Can You Drive From the UK to France?
Most Brits are aware of flying to France, but not everyone has explored the option of traveling by car.
The short answer to the question posed here is "yes"; You can certainly drive to France from the UK. But unsurprisingly, the best routes depend on the location of your British base and (especially these days) there are quite a few factors to consider.
However, there are many advantages associated with driving to France from the UK. For starters, you may be more comfortable traveling independently, in your own family or social bubble, and you can also rotate each family member's Christmas playlists to really get in the mood. Within reason, you can make ad hoc stops along the way to spend time in amazing places you happen to discover, and once you're at your French destination, day trips are easy on your own trip.
Roads and inter-channel connections that allow you to drive from the UK to France
You may not have heard of it, but the main road from the UK to France is the European route E15. It comprises several well-known UK highways stretching from Inverness to the south of England, with room for your English Channel or Eurotunnel ferry ride, followed by your French side from Calais to Perpignan.
On the UK side, the roads included in the E15 include the A9, M90, M8, A720, A1, A1 (M), M25, A282 and M20. Obviously these roads are located on the east coast of the UK so if you are based in the west or in the center there are alternative routes available.
Once you reach the south coast of England, your options for crossing the channel to France by car are a ferry or a train on the Eurotunnel. Here's a little more information to help you weigh which one is better:
Ferries from the UK to France include the popular Dover to Calais crossing, which takes about 90 minutes and is operated by several companies more than 30 times a day. Alternatively, the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk takes around two hours and sails up to 12 times a day, while the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe takes you to Normandy in northern France, with a travel time of five hours and around five crosses a day. Other options include Plymouth to Roscoff (6 to 8 hour trip sailing twice a day), Poole to Cherbourg (4 hour 30 minute trip sailing 7 times a week) and Portsmouth to St Malo (11 hour sailing trip one once a week). As you can see, there are several options available, and longer crossings can still be convenient if they minimize the driving time to your destination on the other side.
The Eurotunnel to France takes only 35 minutes from platform to platform and there are up to four departures per hour. The price is quite reasonable, especially considering that it covers your car and up to nine passengers. The roads on either side of the Eurotunnel are motorways so it's convenient to get to from most UK destinations and you can make a quick getaway to the other side. Always check the current procedures on the official website before departure, but under normal circumstances you can pass the crossing in your car or leave your car to stretch your legs in safe areas of the wagon.
So there you have it, whether you prefer to travel above or below the English Channel, there are plenty of options available!
Driving from the UK to France
Because there are several different driving routes from the UK to France, you will need to weigh several considerations before deciding which one is best for you.
For example, the comparative cost of the closest canal crossings should be taken into account, as well as the cost of fuel, the time between stops (particularly relevant if your group includes children or older relatives), the cost of highways from toll on the way and time you'll need outside of work (and your kids will need outside of school).
The Dover ferry crossing and the Eurotunnel are the fastest and cheapest crossings, but the Newhaven to Dieppe crossing is also often good value for money. Meanwhile, due to its size, Portsmouth offers several crossings to France with Brittany Ferries, and you can opt for budget routes or more opulent vessels with plenty of entertainment and retail therapy. Finally, the Plymouth and Poole routes are less frequent and sometimes only operate seasonally, so check beforehand and reserve your spot well in advance.
How long is the journey from the UK to France?
The length of your journey depends on which part of the UK you depart from and which junction you choose. If you leave Aberdeen and cross the channel by ferry, it will obviously take you much longer than a fellow traveler leaving London and using the Eurotunnel.
Final thoughts
Voila - all of your essential information for driving from the UK to France. Remember to check the official UK government guidance before you set off (particularly in the current climate) and book as far ahead of time as possible to reserve your space and access cheap tickets.