Folkestone Ferry

Folkestone LeShuttle Terminal Guide

The LeShuttle is a service that operates between the UK town of Folkestone and the city of Calais in France. It officially opened in 1994 by Queen Elizabeth II and François Mitterrand. LeShuttle offers a speedy and sustainable way of crossing the Channel Tunnel. 

Allowing you to take your car, pets and as much luggage as you wish, it’s also a convenient way of getting from the UK to France and vice versa. The journey time between Folkestone and Calais takes just 35 minutes, so you can be in your destination in no time at all. It’s therefore the fastest way of crossing the Channel with a vehicle.

It was previously known as Eurotunnel LeShuttle but underwent a rebrand in 2023 under a new name of ‘LeShuttle’ in order to distinguish the service from the Eurotunnel infrastructure which is made up of 3 tunnels; 2 passenger tunnels and a service tunnel.

Where is Folkestone LeShuttle Terminal located?

The LeShuttle terminal in the UK is located on the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone, a coastal town in Kent in south-east England. It’s located around 4 miles from the centre of the town.

How to get to Folkestone terminal from the UK

Arriving by car

Reaching the Folkestone LeShuttle terminal by car is easy. Exit at Junction 11a off the M25 or M20. Bear in mind that if you’re joining from the M20, avoid the freight check-in by keeping to the two right hand lanes after the A20 exit. Once you’ve arrived at the terminal, just follow the signs on where to go next. You will need to arrive at the terminal in Folkestone at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure, with boarding starting 25 minutes before. Before you set off on your adventure to France, you will also need to go through border control so make sure you have your passport and any necessary documents ready to show.

From the North

• Head south on the M6 and then continue on the M1 southbound towards London. Then join the M25 clockwise and continue on the M20 eastbound towards Folkestone.

From London/South East

• Head southeast on the M20. Take Junction 11 and join the A20 southbound towards Folkestone. They’ll be plenty of signs for the terminal on your way.

From the Midlands

• Head south on the M40 towards London. Join the M25 clockwise towards the Dartford crossing and then continue on the M20 eastbound towards Folkestone.

From the South West

• Take the M4 east towards London. Join the M25 clockwise and continue on the M20 eastbound towards Folkestone.

Arriving at Folkestone terminal from France

Once you’ve arrived in Folkestone, just follow the signs and any directions from staff and you’re ready to go! The arrival process is super easy, with no border checks necessary as these will have been completed before you arrive.

Distance to major UK cities

• London: 70 miles / 1 hour 30 minutes 
• Birmingham: 198 miles / 3 hours 30 minutes 
• Manchester: 270 miles / 5 hours 
• Bristol: 165 miles / 3 hours 30 minutes 
• Cardiff: 218 miles / 4 hours

The nearest airport

• London Southend: 80 miles / 1 hour 30 minutes 
• London Gatwick: 75 miles / 1 hour 30 minutes 
• London City: 70 miles / 1 hour 40 minutes 
• London Heathrow: 84 miles / 1 hour 45 minutes

Folkestone terminal: services, amenities and more

Amenities

The LeShuttle terminal has all the amenities you need for an enjoyable journey. There are plenty of seating areas along with customer service, charging points, an ATM, WiFi, and accessible toilets with baby-changing facilities. If you’re travelling with your furry friends, you’ll also be able to make use of the pet exercise areas in the terminal. There are also shops including World Duty Free and WHSmith, along with a range of dining options such as Leon, Starbucks, La Gare and Burger King.

Parking at Folkestone terminal

There are no parking facilities at the terminal.

Accessibility

The Folkestone LeShuttle terminal is all on one level, making access easy for disabled passengers. There are also disabled toilets and Changing Places facilities at the terminal.

Pets

Pets are allowed in the terminal building. There is a dedicated pet reception where you can check them in. There are also exercise areas. Complimentary poop bags are also provided.

Luggage

There are no luggage storage facilities at the LeShuttle terminal.

Useful information

Folkestone LeShuttle terminal address: 
LeShuttle UK Terminal, 
Ashford Road, 
Folkestone, 
Kent, 
CT18 8XX 

General contact number: 
+44 (0) 3457 35 35 35

Visiting Folkestone

Fancy exploring Folkestone whilst you’re here? This vibrant coastal town has plenty to keep you occupied for a day trip or even something longer. The Creative Quarter is one of the town’s most exciting spots with colourful lanes lined with independent shops, art galleries and quirky cafes. Another exciting spot in Folkestone is the Harbour Arm, a buzzing pier that’s home to food stalls, coffee shops and bars. The pier also plays host to cool events including live music performances and film screenings. For an outdoor adventure, head to Sunny Sands Beach where you can relax on the golden sands or Lower Leas Coastal Park, an award-winning park that’s perfect for a scenic stroll.

Exploring the surrounding area

Once you’ve arrived in Folkestone, you can easily go on to explore the surrounding region with many popular destinations within reach. Dover, with its iconic White Cliffs and incredible medieval castle is around a 20-minute drive away, whereas the historic city of Canterbury with its famous cathedral, is around half an away. You’ve also got the traditional seaside towns of Margate and Whitstable about 1 hours’ drive from Folkestone. With a range of exciting attractions, they’re perfect for a fun-filled day out with the family.