Can you drive from Belgium to the UK?
Yes, you can drive to Belgium from the UK - and it's quicker than you might think. With a 35-minute Channel Tunnel crossing from Folkestone to Calais, you can reach the Belgian border from the UK with LeShuttle in under 90 minutes.
In this guide to driving in Belgium, we'll cover:
- Tips for road trips to Belgium
- Driving times and distances
- Ideas for driving destinations in Belgium
- Essential documents and rules for UK drivers
- Why LeShuttle is a fast, flexible option for your journey
The beauty of Belgium is closer than you think
Driving from the UK to Belgium is easy, and LeShuttle provides one of the best ways to travel to Belgium from the UK. All you need to do to start your road trip to Belgium is book a departure time with us, drive to our UK terminal, and take a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais. From there it is approximately a 45-minute drive to the Belgian border. Obviously it will take longer to reach your final destination in Belgium, whether it be Leuven, Liege or somewhere else (see the times and distances in the table below), but the beauty of Belgium is closer than you might have thought.
Why choose LeShuttle to drive to Belgium?
Belgium is a great place to visit in winter or summer. It’s easy to travel to Belgium from the UK with LeShuttle.
- Crossings run from Folkestone to Calais 365 days a year
- There are up to four departures every hour
- Calais is closer to Belgium than Folkestone is to Hastings!
- It takes LeShuttle just 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais
- The fastest route to Belgium travelling from our Calais terminal takes an average of 45 minutes
Faster than a ferry to Belgium
When it comes to driving to Belgium, LeShuttle is the easiest and quickest way to get you there. Our service is also flexible and affordable, making us the number one choice.
One major benefit of using our service to travel from the UK to Belgium is the fact that the time saved will allow you more time to explore every inch of this fascinating country. Choose to take in its cities, each brimming with their own unique culture, or head off the beaten track to experience the countryside of Belgium and its rural landscape.
If you’re planning to drive from London to Belgium, or from anywhere else in the UK, using LeShuttle is also your easiest and fastest option. To find us, simply make your way to the M20 and take exit 11A. With the journey time from Folkestone to Calais being so short, you could travel from the UK to Belgium in little over an hour and 20 minutes. This means that even a day trip to Belgium from London is possible!
Driving from Calais to Belgium
Take a look at how close Calais is to these Belgian cities. These distances and times are from our LeShuttle Calais Terminal:
Top tips when driving to Belgium
If you haven’t yet taken a look at the map, you might be surprised at how short the trip from Calais to Belgium is. Just a short 45-minute drive along the E40, the route follows the beautiful coast of Northern France. But for those planning a ferry crossing to Belgium, the trip from Dover to Belgium could take over two hours and 10 minutes.
Once in Belgium, you’ll want to start exploring and making the most of the freedom granted by driving.
The Markt in Bruges is a joy to behold as the day draws to a close.
Preparation
Before driving to Belgium, do all the normal checks on your car you would before any long drive – oil, screen wash, tyre pressure and depth, amongst others. Make sure you are equipped with everything you might need in an emergency. The following emergency items are mandatory when driving in Belgium:
• A reflective safety jacket
• A warning triangle
• Headlamp beam deflectors
• First aid kit
Essentials for driving in Europe
Remember to display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle (unless your registration plate does not already have a UK identifier with the union flag).
When you’re on the road in Belgium from the UK, you must carry the following documents with you:
• A full, valid UK driving licence
• Proof of ID (passport)
• V5 registration document
• Motor insurance certificate
Plan your route
When driving to Belgium, make sure you know several routes to your destination, just in case there are delays on the quickest or main motorway route. If you need to find an alternative route, having planned it in advance will help. Looking at Google street view is a good way to familiarise yourself with the roads you will be driving on, especially if you have never driven in Belgium or the continent before.
Fuel and rest stops
You will find plenty of choice when it comes to refuelling when you are driving in Belgium. Diesel, unleaded and LPG is widely available, and petrol stations on motorways and main roads usually stay open 24 hours a day. On more minor roads and in residential areas forecourts usually close at 8pm and reopen at 8am. Driving to destinations in Belgium will take longer than others, of course, so it is useful to plan where you want to stop for a break in advance. For example, it takes around four hours to drive to Spa in eastern Belgium from Calais, so you might look to break the journey at Ghent or Brussels.
Driving rules, tolls and legal must-knows
The speed limit in Belgium is 120 km/h on motorways (74 mph), 90 km/h (55 mph) outside built-up areas and 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas. It's important to note that there is also a minimum speed limit on Belgian motorways. You have to drive at a speed of at least 70 km/h (43 mph) when traffic is flowing freely.
There are no toll roads in Belgium. The only section of road with a toll is the Liefkenshoektunnel near Antwerp.
