The Channel Tunnel to Folkestone
People use many names for the same thing, which can be confusing. Let's help you out and guide you through your destinations through this tunnel.Â
The Channel Tunnel is the rail tunnel itself. Chunnel is a nickname for that tunnel and the name of this website. LeShuttle, also known as Eurotunnel, is the car train that carries vehicles between Folkestone and Calais. Eurostar is the separate high-speed passenger train for foot travellers. This guide explains the places, postcodes and routes so you can find the right terminal and continue your journey with confidence.
Eurotunnel Folkestone terminal
The UK terminal sits just outside Folkestone with direct access from the M20. The entrance is designed for easy vehicle access with clear signs for check-in and boarding lanes.
- Address: Ashford Road, Folkestone, Kent
- Postcode for sat nav: CT20 3GE
- Motorway access: Junction 11A of the M20, then follow signs for Eurotunnel or Le Shuttle
- Nearby towns: Ashford 10 miles, Dover 7 miles, Canterbury 18 miles
This postcode (CT20 3GE) takes you to the vehicle check-in booths. Aim to arrive at least 45 minutes before departure, earlier during busy periods.
Getting to the tunnel
The tunnel is easiest to reach by car via the M20. From London, it is about 70 miles, which usually takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Drivers from the north and midlands typically use the M25, then join the M20. Folkestone Central and Folkestone West are the nearest rail stations, but there is no pedestrian access to the Eurotunnel site. Foot passengers should use Eurostar from London St Pancras.
Where can you go from the Channel Tunnel
The tunnel is a gateway to northern Europe. From the Calais terminal, you can reach major destinations quickly. Use these route guides for distances, timings and detailed directions.
- Channel Tunnel to Germany
for routes through Belgium and Luxembourg along with toll and fuel tips - Eurotunnel to Amsterdam
for the A16 and E19 route via Antwerp and Breda - Chunnel from London to Paris
for the A16, A26 and A1 route into the capital - Eurotunnel to Disneyland Paris for family-friendly driving directions to Marne la Vallée
Channel Tunnel in France: Calais terminal
The French terminal lies in Coquelles near Calais with a direct junction to the A16. This gives fast access toward Paris, Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Address: Rue des Garennes, 62231 Coquelles, France
- Postcode for sat nav: 62231
- Motorway access: Direct link to A16 and E40
- Nearby cities: Calais 3 miles, Dunkirk 24 miles, Lille 70 miles, Paris 185 miles
Distance and geography
The tunnel is about 31 miles long with roughly 23 miles under the seabed. At its deepest point it sits about 250 feet below sea level.
- Folkestone to Calais by train: 35 minutes
- London to Folkestone by car: about 70 miles which is around 1 hour 30 minutes
- Calais to Paris by car: about 185 miles which is around 3 hours 30 minutes
Eurotunnel Folkestone vs Dover ferries
The Folkestone terminal is separate from Dover port. Ferries sail to Calais or Dunkirk, while LeShuttle arrives in Coquelles near Calais.
- From Dover port you reach the A16 near Calais after about 90 minutes at sea plus port time
- From Eurotunnel Folkestone you reach the A16 after a 35 minute train crossing
Useful information for visitors
- Short stay parking is available near the Folkestone terminal building
- Fuel stations are available on both the Folkestone and Coquelles sites
- Nearby ferry ports include Dover at 7 miles and Newhaven at about 90 miles
Summary
The Channel Tunnel links Folkestone with Coquelles and remains the fastest way to reach mainland Europe by car. Use postcode CT20 3GE for the UK terminal and 62231 for the French terminal. Both sites connect directly to the motorway network so you can continue to Paris, Amsterdam, Germany or Disneyland Paris with ease.
Traveling by Car through Eurotunnel:
If you are traveling to France by car, you can use the Eurotunnel LeShuttle trains. This service connects the United Kingdom with Europe through a train tunnel under the English Channel. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes, making it a fast and efficient way to cross the English Channel into France.
Only on Board with a Vehicle:
Cars, caravans, motorcycles, campers, vans, minibusses, coaches, and trucks can be transported on special trains running from Folkestone in England to Calais in France. It is also possible to board with a bicycle, but this requires a slightly different approach.
Pedestrians, unfortunately, cannot travel on Eurotunnel Le Shuttle trains. They have to use Eurostar trains or ferries.
Eurotunnel LeShuttle Tickets
- Compare Eurotunnel prices with those of ferry services
- Booking module in English
- Find the most affordable price yourself
Channel Tunnel Facts
Construction and opening
Construction began in 1988 and took six years. The tunnel opened to traffic in May 1994. More than 13,000 people worked on the project, and ten workers lost their lives during construction.
Operations and timings
Inside the tunnel, trains can reach speeds of 160 km/h, equivalent to approximately 100 mph. A LeShuttle (car shuttle) journey typically takes around 35 minutes between Folkestone in England and Calais in France.
Safety and the service tunnel
The central service tunnel is pressurised separately and has its own ventilation. Cross-passages connect the service tunnel to the rail tunnels at regular intervals, giving staff and passengers protected access during inspections or incidents. Read more about safety.
Geology and depth
The route runs mainly through chalk marl, a stable rock that naturally limits water ingress. At the deepest point, there is roughly 75 meters (246 feet) of ground above the tunnel before you reach the seabed and the Channel waters above that.
Power and infrastructure
The tunnel complex draws substantial electrical power to run trains, provide ventilation, pump water, illuminate the area, signal trains, and operate the fixed equipment on both terminals. In addition to the primary tubes, there is an extensive network of cross-passages, equipment rooms, and galleries that support operations behind the scenes.
Vehicle volumes on the Channel Tunnel
In 2024 LeShuttle carried 2,2 million passenger vehicles. Freight shuttles transported nearly 1.2 million trucks. LeShuttle’s car market share on the Short Straits was 55.2%. Ferries capture the other 44.9% of the market share.
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