Crossing the Channel via the Eurotunnel
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Travelling between the UK and France through the Channel Tunnel
Not every UK–France crossing is by ferry. If you are going through the Channel Tunnel, there are two different options: Le Shuttle if you are driving, and Eurostar if you are travelling on foot. In this guide, we explain how both work, how long the crossing takes, and when the tunnel makes more sense than a ferry.
Eurostar vs Le Shuttle vs the Ferries
| Mode of transport | Travel Time | Foot Passengers | Vehicles | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Shuttle | ~35 min | No | Yes | From ~£100 |
| Eurostar | ~1h30–4h | Yes | No | From ~£55 |
| Ferry (Dover–Calais) | ~1h30 | Yes | Yes | From ~£80 |
Maps: routes for the Trains via the Eurotunnel
Eurotunnel Maps
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle: Folkestone ↔ Calais (above)
Eurostar: Runs through the same tunnel, but with longer connections (e.g., London–Paris) (below)
You can see both route options clearly on our interactive maps.
Crossing to France through the Channel Tunnel
There are really two different tunnel options between the UK and France, and it helps to separate them straight away. Le Shuttle is for motorists, while Eurostar is for foot passengers. If you are still comparing the tunnel with a sea crossing, it is also worth checking our full guide to ferries from the UK to France, especially if your final destination is not in northern France.
If you are driving, Le Shuttle runs from Folkestone to Calais. You stay with your vehicle and are across in around 35 minutes, which makes it one of the quickest ways to reach France with your own car, van, camper or motorbike. If you are travelling without a vehicle, the tunnel option is Eurostar, which takes you from central London to Lille or Paris.
Le Shuttle: the quickest way to cross if you are driving
If you are taking a car, van, camper or motorbike, Le Shuttle is usually the fastest way to cross from the UK to France. It runs from Folkestone to Calais, and the crossing itself is short, which is why many travellers choose it when speed matters most.
You drive onto the train in Kent and around 35 minutes later you are in northern France, ready to continue by road. That makes Le Shuttle especially handy if you want to get straight onto the French motorway network and keep going towards Calais, Normandy, Brittany or beyond.
The main advantage is convenience. Your luggage stays in the vehicle, you do not have to unload and reload bags, and once you arrive you can simply continue driving. For families, pet owners and anyone trying to cover distance efficiently, that can be a very strong selling point.
It is also worth saying what Le Shuttle is not. This is not a mini-cruise or a scenic crossing. You are choosing a fast transport link rather than a more leisurely sea journey.
Cyclists can use Le Shuttle too, but not in the same way as an ordinary passenger train. Bikes use a separate pre-booked cycle service, so this is something to arrange in advance rather than leave until the day of travel.
Even with the short crossing time, it is still a proper international border crossing. You still need time for check-in and controls, so it pays to arrive prepared with your booking details and travel documents ready.
Le Shuttle in short
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Travel time | ~35 minutes |
| Check-in time | 60 minutes before departure |
| Departure points | Folkestone ↔ Calais |
| Ticket type | Vehicle only (no foot passengers) |
| From price | ~£100 (varies seasonally) |
🛻 You drive directly into the train and stay in your car during the crossing. Cyclists can also board using special trailers.
💡 Le Shuttle is usually quicker than the ferry by 60–90 minutes, though often more expensive.
Eurostar: the easiest foot-passenger option to France
If you are travelling without a car, Eurostar is usually the simplest way to get from the UK to France. You leave from central London and arrive in the centre of Paris or Lille, which makes it a very practical option for city breaks, short stays and rail-based holidays.
That is really the main appeal. You do not need to drive down to Kent, you do not need to board a ferry, and you arrive in the middle of a city rather than at a port. For many foot passengers, that makes Eurostar the cleanest option.
The most relevant direct routes for France-bound travellers are:
- London ⇔ Lille
- London ⇔ Paris
Lille is easy to overlook, but it is worth keeping in mind. It is quicker to reach than Paris, useful for northern France, and can also work well as an onward rail gateway if that is not your final stop.
Eurostar tends to make most sense when you book well in advance and are travelling fairly light. The better-value fares usually go first, so it is not one to leave too late if price matters.
