The EuroTunnel Experience
Eurotunnel Terminals - Eurotunnel really couldn’t be easier to find, with direct motorway links offering you a seamless journey from the UK to France.
In the UK:
Eurotunnel are based near Folkestone and have their own motorway exit at junction 11A of the M20. The 11A slip road takes you straight to their Check-In booths.
In France: Eurotunnel are located just outside Calais take the junction 42 of the A16 motorway and the slip road takes you straight to their Check-In booths.
If you would like any help with planning the route to your destination, please use Eurotunnel's Route Planner.
Check-In -
Please ensure you check in at least 30 minutes before your booked departure time and not more than 2 hours before. This gives you just enough time to drive through Eurotunnel's security checks, the French and British frontier controls, the boarding lanes and safely onto the shuttle before departure.
All you will need at Check-In is your booking reference number and the credit/debit card that you used to make your booking. Your booking reference number is the long number that appears on the booking confirmation screen if you have booked online, or the number that Eurotunnel's Contact Centre agent gave you. If you have lost this number, don’t worry, you can still travel, although EuroTunnel may need to ask you a few more questions to confirm your booking at Check-In. We also ask for the card holder to be travelling in the car as a measure against credit/debit card fraud.
Self Check-In -
Is a new easy way to check-in allowing you to print your boarding pass and proceed directly to the allocation lanes. It's easy and only takes a few minutes.
If you haven’t booked, EuroTunnel can normally fit you in on the next available shuttle. You can pay for your crossing on the day, in either pounds, or euros, by cash, credit card or with a cheque. However, if you can book before the day of travel, either online or via the Contact Centre, you will benefit from cost savings.
Once through Check-In, you can either choose to visit Eurotunnel's Passenger Terminal Buildings for a spot of shopping or a refreshment stop. Otherwise you can drive straight through to the British and French frontier controls – so please don’t forget your passports. You will also need to have your vehicle documentation, car insurance and breakdown cover information with you for your journey. Going through these controls before you board the shuttle means that once you have travelled through the tunnel, you will be able to leave the shuttle, drive straight onto the motorway and continue your journey without further stops.
Drive On -
Boarding the shuttle is easy. You are welcomed and directed onto the shuttle by Eurotunnel's friendly staff. You will stay with your vehicle throughout the journey, in brightly-lit, air-conditioned carriages. Visual display screens let you know about your journey or if you have any additional questions, just ask one of Eurotunnel's onboard staff. We leave the entertainment during the journey up to you – sit back and relax with your favourite music, get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs, or plan the next stage of your journey. Whatever you choose to do, the 35-minute journey will go quicker than you think, you may not even realise that you are moving!
Drive Off -
Disembarking is easy. Simply drive off and you are on your way – enjoy the rest of your journey!
If you need to stop for petrol or a quick break, there is a petrol station just as you leave both the UK and French terminals.
Shopping With EuroTunnel
Allow yourself some extra time before boarding the shuttle, so that you can do some last minute shopping or enjoy some of the many refreshments available in the Passenger Terminal Buildings in the UK and France.
Travellers with no time to waste browsing the shelves are able to take advantage of the EuroTunnel pre-order shopping service and then simply collect their tax free shopping on arrival at the departure terminal.
There are ample parking facilities and you don’t need to worry about losing track of time, as there are regular announcements as well as signage both in and outside the buildings, letting you know when you should make your way to the boarding areas.
Both terminal buildings have cash dispensers and a bureau de change, toilet facilities, and a 24-hour information desk. They both also have a variety of fast food restaurants and snacks to eat in or take with you on your journey.
Travelling With Pets On The EuroTunnel
Pets are part of the family - and you wouldn't dream of leaving your children at home for the summer holidays, so why leave your pet? You can bring your dog, cat or ferret with a passport. Rabbits and pet rodents (guinea-pigs, mice etc) can travel without passports at no extra cost! Don't forget you are taking your car, so you will have room for all your family!
Since the introduction of the Pet Travel Scheme, it has become so easy to take your pet with you when you travel to the Continent.
Eurotunnel is ideal for pet travel - treating pets in the same way they would treat any other passenger. Since the start of the pets travel scheme in February 2000, they've helped more than 100,000 cats, dogs and ferrets to travel to France and the UK.
Eurotunnel has recently been highly commended in the Winalot Approved Dog Friendly Awards proving that their service really is the dog friendly way to travel!
Taking Your Vehicle On EuroTunnel
Whatever type of vehicle you drive, you’re welcome to use Eurotunnel.
Cars -
Taking your car on Eurotunnel couldn’t be easier. Just think, no more worries or arguments over what toys can be taken or what to do about your dog – you can take them all! Say goodbye to excess luggage charges for your golf clubs or ski equipment - just load up at your front door and unpack at your destination.
All EuroTunnel need to know when you make your booking, is whether your car is higher than 1.85 metres, so that EuroTunnel allocate a space on a single deck carriage for you. A third of every Eurotunnel shuttle is dedicated to single decks that are twice as high inside as the double deck carriages. These are used for coaches, caravans and cars that are too high to go onto the double decks. There is no difference in price – so feel free to bring cycles, roof boxes – or anything that you can legally and safely put onto your roof!
