Calais-Frethun Eurostar

[newmilton]

Although I found a couple of threads about the above, both are closed and some years out of date; so I'm wondering if anyone has more recent experience, specifically about E* check in for my return journey.

I will be travelling from Boulogne, and there is a train from Boulogne that arrives at C-F at 20h40. Is this adequate time for check in for the 21h31 E*, or should I play it safe and arrive on the previous train?

My suspicion is that passenger numbers are low (even in July); but that by the same token there will only be limited security and immigration control staff to process everyone.

Many thanks.

 

[cle]

50 mins is easily enough, for any Eurostar train.

 

[Mike395]

If your train is on time that should be fine - you can usually get by with the minimum 30min check in at Frethun. That said, I'd still go for an earlier train if not booking both together, as it's too tight for my liking on a journey not covered by CIV regulations.

 

[Ianno87]

If your train is on time that should be fine - you can usually get by with the minimum 30min check in at Frethun. That said, I'd still go for an earlier train if not booking both together, as it's too tight for my liking on a journey not covered by CIV regulations.

On the route from Boulougne, isn't the problem that the "previous train" may be several hours before?!

Never used it myself, but Fréthun is a tiny station anyway so the walk from the domestic platforms to the Eurostar check-in should only take mere moments?

 

[Mike395]

On the route from Boulougne, isn't the problem that the "previous train" may be several hours before?!

Never used it myself, but Fréthun is a tiny station anyway so the walk from the domestic platforms to the Eurostar check-in should only take mere moments?

Roughly every hour at that time of day, previous train gets in at 19:56. It's more that I usually try and have a train 'in-hand' for international connections where possible unless covered under CIV rules, particularly where (as in this case) it's the last departure of the day on the international leg.

 

[dazzler]

Never used it myself, but Fréthun is a tiny station anyway so the walk from the domestic platforms to the Eurostar check-in should only take mere moments?

I used Fréthun on the way back from Paris to the UK with a bike in the summer of 2017. From the front coach of a double TGV (about as far from the steps as it is possible to get and still be on the platform) to the station front (including carrying the loaded bike up the steps and wheeling it through the station building and down the other steps to the road) took a lot less than 5 minutes, probably nearer 3. The TGV from Paris to Calais Ville calls at the same island platform as the trains from Boulogne use. I used Fréthun as it is quite handy for the Eurotunnel bike carriage service pickup point in the large shopping village at Cité Europe that has grown up around the Eurotunnel terminal.

Incidentally, it is possible to have a "walk" through Calais Fréthun station on Google Streetview.

 

[Groningen]

That shuttle between France and England is not for footpassengers? You need to have a car?

 

[dazzler]

That shuttle between France and England is not for footpassengers? You need to have a car?

No, the bike goes in a Eurotunnel van - they can take 6 at a time normally and run twice a day each way. The morning service from the UK gets you to France in ample time to get the lunchtime TGV to Paris (which last time I looked carried bikes). The lunchtime return is nicely timed to meet the half past 9 (roughly) TGV from Paris (which I used). The van then drives onto the next available shuttle and you get dropped off at the other side about 45 minutes later.

The English website is here. The Dutch one is here.