One practical point: although Eurostar is straightforward, you still need to allow enough time for check-in, passport control and security before departure. It is not quite a last-minute turn-up-and-go train.
Eurostar routes
| Route | Travel Time |
|---|---|
| London ⇄ Paris | 2h 16m |
| London ⇄ Brussels | ~2h |
| London ⇄ Amsterdam | ~4h |
| London ⇄ Lille | ~1h 22m |
| London ⇄ Rotterdam | ~3h 30m |
In practice, Eurostar tends to work best when you book early and travel light enough to move comfortably through the station. The cheapest tickets are usually snapped up first, so last-minute bookings can be noticeably more expensive than they first appear when people hear the word ‘train'.
One practical point that is easy to underestimate: although Eurostar is faster and easier than flying on many UK–France city trips, you still need to allow enough time before departure for check-in, security and passport control. It is not one to leave until the final few minutes.
If your final destination is a French city, Eurostar is often the better fit than a ferry. If, on the other hand, you are heading to rural France, taking lots of luggage, or planning to tour by car, then a ferry or Le Shuttle will often make more sense.
Ferry, Le Shuttle or Eurostar?
This really comes down to the kind of trip you are making. If you are driving and want the quickest possible Channel crossing, Le Shuttle is often the obvious choice. If you are travelling on foot and heading for a French city, Eurostar is usually the simplest option.
A ferry to France, however, can still make more sense in plenty of situations. If you prefer a more relaxed break in the journey, want time on board, are heading for western France, or would rather sail from a port that suits your route better, the ferry is often the better fit.
That is why it is worth comparing all three properly rather than assuming the tunnel is always best. For the wider picture, including routes from Dover, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Newhaven, see our full guide to ferries from the UK to France.
In simple terms: choose Eurostar for city-to-city travel, choose Le Shuttle for speed with your own vehicle, and choose a ferry if the sailing route fits your destination better.
Eurostar Trains Travel Duration
| Eurostar From London | Duration | Eurostar To London | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| London to Paris | 2h 16 mins. | Paris to London | 2h 17 mins. |
| London to Brussels | 1h 53 mins | Brussels to London | 2h 01 min. |
| London to Amsterdam | 3h 52 mins. | Amsterdam to London | 4h 09 mins. |
| London to Rotterdam | 3h 13 mins. | Rotterdam to London | 3h 30 mins. |
| London to Lille | 1h 22 mins. | Lille to London | 1h 22 mins. |
About the Eurotunnel
The Channel Tunnel (also called the Chunnel or Tunnel sous la Manche) is an engineering marvel.
The Channel Tunnel between France and England is known by several names. On the English side, the tunnel is called Channel Tunnel or Chunnel. The French use Tunnel sous la Manche.
Because the Eurotunnel Shuttle company drives through the tunnel, the name Eurotunnel is regularly used for both the car train and the tunnel itself.
The Eurotunnel (or Channel Tunnel) is just over 31 miles / 50 km long and connects England to France. The tunnel runs between Folkestone (not far from Dover) and Calais.
Freight trains and passenger trains run in two tunnel tubes. A third tube is intended as a maintenance tunnel and escape route.
At the Eurotunnel Shuttle stations, all vehicles are driven sideways into the wagons. After they get off at the other end, the train continues its route in a turning loop to end up on the other side of the station for tourists travelling from the opposite direction.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1994 |
| Length | 31.35 mi / 50.45 km |
| Depth | 115 metres below sea level |
| Tunnels | 2 for trains + 1 for maintenance |
| Connects | Folkestone (UK) to Calais (FR) |
Eurotunnel travel tips
- Book early if you can – prices for both Le Shuttle and Eurostar tend to rise as the cheaper availability disappears, especially in busier travel periods.
- Do not cut it too fine – even though the tunnel crossing itself is quick, you still need time for check-in and border controls before departure.
- The tunnel is about speed, not an overnight break – if you would rather break up the journey with a cabin and some proper time on board, a ferry is usually the better fit.
- Le Shuttle is not for foot passengers – if you are travelling without a vehicle, the tunnel option is Eurostar rather than Le Shuttle.
- It is worth comparing tunnel and ferry – Le Shuttle is often quicker, but ferries can be more relaxed, sometimes cheaper, and in some cases a better match for your final destination.
