Most people think of the journey from London to Paris as a choice between the Eurostar and a flight. But there's a third option that many travellers don't consider: a private car with a chauffeur, crossing the Channel on Le Shuttle through the Channel Tunnel. It takes longer than the train, but it's truly door to door — from your London home or hotel to your Paris address — with no stations, no airports, no luggage limits and no changes. For families with lots of bags, travellers with pets, or anyone who values privacy and comfort, it can be the best way to travel. This guide explains how London to Paris by car via Le Shuttle works, how long it takes, and who a door-to-door chauffeur journey suits.
How the route works
The journey has four stages:
- London to Folkestone: your chauffeur collects you at your home, hotel or office in London and drives about 1h30 to the Le Shuttle terminal at Folkestone, depending on traffic and your starting point.
- Border controls in the UK: UK exit checks and French border controls both take place at Folkestone before boarding, under the juxtaposed controls system.
- The crossing: Le Shuttle trains carry cars through the Channel Tunnel to Coquelles, near Calais, in about 35 minutes. You stay in your car throughout, and can step out to stretch your legs in the carriage.
- Calais to Paris: the drive from Calais to Paris is about 300 km via the A26 and A1 motorways, roughly 3 hours.
Total door to door: about 6 to 7 hours, depending on traffic, check-in times and stops.
The ferry alternative
Instead of the tunnel, the route can use the Dover to Calais ferry, a crossing of about 90 minutes. The ferry offers more space to walk around, restaurants and sea views, but takes longer overall and depends more on weather and port queues. Le Shuttle is usually faster and more predictable.
Who a chauffeur journey suits best
- Families with lots of luggage: no baggage allowances, no carrying suitcases through St Pancras or Gare du Nord. Everything goes in the car at your door and comes out at your destination.
- Travellers with pets: dogs and cats can travel by car through the Channel Tunnel with a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and the right health certificate. This is one of the main reasons people choose to travel by car.
- Moving or long stays: bikes, golf clubs, skis, musical instruments and boxes are no problem.
- Privacy and comfort: business travellers, VIPs and people who simply prefer not to share a train carriage.
- Older travellers and those with reduced mobility: no platforms, stairs or crowds.
- Stopovers: turn the journey into a trip — visit the Somme battlefields, the medieval city of Bruges, the Champagne region, or Lille.
Borders and documents
You'll need a valid passport for each traveller. Since the EU Entry/Exit System began, non-EU travellers — including UK citizens — are registered with fingerprints and a facial image on their first entry into the Schengen area, which can add time at the Folkestone border checks. Your chauffeur plans the schedule with a buffer for this.
Is it worth it compared with the Eurostar?
For one or two people travelling light, the Eurostar is usually faster and cheaper. But consider the whole journey: getting to St Pancras with luggage, check-in, the train, then a taxi from Gare du Nord. For a family of four to seven with suitcases, or anyone with a pet, a private car can be simpler and competitive per person. And you arrive at the door — not at a station.
What vehicles are available?
- Mercedes E-Class: up to three passengers with luggage.
- Mercedes V-Class: up to seven passengers and plenty of luggage.
- Mercedes S-Class or Maybach: for executive and VIP travel.
The return: Paris to London
The same service runs in the other direction, from any Paris address to London. Many clients book the outbound by Eurostar and the return by car, or the other way round, depending on how much they plan to bring back. Check the Luxberri deals page for current offers on long-distance transfers.
Planning the schedule
A smooth road journey from London starts with the crossing. Le Shuttle runs several departures an hour at busy times, and tickets are booked for a specific departure, with some flexibility depending on the fare. Your chauffeur company books the crossing and plans the pickup time backwards from it, allowing for London traffic, the M20 and border checks. Typical timings look like this:
- 7:00 — Pickup in central London.
- 8:45 — Arrive at Folkestone, check-in and border controls.
- 9:50 — Le Shuttle departs; arrive in Coquelles around 11:25 local time (France is one hour ahead of the UK).
- 11:30 to 14:30 — Drive to Paris, with a short lunch stop.
- 14:45 — Arrive at your Paris address.
Avoid Friday afternoons and the first days of UK school holidays if you can, when queues at Folkestone are longest.
Travelling with pets
For many families, pets are the deciding factor. To travel from the UK to France, dogs and cats need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an animal health certificate issued by a vet shortly before departure. Dogs also need tapeworm treatment before returning to the UK. Check the latest rules on gov.uk before you travel. Le Shuttle has a pet reception area at Folkestone where documents are checked. During the drive, your chauffeur plans regular stops so your pet can stretch and drink.
Stopover ideas
Turning the trip into a journey is one of the joys of travelling by car. Popular stops include the Somme battlefields and memorials around Albert and Thiepval; the medieval centre of Bruges, a short detour into Belgium; the Grand Place of Lille; the cathedral city of Amiens; or, for a longer day, a Champagne tasting near Reims before arriving in Paris.
More questions
Can we travel in a V-Class?
Yes, up to seven passengers.
Do you also go from Paris to London?
Yes, transfers run in both directions.
