I travelled the Chunnel Tunnel for this first time and this is what you need to know before your trip
Getting to London by land and under sea!
Two months ago, my husband and I moved to one of the best hubs for travelling in the entire world: Paris. So when we got an invitation to go to my sister-in-law’s grad school graduation in England, I had two questions: What am I going to wear? And how are we getting there? After pulling out an old polka-dotted romper (American romper, not British romper) from our overflowing suitcases, I had the answer to the first question. Now for question number two: getting there.
As an American newly arrived in Europe, my first instinct was to fly – if you have ever ridden cross-country trains in the states, you’ll understand why. But here’s a little something about me. I hate flying. I hate the long security lines, aggressive fellow passengers, tight seats, the endless coughing (cover your mouths folks!), and, above all, turbulence. So I took a deep breath and Googled cheap flights to London. And guess what appeared? Flights to London, but boy were they not cheap.
But do you know what was cheap? Train tickets from Paris to London. Now Americans aren’t typically experts in European geography, but I did know that there was a little something separating the UK and France – and no I’m not talking about their opinions on each other’s cuisines. I’m talking about the English Channel. So, how was a train possible? That’s when I stumbled upon my new best friend, the Chunnel Tunnel.
And if you haven’t noticed yet, I am what the French call an “angoissée” (anxious) American, so I learned everything I could about the fondly named “Chunnel” before hopping aboard. So here’s the (anxious) traveler’s guide to traveling the Chunnel Tunnel.
What is the Channel Tunnel?
The Channel Tunnel is the 50 kilometre (31 mile) railway that was built under the English Channel. It is made up of 3 distinct tunnels: one for train travel towards the UK, one for travel towards France, and another for safety and security management. Each of these tunnels has a diameter of 7.6 metres (25 feet). Passengers can ride aboard the train or even inside their cars stored on designated railcars. To this day, it is the world’s largest undersea tunnel.
Fun fact: It’s colloquially called the Chunnel, combining the two words “Channel” and “Tunnel.”
The history of this engineering marvel
Today, the Channel Tunnel is the only fixed link between mainland Europe and Great Britain. Before the 1980s, though, the only way to easily travel across the Channel was via often-delayed ferries and boats. The idea to create such a tunnel as a solution to these issues had been discussed for ages – including by Napoleon Bonaparte himself – but it wasn’t until 1986 that the official proposal was accepted, and until 1987 that work began. For the next 5 years, over 30,000 workers constructed the Chunnel that we know and love today. Now, an average of 50,000 people use the tunnel each day.
A pretty penny…pence…for a pretty tunnel
This masterpiece, like most masterpieces, cost a fortune, the total being £4.65 billion (which is around £12 billion in today's money). There are also, of course, major ongoing expenses that keep the trains moving and the passengers secure. But all of these significant investments have been and continue to be reimbursed through improved connectivity between mainland Europe and the UK, easier travel for passengers and daily commuters, and increased tourism and trade.
Train operators that run Chunnel routes
Today, there are only two train providers that use the Chunnel:
Eurostar: Eurostar is the sleek, high-speed passenger rail travel provider that connects mainland Europe with the UK and other major cities in Europe. Many people even assume that the Chunnel is the property of Eurostar, but that’s not the case. Another entirely different operator that exists is…
LeShuttle: Want to take your car across the English Channel from the UK from London? With LeShuttle, the only challenging part of doing this will be adjusting to driving on the other side of the road! Be careful out there folks.
Reaching the Chunnel from nearby train stations
Some of Western Europe’s most travelled cities have connections with the Chunnel, including:
London: The main terminal for Eurostar trains is St Pancras International station in London.
Paris: Gare du Nord in Paris is another popular hub that passes through the Chunnel. From Gare du Nord, visitors can easily connect to Disneyland Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and other nearby countries.
Brussels: Brussels Midi/Zuid station is another main hub. Like Paris, Brussels serves as an optimal location to make connections with endless cities across Europe.
Amsterdam: The most recent location to be added to this operator’s coverage, the Eurostar runs direct service between London, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam.
The future of travel through the Channel Tunnel
Always at the forefront of innovation, the teams behind the Chunnel are working to make this an even greener mode of transportation – although train travel is already the most environmentally-friendly method that exists today.
Plus, you’ll soon have more options for accessing the Chunnel. More international companies, besides just the Eurostar, have announced that they will be offering services through the Chunnel in coming years. This will allow for more competitive prices and more route options.
Ready to hop on the next train through the Chunnel? Or do you have a few more questions? I did, so here are the concerns I had on top of mind before setting off to foggy London town.
Frequently asked questions about Chunnel travel:
How long is the Chunnel? How long are you underwater during the journey?
