Chunnel Crossings: Le Shuttle & Eurostar
You can either choose Le Shuttle for Car Train or Eurostar for footpassengers.
Travelling between the UK and France through the Channel Tunnel
Not every UK-France crossing is by ferry. If you are travelling through the Channel Tunnel, there are two different options: LeShuttle if you are driving, and Eurostar if you are travelling without a vehicle.
LeShuttle, still often called Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, is the car train between Folkestone and Calais. You drive your own car, van, camper, motorhome or motorbike onto the train and stay with or near your vehicle during the short tunnel crossing.
Eurostar is different. It is the passenger train from London St Pancras through the same tunnel to cities such as Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. So the choice is not simply ‘train or ferry’. It is really: are you travelling with a vehicle, travelling on foot, or would a ferry route fit your journey better?
In this guide, we explain how both tunnel options work, when the Channel Tunnel makes sense, and when a ferry may still be the better choice. We have also tested LeShuttle ourselves as part of our Dover-Calais crossing comparison, where we travelled with LeShuttle, P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries.
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: LeShuttle and Eurostar
The Channel Tunnel is used by more than one type of train, so it helps to separate the routes clearly before you compare them.
- LeShuttle: Folkestone to Calais, for travellers with a vehicle.
- Eurostar: London to mainland Europe, for passengers travelling by train.
- Ferries: routes across the Channel and to northern or western France, useful if the port better matches your final destination.
On our maps, the LeShuttle route is the short tunnel crossing between Folkestone and Calais. Eurostar uses the same Channel Tunnel, but the journey is part of a longer city-to-city train route from London to destinations in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
In simple terms: if you are driving, look at LeShuttle. If you are travelling without a vehicle, look at Eurostar. If you are heading beyond northern France, compare the tunnel with the wider UK-France ferry routes too.
We tested LeShuttle ourselves
To make this guide more useful, we did not only compare the Channel Tunnel and the Dover-Calais ferries on paper. In 2024, Jelle from the FerryGoGo team tested LeShuttle as part of our wider Dover-Calais crossing comparison. We also travelled with P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries on the same corridor.
LeShuttle was clearly the fastest option in our test. The train journey itself takes around 35 minutes, and it is especially convenient if you want to stay with your vehicle and continue driving as quickly as possible. The trade-off is that it can be noticeably more expensive than the ferries, while check-in, border control and peak-period waiting times still matter.
Our view: choose LeShuttle if speed and convenience matter most. Choose the ferry if you want a proper break from driving, sea views, more space to walk around and often a lower fare.
- Best for speed: LeShuttle and the Channel Tunnel
- Best for a travel break: the Dover-Calais ferry
- Best if price is the main factor: compare both, but the ferry was cheaper in our test
- Best with children or pets: depends on whether you prefer staying with the car or taking a break on board
If you mainly want to know what the car train itself is like, read our first-hand LeShuttle review. If you want to compare LeShuttle with the ferry operators we tested, read our full Dover-Calais crossing test.
Our LeShuttle experience was from 2024, so prices may have changed. The boarding, terminal and on-train experience still give a good idea of what to expect.
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. LeShuttle is for motorists. 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, LeShuttle runs between Folkestone and Calais. You stay with your vehicle and are across the tunnel in around 35 minutes. This makes it one of the quickest ways to reach France with your own car, van, camper, motorhome or motorbike.
If you are travelling without a vehicle, the tunnel option is Eurostar. Eurostar runs from London St Pancras through the Channel Tunnel to continental European cities such as Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
That is the biggest difference with a ferry. A ferry can carry vehicles and foot passengers on many routes, while the Channel Tunnel splits travellers into two services: LeShuttle for vehicles and Eurostar for passengers.
LeShuttle: the quickest way to cross if you are driving
If you are taking a car, van, camper, motorhome or motorbike, LeShuttle is usually the fastest way to cross from the UK to France. It runs between Folkestone and Calais, and the tunnel 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 LeShuttle especially handy if you want to get straight onto the French motorway network and keep going towards Calais, Belgium, the Netherlands, 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 LeShuttle 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 LeShuttle too, but not in the same way as an ordinary passenger train. Bikes use a separate cycle service, so check the current process and book this in advance rather than leaving it until the day of travel.
