It’s easy to be confused by LeShuttle (formerly Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) and Eurostar – they share use of the Channel Tunnel, the 32-mile long undersea crossing between England and France, but they are not the same form of transport.
Eurostar is a passenger train service that operates between London St Pancras and destinations in Europe, including Paris, Lille and Brussels. LeShuttle is a car train service with 35-minute crossings from Folkestone to Calais.
Are LeShuttle (formerly Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) & Eurostar the same company?
Eurostar and LeShuttle are completely different companies. To be specific, LeShuttle is operated by Getlink, the company which owns and operates the Channel Tunnel, the infrastructure connecting the UK with France. Eurostar is a customer of Getlink and runs its passenger trains through the tunnel. Whichever you choose, Eurostar and LeShuttle will get you easily and quickly from the UK into France – but there may be differences in the destinations available and the travel experience.
These are the three different tunnels that connect Folkestone in Kent to Calais in France
What do LeShuttle & Eurostar offer?
|
Eurostar runs passenger trains from St Pancras International to destinations in Europe, plus connecting services throughout France, Belgium, Holland, and a limited connection into Germany. Eurostar does not currently stop at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International, and no longer offers a seasonal service to the French Alps. From June 2024 to January 2025 Eurostar will also not operate its service to and from Amsterdam. This is due to renovation work at Amsterdam Centraal Station.
|
LeShuttle is a car train service. We carry freight and all forms of vehicle, including cars, motorbikes, campervans, caravans, coaches, and lorries. With up to seven departures an hour, LeShuttle is the most flexible and one of the fastest ways to cross the Channel.
Do LeShuttle & Eurostar use the same tunnel?
Yes, both Eurostar and LeShuttle use the same tunnel. The Channel Tunnel (also known as the Eurotunnel or ‘Chunnel’) is the longest undersea tunnel in the world at 38km long. It is made up of three tunnels, each 50km long, that link Folkestone in Kent to Calais in France. Two are rail tunnels, used for freight and passenger trains, and the third is a service tunnel. Eurostar is one of Getlink's biggest customers.
On board LeShuttle
Can you take your car on Eurostar?
Eurostar only run passenger trains, so you cannot take your own vehicle using this mode of transport. Therefore, when planning your journey, you need to decide if you would like to drive your own vehicle once you are across the Channel. Driving will allow for greater baggage allowances. If you want to travel to some destinations, such as Amsterdam, driving might be the better option.
Can you be a foot passenger on LeShuttle?
At LeShuttle we can only allow you to travel in or on a vehicle – be that your own or as part of a coach trip. You cannot travel as a foot passenger, but you are able to take a bicycle. If you don’t need or want to drive your vehicle for your trip, you can travel as a foot passenger on Eurostar.
Can I take my pet on the Eurostar and LeShuttle?
Only on LeShuttle. Eurostar do not currently allow passengers to travel with any pets, unless you’re travelling with an assistance dog. LeShuttle allows you to travel with your pet. This costs £22 each way (applicable for dogs, cats & ferrets), but this is not charged for assistance dogs.
Travelling with your horse? We can cater for them too.
Your pets stay with you during the crossing on LeShuttle
How long does it take to go through the Eurotunnel?
LeShuttle trains are designed to carry you and your vehicle, regardless of type, through the Channel Tunnel to France in just 35 minutes.
What do you see in the Eurotunnel?
The Channel Tunnel was built through the ground material under the sea, so when you are travelling in the tunnel you don’t actually see anything. At its deepest point it is 75 metres below sea level, and an average of 40 metres below the sea bed. Find out more fascinating facts about the Channel Tunnel.
How long is a Eurostar Chunnel crossing?
Eurostar trains take 20 minutes to pass through the Channel Tunnel. Although the French capital might not be your final destination, the Eurostar service takes approximately two and a half hours to reach Paris from London.
What destinations do Eurostar & LeShuttle (formerly Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) offer?
|
London, Paris, Lille, Brussels and Amsterdam are the main Eurostar destinations - although as we have mentioned, the service to and from Amsterdam will be disrupted in 2024. Other stops depending on the service and season have in the past included Calais, Lille, Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Marne-la-Vallée (for Disneyland® Paris), and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
LeShuttle takes passengers from Folkestone, Kent, UK, to Calais in France. You can plan unique trips that you set the pace for, and with no baggage restrictions, into the rest of France, Belgium, Germany or the Netherlands.
|
LeShuttle travels from Folkestone UK to Calais in France
Which is better for Disneyland® Paris – LeShuttle or Eurostar?
|
If you are heading to Disneyland® Paris, your travel options have changed.
Eurostar no longer run its direct service to Marne-la-Vallée for the Disneyland® parks and hotels. Eurostar passengers will need to change trains and stations in order to get to Disneyland® Paris. You can still only take a certain amount of luggage and you won’t be able to experience the comfort of travelling in your own vehicle. Once you arrive, you will need to arrange any extra transport yourself.
By comparison it is easy to travel from London to Paris by car, for a family trip to Disneyland® Paris. Once you have arrived in Calais, you can plan your onward journey at your own pace. You can take as much luggage as you can fit in your car!
|
The magical entry to Disneyland® Paris, easily accessible from the LeShuttle terminal
Can you take the Channel Tunnel from London to Paris?
No, the Channel Tunnel runs from Folkestone to Calais. LeShuttle customers can then drive to Paris in their own vehicles. Eurostar trains use the Channel Tunnel as part of its service to Paris, but trains do not go directly to Disneyland® Paris.