In May, my husband and I are planning to fly to London for about a week and then make our way to Bayeux to visit the beaches of Normandy using a local guide service (TBD). I’ve read a number of posts in this and other forums and know there are several options and would appreciate any recommendation and/or advice of other forum members regarding the best way to travel from London to Bayeux. We weren’t planning to rent a car in London but that’s not an obstacle if it turns out to be the best option. The visit to Bayeux is the end of our trip so I assume we will fly home from Paris. Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11777 posts
Eurostar to Paris in the most efficient, IMO. Then train to, perhaps Caen, where you can rent a car for the trip to Bayeux. Bayeux has limited car rental options, which is why I suggest Caen. Renting in one country and returning in another is an expensive proposition. There are ferries but I understand that is very slow and could be interrupted by weather.
Posted by
Fremont, CA
28 posts
Both Bayeux and Caen are close to the Normandy Beaches. I haven't been to Caen but I understand their World War ll museum is excellent and marvelously done. I found only the cathedral and the Bayeux Tapestry of interest in Bayeux. I am very into photography and found nothing particularly interesting in the cathedral that isn't in so many other cathedrals. The Bayeux Tapestry is interesting but hardly worth the extra effort of going to Bayeux. They won't allow you to photo any part of it.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7161 posts
Depending on which day you go there are some non-stop flights from London to Caen where you can either rent a car of take the train to Bayeux. Otherwise Eurostar to Paris and train to either Caen (to rent a car) or to Bayeux (if only doing tours).
Posted by
Freedonia
16284 posts
FlyBe has a few flights a week between London Southend airport and Caen airport. From there it's the train to Bayeau. I'm doing this the last week of April.
Posted by
Paris
7303 posts
A pré-arranged taxi from Caen airport to Bayeux won't break the bank, it is fairly close, and it will save you from backtracking to Caen train station. Your accomodation in Bayeux can probably help.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7887 posts
Posted by
Portsmouth
5541 posts
There are ferries but I understand that is very slow and could be interrupted by weather.
The Normandie Express is a catamaran operated by Brittany Ferries and takes 3 hours from Portsmouth to Cherbourg followed by an hour train journey to Bayeaux. Even factoring in a train from London Waterloo or Victoria it is still faster than taking the Eurostar. Flying is the fastest option.
Posted by
Portland Oregon
88 posts
We are booked on an overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen. The cabin isn't very expensive so that's how we want to travel and sleep. Also if it is rough, laying down is the only way to ease your stomach. Would like to see the shore as they did on D-Day.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you, all! I appreciate your suggestions and advice, as well as the link to the forum thread that discusses this topic. Not sure how I missed that when I posted my question so appreciate you bringing it to my attention. We've confirmed a local guide and have several leads on a hotel in Bayeux. Planning to arrive one day earlier than our 2 day tour so we have an extra day on our own. Will be scouring other threads in this forum regarding Bayeux.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1227 posts
Would like to see the shore as they did on D-Day.
This sounds romantic, but that isn't the reality of a ferry. You'll come in to a major port on a huge ship like either Cherbourg or Oistreham. Not a beach like Omaha. That being said, I took an overnight ferry once, and it was a nice way to travel. I'll probably do it again some day.
Posted by
Portsmouth
5541 posts
Would like to see the shore as they did on D-Day.
Fortunately you won't as it would have been a terrifying sight.
If you take the overnight ferry you'll arrive around 06:00 and if you'll have had a cabin you'll no doubt have spent your waking moments showering, dressing and getting ready to disembark rather than standing on deck watching the approaching shore. By then all you'll be seeing is the gritty industrial port of Cherbourg, not a great sight at any time.
I will agree however that it is a pleasant and diffferent method of travelling between the UK and France.
Posted by
17 posts
You don't say how many days you'll be in Normandy, but we loved Bayeux and found it lovely slice of Normandy. We stayed in Domaine de Bayeux close to the outer rim of the town and it was perfect for us. I can recommend it highly. It's a little bit of a walk in to the town center, but entirely manageable. There is a Museum on the Normandy invasion (a bit different than the Museum in Caen), the iconic Bayeux Tapesty museum (see it now as it will be in London for a visitation in 2022), the Cathedral, lovely restaurants and shops, not to mention proximity to the famous beaches. If you can squeeze in a visit to Caen, there is the remnants of William the Conquerer's castle in the center of town, two massive medieval churches built by William and his wife, as well as another DDay museum. I'm sure you will enjoy Bayeux!