Cars boarding the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle train.
Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle)
Folkestone, UK to Calais, France
With just a 35 minute journey time and up to 4 departures an hour, Eurotunnel is a fast and reliable way to cross the English Channel between Folkestone and Calais.
Tickets are priced from only £50 per vehicle each way – as well as being quick, it’s affordable too!
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is a great way to cross the English Channel between the UK and France.
With a journey time of just 35 minutes, it beats the ferry by an hour, and the loading and unloading process is much faster too!
After leaving the motorway, pass through the ticket check booths and on to passport and customs checks for both countries before driving onto the train.
When arriving, you’re then straight off the train, onto the motorway network and on your way!
Eurotunnel FAQs
Where is the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone?
You’ll find the Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal at junction 11A of the M20 motorway. For your Sat Nav, use postcode CT18 8XX. What3Words: soaps.mailers.moon
Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal – View Larger Map
Where is the Eurotunnel terminal at Calais?
The Calais terminal is at junction 42B of the A16 motorway. Make sure you follow the signs for Terminal Tourisme. What3Words: hotel.pancakes.eggs
Calais Eurotunnel Terminal – View Larger Map
Does the Eurotunnel have a luggage limit?
No. The only luggage limitation is what you can safely fit in your car.
Do you have to stay in your car on the Eurotunnel?
You’re free to sit in your car and relax for the 35 minute journey or get out and stretch your legs on the train.
Cars parked on Eurotunnel Le Shuttle train.
How soon do you have to check in for the Eurotunnel?
You should arrive and check in at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure time, but no sooner than 4 hours.
What are the Duty Free allowances when travelling between England and France?
Personal allowances for alcohol and tobacco when travelling to mainland Europe are much lower than they used to be when the UK was a member of the European Union. According to the UK Goverment website, you are currently allowed to bring into the UK:
- 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco
- 18 litres of wine (24 bottles)
- 42 litres of beer
without paying import VAT or duty.
European Breakdown Cover
A breakdown is inconvenient at the best of times and could be a nightmare if you’re stuck at the side of the road in a foreign country.
Taking your car abroad and driving in Europe can be a lot of fun but, if you breakdown, your trip can suddenly turn into a nightmare. Without breakdown cover that covers you in Europe, it can be a costly and rather complicated nightmare too!
By taking out an affordable comprehensive policy before you leave, you can be reassured that if the worst did happen, you’ll have the support to get you, your family and your car back to the UK without it costing you a fortune too.
Policies can be bought either for a single trip or as annual cover if you plan to take a number trips over to Europe during the year.
European Breakdown Cover
A breakdown is inconvenient at the best of times and could be a nightmare if you’re stuck at the side of the road in a foreign country.
Taking your car abroad and driving in Europe can be a lot of fun but, if you breakdown, your trip can suddenly turn into a nightmare. Without breakdown cover that covers you in Europe, it can be a costly and rather complicated nightmare too!
By taking out an affordable comprehensive policy before you leave, you can be reassured that if the worst did happen, you’ll have the support to get you, your family and your car back to the UK without it costing you a fortune too.
Policies can be bought either for a single trip or as annual cover if you plan to take a number trips over to Europe during the year.
Driving in France? – Know the Requirements
In France, it is a legal requirement to have reflective jackets and other items of safety equipment in your car. These items can be bought as a kit, or separately.
It’s a legal requirement in France and many other European countries to carry a number of items of safety equipment in your car with you. There can be very hefty fines (sometimes on the spot) if you’re stopped by the Police and you don’t have these items in your car.
- Reflective jackets for the driver and all passengers. These should be accessible from inside the vehicle.
- Red warning triangle
- Registration plate country identifier
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- Spare bulb kit – this is recommended rather than mandatory
- First aid kit – again, a recommendation
Driving in France? – Know the Requirements
In France, it is a legal requirement to have reflective jackets and other items of safety equipment in your car. These items can be bought as a kit, or separately.
It’s a legal requirement in France and many other European countries to carry a number of items of safety equipment in your car with you. There can be very hefty fines (sometimes on the spot) if you’re stopped by the Police and you don’t have these items in your car.
- Reflective jackets for the driver and all passengers. These should be accessible from inside the vehicle.
- Red warning triangle
- Registration plate country identifier
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- Spare bulb kit – this is recommended rather than mandatory
- First aid kit – again, a recommendation
The History of the Tunnel
The idea of constructing a tunnel under the English Channel dates back to the early 19th century, but it wasn’t until the late 20th century that the Eurotunnel project gained momentum.
In 1986, the Eurotunnel company was formed, and construction on the tunnel began in 1988. The project was a massive engineering feat, and took six years to complete, finally opening in 1994. The tunnel is over 50 km long and actually consists of three tunnels, two for trains and one for service. It is the longest undersea tunnel in the world and took over 13,000 workers to construct.
The project faced numerous challenges and obstacles during its construction. One of the biggest was the geology of the area, as the Channel Tunnel passes through an area with a high water table and soft chalk. To overcome these difficulties, engineers developed innovative solutions, including the use of large bore tunnel-boring machines and an extensive system of pumps to remove water from the tunnel.
Another challenge was the financing of the project, which was one of the largest and most expensive infrastructure projects in Europe at the time. The Eurotunnel company secured funding through a combination of private investment, government grants, and loans. The project was also subject to intense political and public scrutiny, with many opponents raising concerns about the potential environmental and safety implications of the tunnel.
Despite these challenges, the project was completed on time and within budget, and has been a major success since its opening. The tunnel operates as a shuttle service, with trains transporting both passengers and freight vehicles between England and France. The journey takes just 35 minutes, and trains run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It has revolutionized travel between the two countries and is now considered an essential part of the transportation infrastructure connecting the UK to mainland Europe.
Folkestone, UK do Calais, Francja
Od £50 w jedną stronę za dzień albo pojedynczą noc wraz z autem.
4 połączenia, co godzinę, 35 minut podróży – Eurotunel jest szybki i pewny. Wymagane potwierdzenie 30 minut przez odjazdem. Jeśli jeździsz regularnie, to można kupić odpowiednie bilety za £43 na stronie.