By car to England – Channel Tunnel or ferry? Everything you need to know!

Why fly when adventure awaits on four wheels? A trip to England by car promises maximum freedom – from the first kilometre to the last bend on the other side of the English Channel. But before you catch sight of Dover's coastal cliffs or wind your way through London's streets, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here's how to make your trip to England by car an unforgettable adventure.

⏰ Summary

• Car train, ferry, rental car
• Ferries from France and the Netherlands
• Prices and travel time vary
• Quick arrival through the Eurotunnel
• Pay attention to left-hand traffic, environmental zones and speed limits
• Important documents – be sure to carry them with you

If you are interested in a new car, here are a few offers:

 

Driving to England – Your Options

If you want to go on holiday by car, you have two options to get to England: either by car ferry or via the Channel Tunnel. Both options offer advantages and disadvantages, which we will compare in detail in the further course.

What are the ways to get to England by car?

As already mentioned, the only option from Germany is to take the ferry or through the Channel Tunnel. If you decide to take the ferry, you have to plan a relatively long time, but the journey by car train is a lot more expensive, but also much faster. If you want to drive through the Channel Tunnel, you have to make the journey to Calais in France, because there is only a crossing from there.

You can also take a ferry from Calais, but also from other European locations, whichever is more convenient for you.

Car or rental car – which is better?

Of course, traveling to England by car can be an adventure in itself, but if you prefer to have the journey comfortably, the plane is recommended. A road trip through England or Great Britain is also possible if you rent a car locally. A rental car has the following advantages:

• Right-hand drive makes driving on the left side easier
• Journey by plane is significantly shortened
• Rental car on site is insured

But there are also some reasons for driving to England in your own car.

• You can go on holiday with your dog
• More baggage possible than on the plane
• Stopovers possible on the way to England

 

The best ferry routes to England

There are various ferry services from mainland Europe to the UK. You can translate from different locations in France, Belgium or the Netherlands.

Overview: Which ferries go to England?

Depending on where you want to take the ferry to England from, there are ships of the following ferry companies:

• DFDS Seaways
• Stena Line
• Irish Ferries (if you want to sail from Ireland)
• P&O Ferries

Ferry connections from France (Calais, Dunkirk, LeHavre, etc.)

The most recommended way is to take a ferry from Calais or Dunkirk to Dover. The crossing takes just 90 minutes, and if you want to continue from Dover to London, the English capital is also only 1.5 hours away.

If you want to start further west, you can choose the following connections from France:

• LeHavre – Portsmouth
• Caen – Portsmouth
• Cherbourg – Portsmouth
• Cherbourg – Poole
• St. Malo – Portsmouth
• St. Malo – Plymouth
• Roscoff – Plymouth

However, all these ferry connections take longer than the route to Dover.

Ferries from the Netherlands & Belgium (Hoek van Holland, Zeebrugge)

If you start from the Netherlands, the route is much longer - but this can also be planned as part of the holiday trip. You can take the following routes from the Netherlands to England.

• Hook of Holland – Harwich
• Rotterdam – Hull
• Amsterdam – Newcastle

The route to Harwich is the shortest and already takes 6.5 hours.

You can also cross from Belgium to England. There is only one connection here, Zeebrugge – Hull.

Prices & booking tips for ferries

The prices for a crossing can vary greatly depending on the season, ferry company and cabin booked. If you only have a short crossing, there is no need to book a cabin, which of course lowers the price. If you drive for several hours and may have booked a night trip, it makes sense to use the time to sleep. There are different cabins to choose from, which also have different prices depending on their size.

Some ferry companies also allow dogs to be taken along. If you don't want to lock your four-legged friend in a box all the time, you have to book a dog cabin. He may stay there together with you.

In general, the earlier you book, the cheaper you will get. If you choose a good time to travel and a cheap cabin (or none at all), you can travel to England by ferry from as little as 40 euros. However, the cheap ferries are usually not the fastest. The trip by car to Mallorca is a bit more expensive.

What you need to consider when entering the country by ferry

Even after Great Britain leaves the EU, you do not need a visa to enter Germany from Germany. However, a valid passport is mandatory.

