Vehicle Pricing Guide • April 2026
Your Eurotunnel fare depends on what you are driving. Here is the full breakdown of pricing by vehicle type, with size restrictions and ferry alternatives.
Up to 1.85m height, no roof box
£49–£169
per crossing
Carriage
Max Height
Max Length
Ferry Alternative
Most common booking category
Total vehicle height 1.85m–2.05m
£65–£189
per crossing
Carriage
Max Height
Max Length
Ferry Alternative
Must declare at booking, assigned to single-deck carriage
Car + trailer/caravan combination
£79–£219
per crossing
Carriage
Max Height
Max Length
Ferry Alternative
Maximum combined length 18m
Over 1.85m height or 6m length
£89–£239
per crossing
Carriage
Max Height
Max Length
Ferry Alternative
Height and length must be declared accurately
All motorcycle types
£35–£89
per crossing
Carriage
Max Height
Max Length
Ferry Alternative
Biker Saver deals available off-peak
Motorhome towing a car on trailer
£110–£289
per crossing
Carriage
Max Height
Max Length
Ferry Alternative
Book as Motorhome + Trailer category
All prices are approximate and vary by ticket type, season, and demand. Prices last verified April 2026.
Le Shuttle trains consist of two types of carriage: double-deck and single-deck. Understanding which one your vehicle will be assigned to is important because it affects both price and availability.
Standard cars under 1.85 metres in height are loaded onto double-deck carriages, where vehicles drive onto either the upper or lower level. These carriages form the majority of each Le Shuttle train and offer the most spaces per departure. If your car is a standard saloon, hatchback, estate, or SUV under 1.85m, you will almost certainly be on a double-deck carriage. This is the cheapest option as there are more spaces available.
Vehicles over 1.85 metres in height, including motorhomes, campervans, vans, cars with roof boxes, and cars towing caravans or trailers, are assigned to single-deck carriages with a maximum height clearance of 4.2 metres. These carriages have fewer spaces, so booking in advance is more important, particularly during school holidays when many motorhome and caravan owners cross to France. The maximum combined length for a car with trailer or caravan is 18 metres.
Measure the total height of your vehicle including any roof rack, roof box, bicycle rack, or load. Measure from the ground to the highest point. For towed vehicles, measure the combined length from the front of the towing vehicle to the rear of the caravan or trailer. Always declare accurate dimensions at booking. If you arrive at the terminal and your vehicle is larger than declared, you may be reassigned to a different carriage, delayed, or charged a supplement.
If your vehicle runs on LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) or carries gas cylinders (common in motorhomes and caravans), you must declare this at booking and at check-in. LPG-powered vehicles may have specific requirements for the crossing. Gas cylinders must be turned off and secured. Le Shuttle accepts LPG vehicles but they may be assigned to specific carriages for safety reasons. Failure to declare LPG can result in being denied boarding.
You can take a hire car on the Eurotunnel, but you need written permission from the rental company. Not all hire companies allow their vehicles to be taken abroad, and those that do may charge a cross-border supplement. Companies like Enterprise, Hertz, and Europcar generally allow cross-Channel travel with advance notice and appropriate insurance. Bring the hire company's written authorisation letter and ensure your insurance covers driving in France. You will also need the vehicle's V5C registration document or a VE103 certificate from the hire company.
Roof boxes and roof-mounted bike racks are permitted on the Eurotunnel. However, they increase your vehicle's overall height and may push you from a double-deck to a single-deck carriage if the total exceeds 1.85m. A typical saloon car is around 1.45m; adding a roof box typically brings the total to 1.8–2.0m, which is right at the boundary. Measure carefully. Rear-mounted bike racks do not affect height but do increase the vehicle's overall length. Ensure all items are securely fastened as you will not be able to access the roof rack during the crossing.
Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are welcome on Le Shuttle at no extra charge. They are priced the same as equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles. There are no restrictions on battery type or capacity. EV charging points are available at the Folkestone terminal, though they can be busy during peak times. Plan your journey to arrive with sufficient charge to drive off the train at Calais and reach your first charging point in France. The Cite Europe shopping centre near the Calais terminal has charging facilities.
For standard cars, the Eurotunnel and ferry are competitively priced, with ferries slightly cheaper on average. But for larger vehicles, the difference becomes more significant.
Motorhomes and campervans: Ferries are often substantially cheaper. DFDS offers motorhome crossings from £75 compared to £90+ on Le Shuttle. For a large motorhome in peak summer, the savings can be £100 or more per crossing. Ferries also have no height or length concerns, your motorhome simply drives on and off.
Caravans and trailers: Ferries are again generally cheaper and easier. P&O offers car-plus-caravan crossings from £85 versus £110+ on Le Shuttle. The 18m length restriction on the Eurotunnel can be tight for larger caravans.
Motorcycles: Pricing is similar between tunnel and ferry. DFDS offers motorcycle crossings from £35, while Eurotunnel starts from around £39. The choice often comes down to personal preference, the quick tunnel crossing is convenient, but some bikers enjoy the ferry experience.
Full Eurotunnel vs Ferry comparison