- Think beyond the crossing itself – Le Shuttle is often the quickest option, but a ferry can still make more sense if the sailing route suits your destination better.
| Train Type | Operator | Travel Time | Vehicles Allowed | Booking As |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Shuttle | Eurotunnel | ~35 min | Yes | Driver w/ vehicle |
| Eurostar | Eurostar | ~1.5–4 hrs | No | Foot passenger |
On board, maps and routes
We’ve personally travelled all the ferry routes from the Dover area to Calais – and shared our experiences in this blog. Looking into the Channel Tunnel too? Don’t miss our detailed travel report on crossing with Le Shuttle.
Prices and availability for this crossing.
In the booking module below you can also choose the ferries to France. If you prefer to travel by train then you select first the UK as country and then the route Folkestone – Calais.
To check the sailing schedule and timetable for the other crossings, and to find the best alternative, simply fill in the booking module for ferries and trains to France. This tool will provide up-to-date options, times, and routes to suit your travel needs.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take Le Shuttle, Eurostar or a ferry?
That depends mainly on how you are travelling. If you are taking your car, van, camper or motorbike, Le Shuttle is usually the quickest way across. If you are travelling on foot and heading for a city such as Paris or Lille, Eurostar is often the simplest option. A ferry to France can make more sense if you want a more relaxed crossing, a route that suits western France better, or simply a break in the journey.
Can I take my car through the Channel Tunnel?
Yes. If you are travelling with a vehicle, you use Le Shuttle. You drive onto the train at Folkestone or Calais and stay with your vehicle during the short crossing. It is one of the fastest ways to get from the UK to France if you want to keep driving straight afterwards.
What sometimes causes confusion is that foot passengers cannot use Le Shuttle. If you are not taking a vehicle, the tunnel option is Eurostar instead.
Can foot passengers use the Channel Tunnel?
Yes, but not via Le Shuttle. If you are travelling on foot, the relevant service is Eurostar. This is the passenger train that runs through the Channel Tunnel and connects London with places such as Lille and Paris.
So in simple terms: Le Shuttle is for vehicles, while Eurostar is for passengers.
What is the difference between Eurostar and Le Shuttle?
The two are often mixed up, but they are really quite different. Eurostar is a high-speed passenger train for people travelling without a car. Le Shuttle is the vehicle shuttle through the tunnel for cars, vans, motorhomes, motorbikes and certain other vehicles.
If you are doing a city break, Eurostar is usually the obvious choice. If you are heading into France with your own vehicle, Le Shuttle is the one to look at.
How long does the crossing take?
The Le Shuttle crossing itself is short, at around 35 minutes, although you still need to allow time for check-in and border controls. Eurostar journey times depend on the route, but London to Lille is much quicker than most ferry-based alternatives for foot passengers, and Paris is still very straightforward by rail.
In practice, the tunnel usually wins on speed. But speed is not always the only factor. Some travellers still prefer the ferry because it is more relaxed and gives you time to move around on board.
Is Le Shuttle faster than the ferry?
Usually, yes. If your main priority is getting across the Channel quickly with your vehicle, Le Shuttle is hard to beat. That is especially true for routes into northern France.
That said, a ferry can still be the better fit for some trips. If you prefer a more leisurely crossing, want to sail overnight, or are heading further west into France, the ferry may suit your route better overall.
How early should I check in?
For Le Shuttle, it is sensible to arrive with a bit of time in hand rather than cut it fine. For Eurostar, you also need to allow enough time for check-in, passport control and security before departure.
Exact timings can vary by service and station, so it is always worth checking your booking confirmation carefully rather than relying on a rule of thumb.
Can I take a bicycle?
Yes, but this is one of those areas where it pays to check the details before you travel. Eurostar and Le Shuttle can both work for cyclists, but arrangements are not the same as simply wheeling a bike onto an ordinary train.
In the case of Le Shuttle, bicycles are typically carried via a separate pre-booked cycle service. Either way, it is best to reserve early if you are travelling with a bike.
How do I book?
If you are taking a vehicle, book Le Shuttle via our Le Shuttle booking link or through the booking module on this page. If you are travelling on foot, Eurostar is the relevant option, and it is usually worth booking early if you want the better fares.
Useful for travellers to France