If you have a sports car or low vehicle – no problem. You can drive straight on and off Eurotunnel's shuttles without worrying about ramps or bumps.
We regret that LPG and dual powered vehicles cannot be transported by Eurotunnel for safety reasons.
Caravans, Campervans and Trailers -
Just as easy and simple as taking your car. There is no need to worry about leaving your vehicle unattended, as you stay with your vehicle the entire crossing.
Caravans are loaded onto single deck carriages. These carriages are used for caravans, coaches and any vehicle that is too high to go onto double decks. The entrance to these carriages is much wider than the double deck carriages, so you have ample space to easily manoeuvre your car and caravan through.
Eurotunnel do accept caravans, and campervans carrying fixed LPG tanks for domestic services (cooking, refrigeration, heating etc), though the appliance must be switched off before boarding and during the crossing. A tank of up to 47kg may be carried, but it must be less than 80% full. For your own safety and the safety of others, you will need to demonstrate this before you travel.
Motorcycles -
You already enjoy the freedom of the road and the ability to avoid most delays and traffic queues. That is why Eurotunnel should be your natural choice when crossing the channel. It’s the fastest direct route between the open roads of the UK and the Continent.
Having a motorcycle means that you will only pay half the price of a car. Our fare structure allows you to be in control! You choose what’s most important to you – can you travel at a less busy time of day to save money? Do you want to ensure you have the flexibility to alter your booking at no cost if your plans change? Don’t forget, the earlier you book, the more you will save.
For safety reasons, you are boarded on the back of the shuttle and stay with your motorcycle throughout the journey. There is no need to worry about the security of your belongings, or strapping everything up during transit. Simply park your motorcycle on its stand, relax and stretch your legs for the 35-minute journey.
Boarding with a Bicycle -
A maximum of 6 cyclists and their cycles can be carried on any departure. If you require further details on how to arrange travel for a larger group then please contact the Eurotunnel UK Ticket Desk.
The Eurotunnel Cycle Service operates seven days a week carrying cycles on specially adapted trailers and cyclists in a spacious comfortable minibus. The crossing through the Channel Tunnel takes 35 minutes platform to platform. With the discretion of the driver, and depending upon the volume of traffic on the day, you may be able to take advantage of the facilities in the Passenger Terminal Building in Folkestone or Calais/Coquelles (depending on the direction of your journey).
Once in France you will be dropped off in the car park of the Centre d'Affaires, next to the Marques Avenue designer outlet centre. Please reassemble in this car park to join the service on your return.
For adults and children, the fare is the same and includes the cycle. Children accompanying their parents on a child seat travel free of charge. Tandems are charged by the number of seats, occupied or not. Cycle trailer prices are dependent on the size.
Disabled Passengers - If you or any of your passengers are less able bodied, have limited mobility or require a wheelchair, then travelling with Eurotunnel is ideal for you. From entering the terminal to driving off the train in France you can stay in the comfort of your own vehicle. If you choose to visit our Passenger Terminal Building, there are ample disabled parking spaces and the whole building is all on one level with no steps. Once inside you will find easy access to our shops, Food Village, toilets and low level telephone booths.
If you have a disabled badge, please make sure that it is on display in your vehicle. Let us know when you check in if you or any of your passengers use a wheelchair or need assistance with mobility on board. When driving to the boarding lanes follow the route indicated by the overhead disabled signs and you will be boarded at the front of the shuttle. This is for safety reasons so that, in the unlikely event of an emergency our on-board staff will know where you are and will be able to assist you.
Registered Guide Dogs - Eurotunnel know the importance of the independence and mobility that a guide dog can offer, this is why they allow all registered guide dogs to travel for free. When making your booking, please make sure that you tell us if you have a guide dog, as we will still need to book him or her in the system for travel and to make sure that your dog complies with the regulations set out under the Pet Travel Scheme.
EuroTunnel Travel Information
Although European drivers do drive on the right hand side of the road, in general, the roads are far less crowded than in the UK and are in excellent condition, making driving a pleasurable experience. Motorway networks connect Calais with a host of destinations, and their service stations are bright and clean, offering mouthwatering snacks and meals. They really do need to be seen to be believed.
As soon as you leave the shuttle, you are straight onto the motorway network – it couldn't be easier. Large overhead road signs mean you won't get lost, whether you're popping into Cité Europe for a spot of shopping, off down to the coast for the day or heading for some sun and fun in the south.
The main difference in the general driving rules is the Priority to the Right rule. Whilst major junctions and roundabouts now follow the UK system, the 'priority to the right' principle still exists inside most towns. The yellow lozenge signpost shows that traffic on the main road has priority over traffic joining from a side-road on the right. However, on entering towns, this same sign with a line through it often appears, meaning that any vehicle pulling out in front from the right will usually have priority. In the absence of any markings on the road, priority must be given to the car coming from the right-hand side.
Getting There - Once you have decided where to go, you just need to know how to get there! Do you want to avoid motorways and enjoy a more scenic route, or just want to get there as quickly as possible? Whatever your preference, let Route Planner help you choose your journey.
Don't forget, if you need a stop over en route, we can offer instant booking for over 10,000 hotels across Europe. Book now!
Driving On The Continent -
You will need to make sure you have a few things with you when you drive on the Continent.