If you want to enter the country with your pet, you must carry a valid pet passport with you, and the animal must also be vaccinated against rabies.

 

Mit dem Auto durch den Eurotunnel – So funktioniert’s

The easiest and fastest way to get to England by car is to travel through the Channel Tunnel by car train. A railway tunnel under the English Channel connects France and England.

How does the passage through the Channel Tunnel work?

The connection of the car train is from Calais to Folkestone and back. The Eurotunnel terminals are very easy to reach via the respective motorways. You drive your vehicle onto the train in Calais or Folkestone and then go back down the other side – it's easy!

You cover the approx. 50-kilometre distance in your car, which means that both you and – if you are travelling – your pet remain seated in the vehicle during the journey. The journey takes just 35 minutes. Here's what you should keep in mind:

• Check-in times at the Channel Tunnel range from 45 minutes to 2 hours – so get there early enough
• You need a passport
• You can book up to 11 months in advance

Prices & booking tips for the Channel Tunnel

The Channel Tunnel is the fastest way to get to England and therefore not cheap. Prices vary greatly depending on the travel time, vehicle size and number of people. An example: Outside the holiday season with two adults in a station wagon with a roof box, a one-way trip costs about 80 euros per person.

Advantages & disadvantages compared to the ferry

The biggest advantage is certainly the time savings and travel comfort. In just over 30 minutes, you'll be in England from France, and you don't even have to leave your car. This is convenient and stress-free, but also expensive.

This brings us to the disadvantage of the Channel Tunnel – the price. Those who want or have to save money prefer to take the ferry. But then it is at least 90 minutes drive and you have to stay outside your vehicle during the crossing.

 

Regulations & Peculiarities for Drivers in England

If you have arrived in England either by ferry or through the Channel Tunnel, the holiday can begin. But so that it doesn't degenerate into stress right away, you should pay attention to a few things.

Linksverkehr in Großbritannien – Worauf du achten musst

Großbritannien ist eines von vielen Ländern mit Linksverkehr. Das ist für uns natürlich eine völlig neue Fahrsituation, die enorme Konzentration bedeutet. Wenn du mit deinem eigenen Auto angereist bist, solltest du außerdem darauf achten, dass die Einstellung der Scheinwerfer für den Linksverkehr stimmt. Erkundige dich am besten schon vor der Reise beim Hersteller, wie du das machst.

Außerdem achte auf folgende Dinge:

• Links fahren, rechts überholen
• Im Kreisverkehr im Uhrzeigersinn fahren
• An Kreuzungen die Verkehrsschilder beachten

Mit einem Rechtslenker würdest du dir natürlich leichter tun – falls du erst in England ein Auto mietest, hast du hier einen Vorteil. Da du in deinem Auto quasi auf der falschen Seite sitzt, musst du erst recht aufpassen, gerade beim Abbiegen und Überholen. Denk daran, dass du dich immer wieder in die linke Spur einordnen musst!

Maut & Gebühren: Wo musst du in England zahlen?

In England gibt es Mautgebühren an einigen Brücken und Tunneln, in der Londoner Innenstadt und im Großraum London, in Durham sowie Gebühren für ältere Fahrzeuge in den Clean Air Zonen in Birmingham und Bristol.

Low emission zones & city tolls (London, Birmingham, etc.)

If you are traveling by car in London or other major cities, then you must pay attention to the environmental zone there. In addition, there is a congestion charge in central London. If you want to drive in England's cities, you must meet the required emission standards of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) or the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). If you do not comply with the standards, you will have to pay a fee.

It is essential that you register your vehicle with the transport authority responsible for the ULEZ and LEZ (e.g. Transport for London – TfL). Then it will be checked whether your vehicle meets the standards or you will be charged a fee. You should register about ten days before you enter England. If your vehicle is not registered, it is assumed that the standards are not met – you can expect significant fines.

Speed limits & traffic rules compared to Germany

In England, different speed limits apply than in Germany, especially they are given in miles (mph) and not in km/h! So be careful if you drive there in a German vehicle, otherwise you will be traveling far too slowly.

