London to Geneva and back by Eurotunnel, Intercontinental Geneva & 2016 XC90 Review
Aug 17, 2015, 3:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: London
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Posts: 205
London to Geneva and back by Eurotunnel, Intercontinental Geneva & 2016 XC90 Review
*Disclaimer: All perspectives in this trip report unless stated otherwise are made from the perspective of a 16/17 year old and my observations on the world. Thanks in advance.*
Hi Ladies & Gents, thank you for taking the time to join me for Phase 2 of my 2015 Vacation.
Previous trip reports:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...y-ba-a380.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-amritsar.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...evy-tahoe.html
Planning:
The day before we left for Miami (my 17th Birthday), my aunt decided that she wanted to move back to England from her home in Geneva. After transferring back to the UK and filling up her 10ft by 7ft container, provided by her work, she told us that it didn't all fit and would need us to go out and get it.
This didn't bother us as Dad and I had been longing for another European road trip since our last when we drove to Paris for the Paris Air Show which we did with the family Panamera. Moreover it would be good to take the new XC90 for a spin and break it in.
We booked the Eurotunnel the day before we left for MIA at a pricey £194 along with our twin bed hotel room at the Intercontinental for £250 plus 50,000 Avios.
The car unlike the Tahoe in our last trip report will not be reviewed in one chunk, but as we go along our journey, providing a more detailed insight into the vehicle.
In case you aren't aware, at the moment, migrants from Africa who arrived in Europe on boats have made it to Calais and are climbing through the Eurotunnel to get to England and the UK. This would be something to bare in mind for our trip report
A bit of info about the car:
Company: Volvo
Range:XC90
Fuel: Diesel
Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 7
Horsepower: 235
Name given: Thor
Segments of this Trip Report:
1) London to Folkestone
2) Folkestone to Calais
3) Calais to Geneva
4) Intercontinental Geneva and Geneva City
5)Geneva to Calais
6) Calais to Folkestone- Home
Hi Ladies & Gents, thank you for taking the time to join me for Phase 2 of my 2015 Vacation.
Previous trip reports:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...y-ba-a380.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-amritsar.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...evy-tahoe.html
Planning:
The day before we left for Miami (my 17th Birthday), my aunt decided that she wanted to move back to England from her home in Geneva. After transferring back to the UK and filling up her 10ft by 7ft container, provided by her work, she told us that it didn't all fit and would need us to go out and get it.
This didn't bother us as Dad and I had been longing for another European road trip since our last when we drove to Paris for the Paris Air Show which we did with the family Panamera. Moreover it would be good to take the new XC90 for a spin and break it in.
We booked the Eurotunnel the day before we left for MIA at a pricey £194 along with our twin bed hotel room at the Intercontinental for £250 plus 50,000 Avios.
The car unlike the Tahoe in our last trip report will not be reviewed in one chunk, but as we go along our journey, providing a more detailed insight into the vehicle.
In case you aren't aware, at the moment, migrants from Africa who arrived in Europe on boats have made it to Calais and are climbing through the Eurotunnel to get to England and the UK. This would be something to bare in mind for our trip report
A bit of info about the car:
Company: Volvo
Range:XC90
Fuel: Diesel
Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 7
Horsepower: 235
Name given: Thor
Segments of this Trip Report:
1) London to Folkestone
2) Folkestone to Calais
3) Calais to Geneva
4) Intercontinental Geneva and Geneva City
5)Geneva to Calais
6) Calais to Folkestone- Home
Last edited by louislitt; Aug 21, 2015 at 3:07 am
Aug 17, 2015, 3:14 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: London
Programs: Amex Centurion, B.A. Silver, Virgin Atlantic Gold, C.X. Diamond
Posts: 205
London to Folkestone
London to Geneva:
The day before our departure I collected my AS-Level results, which had me unable to focus on packing for 48 hours. I passed and did rather well, which meant that I was safe for another year. I packed my bags fifteen minutes before we left, grabbed my tech and soon we were on our way. Our departure time was 12:35 and check-in was set to end at 12:06. We first had to drop off a friend at his home in Osterley West London, which where I took the pictures below after taking out his luggage.
