| Other modes of transportation from the U.K. to France | | | | Eurotunnel, in addition to providing electric rail ferry |
| involve a trade-off of some kind. Low price, speed, | | | | services for vehicles, is actually the company |
| comfort, convenience and efficiency cannot all be had | | | | responsible for the construction of the Channel Tunnel |
| in the same experience. Such difficult decisions can be | | | | (or Chunnel, as it is popularly known). Passenger cars |
| avoided by taking Eurotunnel or Eurostar through the | | | | and commercial lorries and vans can be trnsported |
| Channel Tunnel. | | | | from the U.K. to France much more quickly than with |
| The first go at turning this idea into a reality was finally | | | | oversea ferries. Service is provided 24 hours a day, |
| started in the mid-1800's, only to be stopped by political | | | | with greater efficiency, greater speed and less hassle. |
| turmoil. In the 1970's economic troubles brought the | | | | Prices vary depending on how far ahead the trip is |
| second attempt to a standstill. The third attempt, | | | | booked, the time of day and time of year, the type of |
| started in 1988, was successful. Despite the financial, | | | | vehicle and the intended length of stay. |
| political and technical challenges, the Channel Tunnel | | | | Eurostar is a high speed electric passenger train |
| was finally completed in 1994. | | | | service that operates in the U.K., France and Belgium. |
| Though completely funded by private investors, the | | | | Eurostar contracts with Eurotunnel for the right run its |
| Channel Tunnel was considered a financial disaster by | | | | commuter trains on Eurotunnel's railways. As with |
| many, because the cost and debt associated with it | | | | Eurotunnel service, a Eurostar tunnel crossing takes 35 |
| ended up being much higher than originally anticipated. | | | | to 45 minutes, with speeds up to 200 mph. Eurostar |
| On the positive side, the completion of the Channel | | | | offers a choice of food and different passenger |
| Tunnel provided competition with the other available | | | | classes, and prices vary widely, depending on which |
| modes of transportation, causing travel prices to lower | | | | class is booked, the time of year and how close the |
| and thus be more affordable for travelers. | | | | tickets are booked to the actual time of travel. |
| Constructed of super strong, super thick concrete and | | | | Eurostar also offers the convenience of non-stop |
| steel, the Channel Tunnel is 50 km (or 31 miles) long, | | | | service between many locations, including London and |
| connecting Folkestone, England with Calais, France. | | | | Paris. |
| The trip across takes 35 to 45 minutes to complete. | | | | Regardless of whether one chooses to travel with |
| The Channel Tunnel consists of two tunnels, with a | | | | Eurotunnel or Eurostar from the U.K. to France, using |
| smaller service tunnel in between used in case of an | | | | the Channel Tunnel railways clearly offers the most |
| emergency. These railway tunnels are utilized by | | | | benefits compared to other modes of transport. |
| Eurotunnel, Eurostar and cargo trains. | | | | |