Crossing the Channel, The Channel Tunnel
Crossing the Channel via the channel tunnel with your vehicle (French: Le tunnel sous la Manche) is faster (35 minutes) than the ferry crossing from Dover to Calais (around 1 hour 30 minutes). What's more, there is no additional cost for fuel or luggage supplements. So more of you can travel in your car through the channel tunnel for less!
Coronavirus updates when using the Tunnel - open and service is running
Both the UK and French governments have introduced additional entry requirements and restrictions due to COVID-19. Please remember, it is your responsibility to ensure you check and comply with the latest health and travel regulations. Anyone not meeting travel regulations or failing to produce the required documentation for their journey will not be permitted to travel.
N.B. You are required to wear a mask in most transports when you travel.
Crossing the Channel, The Channel Tunnel
What is the Channel Tunnel?
The Channel Tunnel (often known as the 'Chunnel') is an undersea tunnel which links southern England and northern France. It is operated by the company Getlink, who also run a railway shuttle (Le Shuttle) between Folkestone and Calais, carrying passengers in cars, vans and other vehicles.
The Chunnel is actually comprised of three tunnels: two rail tunnels, used for freight and passenger trains, one tunnel running south (UK to France), one tunnel running north (France to UK) and one service tunnel.
Eurostar is a totally separate company and is Getlink’s biggest customer, running high-speed passenger services through the Channel Tunnel between London and a number of other European cities on the continent. Information on getting to Benidorm from London by Train
The tunnel carries high-speed Eurostar passenger trains, the Eurotunnel Shuttle for road vehicles
The travel time from Folkestone to Calais is just 35 minutes
The Eurotunnel is easily reached via the M25 and M20 at Folkestone
The idea of a tunnel under the Channel was first proposed in 1802 but construction wasn't started until 1988. It was completed in 1993, and Eurostar services started in November 1994.
The Channel Tunnel is 31.5 miles long or 50.45 km. That's the equivalent of 169 Eiffel Towers stacked on top of each other.
23.5 miles (37.9 km) of the Channel Tunnel is under the English Channel, making it the world's longest undersea tunnel.
At its deepest, the tunnel is 75 meters (246 feet) below the sea level.
Crossing the channel, Channel Tunnel
Where is the Chunnel?
The Chunnel runs between Folkestone in south Kent and Calais in northern France.
Vehicle traffic for Le Shuttle gets on in Folkestone and gets off in Calais. Folkestone is about an hour and a half's drive from London and Calais is about three hour's drive from Paris.
Eurostar trains, which are passenger only, leave from St Pancras International station in London (some services also take on passengers in Ebbsfleet and Ashford in Kent) and go directly to the center of Paris and the other Eurostar destinations in Europe.
Tickets available (information correct from May 2020) More information Search & Book
- Day trip and overnight (one or two days): from £31+per car, each way
- Short stay saver (five days or less): from £67++per car, each way
- Single or long stay (any duration): from £85 per car, each way
- Frequent traveller (any duration): from £48*per car, each way
- Frequent traveller Flexiplus (any duration): from £152*per car, each way
- Short stay Flexiplus (five days or less): from £174**per car, each way
- Flexiplus (any duration): from£229**per car, each way
+ Day Trip & Overnight - Ticket must be purchased as part of a 2 day return. Return must be completed by midnight (local time) on the second calendar day.
++ Short Stay Saver - Ticket must be purchased as part of a 5 day return. Return must be completed by midnight (local time) on the fifth calendar day.
++ Short Stay Flexiplus - Ticket must be purchased as part of a 5 day return. Return must be completed by midnight (local time) on the fifth calendar day.
* Frequent Traveller – a minimum purchase of 10 single tickets is required to create a wallet. Bookings cannot be made at Check-in on the day of travel. The Frequent Traveller Standard Fares are applicable to single "Off Peak" journeys. For travel during "Standard Peak" or "High Peak" times, a supplement will be payable.
** Flexiplus lounge facilities are open 06.00 to 22.00 daily (local time). Outside opening hours the Flexiplus lobby with complimentary Starbucks and toilet facilities will be available. (Excluding coach).
** Flexiplus Peak Day Charges - Peak Day Charges are payable on busy days. A Peak Day Charge starts from £10 up to £120 per leg, is chargeable per vehicle (not per person) and added to the total cost of your ticket. Peak Day Charges are payable on tickets through the https://www.eurotunnel.com/ website, contact centre or at check in. Passengers booking a non-peak day ticket must pay the Peak Day Charge if travelling on a peak day. Passengers booking to travel on a peak day who travel on a non-peak day will receive an automatic refund of the Peak Day Charge. All refunds will be made to the original method of payment. No cash refunds are available at check-in.
All prices are per car and each way. A minimum of 10 single tickets must be purchased in advance to take advantage of frequent traveller discounts.
All tickets are subject to availability. All fares quoted valid if booked in advance. Tickets purchased on the day of travel at Check-in will vary.
Flexiplus is by far the most relaxing and flexible way to cross the Channel. You can turn up at any time and board the next available train, at which point you’ll be given priority boarding. You will also be among the first to disembark the train once through the Channel Tunnel.
A Flexiplus ticket also includes a dedicated check-in facility, use of an exclusive lounge, complimentary refreshments, magazines and newspapers. Lounges facilities are open 6am until 10pm daily.
When you arrive at the Eurotunnel Terminal you will go through a gate which reads your number plate. This technology makes the check-in process when departing or returning smooth and easy.
