Travel to and within France

Your Options for Travelling to and Within France

Travelling to France

Your choice of holiday travel to France will depend on a number of factors:

  • Personal preference
  • The number and compostion of your party
  • Your budget
  • Your location within the UK (or elsewhere)
  • Your holiday location within France
  • Type of holiday being taken

The usual ways of travelling to and within France for holidays are:

  • By Air
  • By Ferry and Car
  • By Tunnel and Car
  • By Train

All modes of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. Below we have summarised these to help you choose.

Air Travel

Travel by air is the prefered method by many. The main advantage of air travel is that you get close (or reasonably close) to your destination in one quick step without having to navigate yourself there! The disadvantages are that you have to get to the departure airport, wait around for the flight, and then on arrival you need onward transport, usually a hire car, which may be expensive.

The flight itself may not be very expensive if you use one of the low-cost airlines such as Ryanair or Easyjet, but the extras soon add up, especially if there is a group of you travelling. Be aware that charges are made for baggage, checking in, using your credit card to pay etc. Car hire is not cheap and also involves added extras.

There is an enormous choice of car hire companies, and one of the best price comparison sites we have found for car hire is TravelSupermarket.

Ferry and Car Travel

The main advantage of using a ferry to cross the Channel, is that you can cram as much into the car as you like. There is one price to pay for the car and that is usually the same for up to 6 passengers, so a group of people can split the cost between them. This can make ferry travel very cost effective. You can also take your pets with you.

There are a variety of routes to choose from. The shortest route is Dover-Calais, about 1.5 hours, and the longest cross channel is Plymouth-Roscoff, which is overnight. There are others in between.

If you need to travel a long way in the UK, a long crossing on the ferry can give you a chance to have some sleep and arrive in France ready for the drive to your destination. However, if you suffer from sea-sickness, this might not be such a good idea and it would maybe be better to take a short crossing and then book a roadside hotel for a rest!

For more information on the various ferry crossings available or to book tickets please click here.

Tunnel and Car Travel

All the advantages of ferry travel are the same for using the channel tunnel. The cost of travelling through the tunnel is very much governed by the time you want to travel, but can be considered competitive when compared to the ferry. However, the crossing is short (35 minutes). You stay in your car all the time which may be an advantage for those travelling with animals. Also, no-one is ever sea-sick in the tunnell!!

However, if you suffer from claustrophobia, the tunnel might not be for you. Also, there is no possibility to have a meal on board, or have a cabin and get some sleep.

For more information on Eurotunnel or to book tickets please click here.

Obviously, once you have crossed the channel either on a ferry or by tunnel, you then need to drive to your destination. France is a big country and it may take you some time to get there.

If you want to see more of France, why not take a non-motorway route, stop a few times and enjoy the scenery. However, if you are in a hurry to get to your destination, then the motorways probably offer you the most direct routes. There are quite a few online mapping and driving direction sites, but the one that we find the most accurate is ViaMichelin. You can programme your route to suit you and it will also give access to hotels en route, should you wish to stop.

Train Travel

By taking the Eurostar from London it is possible to do nearly all your travel by train. This is probably the most expensive option if you are a large family or group, but it can be a very pleasant way to travel. The French railways are efficient and easy to use.

The main disadvantages are that you have to get to London, if you do not already live there, you can only take baggage that you can carry easily and that you will probably need onward transport from your destination station.

For more information on train travel in France and to book tickets please click here.

Travelling with Pets

For information about travelling to France with your pets please see our Guide to Travelling with Pets.

Driving In France: The Rules of the Road

If you want to drive in France, you probably know that you will have to pay attention on the road as the French rules may differ on those you know. First of all, DRIVE ON THE RIGHT!

Before coming to France

Before entering into France (if you are driving a right hand drive car) make sure you have converted the headlights with the stick-on filters you can find in any good car spares shop.

Be also sure that you have a high visibility jacket and a triangle in your car, as you are since recently bound by law to carry them in the car and to use them in case of breakdowns or accidents.

The legal age to drive in France is 18 years. So, UK full licence holders under the age of 18 cannot legally drive in France.

Roads

France has three major types of roads:

  • * Motorways
  • * National roads
  • * Minor roads (departementales)

Motorways are distinguished by the prefix "A" and National roads by the letter "N". Minor roads (departementales) are indicated by a "D". See below for the speed limits on those roads.

Fuel

Diesel is cheaper in France, but petrol is about the same price as the UK. If you can, try to buy it on the parking of supermarkets: this is where you can usually find the cheapest prices. Conversely, avoid to buy it on motorways as the price is more expensive there than elsewhere.

Wearing Seat Belts

All passengers must wear seat-belts. Children under the age of 10 are not allowed to sit in front seats.

Driving Penalties and Sanctions in France

When driving in France please be aware that on the spot fines can be issued by the Police and Gendarmes if you are breaking the law. The following road fines are issued in France:

  • * Amende forfaitaire: 135 euros
  • * Amende contractuelle minoree (reduced fine if you pay within 3 or 15 days): 90 euros
  • * Amende majoree: 375 euros

Speed Limits in France

Everywhere, even by night, the French policemen and Gendarmes can check your speed. There are increasingly more fixed speed cameras. All fixed speed cameras are preceded by a warning road sign. Do not rely on the myth that foreign (i.e. non-French) cars are left alone!

Speed checks are sometimes made in unmarked police or Gendarme cars, so our best advice is to always abide by the speed limits.

Any drivers that have received a speeding ticket and have a question about it can call the national number 08.11.10.20.30. Further details about fixed radars can be found here.

French Speed Limits

  • * 50 km/h in towns (31mph)
  • * 90 km/h on main roads (56 mph)
  • * 110 km/h on dual carriage ways (68 mph)
  • * 130 km/h on motorways (81mph)

In poor weather conditions (rain, fog, etc.) speed limits are reduced to 90 km/h on dual carriage ways and to 110 km/h on motorways.

Sanctions and Penalty fines for Speeding in France

Speed excess inferior to 20 km/h in towns :

  • * Amende contractuelle: 135 euros
  • * Amende contractuelle minoree (reduced fine if you pay within 3 or 15 days): 90 euros
  • * Amende majoree: 375 euros

Speed excess inferior to 20 km/h on main roads, dual carriage ways and motorways:

  • * Amende contractuelle: 68 euros
  • * Amende contractuelle minoree (reduced fine, if you pay within 3 or 15 days): 45 euros

Speeding in excess of between 20 km/h and 50 km/h on main roads, dual carriage ways and motorways:

  • * Amende contractuelle: 135 euros
  • * Amende contractuelle ( reduced fine if you pay within 3 or 15 days): 90 euros
  • * Amende majoree: 375 euros

Speeding excess superior to 50km/h:

  • * Amende contractuelle: 1,500 euros
  • * You also risk having your driving licence confiscated on the spot