What is it actually like to drive onto a train and cross beneath the Channel? We tested LeShuttle from Calais to Folkestone in 2024 as part of our comparison of all four main short-Channel options. The train journey was extremely quick, but the useful details happened around it: we were offered an earlier departure, passed through two border controls, waited in a numbered lane and then drove through the train until staff stopped us.
Our LeShuttle verdict in 30 seconds
| What stood out | The process was clearer and boarding easier than we expected |
|---|---|
| Biggest advantage | About 35 minutes on the train and no need to leave the car behind |
| Biggest drawback | It cost considerably more than the ferries in our 2024 test |
| Best for | Drivers prioritising speed, pets, a short business trip or a tight onward journey |
| Think twice if | You want the lowest fare or a proper break from driving |
Review trip: Calais-Folkestone, 2024. Procedures, fares and ticket conditions can change.
Would we use it again? Yes, when saving time matters enough to justify the price. For a long holiday drive, we would still compare the ferry because walking around, eating and getting fresh air can be more valuable than the shorter crossing.
Our trip at a glance
| Detail | Our journey |
|---|---|
| Direction | Calais to Folkestone |
| Booked | Nine days before travel |
| Vehicle | Car |
| Train time | About 35 minutes |
| Fare paid | About £150 in our 2024 comparison |
| Unexpected bonus | An earlier train was offered at check-in |
Finding LeShuttle at Calais
The approach was well signposted. Near Calais, follow signs for Tunnel sous la Manche, LeShuttle or Eurotunnel rather than the ferry port. That distinction matters because the train and ferry terminals are separate.
Check-in: arriving early helped us
At the drive-through check-in, our booking was recognised and we were offered an earlier train because space was available. That was a genuine advantage on our trip, but it should be treated as a possibility rather than a promise. Your allocated departure and letter are shown at check-in, so keep watching the terminal screens.
The detail we would remember
Our hanger showed M5. The letter and number are more useful on the day than memorising a timetable: they tell you when your train is being called and which lane to follow.
The Calais passenger terminal
After check-in, we had time to use the terminal. It felt practical rather than somewhere to linger: toilets, food and drink, shops and charging points were available. If your train is called, the screens and lane instructions take priority over finishing a coffee or charging session.
Border control: our unusual conversation
You pass the relevant French and British border checks before boarding. Our journey prompted a few more questions because we had crossed the Channel several times within two days while testing every main option. We explained the FerryGoGo comparison, an official checked the boot, and what could have felt tense became a friendly conversation about the project.
That was specific to our travel pattern, not a normal extra stage. The practical lesson is simply to keep passports ready, answer clearly and leave enough time for checks even though the train itself takes only 35 minutes.
Waiting for the train
After the checks, we followed signs to the vehicle waiting lanes. Cars and larger vehicles were separated, and coffee, snacks and drinks were available nearby. This stage makes the total journey longer than the headline crossing time, but we found the lane system easy to understand.
Driving onto the LeShuttle train
Boarding looked more intimidating from outside than it felt behind the wheel. We followed the car ahead through the narrow entrance and along the connected carriages until a member of staff told us where to stop. Drive slowly, leave space and follow the crew rather than trying to choose your own position.
What the journey inside the train feels like
The carriage is functional: vehicles are parked nose-to-tail in a long enclosed train, with doors dividing sections. Once parked, follow the onboard safety instructions. You remain with or near your vehicle and toilets are available, but this is not a ferry-style passenger experience with decks, restaurants and sea views.
Movement was noticeable but not uncomfortable on our trip. The most surprising part was how quickly it ended. By the time we had taken in the unusual surroundings, announcements were already preparing us for arrival.
LeShuttle with children or pets
LeShuttle can be especially practical when leaving the vehicle would create extra work. Children stay with the familiar seats and belongings around them, and pets remain close rather than moving through a busy ferry. The trade-off is that there is less room to walk around than on a ship.
Pet documentation and treatment requirements depend on direction and animal. Add the pet during booking and check the current official rules well before departure. Do not rely on an older travel article for veterinary deadlines.
What we paid compared with the ferries
We booked each option nine days before travelling. LeShuttle cost about £150 for our test journey, while the Dover-Calais ferries were roughly £80 to £85. This is useful evidence of what happened in our comparison, but not a prediction of what you will pay. Direction, date, flexibility, vehicle and remaining capacity all affect the result.
| Option tested | Approximate fare in our 2024 test | Scheduled crossing |
|---|---|---|
| LeShuttle | £150 | About 35 minutes |
| P&O Ferries | £80 | About 90 to 100 minutes |
| Irish Ferries | £83 | About 90 minutes |
| DFDS | £85 | About 100 minutes |
Dated comparison only. Check live prices for the same vehicle, direction and travel window.
LeShuttle or ferry: which would we choose?
| Your priority | Our starting choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest crossing | LeShuttle | The train itself takes about 35 minutes |
| Lowest fare | Compare all options | The ferries were substantially cheaper in our test, but live prices move |
| A break from driving | Ferry | You can leave the car, eat, walk and get fresh air |
| Pet stays close | LeShuttle | You remain with or near the vehicle |
| Driving towards Belgium | Also compare Dunkirk | The arrival port may reduce the onward drive |
Our practical conclusion
LeShuttle delivered exactly what its strongest promise suggests: an efficient crossing with very little interruption to the drive. Its weakness was not the experience but the price in our test. Compare the full door-to-door journey, not 35 minutes against 90 minutes in isolation.
Compare every option we tested Consider Dover-DunkirkBefore you book
- Compare the same travel window and vehicle across LeShuttle, Dover-Calais and Dover-Dunkirk.
- Enter the full vehicle dimensions, including roof boxes, bicycles, trailers or caravans.
- Check the arrival window and live travel information for your booked ticket.
- Keep passports and booking details ready for check-in and border control.
- Review current pet rules and veterinary deadlines if an animal is travelling.
- Allow more time around school holidays and other busy travel periods.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the LeShuttle train journey?
The scheduled journey through the Channel Tunnel takes about 35 minutes. Add check-in, border control, waiting and boarding when planning the total time.
Is LeShuttle the same as Eurotunnel?
Eurotunnel is the name many travellers still use for the Channel Tunnel vehicle service. The passenger vehicle train is branded LeShuttle and runs between Folkestone and Calais.
Do you stay in your car?
You remain with or near your vehicle during the short crossing and must follow the onboard safety instructions. There are toilets on the train, but no ferry-style passenger decks.
Can arriving early get you an earlier train?
It happened on our trip because space was available. It is not guaranteed, so plan around the departure and conditions attached to your booking.
Is LeShuttle better than the ferry?
LeShuttle is the stronger choice when speed and staying with the vehicle matter most. A ferry can be better when price, space and a break from driving matter more.
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