Even with the short crossing time, it is still a proper international border crossing. You need time for check-in, passport control, security and boarding, so it pays to arrive prepared with your booking details and travel documents ready.
Also check your vehicle height before booking. Cars with roof boxes, bikes on the roof or taller vehicles may be placed in a different part of the shuttle, and that can affect availability or fare type.
Want to see the process step by step? Our first-hand LeShuttle review shows check-in, the terminal, border control, waiting lanes, boarding and the train journey itself.
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 tunnel option between the UK and France. You leave from central London and arrive in the centre of Paris or Lille, which makes it very practical for city breaks, short stays and rail-based holidays.
That is 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 Eurostar routes for France-bound travellers are:
- London to Paris
- London to Lille
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 it is not your final stop.
Eurostar also runs through the same tunnel towards other European cities, including Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Those routes are less relevant if your only goal is France, but useful if you are comparing wider train travel from the UK to mainland Europe.
Eurostar tends to work best when you book early and travel light enough to move comfortably through the station. The best-value fares usually go first, so last-minute bookings can be noticeably more expensive than people expect when they hear the word ‘train’.
One practical point that is easy to underestimate: although Eurostar is faster and easier than flying for many UK-France city trips, you still need to allow enough time before departure for ticket checks, security and passport control. It is not a last-minute turn-up-and-go train.
If your final destination is a French city, Eurostar is often the better fit than a ferry. If you are heading to rural France, taking lots of luggage, travelling with camping gear, or planning to tour by car, then a ferry or LeShuttle will often make more sense.
Eurostar routes
| Route | Travel Time |
|---|---|
| London ⇄ Paris | 2h 16m |
| London ⇄ Brussels | ~2h |
| London ⇄ Amsterdam | ~4h |
| London ⇄ Lille | ~1h 22m |
| London ⇄ Rotterdam | ~3h 30m |
Ferry, LeShuttle 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, LeShuttle is often the obvious choice. If you are travelling on foot and heading for a French or European 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.
This is where many travellers make the wrong comparison. LeShuttle may be the fastest way across the Channel, but it is not automatically the best route for every destination. If you are heading to Normandy, Brittany or the west of France, routes from Portsmouth, Poole, Plymouth or Newhaven may save you driving time later.
If you are deciding specifically between the tunnel and the Dover-Calais ferries, start with our Dover-Calais crossing test. We tested LeShuttle, P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries, so it is the most useful page for a direct head-to-head comparison.
For the wider picture, including routes from Dover, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Poole and Newhaven, see our full guide to ferries from the UK to France.
In simple terms: choose Eurostar for city-to-city travel, choose LeShuttle for speed with your own vehicle, and choose a ferry if the sailing route fits your destination better.
On board, maps and routes
We have personally tested the main Dover-Calais options, including LeShuttle, P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. If you want the full comparison, including prices, boarding, travel feel and which option we would choose, read our Dover-Calais crossing test.
If you mainly want to know what the car train itself is like, including check-in, the terminal, border control, boarding and the short journey through the tunnel, read our first-hand LeShuttle review.
For regular ferry options on the same corridor, see our Dover-Calais ferry guide. If Dover is not the best fit for your trip, our Dover alternatives guide may also help.
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. |
Practical tips before booking the Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is quick, but it is still worth looking beyond the headline journey time. You still have to choose the right service, arrive in time, pass border checks and make sure the route fits the rest of your trip.
- Choose the right tunnel service: LeShuttle is for vehicles. Eurostar is for foot passengers.
- Book early if price matters: both LeShuttle and Eurostar can become more expensive when cheaper availability sells out, especially around school holidays and busy travel periods.
- Do not cut it too fine: the tunnel crossing itself is fast, but you still need time for check-in, passport control, security and boarding.
