There are 7 ways to get from London to Calais by train, bus, car, car ferry, 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
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Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Lille Europe
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Take the train from Lille Europe to Calais Ville
Cheapest option
Rideshare
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Take the rideshare from London to Calais
5 alternative options
Train, bus
-
Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Lille Europe
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Take the bus from Lille to Calais
Drive, car ferry
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Drive from London to Dover
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Take the car ferry from Dover to Calais
Bus, car ferry
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Take the bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Dover
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Take the car ferry from Dover to Calais
Bus, car ferry via Dover
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Take the bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Dover
-
Take the car ferry from Dover to Calais
Drive, Eurotunnel
-
Drive from London to Folkestone
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Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthun
Travel safe during COVID-19
International entry into France from United Kingdom
- Entry is partially open for citizens and permanent residents of United Kingdom
Conditions of entry into France from United Kingdom
- Travellers must present a negative COVID-19 test as either a RT-PCR performed within 72 hours prior to arrival, or an Antigen test performed within 48 hours prior to arrival
- Travellers with a certificate of vaccination are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test
- Health declaration required
- Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test (certificate needed)
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- Entry is allowed only for fully vaccinated travellers
- Travellers must present a negative COVID-19 test as either a RT-PCR performed within 72 hours prior to arrival, or an Antigen test performed within 48 hours prior to arrival
- Travellers with a certificate of vaccination are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test
- Health declaration required
- Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test (certificate needed)
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Rules to follow in France
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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 not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are mandatory
- There is a social distancing requirement of 1 metre
- Health pass is required for long-distance travel by plane, train or coach, as well as in some public venues
- 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, returning to United Kingdom from France is currently allowed.
See options for return travel.
Last updated: 17 May 2022
Exceptions may apply, for full details: European Union.
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This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
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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 rideshare which costs £7 - £21 and takes 2h 54m.
No, there is no direct train from London to Calais. However, there are services departing from London St Pancras Intl and arriving at Calais Ville via Lille Europe. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 12m.
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 12m and costs £95 - £320.
It takes approximately 3h 12m to get from London to Calais, including transfers.
London to Calais train services, operated by Eurostar, depart from London St Pancras Intl station.
Calais is 1h ahead of London. It is currently 2:36 AM in London and 3:36 AM in Calais.
London to Calais train services, operated by TGV inOui, arrive at Calais Ville station.
There are 84+ hotels available in Calais. Prices start at €87 per night.
- Distance: 151.3 km
- Duration: 3h 12m
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 12m.
Rome2rio's guide to Eurostar
Contact Details
- Phone
- +44 343 218 6186
- Website
- eurostar.com
Train from London St Pancras Intl to Lille Europe
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- 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
- sncf-connect.com
Train from Lille Europe to Calais Ville
- Ave. Duration
- 46 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- €28 - €40
- Website
- Oui.SNCF
- 2nd Class
- €33 - €38
- 1st Class
- €28 - €33
- Phone
- +44 (0) 8443 35 35 35
- Website
- eurotunnel.com
Car train from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthun
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Website
- Eurotunnel
As the bus subsidiary of French railway SNCF, Ouibus offers eco-friendly coaches serving 35 French cities and 10 European cities at affordable fares. Ouibus journeys are safe and comfortable, with the four-star coaches offering power outlets, restrooms and WiFi. All Ouibus stations are located close to town centres for easy access to public transport. Getting on one of the 130 daily journeys is easy - electronic travel documents include your ticket and a personalised mini-guide with handy information.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +33 1 71 53 01 80
- Website
- blablacar.fr
Bus from Lille to Calais
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- €8 - €11
- Website
- Blablabus
One of Europe’s leading bus companies, Flixbus serves 2000+ destinations in 29 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Croatia and into Scandinavia and eastern Europe, as well as some US cities. Coaches have toilets, free WiFi and power outlets, plus snacks and drinks for purchase on board. Flixbus is a good choice for the budget-conscious traveller; purchase tickets in advance for the cheapest fares (note: there is no option to reserve a seat in advance).
Rome2rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Dover
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- €9 - €11
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
- Phone
- +45 33 42 30 10
- incoming@dfdsseaways.dk
- Website
- dfds.com
Car ferry from Dover to Calais
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €80 - €140
- Website
- dfds.co.uk
- Standard Car - Economy
- €80 - €140
- Standard Car - Premium
- €120 - €180
- Phone
- 01304 448866.
- Website
- poferries.com
Car ferry from Dover to Calais
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €21 - €30
- Website
- P&O Ferries
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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