With a car and motorcycle you can drive at the following speeds:

• Urban: 30 mph (48 km/h)
• extra-urban: 60 mph (96 km/h)
• Expressways and highways: 70 mph (112 km/h)

Refuelling, charging & fuel prices in the UK

Refueling in England is no problem, unleaded super gasoline and diesel are available. On average, a litre of Super costs €1.65, a litre of diesel €1.74. Gas stations are usually open from 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., and on highways also around the clock. You can pay by credit card at gas stations with vending machines.

If you have come to England with your electric car, you will find a good charging infrastructure there. Sufficient charging stations are available, mainly along the main traffic axes and in larger cities. In Scotland, the charging network is not yet so well developed and in Wales there are almost no charging stations at all.

 

Important documents & insurances for the trip to England

As with any travel planning, it is important to have all important documents at hand when traveling to England. Especially if it is a country that is not (anymore) in the EU.

Brauchst du einen internationalen Führerschein?

Nein, in Großbritannien brauchst du keinen internationalen Führerschein. Der deutsche Führerschein ist ausreichend.

Auto-Versicherung & Pannenhilfe – Was ist Pflicht?

Du musst die Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I, also den Fahrzeugschein, mitführen. Außerdem ist eine internationale Versicherungskarte mit dem Eintrag des Länderkürzels nötig. Diese kannst du dir vor der Abreise bei deiner Kfz-Versicherung ausstellen lassen. Wenn du diese Karte nicht hast, dann musst du an der Grenze eine britische Kfz-Versicherung abschließen.

Solltest du eine Panne haben oder in einen Unfall verwickelt worden sein, ist bei Personenschäden in jedem Fall die Polizei zu verständigen. Wenn Sachschäden angefallen sind, solltest du einen Europäischen Unfallbericht verwenden. Diesen kannst du in den ADAC-Geschäftsstellen mehrsprachlich erhalten.

Brexit & Zollbestimmungen – Das musst du wissen

Nachdem Großbritannien vor einigen Jahren aus der EU ausgeschieden ist, gibt es einige Dinge zu beachten:

• Nationalitätskennzeichen muss am Auto angebracht sein
• Die Einreise ist nur mit einem Reisepass möglich
• Ab dem 2. April 2025 ist eine elektronische Einreisegenehmigung (ETA) verpflichtend
• Waren für den persönlichen Gebrauch sind zollfrei
• Other goods worth up to £390 (air) and £270 (sea) are duty-free
• For tobacco products or alcohol, be aware that you may have to declare them when entering Germany

Tips for a stress-free road trip to England

At the end, we have general tips for you so that traveling by car to England is as stress-free as possible for you.

Best time to travel and avoid peak times

The best time to travel to England is from May to September and again in December for winter holidays. When planning, you should of course take into account the holiday periods in Germany so that you don't get stuck in traffic jams unnecessarily. If you want to get through well at the beginning, then it is recommended to start the trip late in the evening.

Packing list for the car trip to Great Britain

If you are going on holiday by car, you should pay attention to the following things:

• Enough food and above all drinks
• Take regular breaks
• Take turns driving
• If you ride with children or animals: Stop more often so that exercise and walking are possible
• Take all important documents with you (driver's license, passport, health insurance card, travel documents, tickets, debit card and credit card)
• Make sure that you drive the car that you have registered with the ferry or car train
• Think of an adapter for the sockets

Safety & Emergency Tips for Drivers

Unfortunately, it can also be on vacation that you need help. If there is an emergency and you need an ambulance, the police or the fire department, you can do so by calling 999. If you are in a coastal area, you can also be connected to the British Coast Guard via this number.

The number 101 is the right one if you need to contact the police, but immediate action is not necessary - i.e. if it is not an emergency. If you have sustained a minor, non-life-threatening injury or illness, you can dial the national medical emergency number by dialing 111. You will then be called back, but it may take a while.

If you have simply caught a cold, for example, you can buy over-the-counter medication in the numerous pharmacies, just like with us.

In England you can still drive with up to 0.8 per mille, in Scotland 0.5 per mille applies. Also pay attention to the markings on the sides of the road:

• Yellow marking: No parking
• Red marking: Stopping restriction
• Solid red double line: absolute ban on stopping and parking