Channel Tunnel - The Eurotunnel to France
Travelling by train to France through the Channel Tunnel is a practical and efficient choice. In Folkestone, you can drive your car onto a special Eurotunnel train, which then arrives in the French town of Coquelles after a 35-minute journey. Pedestrians can use the Eurostar trains.
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Travelling by car through the Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is the quickest and most environmentally friendly way to travel to Europe by car. You first drive your car to Folkestone, where you can then board the train from a car platform. After a short train journey, you'll be in France!
The fastest route to Paris or Amsterdam
How about the high-speed train from London to Amsterdam, Paris, or Brussels? This passenger train has been operating since April 2018 and reaches speeds of over 300 miles per hour. At Folkestone, the train enters the Channel Tunnel and arrives in France 35 minutes later.
Tunnel to France
As a traveller, you have two options to cross the tunnel to France: Eurostar and LeShuttle. Eurostar is for pedestrians, while LeShuttle is suitable for motorized vehicles. You can take your car, camper, caravan, or motorbike with LeShuttle. Cyclists can also use the Channel Tunnel, where they are transported with a van and trailer.
LeShuttle is operated by Getlink (formerly Eurotunnel). These trains shuttle back and forth between Folkestone and Calais, catering to travellers with motorized vehicles. You can also transport your bicycle through the Channel Tunnel using this service.
Eurostar is the high-speed rail service that transports foot passengers through the Channel Tunnel. You can board Eurostar from London St Pancras International in England. From there, you can travel to Lille, then Brussels. From Brussels, you can continue to the Netherlands or Paris. In Folkestone, the train enters the Channel Tunnel and emerges in Coquelles, France.
The LeShuttle train to France has two stations on either side of the Channel, near the cities of Calais and Dover.
For the Eurostar train to Europe, you can board at London St Pancras International station in London. Direct trains depart from here to Lille, Paris (including Disneyland Paris), Brussels, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam.
Bringing your dog on the train to Europe
Would you like to take your dog to the Netherlands or France via the Channel Tunnel? It's possible! Just make sure you are well-informed about and comply with all the rules and requirements. Failing to do so may prevent your dog from boarding the train.
Informative Channel Tunnel Videos
Are you looking for information about the construction of the Channel Tunnel or curious about what it's like to drive your car onto the train? We have gathered various helpful (and enjoyable) videos on these topics. You'll also find other fun videos about the tunnel there.
Ferry to France as an alternative to the train
A good alternative to the car train to France is the ferry! Ferry services between Dover – Calais and Dover – Dunkirk are generally more budget-friendly, though the travel duration is considerably longer. Read here too whether the Ferry or the Channel Tunnel is the best route.
About the Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel, with a length of just over 50 kilometres, connects England and France, running from Folkestone to the French Coquelles, near Calais.
The construction consists of three tunnels: two for train traffic, while the middle tunnel serves as a service tunnel. This service tunnel is used for maintenance work and also serves as an escape route in case of emergencies.
The Channel Tunnel is owned by Getlink, the company formerly known as Eurotunnel. In addition to Getlink's Eurotunnel LeShuttle trains, there are also freight trains and passenger trains operated by Eurostar that pass through the tunnel.
- English name: Channel Tunnel
- English nickname: Chunnel
- French name: Tunnel sous la Manche
- Dutch name: Kanaaltunnel
- German name: Ärmelkanal Tunnel
- Italian name: Tunnel della Manica
- Also known as: Eurotunnel
- Length: 50.45 kilometres
- Construction start: 1986
- Opened: 6th May 1994
- First passenger train: 14th November 1994
- Number of tunnels: 3
- Deepest point: 115 metres below sea level
- Speed: 160 km per hour
- Travel time: 35 minutes
More information:
Benefits of the Tunnel to France
When you choose the tunnel to France, you opt for a very fast way of traveling to Europe. There are two travel options: by car or as a pedestrian.
Traveling through the Channel Tunnel offers several advantages that make it an attractive choice for the journey from Folkestone to Calais:
- Speed: The Eurotunnel is the fastest route, with a crossing time of just 35 minutes from England to France.
- Cost-effective: When booked in advance, the train to France is not expensive at all. The Eurostar, in particular, is known as a budget-friendly way to travel.
- No luggage restrictions: There are no limits on the amount of luggage you can take, and no additional fuel surcharges.
- Environmentally friendly: Traveling via the Eurotunnel is a more environmentally friendly option with lower emissions compared to flying or taking the ferry.
- Comfortable Travel: The train provides a relaxed travel experience, far from the hustle and bustle of airports and long queues.
Chunnel.co.uk is your comprehensive guide for traveling to England by train through the Channel Tunnel. Whether you're traveling by car, on foot, or simply seeking current information, we provide all the essential details for a smooth crossing via the Channel Tunnel. Learn more about Eurostar train services, the Shuttle for vehicles, current prices, and alternatives such as ferries.
🇳🇱 Kanaaltunnel – 🇩🇪 Ärmelkanal Tunnel – 🇫🇷 Tunnel sous la Manche 🇮🇹 Tunnel della Manica
