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Eurotunnel or ferry: which is cheaper and better?
The tunnel is faster, but is it cheaper? We compared every crossing, price by price. The honest answer: LeShuttle wins on speed, but a ferry often wins on cost. Here is the full comparison to help you choose.
Choosing between the Eurotunnel and a ferry comes down to what matters most to you: speed, price or comfort. The LeShuttle car train crosses in just 35 minutes, but the ferry can be noticeably cheaper on the right route, and gives you space to stretch out. In this guide we compare real prices for every route, weigh up the pros and cons, and give clear tips on which to pick, so you can book the best crossing for your trip.
Compare live tunnel and ferry prices
Fares change from day to day and even hour to hour, rising as departures fill up and peaking on weekends and holidays, so the same route can cost very different amounts depending on when you go. Fill in the booking module below to compare the tunnel and ferry prices for your dates in seconds; it is the only way to see the real cost for your trip.
Eurotunnel or ferry: which is cheaper?
This is the question most people ask, so let us answer it straight away. The LeShuttle car train has a low starting price of around £69, but it is not always the cheapest way across. When you compare real prices route by route, several ferry crossings come in lower, especially Dover to Dunkirk and Newhaven to Dieppe. So while the tunnel is the fastest option, the ferry often wins on price.
It is not the headline “from” price that decides it. LeShuttle starts from around £69, but ferry routes like Dover to Dunkirk (from ~£46) and Newhaven to Dieppe (from ~£56) undercut it. If your priority is the lowest fare and you are flexible on route and time, a ferry usually wins. If you want the quickest crossing, the tunnel wins.
Price comparison: every route compared
Here are indicative starting prices for a car with passengers across the main crossings, so you can see exactly how the tunnel stacks up against the ferries. The two cheapest options are highlighted.
| Route | Service | Crossing time | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folkestone → Calais | LeShuttle (tunnel) | ~35 min | £69 |
| Dover → Calais | P&O Ferries | ~1h 30m | £76 |
| Dover → Calais | DFDS | ~1h 30m | £77 |
| Dover → Calais | Irish Ferries | ~1h 30m | £70 |
| Dover → Dunkirk | DFDS | ~2h | £46 |
| Newhaven → Dieppe | DFDS | ~4h | £56 |
| Portsmouth → Caen | Brittany Ferries | ~6h | £162 |
| Poole → Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries | ~4h 30m | £128 |
| Portsmouth → Cherbourg | Brittany Ferries | ~5h | £127 |
| Portsmouth → Le Havre | Brittany Ferries | ~5h 29m | £108 |
| Plymouth → Roscoff | Brittany Ferries | ~5h 15m | £180 |
| Portsmouth → St Malo | Brittany Ferries | ~8h 50m | £167 |
Prices are indicative for a car with passengers and vary by date, time and booking conditions. The short Dover crossings and the tunnel are closest in price, while Dover to Dunkirk and Newhaven to Dieppe are often the cheapest of all. The longer western routes cost more but save a long drive through France.
Eurotunnel vs ferry: pros and cons
Price is only part of the picture. Here is how the two stack up on everything else.
LeShuttle (tunnel)
- Fastest crossing, just 35 minutes
- Up to 4 departures per hour, day and night
- No seasickness, smooth and enclosed
- Stay in your car, great with pets and nervous travellers
- Quick loading, drive on and off
Downsides: low “from” price but often not the cheapest; no LPG vehicles; only one route (Folkestone to Calais); less space to move around.
Ferry
- Often cheaper, especially Dunkirk and Dieppe
- Many routes, including western France
- Room to walk around, eat, rest and shop
- Accepts LPG vehicles
- Western routes save a long drive through France
Downsides: slower, from 1h 30m up to 8+ hours; can be affected by rough seas; fewer sailings on some routes; pets often stay in the car or in kennels.
Which should you choose? Our tips by traveller
The best option depends on your trip. Here is our honest advice for different travellers.
- Want the fastest, easiest crossing? Choose the tunnel. Nothing beats 35 minutes and up to 4 departures an hour, ideal for a day trip or a quick dash to Calais.
- On a tight budget and flexible? Take a ferry, especially Dover to Dunkirk or Newhaven to Dieppe, which are often the cheapest crossings of all.
- Travelling with a dog? The tunnel is calmer, as your pet stays in the car for just 35 minutes rather than a longer ferry crossing. See travelling with pets.
- Driving an LPG car or motorhome? You must take the ferry, as LPG vehicles are banned from the tunnel. See tunnel safety.
- Heading to western France (Normandy, Brittany)? A ferry to Caen, Cherbourg or St Malo saves hours of driving, even though the crossing is longer and pricier.
- Nervous about the tunnel or prone to claustrophobia? The ferry is open-air with room to move, though the tunnel crossing is only 35 minutes.
- Prone to seasickness? The tunnel is smooth and unaffected by the weather.
Ferry routes to France and Europe
If you have decided a ferry suits you, there is a route for almost every destination. The short Dover crossings (to Calais and Dunkirk) are quickest and cheapest for northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands and beyond. The western routes from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth take longer but drop you straight into Normandy or Brittany, saving a long drive. Ferries also run from Harwich and Hull to the Netherlands for northern Europe. Use the price checker above to compare routes, carriers and live fares for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Eurotunnel or ferry cheaper?
The tunnel starts from around £69, but it is often not the cheapest. Ferry routes like Dover to Dunkirk (from ~£46) and Newhaven to Dieppe (from ~£56) frequently undercut it. Compare live fares for your dates to be sure.
Is the Eurotunnel or ferry better?
It depends on what you value. The tunnel wins on speed and convenience (35 minutes, frequent departures); the ferry wins on price, space and access to western France. There is no single right answer, only the right one for your trip.
What is the cheapest way to cross the Channel by car?
Usually a ferry on Dover to Dunkirk or Newhaven to Dieppe, which are often the lowest fares of all. Prices move with demand, so check live prices for your exact date.
How much faster is the tunnel than the ferry?
The tunnel takes 35 minutes versus about 1h 30m for the shortest Dover to Calais ferry, so roughly 55 minutes quicker. Longer ferry routes take from 2 hours up to 8+ hours.
Can I take an LPG vehicle on the tunnel or ferry?
LPG-powered vehicles are banned from the Channel Tunnel, so you must take the ferry, which accepts them. See our safety guide.
Which is better for travelling with a dog?
The tunnel is usually calmer for a dog: your pet stays in the car with you for just 35 minutes, rather than a longer ferry crossing where pets often stay in the car or in kennels.
So, Eurotunnel or ferry? If speed and convenience matter most, the tunnel is unbeatable at 35 minutes with frequent departures. If price is your priority, a ferry, especially Dover to Dunkirk or Newhaven to Dieppe, is often cheaper, and western routes can save a long drive through France. There is no single right answer, only the right one for your trip. Use the price checker above to compare live tunnel and ferry fares for your dates and book the best crossing for you.