Crossing the channel in your car, whether with a caravan or not, is a choice between the Eurotunnel and a ferry. Although we have found that usually the ferry is cheaper than Eurotunnel, the quicker crossing with Eurotunnel generally outweighs the cost saving of the ferry.
What is the cheapest ferry crossing to France? If you're looking for a cheap ferry to France, then look no further than Dover. With two ferry companies and two ferry routes, prices are competitive and it's always worth comparing.
Bookings may be re-booked for free. DFDS ferries to Calais, Dunkirk, Amsterdam and Dieppe. DFDS are delighted to be welcoming customers onboard their ferries to Europe but know that plans can change. That's why they've introduced the DFDS Travel Guarantee.
First a reality checkLondon to Paris takes around 10 hours by train-ferry-train, Eurostar takes just 2h15. Train & ferry usually costs more than Eurostar, at least £80 one-way in total, when Eurostar starts at £52 if you book a few months in advance.
Which ferries travel to France? At this moment in time, there ferry connections offering around almost 1,000 sailings per week that travel to France – from a multitude of locations, such as the ferry from Portsmouth, the ferry from Dover, and the ferry from Poole.
By and large, for journeys to France by ferry, it's quickest to travel overland from Wales to the south coast of England to catch ferries across the English Channel, unless you live close to Holyhead in North Wales - where it's possible to take the Holyhead-Dublin ferry then connect onto a second service to Cherbourg
The shortest distance across the strait, 33.3 kilometres (20.7 miles; 18.0 nautical miles), is from the South Foreland, northeast of Dover in the English county of Kent, to Cap Gris Nez, a cape near to Calais in the French département of Pas-de-Calais.
It consists of two trains and a ferry, a bit of British and French culture, and tasty stops along the way. The journey is about seven hours longer, but in addition to avoiding an onslaught of business travelers and tourists, it will take you through some of the most scenic parts of southern Britain and northern France.
Calais to the south of France via LyonFrom Calais port, drive down the A26 for 2 hours and 40 minutes and you'll reach the fabulous city of Reims. From Lyon, you can drive south to either Marseille or Montpellier in around 3 hours 15 minutes or onwards to sunny Cannes or Nice in around 4 and a half hours.
Top Destinations
- Saint-Tropez.
- Provence.
- Porquerolles Island.
- Cannes.
- Antibes.
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
- Nice.
- Monaco.
Compare ferries from France to EnglandThere are a combined number of 48 ferry crossings each day across a selection of 10 Ferry Routes which are operated by 3 ferry companies including DFDS Seaways, Brittany Ferries & P&O Ferries with the shortest crossing taking around 1 hour 30 minutes (Calais to Dover).
The Dover Calais ferry route connects England with France and is currently operated by 2 ferry companies. The DFDS Seaways service runs up to 15 times per day with a sailing duration of around 1 hour 30 minutes while the P&O Ferries service runs up to 23 times per day with a duration from 1 hr 30 min.
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is the car and train service linking Folkestone, England, with Calais, France, via the channel tunnel. The fastest and most popular method of travelling between the UK and France with your car, the Euro tunnel crossing time is just 35 minutes, with up to four departures an hour at peak times.
10 Best places to stay South of France
- French Riviera.
- Camargue.
- Provence.
- St Tropez.
- Inland Cote d'Azur - Valbonne, Fayence & Grasse.
- Around Marseille.
- Cannes.
- Aix-en-Provence.
While €400 Euro may be a lot to spend on just a 3 night /4-day trip, you must keep in mind that Bordeaux (and much of France) is simply a relatively expensive place to travel to. So this sample Bordeaux budget of about €50 per person, per day is filled with nice meals, plentiful drinks, and even a few tours.
You don't need a car to get around Bordeaux. The tram system is great for the center of town (where you'll probably be spending pretty much all your time); you can get out to Château Pape Clément with the city bus.
Bordeaux isn't just a wine region but is a city as well. Bordeaux is a beautiful city which is easy to visit because the Mayor of Bordeaux invested a lot of money on transport. As a French native, I know Bordeaux well and I think the city is worth a visit.
Tap water is safe to drink in Bordeaux.
How to Get Around Bordeaux. The city center is very walkable and has a large pedestrian zone. You can walk around the city really easily. Besides that, Bordeaux also has an extensive public transportation system if you are going far or don't want to walk.
Train tickets from Paris to Bordeaux start at $1.24 one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in Advance, however, if you're booking last-minute tickets on the day, the average price is around $119.50.
So, without loosing our time, we have listed below the top 10 souvenirs to buy in Bordeaux for you. Enjoy!
- Wine.
- Cheese.
- Chocolate.
- Bordeaux Cannelès.
- Stylish French Clothing.
- Roger and Gallet Soap.
- A Delicious Box of Macarons.
- Beautiful Household Linens.
Other airlines flying to Bordeaux
| Air France flights | Vueling Airlines flights | TAP Air Portugal flights |
|---|
| KLM flights | Iberia flights | Norwegian flights |
| Aer Lingus flights | SWISS flights | Alitalia flights |
| Lufthansa flights | Brussels Airlines flights | KLM Cityhopper flights |
Bordeaux is, unsurprisingly, best-known for its wine-related activities. The capital city of the New-Aquitaine region is world-famous for its vineyards and top-notch wine labels, but that's not all the area has to offer.
No, there are no direct train services from London to Bordeaux. Travelling from London to Bordeaux by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
You can currently fly direct to Bordeaux from the following UK airports: London Gatwick, London Stansted, London Luton, London Heathrow, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow International and Belfast International.
Depending on where you first arrive in France, the drive down to Bordeaux can take anywhere between six and eight hours (providing the roads are not too busy). Finding somewhere to stay along the way can make the journey much more manageable.
Take the train to BordeauxHop on Eurostar at St Pancras International and, with no time wasted getting to and hanging around airports, you'll be on your way south in no time. You'll travel at Paris Gare du Nord, where you'll connect to Gare Montparnasse to continue on to Bordeaux.
Is there a direct train from London St-Pancras to Bordeaux St-Jean? No, there are no direct train services from London St-Pancras to Bordeaux St-Jean. Travelling from London St-Pancras to Bordeaux St-Jean by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
Rail TravelEurostar links London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord in 2h20 or 2h30 with an average of 15 trains per weekday. You'll then have to connect on a TGV (SNCF) to your destination in the Dordogne Valley. Train fares can get a bit pricey at times, so make sure to book in advance.
Most trains are direct, depart from Bordeaux-St-Jean train station and arrive at Paris' Gare Montparnasse. The Bordeaux to Paris train journey takes as little as 3 hours and 16 minutes to arrive in Paris. Most travelers book their Bordeaux to Paris train tickets 1 day in advance of the travel date.
No, there are no direct train services from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Bordeaux St-Jean. Travelling from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Bordeaux St-Jean by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
