Daytrip from London to Normandy

If you take the first Eurostar from London to Paris and catch a train from there to Caen, the earliest you would arrive is 11:59.That might give you enough time to catch an afternoon tour, most of which end at 17:30. If you can catch the 17:58 train to Paris, you'll arrive in time to catch the last Eurostar to London which departs at 21:13 and arrives at 22:34. Important note: The times I gave you are for weekdays. Service is more limited on weekends.

If you want to take a tour out of Bayeux, the above plan won't work. While you might get to Bayeux in time for an afternoon tour, you won't finish in time to cach the last train you could take to connect with the last Eurostar.

Having spelled out everything above, I strongly encourage you not to attempt this. If you're going to all the effort and expense of getting from London to Normandy and back, don't shortchange yourself. Stay overnight and take an all-day tour.

I would say a daytrip to Normandy is doable from Paris but not from London. Consider just the travel time involved roundtrip. There are many beaches in Normandy to visit and walk around and see.

From Tim's post (the first answer to the OP):

"Having spelled out everything above, I strongly encourage you not to attempt this. If you're going to all the effort and expense of getting from London to Normandy and back, don't shortchange yourself. Stay overnight and take an all-day tour."

Tim's advice brings out the important difference between a day trip that may be technically do-able but, for many travelers, would not be a good decision, defined as a decision that enhances the quality of the traveler's experience. There's a subtle but important difference between the two.

In the end, only the traveler whose trip it is can make the decision. But the problem is that, to make a good decision requires judgment; and judgment in these kind of matters involves both knowledge and experience with the exact things involved in the decision; and many travelers asking questions here lack the experience to make the best decision, and know they lack the experience, that's why they're here asking their question; and that's what we try to supply--the experience they lack.

Just a long-winded way of saying: good for you, Tim, another excellent answer from the Transportation Guru from Minot!

Thanks for the info. I have been researching train times and have come to the same conclusion. We will look into staying overnight. Thanks again for your help.

My "rule of thumb" for daytrips is: if the transportation is 3 hrs or less each way, it's doable. I consider a daytrip from Paris to Avignon worth it; I'd have 7 or 8 hours to enjoy myself before hopping back on the train. London to Paris via Eurostar is doable as a daytrip. London to Normandy would best be experienced as an over-night stay.

hi

don't do it, there's an hour time difference too.

Have you got your own plane? If not, don't.

Roger

www.fermedecandeloup.fr

I agree with the last post. Stay over night! There is so much to see and you won't want to miss anything. With the short time you have if you don't stay the night you will cut something short. Stay the night if possible, you won't be disapointed!!!!!