Guide For Traveling From the UK to France

If you are a resident of the UK it’s easy to travel to different parts of France using different travel options. France is a popular destination for Brits and you can travel to France from the UK by car, train, or air depending on the distance you want to cover and the experience you are looking for.

This guide for traveling from the UK to France will help you plan your own trip there.

Document Requirements For Traveling to France

The COVID-19 travel restrictions affecting visitors to France have been eliminated as of August 1, 2022. No longer is it a requirement for any travelers visiting France or the UK to show documentation of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery. You also do not need to show a negative PCR test. 

If you are planning to rent a car, you must carry your identification documents and driver’s license.  If you plan to drive to France, you must have the Air Emissions Certificate – luckily this is a document you can access easily online.

Also check that your travel documentation, notably your passport and visa, has not expired. 

Other Requirements For Traveling to France From the UK

It is mandatory that you have routine vaccinations like polio, tetanus, measles, influenza, varicella, and diphtheria, among others. Consult a travel health professional before traveling to France.

Before you decide to drive in France, you must read the rules governing drivers in the country before your journey. This is vital as in France, people are right-side drivers, which is not the case in the UK where people drive on the left.

Best Transport Options For France

Traveling to France has become much easier than it has been in the last two years. This is because France and England are listed among the nations with the lowest cases of COVID-19 infections on the green list.

You can get to France by ferry, road, train, or air from the UK. More details for each transportation option is below.

Driving

Most people may not find the thought of driving appealing, especially from the UK to France, as they may think it will be challenging but it’s actually much easier than you would think.

One of the best ways to create unforgettable memories when traveling is by taking it slow and ensuring you have enough time to take everything in at the different places you visit. Driving provides you with the necessary means to do this and have the best experiences you can.

Driving a car to France with your family is an excellent idea as there are fewer restrictions, unlike when you decide to fly. You don’t have to worry about missing your flight as there are no strict timings when traveling using a car as one would encounter at the airport.

Additionally, you are not limited to taking in the scenery from a window. In France, there are many wonderful locations to stop and explore where you can immerse yourself in the local way of life. The freedom that driving provides is hard to beat. You can also take more stuff with you if you drive like bikes and camping gear. 

Vacations can get expensive fast, especially if you want to rent a car. These can have extra fees and a drawn-out pick-up and drop-off process. Having your vehicle avoids these difficulties.

Flying

If you are in a rush to get to France from the UK you should opt for air travel, especially if you are avoiding the fatigue that comes from driving or sitting for long hours on the train. Plan your non-interrupted UK to France flight by visiting DirectFlights.com.

With limited time for your France travel, this is a good option as you will reach your desired destination fast – a flight from London to Paris only takes a little over an hour. This is fast compared to how long you would take when driving.

France has enchanting cities like Marseille, Nice, and Bordeaux that lure many visitors, and you can fly to them from various airports in the UK. It costs about $120 to travel by air from London to Paris; depending on the airline you select.

Make sure you take luggage fees into account as these can be pricy. Flying to France from the UK is generally more costly compared to taking a coach or the train.

Rail Travel

Train travel is a better choice if you are looking for something more affordable. The train provides comfort and does not limit the number of bags you can carry, unlike when traveling by air.

There are different tickets you can get for your trip to France as you can splurge for the Business or Standard Premier tickets or save with the cheapest option – Standard Class. For each class, the variance in things like food, space, and the most luggage you can carry differs.

In Standard Class, you can pay $30 for a ticket from the UK to France, and for Business Premier Class, the price can exceed $300. You can book a Eurostar train from London to Paris and enjoy the ambiance of traveling by train.

If you are a bit time conscious, using the train is a good idea as it will not take as much time as a car or shuttle. Choose your preferred ticket class depending on your travel budget.

Eurotunnel

The Eurotunnel is considered the fastest means of travel when you take your vehicle from the UK to France. There is no limit to the type of vehicle you can use on the Eurotunnel; one can even use their motorcycle to get through to the other side.

The ticket cost depends on the vehicle’s size, which means that motorcycles are the cheapest to cross the tunnel in this case. It is about $80 for a ticket meant to be used once, and a return ticket can cost you about $60.

When traveling with friends or family, you will not have to pay a ticket for each member as the vehicle is the only one charged which signifies that it is a cost-effective way of traveling in groups headed to France.

This is a convenient way of getting to France without taking too much time using long routes. Using the Eurotunnel means you will get to France fast and will not have spent too much, and you get the chance to bring other people along, which makes the journey a whole lot more fun.

Tips For Traveling to France

Tax-free Shopping

When traveling from the UK to France, you do not have to worry about getting taxed for the things you buy there. This is because you are eligible for tax-free shopping. Take advantage of this fact and shop for yourself in France or buy gifts for friends and family. 

Accommodation Costs

The cost of accommodation in France can be expensive, but the amount you spend depends on the places you decide to stay in. If you are traveling on a tight budget, avoid expensive hotels and settle for reasonably priced hotels or hostels.

You could even camp as there are many excellent camping grounds all around France.

Discount Cards

If you are a student twenty-five years of age and below traveling to France, you qualify for the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC), which makes you eligible for discounts when traveling by bus, air, or rail.

The card can also be used in museums. Teachers can also use the International Teacher Card (ITIC) to get discounts in places like museums.