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Taking your bicycle to France through the Channel Tunnel
Planning a cycling trip to Europe? There are three ways to get your bike across: LeShuttle's dedicated cycle service for £50, bringing bikes on your car, or a cycle-friendly ferry. Here is how each one works.
You can take your bicycle from the UK to France through the Channel Tunnel, and there are a few ways to do it. LeShuttle runs a special cycle service, an adapted minibus that carries you and your bike from Folkestone to Calais for £50 each way. If you are travelling with a car, you can simply bring your bikes with you on the normal crossing. And several ferries carry cyclists too. Below you will find exactly how each option works, so you can pick the easiest one for your trip.
The LeShuttle cycle service: how to take your bike to France
Taking your bike to France on LeShuttle is easy, but it works differently from taking a car. You cannot cycle onto the main shuttle train yourself. Instead, LeShuttle operates a dedicated cycle service: a specially adapted, spacious minibus that carries cycles and cyclists between the Holiday Inn Express in Folkestone and the CIFFCO building opposite Cité Europe in Calais. You are collected, taken to the terminal and onto the shuttle for the 35-minute crossing to Calais.
It is a proper terminal-to-terminal service designed just for cyclists, so you and your bike travel together and arrive ready to ride into Europe.
Cycle service fares
| Traveller | Fare (each way) |
|---|---|
| Adult or child with a cycle | £50 |
| Child on a child seat (with parent) | Free |
| Tandem | Charged by number of seats, occupied or not |
| Trailer | Price depends on the size |
Fares are £50 per bicycle each way for adults and children with cycles. Prices are set by LeShuttle and may change, always confirm when you book.
How to book the cycle service
The cycle service is booked directly with LeShuttle by request, not through the standard online booking. Here is what to know before you book.
- You make a request to LeShuttle, and their Customer Support team gets in touch to arrange it.
- A minimum of 10 working days advance booking is required.
- Tickets are non-refundable. Amendments can be made up to 3 working days before departure, subject to availability.
- Bookings cannot be made over the telephone or on the day of travel.
Make a request for the LeShuttle cycle service to get started, and their team will confirm the details with you.
Pick-up and drop-off points and times
On the day of your crossing, arrive 15 minutes before the minibus departure time at the correct pick-up point. The times below are local times, so double-check which one applies to you.
- UK (Folkestone): Holiday Inn Express Folkestone, Channel Tunnel. Departures at 08:00 and 14:00 (local time).
- France (Calais): CIFFCO, Boulevard de l'Europe, 62904 Coquelles. Departures at 12:00 and 18:00 (local time).
If you are travelling to the pick-up by train, alight at Folkestone West railway station. Turn left out of the station onto Station Road, left into Cheriton Road and on into Cheriton High Street, then take the left turn towards Tesco. Continue straight over the traffic lights and the Holiday Inn Express is on your left. Parking at the hotel is available for a daily fee, paid directly to the hotel, subject to availability. For details, call 01303 298 450.
Taking your bike on the car: the easy way
If you are travelling by car or motorhome, you do not need the cycle service at all. You can simply bring your bikes with you on the normal LeShuttle train, on a rack or inside the vehicle. There is no separate cycle booking, no 10-day notice, and you travel on any standard crossing. For most families and groups, this is by far the easiest and most flexible way to take bikes to Europe.
How to take bikes on your car, step by step
- Book your car as normal in the booking module above. You do not need to add the bikes as a separate item.
- Fit your bikes to a roof rack, a rear-mounted rack, or load them inside the vehicle.
- Measure your total height if the bikes are on the roof. Vehicles over 1.85m must be booked in the correct height category, so select that when booking.
- At check-in, drive through as usual. A rear rack simply adds a little length, and staff will direct you if needed.
- Cross to Calais in 35 minutes, staying with your car and bikes, then drive straight off onto the motorway.
Which ferries take bicycles?
If the LeShuttle cycle service times do not suit you, or you want more flexibility, several ferry routes carry cyclists and are worth comparing. Ferries usually sail more often, need less notice, and take you and your bike across as a foot passenger with a cycle. The main routes for taking a bike from the UK to the continent are:
- Dover to Calais or Dunkirk: the shortest crossings, operated by DFDS and P&O Ferries. The closest ferry equivalent to the tunnel. Cycle and foot-passenger availability can vary, so check when booking.
- Newhaven to Dieppe (DFDS): a favourite with cyclists heading into Normandy, and bikes are carried.
- Portsmouth or Poole to France (Brittany Ferries): known for being cycle-friendly, with routes to Caen, St Malo, Cherbourg and Le Havre, ideal if you are riding deeper into France.
- Harwich to Hook of Holland (Stena Line): carries cyclists to the Netherlands, a good option if you are heading into the Low Countries and beyond.
Ferry cycle policies and fares change, so always confirm bike carriage and price when you book. To compare crossings and prices for your dates, use the price checker above, or see our Channel Tunnel or ferry comparison.
Which is best for cyclists?
It depends on your trip. The tunnel cycle service is quick at 35 minutes and takes you right to the terminal, but it needs 10 working days' notice and runs at set times. Bringing bikes on your car is the most flexible if you are driving anyway. And ferries suit cyclists who want frequent sailings, less notice, or a route deeper into France. Compare the options and pick what fits your dates and plans.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take a bicycle through the Channel Tunnel?
Yes, on the LeShuttle cycle service. You cannot cycle onto the main shuttle train, but an adapted minibus carries you and your bike from Folkestone to Calais in about 35 minutes, for £50 each way. If you are travelling by car, you can also bring bikes on a rack on the normal crossing.
How much does it cost to take a bike to France on LeShuttle?
£50 per bicycle each way for adults and children with cycles. A child on a child seat travels free with a parent. Tandems are charged by the number of seats, and trailer prices depend on size.
How do I book the cycle service?
You request it directly from LeShuttle and their team arranges it. A minimum of 10 working days' notice is required, and it cannot be booked by phone or on the day. Make a cycle service request here.
Can I just bring my bike in or on the car?
Yes, and for many people this is easier. Put your bikes on a rack or inside your vehicle and cross on the normal LeShuttle train, no separate cycle booking needed. If bikes are on the roof, check your total height and book the right category. See our car guide.
Which ferries take bicycles to France?
DFDS and P&O on Dover to Calais/Dunkirk, DFDS on Newhaven to Dieppe, and Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth and Poole all carry cyclists, and Stena Line takes bikes to the Netherlands. Confirm bike carriage when booking, and compare on our Channel Tunnel or ferry page.
Where does the cycle service leave from?
In the UK it departs from the Holiday Inn Express Folkestone at 08:00 and 14:00. In France it departs from CIFFCO, Boulevard de l'Europe, Coquelles at 12:00 and 18:00 (local times). Arrive 15 minutes early.
Taking your bicycle to France through the Channel Tunnel is straightforward once you know the options: use LeShuttle's dedicated cycle service for £50 each way (booked 10 working days ahead), bring your bikes on your car on a standard crossing, or take a cycle-friendly ferry. If you are driving anyway, bringing the bikes with you is usually easiest. Whichever you choose, you will be riding into Europe in no time.