The Eurotunnel is a railway carrier that operates a car train between Folkestone and Calais under the English Channel.
Traveling through the Eurotunnel is the fastest way to cross the English Channel with a car between the United Kingdom and France. The train journey takes just 35 minutes. Departures are frequent, on average every 20 minutes.
Important note: vehicles with gas installations cannot travel through the Eurotunnel.
The Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone is located near the exit from the motorway at junction 11A of the M20. In France, the Eurotunnel terminal is located on the outskirts of Calais at junction 42 of the A16 motorway. The route to the terminals is very well signposted.
Where to buy tickets?
Eurotunnel tickets can be purchased on the carrier’s official website, le shuttle. You can also use intermediary services that offer various promotions and discounts. It’s worth checking prices in different places to choose the best offer.
Fun fact:
The Eurotunnel is one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century. The tunnel is 50 km long and used 11 times more concrete in its construction than the Eiffel Tower. It’s also worth noting that the Eurotunnel is the only fixed, above-ground rail link between continental Europe and Great Britain. The crossing takes place horizontally through a sub-sea tube at a depth of around 40 meters beneath the English Channel.
What documents to take with you
During the car journey through the Eurotunnel, you must bring a valid passport, as well as a driver’s license and vehicle registration document. All documents should be current and valid, otherwise the journey may be cancelled.
Border control
Firstly, you should arrive at the railway station in advance to avoid being late. Between check-in and boarding the train, there is a border check.
After the tickets are checked, we are directed to the correct gate, where two border controls take place: French and English, or vice versa, depending on whether we are travelling to or from England. The customs officer has the right to check what we are transporting, but may also limit himself to verifying identity documents. In the tunnel, similar to at the airport, there are food points and toilets. If we have plenty of time before the train departs, we can have a cup of coffee or a hot meal.
The last stage is to find the correct gate and ramp where our train is located. After entering the train, the technical staff secures the wheels of the car. It is possible to move around freely in the train, but it is not allowed to:
- stand in front of or behind the vehicle,
- smoke cigarettes,
- take pictures using a flash.
Summary
Traveling by car from the United Kingdom to France by train through the Eurotunnel is a quick and convenient option for those who want to avoid crowded airports and long queues at border crossings. However, it’s important to remember to comply with specific requirements and procedures to ensure a safe and smooth journey.
