Chunnel

The Channel Tunnel train to France

Travelling to France through the Channel Tunnel is a practical and efficient choice. In Folkestone, you can drive your car on a special Eurotunnel train, which arrives in the French town of Coquelles after a 35-minute journey. Foot passengers can use the Eurostar trains.

Travelling by car through the Chunnel

The Channel Tunnel is the quickest and most environmentally friendly way to travel to Europe by car. We got a real-time interactive timetable setup for you!

Eurotunnel Discount Codes

Visit our discount section to see if any codes are available, or read our guide on how to secure the cheapest tickets for your Channel Tunnel crossing!

Tunnel to France

The Channel Tunnel can be used in two ways: with LeShuttle for vehicles or with Eurostar for foot passengers. LeShuttle is the choice if you want to take your car, camper, caravan, or motorbike through the tunnel.

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 Chunnel using this service.

Map of the Channel Tunnel

Channel Tunnel The tunnel that crosses the Channel connects Folkestone to Calais.

Duration of the journey The Chunnel is ideal for reaching various destinations, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France, or for European transits. To give you an idea of the minimum travel duration to Europe, we've calculated the most important routes

35 minutes - Eurotunnel LeShuttle

1 hour and 17 minutes - Eurostar to Brussels

1 hour and 30 minutes - Ferry crossing Dover - Calais

2 hours and 17 minutes - Eurostar to Paris

3 hours and 56 minutes - Eurostar to Amsterdam

Bringing your pets on the train to Europe

Would you like to take your pet (dog, cat or ferret) 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 pet from boarding the train.

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 more here to decide whether the Ferry or the Channel Tunnel is the best option for you.

🛂 Valid passport required! A valid passport is always required for UK to EU travel. For short trips (up to 90 days), no visa is needed. From October 2025, the EU will introduce new border checks (EES) with fingerprint and facial scans, and passport stamping will be phased out. Some controls may also happen before boarding on Eurotunnel and ferry routes.

About the Channel Tunnel

The Channel Tunnel, just over 31 miles long, connects Folkestone in England with Coquelles near Calais in France.

It consists of three parallel tunnels: two for train traffic and a central service tunnel used for maintenance and emergency access.

The tunnel is owned by Getlink (formerly Eurotunnel) and is best known for its LeShuttle car trains, which carry cars, campers, caravans and motorbikes between the UK and France. In addition, freight trains also use the tunnel. Passenger services such as Eurostar run through the same infrastructure but are operated separately.

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: 31.35 Miles
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: 100 mph
Travel time: 35 minutes

More info:

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 foot passenger.

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. Read more here about finding the cheapest tickets through the tunnel.
No luggage restrictions: There are no limits on the amount of luggage you can take, and no additional fuel surcharges.
Environmentally friendly: Travelling 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 🇬🇧

Chunnel.co.uk is your comprehensive guide to travelling to England by train through the tunnel beneath the Channel. As an independent publisher, Chunnel.co.uk aims to assist travellers with detailed tunnel information. All brand names belong to their respective owners.

🇳🇱 Kanaaltunnel – 🇩🇪 Ärmelkanal Tunnel – 🇫🇷 Tunnel sous la Manche 🇮🇹 Tunnel della Manica 🇪🇸Canal de la Mancha Túnel