We arrive on the ferry from Portsmouth to Ouistreham (Caen) and arrive on Saturday at 21:30. Had planned to rent a car in Caen and start a 7 day trip around Normandy. I note all the car rental companies in Caen close at 18:00 and not open on Sunday. Are there bus or other types of public transportation between Caen and Bayeux? Or will we have to use a cab? Does Uber operate in that area?
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
You can take the train from Caen to Bayeux, if they have one that late. I use bahn.de for train schedules. There's also a French train website... SNCF.com
Posted by
Switzerland
383 posts
I did this trip in reverse - there is limited public transport from Ouistreham into Caen in the morning/evening, so we had to take a taxi. I believe it was about 40 euros. I don't think Uber is active in this part of France, but not 100% sure.
From Caen railway station, it is a short 15 minute train ride on to Bayeux (then ~15 min walk into the center). However, the trains do not run very late, so given your arrival time I'd suggest either you stay the first two nights in Caen, or if you could rent a car in Bayeux and don't mind skipping Caen, just take a taxi directly to Bayeux from the ferry (my guess is this would cost ca 70-80 euros), should be about a 40 minute ride.
If you had planned to visit Caen anyway, just spend Sat/Sun night there and then pick up your car on Monday morning to start your driving tour. In high season, the tourist office is open on Sundays if you need advice and you can visit the castle, etc. It wouldn't be a struggle to fill a day.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1138 posts
Just to reiterate, OIstreham and Caen are two different towns. I know the ferry companies lump their names together. But you actually arrive in Oistreham and have to somehow get into Caen (a 25 minute drive). If you don't disembark until almost 10:00, you will probably get to Caen too late for any sort of transportation. If/when you do get into Bayeux, there are fewer rental options. However, the Hertz "office" is really a gas station on the West side of town, and it wouldn't surprise me if they they'll have hours on Sunday. I've dropped off cars there fairly early in the morning on my way out of town, and they drove me to the train station afterwards. I think they may even pick you up if you make that arrangement ahead of time.
Posted by
San Francisco
14510 posts
Between Caen and Bayeux I've always taken the train. You can check on the taxis at the Bayeux tourist office in the centre ville.
Posted by
OP
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
66 posts
PERFECT, THANKS for the information.