description Channel Tunnel Overview
Running beneath the English Channel, the Channel Tunnel connects Folkestone in England with Coquelles in France over a railway route of about 50.46 kilometres. Opened in 1994, it provides a fixed connection between Britain and continental Europe. The system comprises two railway bores with a smaller service tunnel between them, linked by passages that support maintenance and emergency access. International passenger trains share the crossing with freight trains and vehicle shuttles.
Cars and trucks travel aboard dedicated shuttle trains rather than driving through the tunnel themselves. Operated by Eurotunnel within the Getlink group, the crossing suits several distinct transport needs. Its combination of passenger rail, freight and vehicle carriage sets it apart from undersea tunnels serving only one form of traffic.
help Channel Tunnel FAQ
What exactly is the Channel Tunnel and where does it go?
The Channel Tunnel is a 50.46-kilometre undersea railway line that crosses the English Channel. It provides a direct, uninterrupted land route between the city of Folkestone in England and the town of Coquelles in France.
Can you drive your personal car directly through the Channel Tunnel?
No, you cannot physically drive your car through the Channel Tunnel. Instead, motorists must load their vehicles onto specialized, high-speed Eurotunnel Shuttle trains, which transport the vehicles through the tunnel.
When did the Channel Tunnel officially open to the public?
The Channel Tunnel officially opened for full commercial service in 1994. The final physical connection between the two tunnel boring machines digging from England and France occurred in 1990, a historic moment for European engineering.
How deep beneath the sea does the Channel Tunnel sit?
The tunnel reaches an average depth of roughly 50 meters below the physical seabed of the English Channel. At its absolute lowest point, the railway tracks sit nearly 115 meters beneath the surface of the water.
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