In this article, I explain how to driving through the Channel Tunnelto get to London easily from France!
Here you'll find
- How to drive through the Channel Tunnel
- How much does it cost? How long does it last?
- What you need to know
- Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
- And much more!
If you're looking for information on using the Channel Tunnel by car, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Channel Tunnel by car: article summary
Channel Tunnel by car: can you drive to London?
If you plan to go visit London In the near future, there are several transport options for reaching the British capital, separated from France by La Manche.
By plane, convenient but expensive, by ferry, long and costly, by bus if you have time to spare, by train if you opt for the Eurostar or... via the Channel Tunnel by car ! It's this last solution that I'm presenting to you.
Channel Tunnel presentation
The Channel Tunnel has opened in 1994 and it's still a real technological feat: it links England to northern France, making it easy for millions of passengers to make the journey.
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of London (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
The Eurostar train runs through it, but the structure of the tunnel and the shuttle that allows you to cross the Channel Tunnel by car are managed by the Getlink company.
It's the longest tunnel underwater in the world, with its 3.9 kilometers under the English Channel and a total length of 50.45 kilometers. It is immersed at 75 meters deep at its lowest point! In terms of speed, it reaches 160 km/h underwater, before reaching 300 km/h once back on land.
It's a project at exorbitant cost (nearly £5 billion at the time), which took 6 years to complete and involved over 13,000 workers.
How do I get through the Channel Tunnel by car?
You can't roll not underwater, but on a shuttle bus christened Eurotunnel Shuttleto drive through the Channel Tunnel.
It links the cities of Calais (France) and Folkestone (in the county of Kent, south-east England).
It will then take a little less 2h drive from Folkestone to London!
Please note Ferries: it's possible to take a ferry from some of France's coastal towns, such as Dunkirk, St-Malo or Le Havre, or to arrive in some of England's towns, such as Dover.
You can compare routes, companies and fares at this price comparison tool for crossing the English Channel by car.
How do I get to London by car with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle?Â
Opting for the car can be a cost-effective solution compared to air travel, and practical if you're planning to travel across Great Britain. Here's how to organize your crossing!
Book your tickets online
Via the Directferries.frHere you can book your tickets, comparing the various options available: one-way, round-trip, short- or long-stay, flexible schedules, adding a pet, and so on.
Enter your license plate and/or the type of vehicle concerned, and you'll be shown an overview of the fares. Book your ticket and confirm.
Please note that a single vehicle ticket includes up to 9 passengers.
Pick up your tickets on the day
With the validation email you received when you booked, all you have to do is pick up your ticket. the day of your departure.
Simply go to a boarding agent or one of the automated kiosks and enter the reservation code. You'll receive the corresponding boarding pass immediately.
Cross the border
We remind you that a passport to travel to London and you'll have to cross the border. This is often quite quick. But be sure to check that you have the good identity document with you, because an ID card isn't enough!
In addition, the car documents will also be requested.
Wait, then get on board!
25 min before departure time, boarding will begin. If you've got some time to kill before then, you can relax in one of the cafés or do a little shopping in the duty-free zone, identical to those found in the world's major airports.
At the appointed time, you'll climb into your vehicle for departure, and you won't be able to get out again.
How long is the journey?
The journey between Calais and Folkestone takes 35 minutes. As with air travel, however, you need to allow extra time for check-in, boarding and disembarkation.
It is necessary to arrive minimum 30 minutes before boarding begins. For the more stressed, plan ahead!
And once in Folkestone?
Folkestone is 120 kilometers from London. The terminal where you will exit is at junction 11A of the M20 freeway. Follow the M20, then the A20 to London, to reach the capital. in 1h50/2h depending on traffic conditions.
We remind you that driving is reversed...!
How to reach the Eurotunnel Shuttle terminal easily?
The starting point of the Channel Tunnel is at the following address: Eurotunnel Calais, 62231 Coquelles, France
You can access it via :
- exit 42 then 42b of the A16 freeway - Follow Enregistrement then direction Tourism terminal
- Eurostarfrom Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lilles or Limoges, before renting a vehicle locally.
Practical information about this trip under the English Channel by carÂ
Here's what you need to know about driving through the Channel Tunnel for your trip to London.
Rates and booking
Rates vary according to your reservation date (they open up to 9 months in advance), the type of vehicle, the length of stay and the options chosen. Available tickets are :
- Short stay Ecofor 5 days or less
- Flexiplus for 5 days or more / no time limit, with flexible boarding times
- One-way and round-trip options
A standard ticket costs at least 102 euros/vehicle. If you're traveling with several people, this can quickly add up to big savings. On the other hand, travelling by car alone or in pairs can be expensive.
You can also take a look at the rates for different destinations (Folkestone, Dover...).
Compare!
Opening hours
The Channel Tunnel can be reached by car every day of the year.
There are up to 4 departures per hour during peak periods. And shuttles run 24 hours a day.
Practical information
Check travel conditions carefully to petsupdated since the end of 2021.
Note that cars that run on LPG are not authorized in the Channel Tunnel; that it is NO SMOKING in the train; that the toilets may not be accessible during the 35-minute journey.
And don't forget to review the terms and conditions of your English-style driving before you hit the road, as you'll need time to adapt and a good knowledge of the rules in force!
What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special London guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special London guide!
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