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added my experience of crossing
The '''Channel Tunnel''' is the Eurotunnel tunnel that connects [[France]] with [[England]] going beneath the English Channel.
== Direction [[France]], ([[Calais]]) ==The entrance of the tunnel is directly situated along the M20 at Exit exit 11a just North of [[Folkestone]]. It can also be accessed by the A20 (Ashford Road) which join the M20 at Exit exit 11 and Exit exit 12. This would the solution if you wish to join the Eurotunnel tunnel by foot.
Bear in mind that even if some people might seems frisky seem resistant to the idea of helping someone to cross the Channel into [[France]], many others won't be stressed with that idea, which is not exactly the case on the reverse journey. The crossing into the tunnel is paid per car, so it a hitch-hiker does not induce incur any extra cost to the driver. The check-in is most of the time mostly electronic, so the driver dondoesn't have need to speak with the agentany ticket collectors or such who might conceivably ask questions about hitch-hikers.
There are many possibilities to try, what worked for me best was the last petrol station just before the port. It is just next to a traffic light and everybody comes pass here and might have to slow down or even wait for a minute at the traffic light... :I stood just next to the street, a few meters from the traffic light and the road going left away. I had a sign (a4 )stating "Ferry?". I had once to wait around 30 min and once just 5 min, in order to get a lift on the ferry, over the channel. Normally, people pay for whole cars, so it does not matter when they are more then stated on their booked ticket (the amount on their is more for safety reasons). The crossing takes about 40 minutes, once in the train it is fairly possible to simply walk along the carriage to other car cars and spot a car that might go direct to your direction and simply ask the driverdrivers. Then you can catch a ride further south into [[France]], [[Belgium]], [[Germany]], the [[Netherlands]] just by swapping carcars. Just avoid the security guards..best to wait until they've done their checks. Drivers are completely surprised when you approach them, be friendly and they can't have many excuses.
==== Hitching to ====
[[Maidstone Services]] is a good service station located along the M20, at exit 8, however, there is also a large service station just before the exit for the tunnel, called "Stop 24", at J11.
[[User: Theinefficienthitchhiker| Theinefficenthitchhiker]] had success here twice with people going across the channel.
If you can get a van/ truck going across you avoid most of the problems concerning cars taking hitchhikers across as well. Remind them that the Tunnel crossing is paid per car.
Of course, it might end up being a jeopardy and what works quickly for some might not for others. Belgians seems more keen on picking people over the tunnel, so if you show a big sign marked 'B' you might get more lucky than simply ''Calais''.
By standing nearby the viaducviaduct, you are not being at view cannot be seen from the toll booths (which are 800 yards away), there is no camera (surprisingly) and you are still somehow nearby the local road. Maybe the police would not be keen on letting you continue, but they can only find you out if they happen to be passing by.
The French authority authorities are usually pretty easy on passport checking and depending on what car you are in, you might end up not having to be controlled whatsoever.
===== Outside the Tunnel =====
Upon arrival in [[France]] while leaving the tunnel, there is a Shell petrol station located right at the exit before cars reach the motorway. This place could be the right place to find another ride further if you didn't manage to find the right one inside the train, though it can be a bit complicated in some cases because few cars stop here (there is only traffic of the Eurotunnel personnel and the cars leaving the Eurotunnel) and it can be quite complicated if you are going in the direction of Belgium for example.
== Direction [[England]], ([[Folkestone]]) ==
'''Do NOT''' try to hitchhike at the tunnel entrance [edit - see below, highly debatable]. The place is huge, cars are fast and most drivers are confused. Also, the staff doesn't like hitchhikers and might threaten you to call the police if you don't leave. If you don't get a lift from outside of [[Calais]] to England, try the ferry instead. It's much easier.
<!-- Not tunnel! [[user:Frida|Frida]] hitchhiked with her friend coming from Belgium. They started looking for English drivers/cars going to England at a petrol station close to Gent and were successful withing 15min. Their driver took the ferry from [[Dunkerque]] to [[Dover]] and they had no problems. The ferry from there takes only cars and the driver pays one price, irrespective of the number of passengers (obviously not beyond the capacity of the car). -->
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:England]]
[[Category:France]]