There are 7 ways to get from London to Calais by train, car, car ferry, bus and ferry, bus, rideshare or car train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Train • 3h
115€ - 375€
Cheapest option
Rideshare • 2h 54m
8€ - 25€
5 alternative options
Drive, car ferry • 4h 6m
35€ - 50€
Train, car ferry • 5h 38m
63€ - 101€
Bus and ferry, train • 5h 57m
37€ - 52€
Bus, car ferry • 7h 13m
82€ - 109€
Drive, Eurotunnel • 1h 57m
166€ - 172€
Travel safe during COVID-19
International entry into France from United Kingdom
- Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of United Kingdom
Restricted for: Foreign nationals from outside EU Schengen Area with the above exceptions
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Conditions of entry into France from United Kingdom
- Negative COVID-19 test issued at most 3 days before arrival
- Health screen upon arrival. Those showing symptoms will be asked to self-quarantine
- Health declaration required
- Mandatory installation of smart phone app for contact purposes
- 7-day mandatory self-quarantine and COVID-19 test at the end of the isolation period
Show more details
- Negative COVID-19 test issued at most 3 days before arrival
- Health screen upon arrival. Those showing symptoms will be asked to self-quarantine
- Health declaration required
- Mandatory installation of smart phone app for contact purposes
- 7-day mandatory self-quarantine and COVID-19 test at the end of the isolation period
- Exempted International Movement Certificate for travel required
Show less
Rules to follow in France
1m
Mandatory
Considerations leaving from United Kingdom
The official advice is to avoid non-essential international travel to high risk countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but conditions apply when entering France from United Kingdom.
Explore options for future travelDomestic travel is restricted
- Face masks are mandatory
- There is a social distancing requirement of 1 metre
- Nationwide control measures in place
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Calais is 800 130 000.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Calais is mandatory.
The social distance requirement in Calais is 1 metre.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800 130 000.
No, but conditions apply when returning to United Kingdom from France.
See options for return travel.
Last updated: 11 May 2021
Exceptions may apply, for full details: European Union.
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from London to Calais is to rideshare which costs £7 - £21 and takes 2h 54m.
The quickest way to get from London to Calais is to drive and Eurotunnel which costs £140 - £150 and takes 1h 57m.
No, there is no direct train from London to Calais. However, there are services departing from London St Pancras Eurostar and arriving at Calais Ville via Lille Europe. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h.
The distance between London and Calais is 151 km.
The best way to get from London to Calais without a car is to train which takes 3h and costs £95 - £330.
It takes approximately 3h to get from London to Calais, including transfers.
London to Calais train services, operated by Eurostar, depart from London St Pancras Eurostar station.
Calais is 1h ahead of London. It is currently 8:00 AM in London and 9:00 AM in Calais.
London to Calais train services, operated by TGV inOui, arrive at Calais Ville station.
There are 82+ hotels available in Calais. Prices start at 75€ per night.
- Distance: 151.3 km
- Duration: 3h
What companies run services between London, England and Calais, France?
You can take a train from London King's Cross to Calais via Lille Europe in around 3h.
Rome2rio's guide to Eurostar
Contact Details
- Phone
- +44 343 218 6186
- Website
- eurostar.com
Train from London St Pancras Eurostar to Lille Europe
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 22m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 85€ - 340€
- Website
- Eurostar
- Business Premier
- 300€ - 340€
- Standard
- 85€ - 110€
- Standard Premier
- 130€ - 170€
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France’s high-speed TGV train network runs at speeds of up to 320km/h connecting major cities across France and into neighbouring countries. All TGV tickets include a seat reservation; seating is 1+2 in 1st class, 2+2 in 2nd class. Popular routes include Paris to Marseille and Paris to Strasbourg. Most TGVs have a cafe area, power points at each seat and WiFi.
Contact Details
- Phone
- 0033 892 353535
- Website
- en.oui.sncf
Train from Lille Europe to Calais Ville
- Ave. Duration
- 38 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- 28€ - 40€
- Website
- Oui.SNCF
- 2nd Class
- 33€ - 38€
- 1st Class
- 28€ - 33€
- Phone
- +44 345 322 7021
- Website
- southeasternrailway.co.uk
Train from London Charing Cross to Dover Priory
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 52m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 40€ - 75€
- Schedules at
- ojp.nationalrail.co.uk
- Schedules at
- southeasternrailway.co.uk
- Anytime
- 40€ - 60€
- 1st Class
- 50€ - 75€
- Phone
- +44 (0) 8443 35 35 35
- Website
- eurotunnel.com
Car train from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthun
- Ave. Duration
- 25 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- 153€
- Website
- Eurotunnel
- Phone
- 02/989 0000
- Website
- union-ivkoni.com
Bus and ferry from London to Lille
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 19m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- 9€ - 13€
- Schedules at
- union-ivkoni.com
National Express Coaches are a quick and convenient way of travelling around the UK. Over 550 National Express coaches run on Britain's roads every day, serving over 900 destinations across the UK. National Express Coaches carry around 19 million passenger journeys every year. For added convenience, National Express operate coach services to all major UK airports 24 hours per day, and is on its way to being 100% wheelchair accessible. The company also has a 24-hour control centre that receives a GPS signal to update on location, speed and the temperature inside coaches, ensuring the smoothest journey possible.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +44 08717 818178
- Website
- nationalexpress.com
Bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Dover
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- 7€ - 10€
- Website
- National Express
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- Phone
- 01304 448866.
- Website
- poferries.com
Car ferry from Dover to Calais
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 21€ - 30€
- Website
- P&O Ferries
- Phone
- +45 33 42 30 10
- incoming@dfdsseaways.dk
- Website
- dfds.com
Car ferry from Dover to Calais
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- 75€ - 100€
- Website
- dfds.co.uk
- Standard Car - Economy
- 75€ - 100€
- Standard Car - Flexi
- 120€ - 150€
Blablacar is a popular ridesharing platform with 70 million users over 22 (mostly European) countries. The basic idea is that you carpool with locals who are already planning to drive your route and have space in their car. With some flexibility, you’ll get to your destination often faster and cheaper than other means. On the website or app, enter your departure and arrival points and your date of travel, sift through the profiles of drivers who’ve posted pre-planned drives and find one whose timing and preferences match yours. Request to join the ride, wait to be accepted, and pay your share of the set price.
Rome2rio's guide to BlaBlaCar
Contact Details
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from London to Calais
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 54m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- 8€ - 25€
- Book at
- blablacar.co.uk
Want to know more about travelling around France
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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