Route to Folkestone:
Empty boot:
Powered Tailgating:
Bag of Euros, my StayPro (keeps overheating so doesn't actually 'Go') and the Canon:
Tan leather and wood inlays:
Empty back seats:
Our destination was set for the Eurotunnel departing area:
Thor:
Our route took us down the A4 towards Heathrow, where we would join the M25 next to Terminal 5:
Leather dash:
Hatton Cross:
Using the Panorama sunroof for plane spotting
:
No BA A320 for me:
Down towards T4:
The Etihad's :
VS21 to IAD:
And then we hit traffic:
Whilst this happened, I began playing EA to my father and dialled numbers for various conference calls (who notices a pattern?):
Finally after the third call, the M25 opened up:
Channel Tunnel was our stop today:
Cruise was applied at 69 mph:
Nearly there:
Whilst we were on the ninth call of the day, we arrived in Folkestone:
Tesla style display:
We arrived to this:
After not moving for 35 minutes (never ever happened on our six previous journeys) I called the Eurotunnel team, to the following message:
"All Eurotunnel operations are delayed by 3 hours after there original departure time." Oh f***! This would mean that we would arrive in Genève at 01:30 rather than the planned 22:00.
Okay team lets play with the interface in the car:
ETA is about right:
At which pointe we began watching Persons of Interest from the USB I had plugged in:
Still waiting to check-in (1hr after the original departure time):
We arrived at the check-in booth and handed in our details:
Check-in lady: "Hello Litts we appologise for the delay, we are operating with a 3 hour delay from check-in."
Litts: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN FROM CHECK-IN?! WE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 1:30 already!"
Check-in lady: "Sir we had some illegals climb into the tunnel and the cableing broke. If it is any consolation, this was the first time in three months that this has happened"
*Litts look at each other*
Litts Together: "How is that any bloody consolation?!"
Father Litt: "Can we have a refund so that we can take a ferry?"
*Louis looks at father horrified*
Check-in lady: Um no.
*End of conversation. The waiting game continues*
We were released into this:
Where we sat for a further 45 minutes because the carpark had overflown due to the delays which had started at 08:00 that morning.
Wasn't kidding team:
Central console:
At 14:00 (we should have been in France by now!) we found a car parking spot and went exploring:
Thor:
We went inside for a couple of hours and after waiting twenty-five minutes to use the gents, Dad and I grabbed a Bagel from Bagel House and our first coffee of the afternoon. It wasn't going to be our last:
We got bored and began playing with the Air Suspension:
The lights look nice:
View from the back:
At 17:45 our letter 'W' was called exactly 05:45 after when we were originally meant to leave:
French Immigration:
Important key tag for this journey:
Dad got bored and left the car:
The old shape Range Rover Sport, which in my opinion looks nicer than the normal Range Rover for that edition:
The French Po-Po:
Time to drive onto the train:
Panoramic Sunroof:
A Sea of cars behind us:
Lonely Canon:
View out of the back:
Driving down the ramp onto the train:
Our ride to Calais:
As we boarded the Eurotunnel at 18:50 7 hours after we arrived, this journey was not going off to a good start.
Stay tuned to see whether it improves...
Aug 18, 2015, 6:29 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
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Posts: 5,350
Well, this is certainly something a bit different for an FT trip report. The Volvo looks lovely (the interior especially) but I was alarmed to note that it apparently has already infected your dad with 'Volvo-driver Syndrome'... namely, sitting at 69mph in the right hand lane! 
Aug 18, 2015, 6:47 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: London
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Posts: 205
Well, this is certainly something a bit different for an FT trip report. The Volvo looks lovely (the interior especially) but I was alarmed to note that it apparently has already infected your dad with 'Volvo-driver Syndrome'... namely, sitting at 69mph in the right hand lane!
I hope it is different in a good way?
Also he had an XC90 before so a Volvo isn't new to him. But he does have Porsche Driver Syndrome (Sitting on the outside lane at 85 when driving his Panamera
) Hope you enjoy the rest
Aug 18, 2015, 7:51 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: London
Programs: Amex Centurion, B.A. Silver, Virgin Atlantic Gold, C.X. Diamond
Posts: 205
Folkestone to Calais
We boarded the train at 18:06.
