Driving from London to Belgium

According to the latest UK Government data, more than 1.3 million Brits visit Belgium every year, with thousands of them choosing to drive there.

In this driving in Europe guide, we look at how to get there and what you will need to take with you.

Can you drive to Belgium from the UK?

Yes, you can drive from the UK to Belgium. You can take a ferry or use the Channel Tunnel, via LeShuttle.

The ferry from Dover to Dunkirk takes 2 hours or you can take a service from Dover to Calais (1 hour 30 minutes) and drive to Belgium from France.

The crossing time for LeShuttle is just 35 minutes to Calais from Folkestone.

As France and Belgium follows the Schengen rules, your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least three months after leaving the Schengen area.

In total, UK visitors can stay up to 90 days visa-free within any 180-day period.

How to get to Belgium from the UK

Dunkirk is located close to the A16 motorway, which connects to the E40 that will take you towards Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp.

If you choose to arrive in France via a ferry or LeShuttle, Belgium is around an hour’s drive from Calais.

Motorways in Belgium often have English‑language signage. It is important to check vehicle requirements before travelling to Belgium.

Make sure you have your passport, valid insurance, European breakdown cover, V5C logbook, UK sticker, and any required safety items such as a warning triangle and hi‑vis jacket.

Some Belgian cities also operate low‑emission zones, so registering your vehicle in advance is essential.

Check out our driving in Europe checklist to get the latest advice and guidance.

• Crossing the Channel – should you take the ferry or LeShuttle?
• Driving in Belgium
• Driving on the left or right – guide to travelling the world

Driving from London to Belgium

Here are the average distances and travel times to travel to places in Belgium from the centre of London:

^{*These are average times and distances using Google Maps data}

Here is the route you will need to take to travel from London to Brussels in Belgium:

What will you need to drive to Belgium?

Here’s a short bullet‑point list of items you’ll need to travel to and drive in Belgium:

• Full UK driving licence
• V5C vehicle logbook
• Valid motor insurance
• Passport
• UK identifier sticker
• High‑visibility jacket
• Warning triangle
• Headlight beam deflectors
• Breakdown cover documents
• Low Emission Zone registration in Brussels and Antwerp

Before you set off, check the rules of the city you are going to visit on your Belgian holiday. For more information, read our guide to Driving in Belgium.

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