We're planning a trip to Paris, Normandy and London in the fall. We planned to spend a few days in Paris, then go to Normandy, and on to London to meet up with some friends. What would be the easiest way for us to get from the Normandy area to London? We were planning to stay in Bayeux while visiting the Normandy area. Any suggestions?
Thank you.
Will you have a vehicle or relying on public transit?
Easiest way might be to backtrack to Paris and take the Eurostar to London.
EDIT: I'll qualify my response by saying that I am a fan of ferries, any kind of boat for that matter, and I very well may choose to take a ferry from Cherbourg to Portsmouth. However, that would not be the easiest way, especially if the OP is using public transportation. First they have to get from Bayeux to Cherbourg, then the fairly long ferry ride, then get from Portsmouth to London. Much easier to take the train from Bayeux back to Paris and catch the Eurostar. Now, if they have a car and would be driving from Bayeux to Cherbourg, then that's a bit different, but there would still be the long ferry and train from Portsmouth to London. Might be more adventurous, but definitely not easier. There's also the fact that the Cherbourg-Portsmouth ferry only runs once a day and the timing might not be right.
Rome2Rio.com suggests the Cherbourg-Portsmouth ferry among many options. Lots of different modes of transportation possible on this trip! I was surprised that no itinerary including the Eurostar popped up.
I would take Nancy's advice. Book in advance for non-changeable, discount tickets. Allow time for immigration formalities before boarding. You'll have to change stations, but at least you won't be seasick and in Porstsmouth.
Tim, you made me laugh out loud! The closest I've ever come to being sick on a ferry was on a crossing to the Channel Islands, so I know you weren't joking. I'm probably going to take the same route this year, but now I know to take Dramamine ahead of time.
Thanks for the replies. We'll be relying on public transportation. I was just trying to find a way to get there without having to go back to Paris. Doesn't look like there are many options. Not really sure about a ferry....
Some of the Channel ferries are bigger than they were post-war, but they are still famous for rough crossings. Like "night trains" (for those who can't afford a hotel) on this newsboard, they are an obsolete hangover from a past era, barely hanging on.
I was sick on the ferry from New London, Connecticut to Orient Point, Long Island. But it was the dead of winter, the winter boat can only carry six cars (i.e. it's tiny), and my car was covered with salt spray when I drove it off. I wasn't the only one. My wife was sick on the Channel ferry around 1977.
My other point was that you still have to get from Portsmouth to your real destination. I didn't do the research for you, but it's most unlikely that the same Paris RR station serves Caen and London!
Hi,
I take the EuroStar to cross the Channel mainly because I am too lazy now, so far, to go for the ferry option. From Normandy to London there is the ferry link between St Malo to Portsmouth or you can depart from Caen. I took the ferry crossing once, ie from Folkestone to Boulogne in the late afternoon in Aug 1987...no problems, felt like a small adventure even though the ride duration was rather short. Going from Hamburg to Harwich a week earlier I felt was more of an adventure when I watched the waves splatter on the ferry deck as it moved into the North Sea.
Another option is to fly from Caen to London Southend on Flybe--very cheap flight that saves you many hours of train or ferry travel. London Southend is WAY OUTSIDE of London, but may be worth it.
Thank you for the suggestions. Has anyone flown with Flybe before?
Tim's post made me laugh, because I was sick and in Portsmouth. We did the ferry from Cherbourg to Portsmouth several years ago, using public transportation. Train from Bayeux to Cherbourg on a Sunday. Few taxis, so tried to walk to ferry -not a good idea. It was way too far walking with luggage. We were on the fast ferry (hydrofoil?), but still plenty of time to be seasick. Landed in Portsmouth and we're lucky to land a taxi to the hotel, but it was too late to catch a train to London. Spent the night in Portsmouth.
Using Eurostar- train to Paris, then taxi or metro to Eurostar station and off you go.
You can look at the times for both options and decide which one suits you best - I've shared where their could be hiccups. Only other piece of advice is to remember that Portsmouth has two train stations, so make sure when your looking at schedules that you have the right one. That will make sure you get the faster train into London rather than the one that stops at every station.
Summer '15 we took a Brittany Ferry, close to Caen, to Portsmouth. It was a smooth, relaxing cruise. Caught a taxi in Portsmouth to the train station (yes, be sure to get the right one) and then 1.5 hour train ride to Waterloo Station.
Thanks everyone. I think we're just going to go with the train to Paris and then to Normandy. I appreciate all of your suggestions!