It set the sensors on a goose chase:
The barrier at the front of the carriage closed:
As we waited to leave, I programmed the address for the Intercon in Geneva:
Look at that ETA^
The Eurotunnel chaps request that the sunroofs and windows in your car are left open for ventilation:
Still waiting:
There is of course no beverage service, but my role as 'navigator' and 'food-guy' I came prepared:
On the move for our 35 minute journey:
On the Eurotunnel you are allowed to get out of your car during the crossing:
View in the lavatory:
I think it was meant to be Lille:
I would rather have taken a plane:
Walking through carriages to get to the car:
In the middle of the doors:
XC90 in the distance:
No PAX:
There is writing on the doorsill that states "First Edition Number 100/1927" but it wasn't coming out clear in the tunnel:
FRANCE:
Sensors are back:
Out:
7 hours behind schedule and with 8 hours to go we were raring to get going...
It set the sensors on a goose chase:
The barrier at the front of the carriage closed:
As we waited to leave, I programmed the address for the Intercon in Geneva:
Look at that ETA^
The Eurotunnel chaps request that the sunroofs and windows in your car are left open for ventilation:
Still waiting:
There is of course no beverage service, but my role as 'navigator' and 'food-guy' I came prepared:
On the move for our 35 minute journey:
On the Eurotunnel you are allowed to get out of your car during the crossing:
View in the lavatory:
I think it was meant to be Lille:
I would rather have taken a plane:
Walking through carriages to get to the car:
In the middle of the doors:
XC90 in the distance:
No PAX:
There is writing on the doorsill that states "First Edition Number 100/1927" but it wasn't coming out clear in the tunnel:
FRANCE:
Sensors are back:
Out:
7 hours behind schedule and with 8 hours to go we were raring to get going...
Aug 18, 2015, 11:10 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: London
Programs: Amex Centurion, B.A. Silver, Virgin Atlantic Gold, C.X. Diamond
Posts: 205
It was pretty rubbish weather RoadWarrier, although everyone I spoke too said that the weather was much better between Monday and deteriorated on the Friday that I arrived. Geneva was empty that weekend. Everyone at the hotel informed me that most locals had gone down to Zurich for the final week of summer before school begins. I saw that silly fair
Hope you enjoy the rest!
Kind Regards LL
Aug 18, 2015, 4:13 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 34
Fantastic trip report. I've never crossed the Channel via the tunnel and had not really thought about the logistics of how it actually works. Great photos and commentary, feels like I've done the trip myself. Excited to read the next installment since I love Switzerland^
Aug 19, 2015, 11:23 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,181
Very interesting.
I took the Golden Arrow sleeper to Paris in the 1960s when it would be foggy in the winter and flights were often cancelled.
You should count your blessings that you are in a nice Volvo instead of being a penniless refugee.
No big deal being inconvenienced.
However I can understand your frustration.
I don't blame your aunt moving from Geneva. My mother lived there.
I took the Golden Arrow sleeper to Paris in the 1960s when it would be foggy in the winter and flights were often cancelled.
You should count your blessings that you are in a nice Volvo instead of being a penniless refugee.
No big deal being inconvenienced.
However I can understand your frustration.
I don't blame your aunt moving from Geneva. My mother lived there.
Aug 20, 2015, 2:58 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: London
Programs: Amex Centurion, B.A. Silver, Virgin Atlantic Gold, C.X. Diamond
Posts: 205
Calais to Genève
Our route for the journey to Geneva:
Cities that we would be passing:
Open autoroute:
We wanted to go towards Reims:
Sun setting behind us:
A bug splattered windscreen:
236KM from Paris:
In typical road trip style the rain clouds soon appeared:
Sunset:
I felt like the Japanese chap in Fast and Furious 5 when he was hurtling down the autoroute at the end of the movie in his Lexus LFA:
30 Minutes shaved off our ETA:
The B&W sound system embossed on the door:
Neither of us were going to settle for that 03:22 ETA
Every possible device on charge:
Road improvements:
Darkness:
Not where we had been hoping to be at this time:
Reims:
Lets just say that the speed had been blurred for a reason:
Soon we arrived at our first toll of the evening. You take a ticket and pay at the next toll:
Empty Toll:
Look at that ETA :
Fastest, brightest and only thing on the road:
It seemed that every car we overtook was British.
Luxembourg, home to Cargolux:
A couple of sharp turns:
Stopping for Diesel, 300 miles out and 22:45 :
Bugs all over it:
Bit of Manual Labour:
Cleaner:
The cost of fuel was €70 for premium diesel which fuelled the tank up completely. This is about £50 and is much much cheaper than the £90 it would cost for the exact same fuel at Shell in the UK.
