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Coaches and buses through the Eurotunnel: how it works
Yes, coaches and touring buses can cross the Channel Tunnel on LeShuttle, driving on at Folkestone and off in Calais in about 35 minutes. And if you want to travel as a passenger, bus lines like Flixbus run right through the tunnel too.
There are two ways to take the Channel Tunnel by bus. If you are driving your own coach or touring bus, you cross on LeShuttle, the vehicle stays with you and you drive on and off just like a car, only in a larger carriage. If you simply want to travel as a passenger, coach companies such as Flixbus run services from the UK to Europe that go through the tunnel for you. This guide covers both.
Can a coach go on the Eurotunnel?
Yes. Coaches, touring buses and minibuses can travel through the Channel Tunnel on LeShuttle. You drive your coach on at the Folkestone terminal, cross to Calais in about 35 minutes, and drive straight off onto the French motorway. It is a popular choice for group tours and coach operators because it is fast, runs day and night, and passengers can stay comfortable on board or stretch their legs during the crossing.
Coaches travel in the tall single-deck carriages, which are high and wide with plenty of room. As with a motorhome, you drive forwards in and forwards out, so there is no tricky reversing.
How much does a coach cost on the Channel Tunnel?
Coach and bus fares are quoted based on the length and height of the vehicle, so they are higher than a car and vary by size. There is no single fixed price, larger coaches cost more, and fares also depend on the date, time and how busy the crossing is. For an accurate quote for your specific coach, enter the vehicle details in the booking module above, or contact the operator for large group and commercial bookings.
How it works: driving your coach onto the train
- At check-in, your booking, driver and passenger documents are scanned. Make sure you booked the correct vehicle size.
- Follow the lane signs for tall vehicles. Coaches are directed to the single-deck carriages.
- Drive forwards into the carriage as guided by staff. Apply the handbrake and secure the vehicle.
- During the 35-minute crossing, passengers stay on board and can move around or step out. There are toilets on the train.
- On arrival in Calais, you drive straight off and onto the A16 motorway.
Rules for coaches and buses
- Vehicles are booked by length and height, measure accurately.
- LPG-powered vehicles are not permitted. Onboard gas must be declared. See Channel Tunnel safety.
- Passenger numbers and documents must match your booking, keep passports ready for border control.
- Very large or heavy vehicles may need the freight service rather than the standard passenger service.
- Allow extra time at check-in for a coach, as passenger processing takes longer than for a car.
Travelling by bus as a passenger (Flixbus and others)
Not driving your own coach? If you just want to get from the UK to Europe by bus, you do not book the tunnel yourself. Coach companies such as Flixbus and BlaBlaCar Bus run direct services from London and other UK cities to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and beyond, and they take the Channel crossing as part of the journey. You book a single ticket city to city, and the bus company handles the tunnel or ferry crossing for you.
This is usually the cheapest way to travel between the UK and the continent by road. You stay on the coach, and at the border you may be asked to step off briefly for passport control. For routes, times and fares, check the operator directly.
Flixbus runs budget coach services from the UK to cities across Europe, crossing the Channel as part of the trip. It is often the cheapest way to travel city to city by road. See Flixbus destinations and routes across Europe.
Coach by tunnel or by ferry?
For a coach, the tunnel is quick at 35 minutes and passengers stay comfortable, with no long open-deck crossing. Ferries can carry coaches too and may suit some routes or budgets, especially on longer sailings where passengers can use the onboard facilities. For a full comparison, see Channel Tunnel or ferry.
Frequently asked questions
Can coaches go on the Eurotunnel?
Yes. Coaches, touring buses and minibuses cross on LeShuttle in the tall single-deck carriages. You drive on at Folkestone, cross in about 35 minutes, and drive off at Calais.
How much does it cost to take a coach on the Channel Tunnel?
Fares are based on the length and height of the vehicle, so they are higher than a car and vary by size, date and demand. Enter your coach details in the booking module for a quote, or ask about commercial rates for large fleets.
Can I travel from London to Paris or Brussels by bus?
Yes. Coach companies such as Flixbus run direct services from the UK to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and beyond, crossing the Channel as part of the journey. You book one ticket and they handle the crossing.
Do passengers stay on the coach during the crossing?
On LeShuttle, passengers stay with the vehicle and can move around or step out during the 35-minute crossing. At the border, everyone must clear passport control, which for a coach is done as a group.
What is the cheapest way to travel UK to Europe by bus?
Booking a through ticket with a budget coach line like Flixbus is usually the cheapest option, as one fare covers the whole journey including the Channel crossing. See Flixbus routes and destinations.
Whether you are driving your own coach or travelling as a passenger, the Channel Tunnel makes the crossing quick and easy. Coach operators drive onto LeShuttle at Folkestone and reach Calais in 35 minutes, with fares based on vehicle size, use the price checker above for a quote. Passengers who just want to get from the UK to Europe by bus can book a through ticket with a line like Flixbus, which handles the crossing as part of the trip.