Any suggestions on traveling from London to France - fly or train? For our France trip my wife and I found a good multi-city airfare flying into London (Heathrow) and home from Paris. We are planning to begin our France journey in Normandy and saw that the train goes to Calais. Any suggestions on where to get a rental car in that area?
Posted by
Green Bay
23142 posts
Take the train to Lille. Lots of car rental outfits right at the station. I don't think the Eurostar actually stops in Calais.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7100 posts
The Eurostar, which is the train that goes from London to France does NOT stop in Calais. It DOES have a stop in Lille. Lille is at best a 4 1/2 hr drive to Bayeux in Normandy, if the D Day beaches are your target. Instead, you can take a Eurostar to Paris, then change stations for a 2 hr train ride to Caen. Caen has several choices of car rental agencies near the station, and is a 30 min drive to Bayeux. (If that is your Normandy destination).
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3021 posts
William,
Good advice so far. Whether you go to Lille and drive from there, or Paris and train to Caen and get a car there, be sure to factor in your drive times well. Distances in France are frequently underestimated by us U.S. people. The website viamiuchelin.com is a good source for routes and distances. A caveat...they don't factor in time for gas/.food/comfort stops, and traffic hold-ups. And they usually will give the fastest time as the first suggestion. You may decide to take a more scenic option. We have always added time to theirs. In a 4 hour drive, I add an hour. If it doesn't take an extra hour, then we arrive earlier than planned. All the better!
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3021 posts
typo...viamichelin.com is correct.