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Eurostar or Eurotunnel? The difference explained
They both use the Channel Tunnel, but they are not the same. Eurostar is the passenger train from London to Paris. LeShuttle, the Eurotunnel car train, takes you and your vehicle from Folkestone to Calais. Here is how to tell which one you need.
Eurostar and Eurotunnel are often mixed up, because both run through the Channel Tunnel. But they are completely different services. Eurostar is a high-speed passenger train that takes foot passengers from London straight to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam. LeShuttle, formerly Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, is the car-carrying train that takes you and your vehicle from Folkestone to Calais. Pick the one that matches your trip below.
Which one do you need?
The quickest way to know which service you want is to ask what you are travelling with.
You need LeShuttle (Eurotunnel)
Taking a car, motorbike, motorhome, caravan or van? You need the Eurotunnel car train, LeShuttle, from Folkestone to Calais. You drive on, stay with your vehicle, and drive off 35 minutes later. This is not Eurostar.
Car through the tunnel →Motorcycle → Motorhome →
Timetable & crossing times →
You need Eurostar
Travelling without a car, city to city? Eurostar takes foot passengers from London St Pancras direct to Paris, Brussels, Lille and Amsterdam. No driving, no vehicle. Read on below for how Eurostar works and how to book.
How Eurostar works →Book Eurostar tickets →
Eurostar vs LeShuttle at a glance
| Eurostar | LeShuttle (Eurotunnel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Carries | Foot passengers only | Cars and vehicles (with passengers) |
| Route | London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam | Folkestone to Calais |
| Departs from | London St Pancras | Folkestone terminal |
| Journey | City centre to city centre | Terminal to terminal, then you drive on |
| Can I take a car? | No | Yes, that is the whole point |
Still want to cross with your car? Compare and book here
If it turns out you want the car train, you can compare LeShuttle fares and ferry alternatives and book right here. Fares start from £69 per car for a short return.
How Eurostar works
Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train that connects the UK with mainland Europe through the Channel Tunnel. You travel as a foot passenger, boarding at London St Pancras International and stepping off in the heart of Paris, Brussels, Lille or Amsterdam, with no driving involved. The train runs through the same tunnel as LeShuttle, but it is a passenger service from city centre to city centre.
Eurostar routes and journey times
| Route | Approx. journey time |
|---|---|
| London to Paris | around 2h 20m |
| London to Brussels | around 2h |
| London to Lille | around 1h 30m |
| London to Amsterdam | around 4h |
Journey times are approximate and vary by service. Times through the tunnel itself are around 20 minutes, the rest is high-speed running on either side.
Booking Eurostar tickets
Eurostar tickets are booked as passenger seats, city to city, and are usually cheaper the earlier you book. You choose your departure time, class and any extras, then travel with just your luggage, no vehicle needed.
Check Eurostar times and book tickets here.
Travelling with an Interrail or Eurail pass?
If you are exploring Europe by train on an Interrail pass (for European residents) or a Eurail pass (for visitors from outside Europe), you can use it for much of your journey, but the Eurostar leg through the Channel Tunnel works a little differently. Eurostar is not fully covered by the pass: you need a separate seat reservation for Eurostar, and places for pass holders are limited and sell out fast, especially in summer and at peak times.
So if your Interrail or Eurail trip starts or ends in London, book your Eurostar reservation as early as you can. Once across the Channel, your pass covers onward trains through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and beyond. If the Eurostar pass reservations are sold out for your date, you can also book a standard Eurostar ticket instead.
Is Eurostar the same as the Channel Tunnel?
Not quite. The Channel Tunnel is the tunnel itself, the physical rail link under the sea. Both Eurostar and LeShuttle run through it. Eurostar is the passenger train that uses the tunnel on its way from London to Paris. LeShuttle is the vehicle train that uses the tunnel to carry cars between Folkestone and Calais. So “the Channel Tunnel” is the route, and Eurostar and LeShuttle are two different trains that travel through it. For the full picture, see how the Channel Tunnel works.
Eurostar or the ferry?
If you are a foot passenger, Eurostar is fast and central but you can also cross as a foot passenger by ferry from Dover, which is slower but sometimes cheaper. If you are travelling with a car, the choice is between LeShuttle and a car ferry, not Eurostar. See our Channel Tunnel or ferry comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take a car on Eurostar?
No. Eurostar is a passenger-only train with no way to load a vehicle. To take a car through the Channel Tunnel you need LeShuttle, the Eurotunnel car train, from Folkestone to Calais.
Does Eurostar go from Folkestone to Calais?
No. Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Paris, Brussels, Lille and Amsterdam, and does not stop at Folkestone or Calais. The Folkestone to Calais service is LeShuttle, the car train.
What is the difference between Eurostar and Eurotunnel?
Eurostar is the passenger train from London to Paris and other cities. Eurotunnel refers to the tunnel operator and its LeShuttle car train, which carries vehicles from Folkestone to Calais. Passengers use Eurostar, drivers use LeShuttle.
Does Interrail or Eurail cover Eurostar?
Partly. You can use an Interrail or Eurail pass on Eurostar, but you need a separate paid seat reservation, and pass-holder places are limited. Book your Eurostar reservation early, as they sell out at busy times. Your pass covers onward trains once you are across the Channel.
How long does Eurostar take from London to Paris?
Around 2 hours 20 minutes, city centre to city centre. The time in the tunnel itself is about 20 minutes.
Can I be a foot passenger through the Channel Tunnel?
As a foot passenger you travel on Eurostar from London, not on LeShuttle, which only carries vehicles. If you have a bike, see our bicycle guide for the LeShuttle cycle service and ferry options.
Eurostar and Eurotunnel both use the Channel Tunnel, but they do different jobs. Eurostar carries foot passengers from London straight to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, book tickets if that is your trip. LeShuttle, the Eurotunnel car train, carries you and your vehicle from Folkestone to Calais in 35 minutes, use the price checker above if you are driving. Once you know which one you need, the rest is easy.