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Eurotunnel by motorcycle: prices, tickets and how it works
Taking your motorbike through the Channel Tunnel is quick, easy and cheap. A motorcycle crosses for about half the price of a car, and you stay with your bike for the 35-minute ride from Folkestone to Calais.
The Channel Tunnel is one of the best ways to take a motorbike to Europe. You ride onto the LeShuttle train at Folkestone, cross to Calais in about 35 minutes, and ride straight off onto the French motorway. Best of all, a motorcycle costs roughly half the car fare, so crossings start from around £35. Use the price checker below to compare fares and book, then read on for how it works and how to get the lowest price.
How much does a motorcycle cost on the Eurotunnel?
Here is the good news for bikers: a motorcycle crosses for about half the price of a car. Because LeShuttle prices per vehicle, and a motorbike takes up far less space, the fares are much lower. Your pillion passenger is included at no extra cost.
The table below shows the indicative “from” prices for 2026. The car fare is shown for comparison, and the motorcycle fare is roughly half. Exact prices depend on your date, time and how far ahead you book.
| Ticket type | Car from | Motorcycle from (approx. half) |
|---|---|---|
| Day Trip & Overnight | £69 | ~£35 |
| Short Stay Saver | £104 | ~£52 |
| Standard | £127 | ~£64 |
| Standard Plus | £172 | ~£86 |
| Flexiplus | £284 | ~£142 |
Motorcycle fares are approximately half the car fare and shown as a guide. The exact price is confirmed in the booking module based on your date, time and trip. Pillion passengers are included. For all car fares in detail, see our tickets and prices page.
Can you take a motorcycle on Eurostar?
A lot of riders search for this, so to be clear: no, you cannot take a motorcycle on Eurostar. Eurostar is a passenger-only train with nowhere to load a bike. To take your motorbike through the Channel Tunnel you need LeShuttle, the Eurotunnel car train, from Folkestone to Calais. You ride on with your bike and stay with it during the crossing. So if you searched for “Eurostar motorcycle”, LeShuttle is the service you actually want.
How it works: riding onto the LeShuttle train
Taking a bike through the tunnel is refreshingly simple. There is no need to strap it down or leave it, you ride on and stay with it. Here is how a crossing goes.
- At check-in, your booking and passport are scanned. Follow the signs for motorcycles.
- Ride to the terminal and wait in the marshalling area. Motorbikes are usually grouped together.
- When boarding, motorcycles are often led to the front of the train, where staff guide you to your spot.
- Park your bike, put it on the side stand, and stay with it. You can get off and stretch your legs during the 35-minute crossing.
- When the train arrives in Calais, you ride your bike straight off and onto the French motorway.
The whole ride takes about 35 minutes, and because you are on your bike rather than parked below deck like on a ferry, boarding and unloading are fast.
Why the tunnel is great for bikers
For motorcyclists, the tunnel has real advantages over the ferry. You are not exposed to the weather waiting on an open deck, the crossing is far quicker at 35 minutes versus around 90 for the ferry, and there is no need to secure your bike with straps, staff help you park it safely. You also stay warm and dry, and you are first on and first off.
- Fast: 35-minute crossing, and bikes are often loaded first.
- Cheap: about half the car fare, pillion included.
- Easy: ride on, park, stay with your bike, ride off.
- All weather: you and your bike are inside, out of the wind and rain.
How to get the cheapest motorcycle fare
The same tricks that save car drivers money work for bikers too, and the savings matter even more on an already-cheap fare.
- Book early. Fares rise as the train fills up, so book ahead for the lowest price.
- Book the return together. For a weekend or short trip, booking the outbound and return in one go unlocks the cheaper Day Trip and Short Stay Saver rates.
- Travel off-peak. Early morning, late evening and midweek departures are the cheapest.
- Compare with the ferry. On some dates a ferry may be close in price, but the tunnel is faster and drier. See Channel Tunnel or ferry. For the lowest fares overall, see our cheap tickets guide.
Rules for motorcycles
There is not much to worry about, but a few points are worth knowing before you ride.
- Your bike is secured on its own stand, staff will guide you. No straps needed.
- A pillion passenger is included in the fare.
- LPG-powered vehicles are not permitted, this rarely affects bikes but is worth noting. See Channel Tunnel safety.
- Arrive in good time for check-in and border control, as you would for a car.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a motorcycle on the Eurotunnel?
A motorcycle costs about half the car fare, so crossings start from around £35 for a Day Trip & Overnight. The exact price depends on your date, time and how far ahead you book, and a pillion passenger is included. Check live fares in the booking module above.
Can you take a motorcycle on Eurostar?
No. Eurostar is a passenger-only train. To take a motorbike through the Channel Tunnel you need LeShuttle from Folkestone, where you ride on and stay with your bike.
Do I need to strap my motorbike down?
No. Staff guide you to a spot and your bike stands on its own side stand. You stay with the bike during the 35-minute crossing and can get off to stretch your legs.
Is a return ticket cheaper for a weekend trip?
Yes. The cheapest fares, Day Trip and Short Stay Saver, are return tickets. Booking your outbound and return together in the booking module unlocks these lower rates, so for a weekend away always book the return in one go.
Where does the motorbike go on the train?
Motorcycles are usually led to the front of the train and grouped together. You park, put the bike on its stand, and stay with it. When the train reaches Calais you ride straight off onto the motorway.
Is the tunnel better than the ferry for motorcycles?
For most riders, yes. The crossing is quicker at 35 minutes, you stay dry and out of the wind, and bikes are often loaded first. A ferry can be cheaper on some dates, so compare both on our Channel Tunnel or ferry page.
Taking your motorcycle through the Channel Tunnel is fast, cheap and easy: ride onto the LeShuttle train at Folkestone, cross to Calais in 35 minutes staying with your bike, and ride straight off onto the motorway. Fares are about half the car price, from around £35, and booking your return together unlocks the cheapest rates. Use the price checker above to compare fares and book your crossing.