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Chunnel London to Paris by car: route, cost and time
Driving from London to Paris via the Channel Tunnel is the easy way to take your own car to France. The LeShuttle train carries you to Calais in 35 minutes, then it is a straightforward 3-hour drive to Paris. Here is exactly how it works.
Taking your car from London to Paris through the Chunnel is simpler than it sounds. You drive to Folkestone, load your car onto the LeShuttle train, cross to Calais in 35 minutes, and then drive south to Paris. The whole trip takes around 6 hours door to door. Below you will find the full route, what it costs, how long each stage takes, and everything you need to know for the drive.
Can you get the Eurotunnel straight to Paris?
This is the most common question, so let us clear it up right away: no, the Eurotunnel car train does not go to Paris. The LeShuttle service carries your car under the Channel from Folkestone to Calais only. From Calais, you drive the rest of the way to Paris yourself, about 3 hours on the motorway.
You drive your car onto LeShuttle at Folkestone, cross to Calais in 35 minutes (you stay in your car), then drive south to Paris on the A16, A26 and A1 motorways. If you want a direct train into the centre of Paris without a car, that is Eurostar, a completely different service. This page is about driving your own car.
The London to Paris route at a glance
Here is the full journey, stage by stage, so you can see how the trip fits together. The tunnel crossing is only a small part of it, most of the time is driving.
The route runs London to Folkestone by road, Folkestone to Calais through the Channel Tunnel on LeShuttle, then Calais to Paris on the A16, A26 and A1 motorways.
- London → FolkestoneBy road, about 1 hour 30 minutes (M20).
- Check-in and border controlAllow around 60 minutes at the Folkestone terminal.
- Folkestone → Calais (the Chunnel)35 minutes on the LeShuttle car train. You stay in your car.
- Calais → ParisBy road, about 3 hours via the A16, A26 and A1.
- Total, door to doorAround 6 hours including check-in and driving.
How much is the Eurotunnel to Paris?
The cost of driving London to Paris via the Chunnel has two parts: the LeShuttle crossing, and the fuel and tolls for the drive from Calais to Paris.
LeShuttle car fares start from around £69 for a short-stay return, but a one-way or peak-time crossing is often higher, commonly £120 or more when booked close to departure. The price depends on your travel date, time and how far ahead you book. On top of that, budget for fuel and French motorway tolls (péage) for the roughly 290 km drive from Calais to Paris.
| Cost | Approximate |
|---|---|
| LeShuttle crossing (car) | from £69 |
| French motorway tolls, Calais → Paris | around £25 to £30 |
| Fuel, Calais → Paris (approx. 290 km) | varies by vehicle |
Prices are indicative and change with date, time and demand. The tunnel fare is the biggest variable, so book early for the best rate. Use the price checker above for your exact dates.
How long does London to Paris take?
The full door-to-door trip takes about 6 hours by car, though only 35 minutes of that is the tunnel crossing itself. Here is how the time breaks down.
- London to Folkestone: about 1 hour 30 minutes by road on the M20.
- Check-in and border control: allow around 60 minutes at the terminal.
- The Chunnel crossing: 35 minutes platform to platform, up to four departures an hour at busy times.
- Calais to Paris: about 3 hours on the motorway in free-flowing traffic.
Add a stop or two for the drive and you are looking at a comfortable day's travel. For crossing times and departures, see our timetable.
The driving route from Calais to Paris
Once you drive off LeShuttle at Calais, the route to Paris is straightforward and well signposted. Exit the Calais terminal and join the A16 towards Boulogne, then take the A26 towards Arras, and finally the A1 south to Paris. It is motorway almost the whole way, with service areas at regular intervals for fuel, food and breaks.
Is it cheaper to get the ferry or the Eurotunnel?
Good question, and the answer often surprises people. The tunnel is faster, but a ferry is frequently cheaper, especially the Dover to Dunkirk and Newhaven to Dieppe routes. If your priority is the lowest price and you do not mind a longer crossing, a ferry can save you money on the London to Paris trip. If you want the quickest crossing, the tunnel wins. We compare every route, price by price, in our full guide: Channel Tunnel or ferry.
Continuing to Disneyland Paris?
Many families driving to Paris carry on to Disneyland Paris, in Marne-la-Vallée, about 32 km east of central Paris. From Calais it is roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes by car via the A1 and A104, so it is an easy extension of the same route. The drive is simple once you reach the Paris outskirts. See our dedicated guide: Eurotunnel to Disneyland Paris.
Prefer to travel without a car? Take Eurostar
If you are travelling as a foot passenger rather than driving, the Chunnel car train is not for you. Instead, take Eurostar, the direct high-speed train from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord in around 2 hours 20 minutes, right into the city centre. It is the fastest option if you do not need a car in France. Everything on this page, by contrast, is about driving your own vehicle via LeShuttle.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get the Eurotunnel straight to Paris?
No. The LeShuttle car train only runs from Folkestone to Calais. From Calais you drive about 3 hours to Paris on the A16, A26 and A1. For a direct train into central Paris without a car, take Eurostar instead.
How much is the Eurotunnel from London to Paris?
The LeShuttle crossing starts from around £69 per car, though peak and last-minute fares are higher. On top, budget around £25 to £30 in French tolls and fuel for the Calais to Paris drive. Book early for the best crossing price.
How long does it take to drive London to Paris via the tunnel?
About 6 hours door to door: roughly 1h30 London to Folkestone, around an hour for check-in and border, 35 minutes through the tunnel, and about 3 hours Calais to Paris.
Is the ferry or the Eurotunnel cheaper to Paris?
The ferry is often cheaper, especially Dover to Dunkirk or Newhaven to Dieppe, while the tunnel is faster. It depends on your date and priorities. See our Channel Tunnel or ferry comparison.
How far is Calais to Paris by car?
About 290 km, roughly 3 hours on the A16, A26 and A1 motorways in normal traffic, with service areas along the way.
Do I need anything special to drive in France?
Yes, you drive on the right, and France requires certain items and documents to be carried. Check the current requirements before you travel, and keep euros or a card ready for motorway tolls.
Driving London to Paris through the Chunnel is easy once you know the shape of it: the Eurotunnel does not go to Paris, it takes your car to Calais in 35 minutes, and from there it is a straightforward 3-hour drive on the motorway. Budget around £69 and up for the crossing plus fuel and tolls, allow about 6 hours door to door, and book early for the best fare. Use the price checker above to see live prices for your travel dates and get on the road.