This gate will read your number plate and will automatically bring up your booking and departure information. It will print off a ‘hanger’ which has a number on it. Hang this on your reversing mirror and drive towards either your gate or the terminal if you’re early. When ready, head to passport control, boarding commences approximately 25 minutes before your departure time. Simply follow the green arrows to your allocated lane.
Before you travel you will be required to update your booking with Advance Passenger Information (API). If you do not do this you may face significant delays or cancellation when you arrive at the terminal.
API information required:
- Full Name
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Nationality
- Document Types (i.e. Passport)
- Document Number (i.e. Passport Number)
- Expiry Date
For more information regarding API information, contact Eurotunnel on 0330 123 3207.
You can choose to sit in the car during the entire crossing, or get out and stretch your legs on the train. There are toilets available, should you need them.
Inside the Eurotunnel train
Crossing the channel, Channel Tunnel
What facilities are there?
A number of shops and restaurants are available at the Eurotunnel terminal, including Starbucks, WH Smith and Burger King. You can also purchase essential items you might require for travelling through Europe.
A click and collect travel money service is available via Travelex and a soft play area is available in Folkestone. Free wifi is available in the passenger terminal buildings and Flexiplus lounges.
Aside from the toilets, there are no facilities onboard the train, although Vodafone, EE and O2 customers will continue to enjoy mobile phone connectivity beneath the English Channel.
Is there a duty free shop?
You’ll find a World Duty Free shop in Folkestone and Calais, stocking cosmetics, fragrances, confectionery, wines, spirits and toys. It’s also possible to reserve items online before you travel, ready for collection at the World Duty Free store in Calais.
Items can be reserved between one month and 24 hours before departure. You simply load up your car before boarding the train.
Crossing the channel, Channel Tunnel
Vehicle types and sizes
To correctly allocate you a space on the shuttles details of the dimensions of the vehicle you are travelling with are needed.
This can be easily done using one of three methods;
Vehicle registration
If your vehicle is registered in the UK or France, you can simply enter your vehicle registration and search for your vehicle.
Make and Model
If we are unable to find your details from your registration number, your vehicle is registered outside of the UK/France, or you do not know it, you can search for the make and model of your vehicle yourself.
Please note: This option isn't available for motorcycle users. If you are travelling with a motorcycle, use the vehicle registration search, or the "type and size" option.
Type/Size
If you are unable to find your specific vehicle using the above methods, you can still make a booking by stating the type of vehicle, as well as its approximate length and height.
Whichever method you use, we will still request a registration number during the booking process so that we can detect your arrival at check-in for fast and smooth processing.
Maximum size: the maximum size of combined vehicle and trailer/caravan we can transport is 18 meters (59ft).
Van/minibus
Some vehicle models can be classified as either a van or a minibus, confirmation is needed as to exactly which type of vehicle you are booking, and in the case of a van that you are not carrying any commercial goods (if you are, you will need to book with our Freight service).
Campervans
If its detected that your vehicle is a campervan or has been converted into a campervan you will be asked to confirm this so that the appropriate checks can be carried out by safety teams at the terminal, they also need the overall size of your campervan, including anything (including vehicles) mounted on the rear, as shown below.
Low ground clearance and wide sports cars
If it is detected that your vehicle (despite being under the 1.85 meters high) is better suited to a Single Deck shuttles due to its low ground-clearance, width, or scissor/gull-wing doors.
The Single Deck shuttles can accommodate wider vehicles, and do not require driving up the ramps to the upper deck during loading. If your vehicle is not detected as being wide/low but you wish to request this type of allocation, please book online via the Contact Centre.
Reduced mobility users
Eurotunnel is a particularly good choice for less able-bodied passengers as all drivers and passengers stay in the comfort of their vehicle for the duration of the journey between the UK and France.
The Folkestone and Calais Passenger Terminal Buildings are on one level, with parking spaces nearby for cars displaying the disabled badge. There is easy access to the shops, the Food Village, disabled toilet facilities, and low-level telephone booths.
It is requested that you Check-In no later than 45 minutes prior to your booked departure.
There are Changing Places located in the UK Passenger Terminal Building. These facilities include an adjustable bed that lowers to ground level, a hoist and flexible wash basins, all located in a large wash room with full shower facilities.
Changing Places are free to use and do not need to be pre-booked. There is a ‘Changing Places’ sign next to this facility. Visit the Customer Service and Ticket Desk to gain access. www.changing-places.org
A quiet room is available on request, subject to availability. Please visit the Customer Service and Ticket Desk to gain access.
Passengers with reduced mobility are requested to proceed to boarding immediately upon the first call. Information regarding boarding can be found on the screens inside the Passenger Terminal Buildings in both Folkestone and Calais.
On leaving the terminal simply follow the overhead signs to the boarding lanes.
vehicles belonging to reduced mobility passengers are boarded first if possible.
If a disabled person is travelling with a guide dog you need to inform Eurostar when booking. They are then booked them into the system, guide dogs also need to comply with the regulations set out under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) and the dog will travel free.
Crossing the channel, Channel Tunnel
Travelling with Pets
What are the health requirements for bringing a pet to France?
Your dog, cat or ferret will need to be microchipped, have a Pet passport, and a valid vaccination against rabies. Latest information available on the French Ministry for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Rural Policy and Local Development website
Follow the signs to Pet Reception drive thru, bring your booking confirmation number. Your pet will remain in your vehicle and you will be asked to scan their microchip so the staff member can check their details.
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