As Brits, we’re fortunate sufficient to have a direct route with regards to travelling throughout the Channel Tunnel. This ease of motion turns into barely extra advanced 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 automobile throughout the Channel Tunnel as simply as attainable.
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 mounted 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 the Channel Tunnel, you’d be taking LeShuttle, which is an underground railway shuttle service.
Can you’re taking your van on LeShuttle?
Sure, vans are welcome on LeShuttle.
For every type of automobiles, LeShuttle is handy and straightforward to navigate. It’s much like the Eurostar however for smaller automobiles, 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 search out the correct entrance for you, drive in, and luxuriate in a fast and comfy 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 should go within the single-deck carriage. Autos above 1.85 metres in peak are allowed within the double-deck carriages and your ticket fare will rely on the area your van takes up. The scale of your automobile may even have an effect on when you’ll be able to journey as you’ll should go when there’s sufficient area.
A van carrying industrial items, like a food truck, weighing as much as 3.5 tonnes, can journey on the passenger service however, it’s important to guide individually forward of time through the LeShuttle Freight service.
You must also notice that LeShuttle gained’t enable your van on board in case you are carrying LPG or an equal flammable fuel. You additionally gained’t be allowed in case your automobile wants a fuel container.
Can you’re taking your van throughout the Channel Tunnel by ferry?
Though technically not by the Channel Tunnel, one other approach to get from the UK to France in your van is by ferry. P&O Ferries, for instance, gives the Dover to Calais route which can get you there in beneath two hours.
For courier drivers or vans which might be carrying industrial items, you merely should guide by P&O Freight. Their freight companies are separate so can have a special schedule.
Vans which might be smaller than seven metres might be booked in by their web site, simply ensure you know the measurements while you’re reserving. Additionally, you will want to tell them of the kind of cargo you’ll be carrying in case you are transporting industrial items.
In response to P&O, industrial items embody:
- Instruments
- Items on the market
- Elimination companies
- Exhibition supplies
And private items (that you simply wouldn’t should declare) embody:
- Customary baggage
- Furnishings
- Passion gear (e.g sports activities gear)
- Automobile or boat
What paperwork do you want to cross the Channel in a van?
As with all long-haul journeys, you’ll want the correct paperwork while you journey by the Chunnel.
This can rely on what technique you choose, however generally, you have to to deliver:
- A sound passport for you and any passenger in your automobile
- The Car 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 correct insurance coverage. At Adrian Flux, we will 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 in case you are 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.
