How long does eurotunnel take

Vehicle traffic for Le Shuttle gets on in Folkestone and gets off in Calais. Folkestone is about an hour and a half's drive from London and Calais is about three hour's drive from Paris.

Eurostar trains, which are passenger only, leave from St Pancras International station in London some services also take on passengers in Ebbsfleet and Ashford in Kent and go directly to the center of Paris and the other Eurostar destinations in Europe. At its deepest, the tunnel is 75 meters feet below the sea level. That's the same as baguettes balancing on top of each other. The Channel Tunnel is made of three separate tunnels running parallel to each other. All three tunnels were drilled below the seabed and link Folkestone in Kent to Coquelles in Pas-de-Calais.

However, the idea of connecting the UK and France by tunnel is much older than people think — dating back to the early s when its supporters included Napoleon Bonaparte. Many of the workers used hand tools, but a state-of-the-art boring machine was also used. Work was eventually abandoned until construction on the tunnel as we now know it began again in While we prefer our journeys comfortable, relaxing and underground through the Euro Tunnel, a few dare devils have travelled in slightly different ways.

The Channel Tunnel or in the air, on the water or in a bathtub? You decide. He first attempted the crossing on 12 August , but had to give up due to strong winds and rough seas. Undeterred, he tried for a second time 12 days later. Escorted by three boats and covered in porpoise oil, he reached Calais in 21 hours 45 minutes, despite challenging tides and a jellyfish sting. American swimmer Sarah Thomas raised the bar in September , setting a world record by becoming the first person to swim across the Channel four times non-stop.

She completed her incredible swim in 54 hours and 10 minutes. On July 31 , Felix Baumgartner jumped from a plane 30, feet 9, meters above Dover wearing a carbon wing and flew for 22 miles Six minutes later he landed in France and became the first man to cross the channel in a wing suit. He told the journalists shortly after landing "For the last 2, meters I could see the other side and I knew I was going to make it".

Tim first attempted this incredible challenge in but was forced to abandon when he was caught in a storm with force 6 winds. Before attempting the crossing, Tim had to learn to row and trained with Britain's Olympic rowing team.

Tim completed the grueling journey in nine hours and six minutes. On his arrival, he told journalists "You can't fake rowing; you can either do it or you can't. It's exhausting. Because you're using so much energy, and every area of your body, your heart and lungs are working overtime. On March 12 , The One Show presenter Christine Bleakley water-skied across the English Channel and completed the mile 34 km stretch in just minutes.

Despite being terrified by water and admitting she wasn't a strong swimmer; she became the first person to water-ski across the world's busiest shipping lane.

For further information on what you need for your car, visit the AA driving abroad advice page. We would also recommend filling your car with fuel while you are in France. This allows time to make sure you are ready, and for you to go through security. When you reach the check-in terminal, you will need your booking reference handy and the credit or debit card which was used at the time of booking. You will then be given a hanger for your departure, which will tell you where to get on the train.

Once checked in, you can go and park up and wait for your train to arrive. You drive on at the back and drive through the train until the stewards tell you to stop. A top tip is while waiting to park, avoid parking across multiple carriages. You then have two options before boarding the train; you can check the boarding screens and head straight to the queue where there are no toilets , or you can park up and wait for your train. There is a vending machine and a dog exercise area for those whose pets need to stretch their legs!

Or if you have to wait a little longer, park in the car park for the terminal. There are screens around the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle which inform people of the train that they should be boarding. While you are waiting to board your train, entertain yourself in the shops that are available to pick up treats for your travels.

They have a range of shops, and food courts including World Duty Free to save you money on branded products. There is also a WH Smith where you can pick up a magazine or paper, a Starbucks for those who need a bit of caffeine and a Burger King for those who are feeling a bit peckish. There is also an AA shop for any queries you may have before travelling on French roads in your car.

Once you have begun your adventure on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and your car is on the train, you will be stationed there for the next 35 minutes. The Eurotunnel Le Shuttle now provides Wi-Fi on the trains which is great in allowing you to catch up on the news, plan a journey or check traffic reports before you get on French roads.

Yes, you have two opportunities in which you can leave your car. The bicycles are carried on a specially adapted trailer and the cyclists travel in a minibus.

To book a bicycle crossing, telephone the sales support department, weekdays, from 9 a. Cycle crossings must be booked 48 hours in advance. Find out more about cycles on Le Shuttle. If you are traveling with a larger group, ring the sales support department on the same number to discuss arrangements.

The tunnel is the most comfortable and humane way to travel across the English Channel with a pet. Your animal stays with you the whole way.

If you are coming and going from the UK with a dog or cat though, the animal must be proven rabies free, microchipped and registered for the UK Pet Travel Scheme PETS , which takes some advanced planning. Arrive at least half an hour before your departure and not more than two hours to allow time to check in, get into the boarding lanes and go through British and French security and frontier controls.

In addition to passports and visas if required for all passengers, you'll also need registration documents and proof of insurance for your car.

If you are traveling with a pet, you need to bring the required PETS paperwork and allow some extra time for your animal's passport and microchip to be checked. You may be able to get aboard the next available shuttle, paying in pounds, euros or by credit card.

But it's more expensive than booking in advance and you aren't guaranteed a place. During busy times of day or at the start of European school vacations, you could end up waiting quite some time to board a shuttle. But you can still be almost spontaneous.

Shuttles through Eurotunnel can usually be booked as little as a day in advance. Not a chance. Yes they drive on the right in France and on the left in the UK but those clever engineers who designed and built this wonder of the world thought of everything - including how stupid some of us drivers might be.

Roads are engineered to guide you to the correct lane both getting in and out of Eurotunnel. By the time you have gone through British and French passport control and customs and are ready to leave the private roads on the Eurotunnel sites, you've adjusted to the correct side of the road for the country you are in.

Eurotunnel is priced to encourage day-trippers and short visits - and it only takes 35 minutes. If you're renting a self-catering cottage in Kent, you can hop across to stock up on cheaper wine and beer, cheaper cigarettes if you smoke, plus lovely French cheeses and groceries to stock your cupboards.

Touring in the south of England? Pop across the channel for lunch, a visit to Northern France and a change of scene.