What's the difference between LeShuttle, Eurotunnel and Eurostar?

If you've ever found yourself scratching your head over tunnel-related terminology, don't worry – you wouldn't be the first to muddle your ‘Euro-this’ and ‘Shuttle-that’.

The Channel Tunnel, connecting the UK and France, is an engineering marvel that's been in operation since 1994. However, there's often confusion about the different services associated with it, something that hasn’t been helped by recent rebrands and mergers.

Our guide clears things up to help you navigate the underground world of cross-Channel travel.

What is Eurotunnel?

Eurotunnel refers to the Channel Tunnel itself – the infrastructure that connects the UK and France. It's not a specific service, but rather the tunnel system owned and operated by Getlink, a public company.

What is LeShuttle?

LeShuttle (formerly known as Eurotunnel Le Shuttle until a 2023 rebrand) is the service for vehicles passing through the Channel Tunnel. It's owned by Getlink and operates vehicle-carrying shuttles that transport cars, lorries and even campervans between Folkestone in the UK and Calais in France.

What is Eurostar?

Eurostar is a separate company that operates high-speed passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel. It's not part of Getlink or LeShuttle operations but is a customer that uses the Eurotunnel infrastructure.

Do all Eurostar services go through the tunnel?

No, not all Eurostar services go through the Channel Tunnel. This became even more complex after Eurostar's merger with Thalys in 2023.

While Eurostar is best known for its cross-Channel routes connecting London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam via the tunnel, the merger expanded its network to include many continental European routes that don't use the Channel Tunnel at all.

What routes does Eurostar now cover?

Following the merger with Thalys, Eurostar now operates on various routes including:

• London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam (via the Channel Tunnel)
• Paris to Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam
• Brussels to Liège, Aachen, Cologne and Düsseldorf

The routes inherited from Thalys don't use the Channel Tunnel but are now part of the expanded Eurostar network.

How has the Eurostar-Thalys merger affected services?

The merger aims to provide better connections and a more seamless experience for travellers across Europe. While it hasn't changed the core Channel Tunnel routes, it has expanded Eurostar's reach on the continent, potentially offering easier connections for passengers travelling beyond the immediate Channel Tunnel destinations.

If I'm driving to France, which service should I use?

If you're taking your vehicle across the Channel, you'll want to book with LeShuttle. This service will transport your car (or larger vehicle) through the tunnel on a specialised train.

What if I'm travelling as a foot passenger?

For foot passengers, Eurostar is the service to use. You'll board a high-speed train that goes through the tunnel, taking you from city centre to city centre.

So the services cater to different travel needs?

Yep. While these services all utilise the Channel Tunnel in some way, they're distinct operations created for different needs. LeShuttle is for vehicles, Eurostar is for foot passengers and Eurotunnel is the infrastructure they both use to cross the Channel.