Transportation London to Normandy

There's no direct route from London to Normandy. Trains from London to Normandy all go via Paris and require changing in Paris to a different train station. The international Eurostar train ticket is expensive if not booked in advance. If starting from Paris, you just need one train, 2 hours, direct to Caen or Bayeux. See also How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online.

From London, alternate plans by train-ferry-train are slower. Ferries serving Portsmouth-Cherbourg connect with train lines. Ferries from Dover to Calais are fine if you want to pick up a rental car but trains from there are still going through Paris, not along the coast.

We've done it both ways, Eurostar to Paris then train to Caen to fetch our rental car, also the ferry from Portsmouth to Quistreham (the actual ferry port) and a bus to Caen. It's quicker via Eurostar then a train to Caen. The ferry required an overnight in Portsmouth to catch the 0830 ferry, then arrival at Caen around 1700. Check out www.seat61.com for train and ferry information.

We did this earlier this year and the trains were fine. For frame of reference, if you can do th,ism 5-6 months in advance the Eurostar will run about $60 per seat. The train to Bayeux is non-stop (except some stop in Caen), runs basically every 2 hours, and is 15 Euro if decently in advance. it's under a 1.5 mile walk from Nord to St. Lazare to switch trains, very straightforward. Note that because of where the Metro stations are you will wind up walking about 1/3 of that distance in order to take the metro one stop between the two train stations. Wife and I are 60+ and had no problems with the walk with the convertible packs on our backs. Note that if you dothis =you will go through immigration/customs before entry into ST. Pancras to board the Eurostar, in Paris you simply walk out.

Or, if you're less intrepid than Larry and his wife, you and your bags can taxi from Nord to St-Lazare pretty quickly and cheaply. That's what I'd do, with luggage.

I love boat rides so I'd seriously consider the long ferry across the Channel. But it would certainly take longer than trains, and the Channel can be notoriously rough when the weather is less than ideal.

I'd also suggest using the Eurostar to Paris and then local trains to Normandy. Bayeux is a good "home base" location for exploring that area.

I doubt that many discounted tickets will be available for the EuroStar at this late date (especially for a group of 4 - you may have to sit separately), but you could certainly try. Have a look at the excellent Man In Seat 61 website for instructions and tips on buying tickets. NOTE that the cheapest tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable, and you MUST check-in at least 30 minutes prior to departure, or you won't be riding. I'd suggest leaving a bit of extra time, as you'll have to go through airport style security at London St. Pancras, and also French Passport control.

The others have provided good suggestions on getting from Gare du Nord to Gare St.-Lazare (where trains depart to Normandy). I'd probably walk to Magenta station and use RER "E" to Hausmann St.-Lazare and then walk upstairs to the rail station.