Updated on 22 July 2024
Reading time: 4 minutes
BY FERRY
A two-hour train journey from Paris, with one international airport and four cross-Channel ports, Normandy is easily accessible by rail, air, ship and road, thanks to excellent transport connections and a fantastic public transportation network.
![The ferry on the beach of Dieppe](https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/Plage-de-Dieppe-©-B.-Collier-1200x1200.jpg)
From the UK
Direct to Normandy:
- Brittany Ferries: Portsmouth to Le Havre, Caen-Ouistreham and Cherbourg; Poole to Cherbourg
- DFDS Seaways: Newhaven to Dieppe
From Dover to Calais:
Calais is 1h30′ drive to the first border of Normandy
From Ireland
- Irish Ferries: Dublin to Cherbourg
- Stena Line: Rosslare to Cherbourg
- Brittany Ferries: Rosslare to Cherbourg and Rosslare to Le Havre (new for 2023)
The price comparison websites aferry.co.uk and directferries.co.uk have a search function to compare the available ferries from all operators at your chosen port between the UK and France.
From the Channel Islands and the Chausey Islands
- Manche Iles Express*: From Diélette, Barneville Carteret and Granville, to the Channel Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark and Alderney, and to the Chausey Islands
- Jolie France*: From Granville to the Chausey Islands
*Please note some ferry crossings are seasonal
BY CAR
Whether travelling on national roads, motorways or country lanes, plan your route, distances, travel time, and tolls and petrol costs on viamichelin.com
BY TRAIN
- From Paris Saint-Lazare train station: Rouen, Le Havre, Dieppe, Evreux, Bernay, Lisieux, Deauville-Trouville, Caen, Bayeux and Cherbourg
- From Paris Montparnasse train station: Alençon, Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, Argentan, Granville and the Mont-Saint-Michel (via Pontorson or Villedieu-le-Poêles).
To plan your trip by train, check the national train network SNCF CONNECT
To plan your trip by train or by bus while in Normandy, check the regional train and bus network Nomad Normandie
Via Eurotunnel: The Eurotunnel terminus in Coquelles is only 1h30′ from Le Tréport, one of the gateways to Normandy.
Do you know the Normandy Discovery Pass?
Find out more
by coach
- The coach company Blablabus runs out of Paris and a few other French cities to Normandy
- Flixbus also connects Paris to many cities in Normandy
Public transport
Normandy has an extensive public transport network, enabling you to have a full day out exploring the area without using the car.
D-DAY Line
Between Grandcamp-Maisy and Courseulles-sur-Mer, the D-DAY Line enables visitors to travel along Omaha, Gold and Juno Beaches. A shuttle bus service is easy to use and operates daily from 13 May to 30 September 2024.
For more info and view your shuttle on map (in real time): nomad.normandie.fr
Travelling around Normandy
Make use of the Atoutmod search engine to get as quickly as possible from A to B on public transport in Normandy (website available in English).
BY BIKE
With over 310 miles (500km) of cycling routes, there’s no better way to explore the stunning scenery and rich heritage of Normandy than on a bike. The varied cycling routes offer a range of great cycling experiences to suit all ages and abilities, from traffic-free family rides to challenging hilly trails.
BY Plane
Normandy is surrounded by three international airports – Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly and Nantes International Airport, with daily flights from destinations all over the world.
Normandy itself boasts four airports mainly for domestic flights. However, Caen-Carpiquet and Deauville Airports also run regular international flights.
The French and Norman independent regional Chalair airline launches a new seasonal route between Kerry in Ireland to Caen, on Saturdays from 29 June to 21 September 2024.
A new route is also available from Southampton to Caen-Carpiquet airport, on Fridays from 28 June to 20 September – on Sundays from 30 June to 22 September 2024.
Reservations are open and can be made on the Chalair website chalair.fr and through travel agencies (physical or online).