France Travel
Getting 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
Go to
Brittany Ferries website »
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
Go to Condor Ferries website »
LD Lines / Transmanche Ferries
- Dover to Boulogne
- Newhaven to Dieppe
Go
to Transmanche Ferries website »
Norfolkline
- Dover to Dunkirk (Dunkerque)
Go to Norfolkline website »
P&O Ferries
- Dover to Calais
- Portsmouth to Le Havre
Go to P&O Ferries website »
Seafrance
Go to Seafrance
website »
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!