Travelling to France
Flights to France
France is well served by most of the international carriers as well as numerous low cost airlines. Air France, the national company, serves 83 countries as well as providing a good domestic service (see the French regional pages for more information on internal flights).
The low cost airlines serve many of the regional airports so you are sure to find one near to your destination.
Ferries to France
Ferries to France from the UK are a popular choice. Check our ferry finder page. The main operators and their routes are:-
Brittany Ferries
- Portsmouth to Caen
- Cherbourg & St Malo
- Poole to Cherbourg
- Plymouth to Roscoff
Condor Ferries
- Portsmouth to St Malo
- Poole to Cherbourg
- Poole to St Malo
- Weymouth to St Malo
- * some St Malo services are via Jersey or Guernsey
Hoverspeed
- Dover to Calais
Norfolk Line
- Dover to Dunkirk (Dunkerque)
P&O Ferries
- Dover to Calais
- Portsmouth to Le Havre
Seafrance
- Dover to Calais
Speedferries
- Dover to Boulogne
Transmanche Ferries
- Newhaven to Dieppe
Trains to France
Eurotunnel
is not only for passengers with motor vehicles they will also take cyclists. Cyclists travel in minibus and their bicycles on specially
adapted trailers.
Eurostar is a good city to city option. The high-speed passenger train runs almost hourly. UK departures are from London St Pancras, Ashford (Kent) or Ebbsfleet (Kent) to either Lille or Paris (Gare du Nord), Avignon, Calais and the French Alps - book early for the best prices. If booking direct with Eurostar tickets can be sent to any UK address or collected from the station prior to departure. Connecting TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) trains then take you on to dozens of French cities. Several UK train companies now offer special fares from stations outside of London to France i.e. Virgin Trains, GNER.
Driving to France
Eurotunnel is the quickest way to cross the Channel with your car from the UK to France. The service operates between Folkestone and Calais. Journey time is 35 minutes. Most of the ferry operators (see above) also take cars, motor homes and motor cycles.
In general motorways in France are well surfaced and signposted. Excellent rest areas are available at regular intervals most with family friendly facilities.
Be sure to check the current French laws on driving before travelling. Many offences carry an on-the-spot fine and instant licence confiscation.
The French Government organisation Bison Futé gives up-to-date traffic conditions throughout France. It is in French but has graphic legends. Autoroutes gives information on toll (peage) charges and traffic information.
French Motorail , operated by Rail Europe, offers an attractive option of taking your car from Calais to the South of France. They have a choice of 2 or 4 berth sleeper compartments and 4 or 6 berth couchettes. The service operates between May to September.
Bon voyage!