Can You Drive From England to France? Ultimate Travel Guide
Can you drive from England to France? Short answer yes but also no.
Confused?
England and France are separated by a body of water known as the English Channel.
However, it is possible to take your car from England to France.
Find out how you can drive from England to France, the different options, how much it will cost and how long it will take.
Most travellers will take the Eurostar or fly from England to France but taking your car means you have more flexibility and you don’t need to worry about luggage limits.
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How long to does it take to drive from England to France?
In order to “drive” from England to France you need to cross the English channel.
You can take your car across the channel on either the ferry or the train.
Driving from England to France will take anywhere from three hours to 12 hours depending on where about in England you are travelling from and where in France you travelling to.
London to Calais will take approximately 3 hours, London to Paris will take 6 hours or if you’re travelling from the middle of England to the middle of France it will take 12 hours.
These times are of course, driving straight through without any stops, but if you are driving from Birmmingham to Lyon, for example, you might want to take a couple of days to complete the journey and turn it in a road trip.
What is the distance from England to France?
Depending on where your destination is in France the distance will vary but it is roughly 600 miles (965 kilometers).
From Central London to Paris is 289 miles (465.1 kilometers). Where as from the Midlands to Lyon is 703 miles (1131 kilometers) and Manchester to Marseille is 987 miles (1588.4 kilometers).
How to get from England to France using the train?
The Channel Tunnel is railway tunnel that was built under the English Channel to connect England with France at the Strait of Dover.
The Channel Tunnel is 31 miles (50 kilometers) long and is the only tunnel that connects the United Kingdom with Europe.
Foot passengers (those without a car) generally take the Eurostar from London to Paris.
When driving UK to France, the quickest option is to use the Eurotunnel to cross the English Channel.
The train departs from the terminal at Folkestone in England, which is easily reached from the M25 and the M20. The train arrives to France at the terminal in Calais.
From the terminal in Folkestone to the terminal in Calais takes 35 minutes. You do not exit your car during the journey.
You are also able to bring your pets in the car with you which is great for those wanting to travel with the whole family.
You are able to check in two hours before departure and it is advised that you allow at least one hour to go through check in and passport control.
There are four departures per hour so you should be able to find a crossing that fits in with your journey.
How much does it cost to travel on the Eurotunnel?
Tickets will costs between £87 (for less than 5 days) and £260 Depending on the type of ticket you choose to purchase.
If you are planning short stay (less than 5 days) tickets are around £87 and a FlexSaverPlus will set you back £260.
The prices are dependent on the number of vehicles not the number of people. If you have 5 people in one car travelling for less than 5 days it will cost £87 each way.
If you have one person travelling for less than 5 days it will £87 each way.
It is best to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. You can book your tickets here.
How to get from England to France using the Ferry?
The second option to travel from England to France is to take the Ferry.
The Ferry departs from Dover in England and has two terminals in France. You can enter France in either Dunkirk or Calais.
The Ferry journey take two hours and is a little like going on a very short cruise.
You must leave your car when you have parked on the Ferry. You will be able to take in the views from the deck, enjoy some just free shopping (20% off regular prices? Yes please), refuel with a meal in the restaurants and have a wee rest before continuing your journey.
There are plenty of options when it comes to times as there are 24 crossings through out the day, from early in the morning to at night. You should be able to find a time that suits your journey.
Check in for each crossing closes 45 minutes before departure, so make sure you are not late or you will not be permitted to board.
All ferry crossings are pet friendly, so feel free to bring your pooch for your journey.
How much does it cost to travel on the Ferry?
No matter whether you are travelling to Dunkirk or Calais tickets begin at £68 each car for a one way ticket up to £118 per car for a one way ticket.
You have two options for tickets – Economy tickets or Premium tickets:
Economy tickets:
- Travel on one sailing before or after your booked time for free
- Includes a £10 per person charge for each passenger, where there is more than four people per car (unless the passenger is under 3 years of age)
- Include £50 fee for travel within 24 hours of booking
- Include a fee where tickets need to be amended
Premium tickets:
- Allow you to amend your booking up to 72 hours either side of your booking for free
- Full refund 48 hours before your booking time
- No admin fees for amendments, you may need to pay the price difference if there is one
No matter the ticket you choose, prices are cheapest before 8am and get more expensive as the day progresses.
Prices are also much higher the closer you get to the day of travel so, if possible, book in advance to get the best price possible.
Wrap Up: Can you drive from England to France?
Flying from England to France is much quicker, it is often more convenient to drive, you have more flexibility at your destination and you are in charge of how much luggage you can take.
You can also travel with your beloved pooch and bring a caravan if you are going on a camping holiday.
Are you planning are an England to France road trip next summer? Let me know in the comments below.
FAQs: Driving from England to France
Can you drive through the Channel tunnel?
Whilst you can’t actually drive a car or motorcycle (or any other vehicle) through the Channel tunnel yourself you are able to drive onto a train which will take you through the Channel tunnel.
The Eurotunnel (or Le Shuttle) departs from Folkstone in England and arrives in Calais in France.
How much does it cost to drive from UK to France?
Depending on whether you are you are taking the train or the Ferry and the number of people that are travelling in your car. It will cost approximately £250 to drive from the UK to France.
This prices includes the cost of your ticket and the petrol that you may use on your journey. Of course, this will differ slightly depending on where you are travelling from in England and where are travelling to in France.
If you are travelling with a car of four people it will cost approximately £62 per person.
How long is a car ride from England to France?
Depending on where you are leaving from in England and arriving in France the journey may be as quick as three hours from London to Paris.
Or it maybe as long as 12 hours from the Midlands to Lyon.
Let me know in the comments below if you have driven from England to France (or France to England). I’d love to hear your experiences.
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