Eurotunnel busy

The well-publicised problems for P&O Ferries on the Dover to Calais cross-Channel route has meant a boom for Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, which misses out the busy port and is just off the M20 prior to Folkestone.

The Channel Tunnel is the longest undersea tunnel in the world at 38km long.

Although the Channel Tunnel linking the UK to mainland Europe has been open for 27 years, there still seems to be abundant confusion between the two popular train services that use it – Eurotunnel and Eurostar are completely separate organisations with the passenger train company one of the tunnel operators’ largest clients.

Eurotunnel points out that when things return to normal it has several advantages over the sea crossing including not being weather dependent.  Folkestone is 10 miles nearer to London, which does not sound much but that 10 miles can often get clogged up with heavy lorries.

Le Shuttle carries freight and all forms of vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, campervans, caravans, coaches and lorries. You cannot travel as a foot passenger on Eurotunnel, but you are able to take a bicycle.

Only assistance dogs are allowed on Eurostar trains whilst Eurotunnel allows you to travel with a pet for an additional cost of £22 each way (assistance dogs are exempt), providing you have the necessary paperwork.  

Eurotunnel currently runs two-three shuttle departures per hour, likely to increase to four in the summer. The busiest day of 2022 so far was 19 February, on which 8,500 passenger vehicles were transported on Le Shuttle.

Eurotunnel has lounges at both departure points for drivers with Flex tickets.  Park your car, use the facilities, and then take the next shuttle.

www.eurotunnel.com

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