simple to navigate. It’s much like the Eurostar however for smaller autos, transporting vehicles, vans, motorhomes, campervans, motorbikes and their passengers throughout to France.
How lengthy does the LeShuttle journey take?
LeShuttle can get you from Folkestone to Calais in round 35 minutes. You merely comply with the indicators to seek out the best entrance for you, drive in, and revel in a fast and cozy journey. You possibly can even get out and stretch your legs.
Are there restrictions for vans travelling on LeShuttle?
In case your van is shorter than 1.85 metres, it is going to go within the single-deck carriage. Automobiles above 1.85 metres in top are allowed within the double-deck carriages and your ticket fare will depend upon the house your van takes up. The scale of your car will even have an effect on when you’ll be able to journey as you’ll must go when there may be sufficient house.
A van carrying business items, like a food truck, weighing as much as 3.5 tonnes, can journey on the passenger service however, it’s important to ebook individually forward of time by way of the LeShuttle Freight service.
You must also word that LeShuttle received’t permit your van on board if you’re carrying LPG or an equal flammable gasoline. You additionally received’t be allowed in case your car wants a gasoline container.
Can you are taking your van throughout the Channel Tunnel by ferry?
Though technically not by way of the Channel Tunnel, one other strategy to get from the UK to France in your van is by ferry. P&O Ferries, for instance, provides the Dover to Calais route which can get you there in below two hours.
For courier drivers or vans which might be carrying business items, you merely must ebook by way of P&O Freight. Their freight providers are separate so can have a special schedule.
Vans which might be smaller than seven metres could be booked in by way of their web site, simply be sure to know the measurements whenever you’re reserving. Additionally, you will want to tell them of the kind of cargo you’ll be carrying if you’re transporting business items.
In keeping with P&O, business items embrace:
- Instruments
- Items on the market
- Removing providers
- Exhibition supplies
And private items (that you just wouldn’t must declare) embrace:
- Normal baggage
- Furnishings
- Pastime gear (e.g sports activities gear)
- Automotive or boat
What paperwork do it’s essential cross the Channel in a van?
As with all long-haul journeys, you’ll want the best paperwork whenever you journey by way of the Chunnel.
It will depend upon what methodology you decide, however basically, you’ll need to deliver:
- A legitimate passport for you and any passenger in your car
- The Automobile Registration Doc (V5)
- Your driving licence (or the licence of who’s driving you)
- Proof of insurance coverage
- Ticket or reserving data
Insuring your van earlier than you journey
As a van proprietor, you’ll need the best insurance coverage. At Adrian Flux, we might help you discover the suitable van insurance or commercial van insurance coverage primarily based in your wants, serving to you skip all of the fuss. Our cowl consists of European cover as customary.
And if you’re heading to the Channel Tunnel for a vacation, we will additionally allow you to discover flexible travel insurance.
Name us on 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that fits you.
