Checkin time Calais end of June

Ray55
Ray55 Forum Participant Posts: 89
edited April 23 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hello, we will be returning home from France end of June and thinking of using Camping Le Grand Gravlot at Calais. ( all reviews but one seem to be good ) Very close to the port and maybe a 10 minute drive through Calais town to get there.

We have a 9.05am ferry booked and we know generally they say to allow  2 hours to check in before departure during high season. However, maybe 60 mins other times.  The gate barrier at Camping Le Grand Gravlot is opened at 7am.  Given it is June and not school holidays do you think say 90 mins checkin before departure will be okay ? 

Also if anyone has stayed there are directions to the port fairly good from this site?

Ray

Comments

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
    1000 Comments
    edited April 23 #2

    Ray. You must follow the advice of the ferry company and not on advice from us.  However, I would split the difference and give myself 90 mins, certainly not less that an hour.  Can't help on the site.  Barrier opening at 7 am not a problem!

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 23 #3

    Deleted by me as did not initially appear so I wrote a second post.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 23 #4

    Ray

    I am sure we have stayed at a few sites close to Calais that didn't have barriers?  Some perhaps not suitable for a long holiday but perfectly OK for an overnight stop.

    David

  • Ray55
    Ray55 Forum Participant Posts: 89
    edited April 23 #5

    Cheers, yes of course but experiences of folk always welcome.

    Ray

  • Ray55
    Ray55 Forum Participant Posts: 89
    edited April 23 #6

    Yes, we always stayed at Camping Saint-Louis at Autingues near Ardres. I thought maybe it would be expensive now ( not been since around 2009) but just checked and it would be 24.90 euro a night. 

    Appreciate any recommendations from people who have been over more recently. 

    Ray

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 23 #7

    Reassurance not criticism. 

    Recommendation is to park up in Calais town as you said for your last night , to go for a meal at the Cote d’Argent restaurant by the beach , and next morning with two hours to get from campsite to ferryport you will be in good time for departure.

    I hope it all goes well. 

  • Dave Nicholson
    Dave Nicholson Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited April 23 #8

    I can’t speak for the ferry’s but signage to the tunnel is fine from the site. There’s a College down the road from the campsite and the roads around the college can get congested even at 7.00am so the best and most straight forward route from the site is to turn left as you leave the site then left at the next roundabout. It’s then a straightforward route to the tunnel and, I assume, to the ferry’s. Best to double check with the ferry company re arrival times but June is not a peak season in my opinion.

  • Ray55
    Ray55 Forum Participant Posts: 89
    edited April 23 #9

    Thanks for that.

    Ray

  • Ray55
    Ray55 Forum Participant Posts: 89
    edited April 23 #10

    Thanks, hopefully someone has stayed here and used the ferry will respond. 

    I must look up the tunnel prices . Have to admit never gave that a thought. 

    Ray

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383 ✭
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    edited April 24 #11

    I usually stay at Camping Les Erables at Escales which is a 15 min drive from the Le Shuttle and no more than 30mins drive from Calais port. If you want to leave site early, let reception know and they will give you the gate code.

    peedee

  • Ray55
    Ray55 Forum Participant Posts: 89
    edited April 24 #12

    Cheers, thank you I'll take a look. 

    Ray

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
    1000 Comments
    edited April 24 #13

    Ray.  We have stayed at Saint Louis a number of time fine for an overnight stop and only a short distance from Calais; it is an ACSI site - 876 at 19€.  In the same area are Camping La Bien Assise at Guines (ACSI 880 at 27€) and Camping Pommiers des trois Pays at Licques (ACSI 882 at 21€).  Both have good restaurants on site.  We have used both sites in the past few years and they are good. Suggest you phone ahead to check availability as they are popular with folks heading to or from the port.  Both about 30 mins from the port.

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