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Eurotunnel to Germany by car: routes, cost and times
Driving from the UK to Germany via the Eurotunnel is a straightforward run. The LeShuttle train takes your car to Calais in 35 minutes, then you drive east through Belgium to reach Cologne in about 5.5 hours. Here are the routes, times and costs.
Taking your car from the UK to Germany through the Eurotunnel is easier than it sounds. You drive to Folkestone, load your car onto the LeShuttle train, cross to Calais in 35 minutes, and then drive east into Germany. Cologne, the nearest big German city, is around 5.5 hours from Calais, with Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and beyond an easy run on Germany's excellent motorways. Below you will find the best routes, driving times to every major city, the practical things to know, and what it costs.
How do you get to Germany with the Eurotunnel?
Here is the key thing to know: the Eurotunnel car train does not go to Germany. LeShuttle carries your car under the Channel from Folkestone to Calais only, a 35-minute crossing. From Calais, you drive the rest of the way into Germany yourself, heading east through Belgium. Cologne, the first major German city, is around 5.5 hours from Calais.
You drive your car onto LeShuttle at Folkestone, cross to Calais in 35 minutes (you stay in your car), then drive east on the motorways through Belgium, past Brussels and Liège, and across the German border to Cologne. From there, the rest of Germany, including Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin, is a straightforward drive on the Autobahn. This page is about driving your own car.
The UK to Germany route at a glance
Here is the journey to Cologne, stage by stage. The tunnel crossing is only a small part, most of the trip is the drive east through Belgium.
The route runs London to Folkestone by road, Folkestone to Calais through the Channel Tunnel on LeShuttle, then Calais to Cologne via the motorways through Belgium past Brussels and Liège into Germany.
- London → FolkestoneBy road, about 1 hour 30 minutes (M20).
- Check-in and border controlAllow around 60 minutes at the Folkestone terminal.
- Folkestone → Calais (the Eurotunnel)35 minutes on the LeShuttle car train. You stay in your car.
- Calais → CologneBy road, about 5 hours 30 minutes via Belgium (Brussels, Liège).
- Total to Cologne, door to doorAround 8 hours including check-in and driving.
Routes from Calais to Germany
From the Calais terminal you join the A16 motorway, and from there the route depends on where in Germany you are heading. There are three main options, each suiting different destinations.
| Route | Via | Best for | From Calais |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Belgium | Brussels, Liège, Aachen | Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt | 5 to 7 hours |
| Via Netherlands | Ghent, Antwerp, Eindhoven | Dortmund, Essen, Hanover | 6 to 8 hours |
| Via Luxembourg | Namur, Luxembourg City, Trier | Frankfurt, Stuttgart, southern Germany | 7 to 9 hours |
Times depend on traffic and stops. The route via Belgium is the most direct for the big western cities, while the Luxembourg route is popular for southern Germany, partly for the cheaper fuel (see below).
Driving times to the major German cities
Here are approximate driving times from Calais to the main German cities. Add your London to Folkestone drive, check-in and the 35-minute crossing on top for the full door-to-door time.
| Destination | Approx. drive from Calais | Usual route |
|---|---|---|
| Cologne (Köln) | about 5.5 hours | via Belgium |
| Düsseldorf | about 6 hours | via Belgium |
| Frankfurt | about 7.5 hours | via Belgium or Luxembourg |
| Berlin | about 9 to 10 hours | via Netherlands |
| Munich (München) | about 10 hours | via Luxembourg / southern Germany |
Cologne and Düsseldorf are the closest big cities and make a comfortable one-day drive. For Frankfurt, Berlin or Munich, many travellers break the journey with an overnight stop.
How much does it cost?
The cost has two parts: the LeShuttle crossing, and fuel plus a small amount of French tolls. LeShuttle car fares start from around £69 for a short-stay return, though one-way and peak-time crossings are higher. The good news for a Germany trip: France is the only country on the route that charges motorway tolls, and only for the first stretch, so expect roughly £13 to £17 in tolls before the German border. Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have no motorway tolls for cars.
| Cost | Approximate |
|---|---|
| LeShuttle crossing (car) | from £69 |
| French motorway tolls (to the border) | around £13 to £17 |
| Tolls in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany | none for cars |
| Fuel | varies by distance and vehicle |
Prices are indicative and change with date and demand. Book early for the best crossing fare. Check live prices in the booking module above.
Things to know before you drive
A few practical points make the drive into Germany smoother.
- German environmental zones (Umweltplakette): many German city centres require a green emissions sticker to enter. Arrange yours before you travel if you plan to drive into cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf or Frankfurt.
- Fuel is cheaper in Luxembourg: if your route passes through or near Luxembourg (handy for Frankfurt, Stuttgart or Munich), it is worth filling up there, as fuel is noticeably cheaper.
- Speed limits vary: Germany's Autobahn has some sections with no limit, though many stretches are controlled. France allows up to 130 km/h, Belgium up to 120 km/h, and the Netherlands is lower at around 100 to 130 km/h depending on the road and time of day.
- Drive on the right: from Calais onwards you drive on the right, so take care at the first junctions.
- Documents: carry the required items for driving in France, Belgium and Germany, and check what your vehicle needs before you go.
Is the ferry or Eurotunnel better for Germany?
The tunnel is the fastest way to reach mainland Europe and gives direct motorway access towards Germany, which is why most drivers choose it for this trip. A ferry (Dover to Calais or Dunkirk) can be cheaper on some dates, but it is slower overall and can be affected by the weather. For a long onward drive to Germany, the time saved by the tunnel is often worth it. Compare both in our Channel Tunnel or ferry guide.
Other route guides
Heading somewhere else on the continent? See our guides to driving from the Channel Tunnel to Paris, Amsterdam and Disneyland Paris.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive to Germany from the UK?
To Cologne, the nearest big German city, it is about 5.5 hours of driving from Calais, or around 8 hours door to door from London including check-in and the 35-minute crossing. Frankfurt is about 7.5 hours from Calais, Berlin and Munich around 9 to 10 hours.
Can you take the Eurotunnel to Germany?
The Eurotunnel car train only runs from Folkestone to Calais. From Calais you drive east through Belgium into Germany, reaching Cologne in about 5.5 hours. There is no car train direct to Germany.
How far is Calais to Cologne by car?
Around 5.5 hours by car via Belgium, past Brussels and Liège and across the German border. Cologne is the closest major German city to Calais.
Do I need a sticker to drive in German cities?
Yes, many German city centres require a green emissions sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter their environmental zones. Arrange it before you travel if you plan to drive into cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf or Frankfurt.
Are there tolls on the way to Germany?
Only in France, and only for the first stretch, roughly £13 to £17 before the German border. Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have no motorway tolls for cars.
Where is the cheapest place to refuel?
Luxembourg has noticeably cheaper fuel, so if your route passes through or near it (handy for Frankfurt, Stuttgart or Munich), it is worth filling up there.
Driving from the UK to Germany through the Eurotunnel is a smooth, well-signposted trip: the tunnel takes your car to Calais in 35 minutes, and from there it is around 5.5 hours to Cologne, with the rest of Germany an easy run on the Autobahn. Choose the Belgium route for the western cities or the Luxembourg route for the south and cheaper fuel, sort your Umweltplakette sticker before you go, and book the crossing early for the best fare. Use the price checker above to see live prices for your travel dates.