Dover to Calais Train
Since 1994, there has been a tunnel connecting England and France between Dover and Calais, known as the Channel Tunnel or Eurotunnel. This tunnel is the fastest way to travel to France by car, motorcycle, camper, or any other type of vehicle.
About the Eurotunnel
The tunnel between the UK and France is a train tunnel. It accommodates freight trains, car trains, and passenger trains. If you want to travel with a car or other vehicle, you need to use The Shuttle car train. Foot passengers can travel with Eurostar from London St Pancras to various European cities.
Dover-Calais Trains
You cannot drive through the Eurotunnel yourself; instead, you park your car or motorcycle on a double-decker train in Folkestone, near Dover. (Google Maps ↗). Larger vehicles such as campers, vans and large SUVs use the single-layer railcars. Sports cars are also placed in the single-level trains because of the steep angle of inclination to the top floor. Therefore, carefully enter the type of car and any roof boxes.
Travel time
Once the train is full, the journey of just 35 minutes begins. It is therefore a fast alternative to ferry services. Please note that check-in is typically required at least 75 minutes before departure. Refer to your booking confirmation for the precise latest check-in times.
On very busy days in the summer, a 2-hour check-in is sometimes recommended. It is wise to monitor the Eurotunnel website or social media channels closely during peak holiday times.
On Board
On board the train you can stretch your legs or use the toilet, but other than that there is little to do. Once you arrive in England, you simply drive off the train and you can continue your journey immediately.
- Vehicles that run entirely or partially on gas (LPG) are unfortunately not allowed on LeShuttle. There are restrictions on the transport of gas cylinders.
Channel Tunnel
- Also known as: Eurotunnel or Chunnel
- Length: 50.45 kilometers / 31.35 miles
- Construction started: 1986
- Opening: May 6, 1994
- First passenger train: November 14, 1994
- Number of tunnels: 3
- Deepest point: 115 meters below sea level
- Speed: 160 km per hour
- Travel time to Eurotunnel: 35 minutes
⚠️ Check your booking confirmation email for any additional requests. Sometimes you must submit Additional Passenger Information (API) no later than 24 hours in advance.
Timetable
This Le Shuttle train is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. The frequency of the rides varies depending on the crowds. There are fewer trains at night, while during the day there are usually two departures per hour. During busy periods this can increase to three to four departures per hour.
Eurotunnel Tickets
On average, the cost of taking your car through the tunnel is higher than the ferry services between Calais and Dover. The big advantage of the tunnel is not the price, but convenience and speed.
However, if you make a short trip outside the high season, it can be very beneficial. Then you can make a return for £79.The lowest price for a normal one-way ticket starts at £117. But as the specific train is booked more, this amount will increase.
You can compare the prices of tickets for the Eurotunnel together with the ferry prices in our booking module at the top of this page.
You can buy tickets on departure, but this is usually much more expensive than if you arrange this online well in advance.
If you want to book Le Shuttle ↗ directly with Eurotunnel, you can only do so with a credit card. Do you want a different payment method? Then we recommend that you book via DirectFerries ↗.
Journey
1. Checking in
Your ticket will tell you how far in advance you need to be there. The Eurotunnel ticket indicates 75 minutes.
From the highway you quickly enter a small roundabout, behind which the drive for the check-in gates immediately begins. After checking in, you can choose to make a stopover in front of the terminal building. Here you can eat and drink, exchange money or take a bathroom break. There are also many electric charging stations here for those who need to charge their car.
- Are you very early and is there room on an earlier train? Then you have a good chance of being able to participate!
2. Customs
Customs can be busy, so keep this in mind if you want to catch the train with a specific departure time. You first go through French Customs and are then checked again by British Customs. Keep the passports of all passengers at hand for a smooth journey.
3. Boarding
Driving on board the car train with your car is quite a fun experience. Eurotunnel employees will help you drive on board. It is narrow on the train, but luckily you only have to steer straight ahead.
Photos of the train journey and the facilities in the terminal
Eurotunnel foot passengers
It is not possible to board the car train as foot passenger. You must have at least one bicycle with you, which will be transported in a special van with a bicycle trailer.
Foot passengers can travel through the tunnel as follows:
Eurostar trains
The company Eurostar ↗ transports passengers from London St Pancras to France, as well as various cities in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Ferry
Alternatives to the Eurotunnel
As an alternative to the Eurotunnel, you can also board one of the ferries of the companies below. These are usually cheaper but also slightly slower.
- Up to 11 crossings per day
- 90 minutes
- 1 pers. by car: ± £67 to £118
- Up to 15 crossings per day
- 90 minutes
- 1 pers. by car: ± £74 to £151
- Up to 14 crossings per day
- 90 minutes
- 1 pers. by car: ± £60 to £101
About us
The ultimate traveler’s guide from Calais to Dover, the shortest distance you can travel from France to England by ferry or train.
Compare tickets from P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, DFDS and the Eurotunnel on Calais-Dover.com.