- Check your vehicle carefully: roof boxes, bikes, trailers, campervans and taller vehicles can affect how you are booked or where you are placed on LeShuttle.
- Think about the full journey: LeShuttle is often the quickest way across the Channel with a vehicle, but a ferry can still make more sense if the sailing route suits your final destination better.
- Do not expect a travel break: the tunnel is about speed and efficiency. If you want time on board, sea views, food, fresh air or an overnight cabin, a ferry is usually the better fit.
If you are still deciding between LeShuttle and the Dover-Calais ferries, our Dover-Calais crossing test is the most useful place to start. We tested LeShuttle, P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries ourselves.
| 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 |
About the Eurotunnel, Channel Tunnel and Chunnel
The Channel Tunnel is the rail tunnel between England and France. It is also often called the Chunnel, while in French you may see it referred to as the Tunnel sous la Manche.
The name Eurotunnel is often used loosely for the tunnel, the car train and the wider crossing. Strictly speaking, if you are travelling with a vehicle, the passenger service is now called LeShuttle. If you are travelling without a vehicle, the passenger train is Eurostar.
The tunnel is just over 31 miles / 50 km long and connects the Folkestone area in Kent with Calais in northern France. That puts it close to the main Dover-Calais ferry corridor, but the travel experience is very different.
LeShuttle vehicles are driven onto special train wagons, carried through the tunnel, and then driven off at the other side. Eurostar passenger trains use the same Channel Tunnel as part of longer rail journeys between London and mainland Europe.
That is why this page separates the options clearly: LeShuttle for vehicles, Eurostar for foot passengers, and ferries for travellers who prefer a sea crossing or a route that better fits their final destination.
| 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) |
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 LeShuttle, Eurostar or a ferry?
That depends mainly on how you are travelling. If you are taking your car, van, camper, motorhome or motorbike, LeShuttle is usually the quickest way across. If you are travelling without a vehicle 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 LeShuttle. You drive onto the train at Folkestone or Calais and stay with or near your vehicle during the short crossing. Foot passengers cannot use LeShuttle; if you are travelling without a vehicle, the tunnel option is Eurostar.
Can foot passengers use the Channel Tunnel?
Yes, but not via LeShuttle. Foot passengers use Eurostar, the passenger train that runs through the Channel Tunnel and connects London with destinations such as Lille, Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
What is the difference between Eurostar and LeShuttle?
Eurostar is a high-speed passenger train for people travelling without a car. LeShuttle is the vehicle shuttle through the tunnel for cars, vans, motorhomes, motorbikes and other vehicles. Eurostar is usually best for city-to-city trips; LeShuttle is usually best if you want to take your own vehicle into France.
How long does the Channel Tunnel crossing take?
The LeShuttle crossing itself takes around 35 minutes, although you still need to allow time for check-in, border controls and boarding. Eurostar journey times depend on the destination, but for foot passengers heading to Paris or Lille, it is usually much quicker than travelling by ferry and then continuing by public transport.
Is LeShuttle faster than the ferry?
Usually, yes. If your main priority is getting across the Channel quickly with your vehicle, LeShuttle is hard to beat. That said, a ferry can still be the better fit if you want a proper break, a lower fare, or a sailing route that better matches your final destination.
How early should I check in?
For both LeShuttle and Eurostar, it is better to arrive with time in hand rather than cut it fine. You still need to allow time for check-in, passport control, security and boarding. Always check the exact timing in your booking confirmation before travel.
Can I take a bicycle through the Channel Tunnel?
Yes, but check the details before you travel. Eurostar and LeShuttle can both work for cyclists, but the arrangements are not the same as taking a bike on an ordinary train. With LeShuttle, bikes normally use a separate cycle service, so you should arrange this in advance.
How do I book?
If you are taking a vehicle, book LeShuttle via our LeShuttle booking link or through the booking module on this page. If you are travelling without a vehicle, Eurostar is the relevant tunnel option, and it is usually worth booking early if you want the better fares.
Useful for travellers to France