Illuminated door handles:
LL Iphone connected to bluetooth ^^:
Coming out of the services:
The baby version of our car, the XC60, known from the first Twlight movies:
There were loads of Brits at this service station:
We were back up to cruising speed:
Four more hours
At this point it was an absolute fight to keep awake, but I knew that if I didn't my Dad would struggle to also!
Another services:
The Ellie Goulding song 'Lights' is very applicable:
Genève!!!
Our first of three mountain ranges, 1st up the ' Jura'
75 was the most we could do without loosing control in the rain and in such poor visibility:
There were three tunnels that ranged from 2 miles to 5:
Our final toll of the evening, leaving us with a grand total of €72 in toll charges.
And I thought the cost of $1.50 in Orlando was pricey!!
Half an hour later we arrived at Swiss/ French border:
We had to pull up and buy a 40 CHF Road Tax Sticker:
Derelict border crossing:
Interestingly nobody gave a toss about our passports.
ETA of 02:43 a full hour and ten cut down:
The tunnel towards Geneva Cointrin International Airport:
Following the leafy lane to the Intercontinental:
We arrived at the Underground carpark of the Intercon:
17 hours and 900 miles after leaving England, you have done us well Thor:
We hiked around the outside of the hotel and arrived at the front lobby are:
Clocks:
We arrived to our hotel at 02:30 and the metaphorical excretion, for the second time in 24 hours, had hit the fan- No room available.
Cities that we would be passing:
Open autoroute:
We wanted to go towards Reims:
Sun setting behind us:
A bug splattered windscreen:
236KM from Paris:
In typical road trip style the rain clouds soon appeared:
Sunset:
I felt like the Japanese chap in Fast and Furious 5 when he was hurtling down the autoroute at the end of the movie in his Lexus LFA:
30 Minutes shaved off our ETA:
The B&W sound system embossed on the door:
Neither of us were going to settle for that 03:22 ETA
Every possible device on charge:
Road improvements:
Darkness:
Not where we had been hoping to be at this time:
Reims:
Lets just say that the speed had been blurred for a reason:
Soon we arrived at our first toll of the evening. You take a ticket and pay at the next toll:
Empty Toll:
Look at that ETA
:Fastest, brightest and only thing on the road:
It seemed that every car we overtook was British.
Luxembourg, home to Cargolux:
A couple of sharp turns:
Stopping for Diesel, 300 miles out and 22:45 :
Bugs all over it:
Bit of Manual Labour:
Cleaner:
The cost of fuel was €70 for premium diesel which fuelled the tank up completely. This is about £50 and is much much cheaper than the £90 it would cost for the exact same fuel at Shell in the UK.
Illuminated door handles:
LL Iphone connected to bluetooth ^^:
Coming out of the services:
The baby version of our car, the XC60, known from the first Twlight movies:
There were loads of Brits at this service station:
We were back up to cruising speed:
Four more hours
At this point it was an absolute fight to keep awake, but I knew that if I didn't my Dad would struggle to also!
Another services:
The Ellie Goulding song 'Lights' is very applicable:
Genève!!!
Our first of three mountain ranges, 1st up the ' Jura'
75 was the most we could do without loosing control in the rain and in such poor visibility:
There were three tunnels that ranged from 2 miles to 5:
Our final toll of the evening, leaving us with a grand total of €72 in toll charges.
And I thought the cost of $1.50 in Orlando was pricey!!
Half an hour later we arrived at Swiss/ French border:
We had to pull up and buy a 40 CHF Road Tax Sticker:
Derelict border crossing:
Interestingly nobody gave a toss about our passports.
ETA of 02:43 a full hour and ten cut down:
The tunnel towards Geneva Cointrin International Airport:
Following the leafy lane to the Intercontinental:
We arrived at the Underground carpark of the Intercon:
17 hours and 900 miles after leaving England, you have done us well Thor:
We hiked around the outside of the hotel and arrived at the front lobby are:
Clocks:
We arrived to our hotel at 02:30 and the metaphorical excretion, for the second time in 24 hours, had hit the fan- No room available.
Last edited by louislitt; Aug 21, 2015 at 3:11 am