If you are driving into cities within Belgium, you need to be aware of the low emission zones in place in the following cities:
• Brussels
• Ghent
• Antwerp
Stickers or vignettes aren’t needed, like they are in France, but you must register your car before you travel and make sure it meets the emissions requirements.
Plan your road trip to Belgium: key cities and stops
Driving to Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent
Staying on the E40 will see you heading to
Bruges, just one hour and 20 minutes from Calais. There is so much to see and do in this beautifully historic city, like climbing the Belfry of Bruges and admiring the views over the city, or taking in some culture at the
Groeningemuseum. While wandering through the ancient cobbled streets, don’t forget to try a famous Belgian waffle or some delicious locally-made chocolate.
Antwerp City Hall was built in 1565.
A two-hour drive from our Calais terminal is vibrant Antwerp, famed as the home of classic Baroque painter Rubens. The city has also become a mecca for fashion, making it a must-visit for shopaholics travelling to Belgium from the UK! Also when driving to Antwerp from Calais, you’ll pass the stunning city of Ghent, which is definitely worth a detour.
Enjoy a stroll along the canal when in Ghent.
Driving to Brussels
A trip to Belgium wouldn't be complete without a visit to its capital city, Brussels. Affectionately referred to as the heart of Europe and home of the EU, there is plenty to do in this fascinating city. From family fun in the Belgian Comic Strip Center, to exploring the walkways, lifts and escalators of the Atomium, to sampling the delights of Belgian beer on a brewery tour, Brussels has it all.
Dinant is a beautiful city located on the River Meuse.
Driving to Wallonia
For those looking to breathe in plenty of fresh, Belgian air and see the country as mother nature intended, you’ll want to visit the Wallonia region. This French-speaking region is known for its medieval towns, Renaissance-era architecture, beautiful countryside landscapes and decadent châteaux.
Take a trip to Wallonia’s largest city, Charleroi, or visit Belgium’s highest point above sea level, Signal de Botrange, in eastern Wallonia.
Driving to top theme parks and family attractions
Any road trip to Belgium must include a stop at one of its theme parks. Families will love the rollercoasters and water splash rides at Walibi, one of Belgium’s most popular theme parks, near Brussels, while Mini-Europe in Brussels offers a tiny grand tour of the continent’s major landmarks. Bellewaerde Park, meanwhile, near Ypres, is the perfect place for families who want a mix of action-packed rides, a water park, a zoo and family-friendly entertainment.
Driving through Belgium to other destinations
Belgium is a small country, but chances are if you are driving anywhere in northern Europe – the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark or even further into Scandinavia – that you will be driving through Belgium at some point. It is a flat country with a well maintained road system, so driving in Belgium is fairly easy and you will quickly get used to it. Just make sure that you have all the documents and equipment you need to drive in the countries beyond Belgium.
Step by step guide to travelling to Belgium with LeShuttle
Perhaps using LeShuttle is a new experience for you? First book your trip from Folkestone to Calais by selecting your time and date of travel. Then on the day of your booking, follow these steps:
- Arriving at our Folkestone terminal
Exit the motorway at Junction 11A and drive straight to our check-in booths. Allow yourself between one and two hours before your chosen departure time. - Collecting your Departure Hanger info
You will need your booking reference number and the credit/debit card used at the time of booking to collect this. Your hanger will print from the self-service machine or will be handed to you by check-in staff, depending on which booth you choose to use. A letter will be displayed on your hanger, which is the letter given to your timed shuttle. - Our Passenger Terminal
Once you're through check-in, take some time to relax and visit our Passenger Terminal Building for a spot of shopping, or enjoy some refreshments at one of the cafés. You can board approximately 25 minutes before your departure time, customer information screens and service announcements will let you know when LeShuttle is ready, so keep an eye on your shuttle's letter. - Have your passport ready
When it's time, drive straight through to the British and French border controls where your passport, vehicle and official documentation will be checked. Please have all passports to hand, removed from wallets and open at the photo page until you have cleared all controls. - Drive on
Follow the signs to France to find your way to the boarding lanes, where you may face a small wait. When your shuttle is ready to board the barrier will open in your lane, please proceed on the marked route towards the platform. Once boarded, you'll be able to stretch your legs and explore the light and air-conditioned LeShuttle carriages or sit back and relax. - Drive off
You stay with your vehicle throughout the short journey in bright, air-conditioned carriages and can either sit back and relax or get out and stretch your legs. Once you’ve reached Calais, simply drive off at the end of the crossing and voilà, your Belgian adventure awaits!
Book now and explore all that Belgium has to offer
From stunning architecture to delicious food and drink, Belgium is a country often overlooked, but which has so much to offer. Whether you are planning a city break or a longer road trip, start your driving experience in Belgium with a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais on LeShuttle.