This was the first thing I was wondering, myself. I imagined hours underwater with no way to escape (remember when I said I was a bit of an anxious person)? I’m here to tell you that it is one of the best travelling experiences I have ever had. You are only in the underground Chunnel for about 30-35 minutes. And during that time I was watching Netflix using the free onboard Wi-Fi and did not even realize we were underground. But then again, I can ignore even a tornado if the Great British Bake Off is on.
Still not convinced? Think about it this way. Most trains in Europe go through multiple tunnels along their journeys. The tunnels often rack up to more than 30-35 minutes of travel. With the Chunnel, you get to take care of all of the tunnels in one go.
How long is the journey from Paris to London on the Eurostar in total?
Two and a half hours – seriously, that’s it!
Why is using the Chunnel better than flying?
Not only is going by train safer, greener, and more fun, but also, just think about the time it would take to get to the airport, go through security, manage flight delays, fly there, wait for your plane to taxi, wait at baggage, and then finally get another ride from the airport outside of town to the city centre? Thanks to the chummy Chunnel, the Eurostar cruises from city centre to city centre without you even having to think twice about it.
P.S. One of my biggest pet peeves of air travel is not being able to bring my own water or snacks through security. When riding a Eurostar train, you can take those items with you on the train! No more paying four times the prices for a bottle of water at the airport.
The view from the train: is it really like riding in a fishbowl?
I’ll admit it. Yes, I did think you might be able to see fish when riding the Chunnel. So for your information, no, no you cannot. The view is just like a regular tunnel. Sigh.
How fast can trains travel through the Chunnel?
The Eurostar train can go a head-turning 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour). When it goes through the Chunnel, though, it can max out at speeds of 160 kilometres (100 miles) per hour.
Does it get hot and stuffy when you are in the Chunnel?
Nope! Again, this engineering marvel has an incredible ventilation system that keeps the air fresh and safe for all passengers.
Is there a way to get out of the Chunnel if there is an emergency?
Great question fellow anxious folks, and yes, safety is the number one concern for train operators using the Chunnel. There are multiple emergency exits along the route of the tunnel for evacuation in case of emergency.
Do passengers have to pass through immigration?
Yes, passengers and cargo must pass through customs and immigration checks on both the UK and French sides. Because of this, you will want to arrive for your train a bit earlier than you would for a train within one single country. I’d recommend 45 minutes to an hour at least. Remember that because you are crossing borders, you do need your passport to travel.
Can I bring luggage on my trip? Does it cost extra?
Your ticket on a Eurostar train includes luggage. And unlike air travel, the only weight limit of your luggage is if you can carry it or not.
Once you arrive at the airport, you will then run the bag through security as you go through customs. You will not have to hand off your luggage to the rail operator as you would on an airline. You can store your luggage in the comparents above your seat or in the designated luggage area between train cars.
Can I use my Eurail or Interrail Global Pass to ride Eurostar routes that go through the Chunnel?
Yes, your Global Pass covers Eurostar trips, but you will need to make and pay for a seat reservation in advance. These trains are highly popular, especially during the summer months or big events in the city.
What kind of amenities can I expect onboard a Eurostar train going through the Chunnel?
Eurostar trains offer free Wifi, power outlets, tables, comfortable seats, a restroom, and two café carriages. Do note that the amenities do depend on the class of ticket you purchased. See below for more information.
Are there different classes of service aboard a Eurostar train? Or are all seats and areas the same?
There are different classes of service that you can choose from depending on if you want more space, more perks, more flexibility, or more savings.
- Business Premier: With pluses like early boarding and lounges in certain stations, choosing Business Premier ensures you a luxe travel experience. You will enjoy spacious leather seats equipped with individual power sockets and will even have a three-course meal served right at your seat. Plus, you can decide which kind of meal you would prefer, like vegetarian or kosher, for example.
- While not just for business travellers, this seating area is ideal for someone who may need flexibility in their train departure times. This ticket is entirely flexible. Say you are traveling in Business Premier and you have an unexpected meeting come up. Feel free to change your departure time at no extra cost.
- Eurostar Standard Premier: Similar to Business Premier, these spacious seats provide amenities like power sockets and a light meal.
- Note that these tickets are only partially flexible.
- Eurostar Standard Class: While this area has less seating space onboard, you will still ride in comfort with luggages racks, Wifi, and a nearby cafe car where you can purchase refreshments.
- These tickets will be the cheapest of all ticketing classes. My husband and I rode in Eurostar Standard Class and we found it to be exceptionally comfortable and spacious.
Featured journeys
London to Brussels from US$65.38
Be like me and become a Chunnel fan for life!
So, we made it from Paris to London without any hiccups and with a couple of stops to the cafe car for some snacks and coffee. Don’t wait for an invitation to a graduation to go see the world. All you need is a single train ticket and you’ll be whizzing through meadows, speeding under water, and zooming into some of the most exciting cities in the world.
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