Camping-Car Park
Hi everyone, I just went to book for a night in Calais on the Camping-Car Park app, and the total came to over 50 euros, because it was trying to include 'PACK'PRIViLEGES' subscription with required insurance for modification/reservation, and the access card for 5euros.
It says they are required products for booking - does anyone know if this is correct? If I was to just turn up to site and just pay at the moment of entry does that avoid these extra charges?
Any and all advice would be very welcome! Thank you!
Answers
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You would certainly avoid the Privileges charge which is the premium you pay to be able to make advanced bookings. If you already have a card then all you should be charged is the nightly rate. As an aside I thought they were doing away with cards in favour of an entry code at the time you make a reservation which I think you can only make within about an hour of arrival? My experience is the code you can get is time limited and I have not had much sucess with it so I have used my card to gain entry instead.
peedee
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My understanding of Aires is limited - but they seem to be milking motorhomers these days.
There is a choice in Calais of paying €17.20 (plus those add ons for the Privilege Pack) to the Camping-Car Park company and getting very little - or paying €19.50 for a pitch at Camping Fort Lapin - that’s a beach front site with direct access over the dunes to the sea , and decent toilets, washing facilities and showers.(with EHU is an optional extra for those who want it) but no privilege pack needed. Choice !0 -
Just been checking the latest information and if you are new to Camping-Carpark you will not get a card. You can only enter a site by using the mobile App. I assume once downloaded you have to register and top up your account for use. I have just looked at my App which I was told to update which I did and I notice the user interface has been updated. You can get an acces code on the front page by using the "Activate" buttton or after you have searched for a site and established it has vacancies. A few moments ago Calais had 69 pitches available of the 102 it has and I was able to obtain an access code straight away on the site page. How long this is valid for I am not sure but from previous experience when this system was in its infancy and I was not sure of how this newer system worked, I think it lasted about 45/60 mins.
I would think with 102 pitches on the Calais site you would stand a pretty good chance of there being a vacancy when just turning up.
peedee
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@eurotraveller, One of the biggest advantages of Aires for motorhomes is just that. They are built for ease of access and it is rare to find one that has low trees or the access to pitches are difficult. The 17.20 euro charge at the Camping Carpark Aire includes 6 amp electric. I can also recommend a cheaper alternative, Camping les Erables at Escalles is 16 euros a night but without electric or there is a free Aire at Wissant, I've used both.. Never used the Calais Aire but it might be very handy for facilities whereas others may not be so and of course you can come and go at any time when using Aires.
peedee
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I’m rather confused by camping car park at the moment. We have a card, which works fine and according to the email they sent me will continue to be the case. However, they said that new customers would have to generate a code on the App to get in and would also get one for services where required. They also stated that you would no longer be able to top up your card at the gate, only on the App. That is how we have always done it, however just out of interest I checked a few of the entry terminals and they still seemed to be offering cards and top ups.🤔 Also when I check my App, there is a code that it says is for services, like water which some of the more high tech bournes require. Our card works fine touched on the keypad, the code doesn’t. Personally I think it is still a work in progress, just glad we have a card.
To the OP’s question, although they offer the pack privileges I personally can’t see the point of using it for booking. We have stopped on several of their Aires without clearly marked spaces. They have been effectively full well before the maximum number was reached. Therefore you could arrive with a booking only to find nowhere to park. However, before the revamp you could leave and come back within your 24 hour window. Now, if I understand correctly, unless you have a privileges pack you would get charged again. Therefore an advantage there if you want to do that.
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