Eurotunnel & Self Drive                   

Drive your car to the slopes this winter and save up to £100 per person. Let us arrange your Eurotunnel crossing  along with your accommodation and you'll receive a FREE EUROTUNNEL FLEXIPLUS upgrade which gives you added benefits to help make your journey more comfortable;

• Flexibility to take another departure if you arrive early, or late, at the terminal.
• Dedicated check-in lane.
  
• Priority boarding lane.
  
• Flexi-plus lounge* (open 6am-10pm) offering complimentary nonalcoholic drinks and light snacks. Internet, fax and telephone services are also available.
• Dedicated parking spaces at the terminal if you are stopping off*.

Eurotunnel is the fastest cross-channel operator from Folkestone to Calais so you arrive on the continent in only 35 minutes.
Rough seas and high winds never delay Eurotunnel, with frequent departures – up to 3 departures an hour at peak times. Taking your car to the continent offers you complete independence - pack your car with all your holiday essentials and no weight restrictions, then travel at your own pace stopping off along the way.

Accommodation can be booked on most dates throughout the season without flights and transfers. Choose your accommodation, then speak to a member of our reservations team or your travel agent about your ideal time for a Eurotunnel crossing. They will quote you straightaway for your self drive holiday including the free Flexiplus upgrade.

*Please note that due to height restrictions, drivers of motorcycles and vehicles over 1.85m cannot use the dedicated parking spaces and thus the lounge facilities.

If you would prefer a ferry crossing then please call us for a quote.

Preparation & Safety For Self Drive holidays

In your rush to get away for your holiday, basic car maintenance may often be overlooked. A little preparation can go a long way, so if you'd rather be on the slopes than sitting on the hard shoulder, follow these simple tips to ensure a smooth journey.

• Oil: Check your oil properly. A low oil level may cause overheating, excessive engine wear or even engine seizure.
• Tyres: Check your tyre pressure against those in the handbook and examine them for cuts and wear. A car laden with a family and luggage may need higher pressures than normal. Also, remember to check the spare.
• Windscreen: Top up your windscreen washer with water and detergent, and keep a bottle of water in the car just in case. Be careful in the mountains as often the water can freeze on the windscreen and often make your visability worse.
• Children: Keep children amused in the car with books, comics or games to minimise distraction while driving.
• Seatbelts: Always wear your seatbelt and insist rear passangers wear theirs.
• Tiredness: On long journeys, it is essential to take regular breaks from driving. Consider booking into a hotel or B&B enroute for an overnight rest.
• Driving Abroad: Make sure your insurance policy covers you and any other drivers and remember to take your insurance documents and driving licences with you. You should also carry spare bulbs for all car lights and a hazard warning triangle. A torch, spade and warm gloves are also advisable.
• Service: If your car hasnt recently been serviced we suggest a pre-holiday check of the car battery, shock absorbers and breaks.
• Snowchains: Are an essential when driving to ski resorts, and although you may not need to use them it is a legal requirement to have them with you in the car. See below for details of how to rent them.
• Breakdown: These tips should help you have a trouble free journey but in the event of a breakdown, make sure you are covered by one of the major breakdown and vehicle recovery services, and if neccessary extend your cover to overseas for the duration of your trip.
• Route Plans & Maps: Make sure you have instructions of how to get to your chosen resort and accommodation, along with a GB sticker for your car.
• Crossing: If you are crossing on the ferry/hoverspeed check your ticket for the minimum check in time (usually 1 hour before sailing). Eurotunnel is boarded at Folkstone, which is just off the M20, Junction 11a. Check in is at least 35 minutes before departure.
• Driving Overseas: Remember you need to drive on the right hand side of the road! Have some euros ready to pay for the motorway tolls, and bear in mind that in Austria you need to purchase Vignette (similar to a tax disk) to drive on the motorway. You can purchase these at petrol stations and supermarkets.
• Parking In Resort: Some resorts and properties have free parking, however, in many resorts there may be a charge payable.
• Finally: Remember to enjoy yourself, relax, take it easy on the roads and make sure you get there safely.

We have put together a table of journey times from Calais to our European resorts. These journey times are approximate and do not include comfort stops, bad weather or traffic congestion.