Getting There
By air
France’s national airline Air France offer flights from a number of British airports to destinations in France. Flights start at around £45 economy class one way. There are dozens of other operators offering services to the country, including: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Aeroflot and British Airways, as well as an increasing number of budget flight operators such as Easyjet.
Flights from London to Paris take approximately one hour and five minutes, and Paris’ international airports offer everything that would be expected including bus, train coach and taxi services into the city. Also offered is car hire, restaurants, bars, shops, medical facilities and a bureau de change, amongst other things. The same kind of facilities are to be expected of France’s other international airports, which are located in most major cities.
Airports
Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The airport is 14 miles (23km) north east of Paris. The three terminals are linked by free shuttle buses. There is a good train service (RER B) that serves the airport with connections to the Paris Metro. Taxis are available on arrival at each terminal. Buses are also available to the city centre and major train stations. All major car rental companies are represented. There are ATMs, banks and bureaux de change in all terminals as well as a wide selection of shops, restaurants and bars. Terminal 1 also has a hairdresser and a business facility that includes meeting rooms, fax and photocopier. Internet facilities and wireless Internet access are also available. Mobile phones can be rented at the airport. Disabled passengers are well catered for at the airport. For more info visit: www.adp.fr
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
The airport is nine miles (14km) south of Paris. The two terminals are linked by a free shuttle bus. RER trains leave regularly from both terminals and connect to the metro and SNCF train stations. A number of bus services also operate from both terminals. Taxis can also be hired from outside the Arrivals area. All the major car rental companies are represented at the airport. There are a number of shops, bars and restaurants throughout the airport and both terminals have ATMs, banks and currency exchange services. Other facilities include information desks, an art gallery, left luggage, and a medical centre offering vaccinations. Internet access points and wireless Internet access is available, and a business centre offers a venue and equipment for business needs. Disabled passengers are well catered for; passengers with special needs are advised to inform their airline in advance. For more info visit: www.adp.fr
Bordeaux Airport (BOD)
The airport is located eight miles (13km) west of Bordeaux. A short covered walkway links the two terminals/halls. Transfer to the city: There are regular bus services to the city centre from Terminal B taking about 30-45 minutes. Trains from the Arrivals halls transport passengers to the city centre. Taxis are available outside the airport. Car hire firms Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz, among others, operate from the airport. Airport facilities include a number of bars, shops and restaurants, as well as travel agencies and tour operators. ATMs and bureaux de change are also available. Internet facilities are available in Departures. The airport has good facilities for disabled passengers; those with special needs are advised to let their airline know in advance. For more info visit:
www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr
Lyon-Saint Exupary Airport (LYS)
The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) east of Lyon. Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus. Buses leave regularly for Lyon and the other main towns and cities in the Rhône-Alpes area. Taxis are available outside Terminal 1 Arrivals. There is a TGV train station within walking distance of the airport with regular services to France's main cities, details on the airport website. Car rental companies Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National Citer and Sixt are represented at the airport. Facilities at the airport include left luggage, a post office, bars, restaurants, shops, a travel agency and a business centre with meeting rooms and secretarial services. ATMs and bureaux de change are available throughout the airport. Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Plenty of car parking is available; the further away areas are connected to the terminal building by a free shuttle service every 10 minutes. For more info visit:
www.lyon.aeroport.fr
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
The airport is located 15 miles (24km) north of Marseille and 16 miles (26km) south of Aix-en-Provence. Shuttle buses leave every 20 minutes for Marseille Saint-Charles Rail Station, where connections can be made to other destinations; buses also connect the airport with Aix-en-Provence bus station and Aix-TGV rail station. Metered taxis are available outside the terminal. Car rental companies Avis, Budget, Europcar and Sixt are represented at the airport; desks are located on the ground floor of Hall 4. Facilities include a variety of retail outlets and duty free shopping; bars, restaurants and cafes, Internet cafés, a Business Centre, and banks, ATMs and bureaux de change. For more info visit:
www.marseille.aeroport.fr
Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (NCE)
The airport is situated four miles (6km) west of Nice. A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals, which are also within walking distance. Buses to the city leave regularly for hundreds of destinations between Marseilles and Genoa. Trains go to Nice and Cannes and most other main towns and cities. Metered taxis are available outside both terminals. All major car rental companies are represented opposite Terminal 2. Facilities: There are a number of restaurants, bars and shops, banks and foreign exchange in both terminals. Other facilities include a post office and business centre with meeting rooms, fax, photocopier and Internet facilities and Wi-Fi access. Disabled facilities are good, passengers with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Plenty of short and long-term parking is available at both terminals. For more info visit: www.nice.aeroport.fr
Strasbourg International Airport (SXB)
The airport is nine miles (14km) southwest of Strasbourg. There is a regular shuttle bus to Baggersee station where trams can be taken to the city centre. Entzheim train station is a five-minute walk from the airport terminal from where trains connect to the city of Strasbourg. Alternatively taxis are available outside Arrivals. All major car rental companies are represented at the airport. Airport facilities include shops and duty free shopping, bars, restaurants, ATMs, bureau de change and a business centre. Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should ideally advise their airline in advance. For more info visit:
www.strasbourg.aeroport.fr
Toulouse Blagnac International Airport (TLS)
The airport is located five miles (8km) northwest of Toulouse. Buses leave every 20 minutes for Toulouse from outside Arrivals. Taxis are also available. All major car rental companies are represented at the airport. There are bars, shops and a restaurant in the terminal. Other facilities include banks, bureaux de change, Internet access, travel agencies and a business centre. Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should ideally contact their airline in advance. Long and short-term parking is available. For more info visit:
www.toulouse.aeroport.fr
Lille Airport (LIL)
The airport is situated about six miles (10km) from Lille close to the Belgian border. The Navette airport shuttle service operates between the arrivals hall and the Euralille shopping centre in the city centre, hourly each day from 5.30am (later on weekends). A return fare costs €7.60. Several taxi companies serve the airport. Four car rental companies have desks in the Arrivals hall: Avis, National Citer, Europcar and Hertz. The airport has a bank, ATM, restaurants, cafeterias, bars, a duty free shop, newsagent, post office, tourist help desk and business centre. There is an open-air car park and a covered car-park, the Car Hotel, with direct access to the terminal, both offering long and short-stay parking at various prices. For more info visit:
www.lille.aeroport.fr
By road
France is easily reachable by road and the Channel Tunnel is an excellent option for Brits travelling to France, as well as numerous operators offering car ferry services. Eurolines operating out of London’s Victoria Coach Station offer routes to a number of French destinations.
A standard EU driving license is required. If a photo licence is not held, an International Driving Permit must be obtained. Insurance is mandatory and Green Card insurance is recommended. A sticker denoting the nationality of the car driven must also be placed in clear view on the vehicle.
By rail
It is very easy to get to most locations in France by train with a fast links through the Eurostar and excellent connections and service within the country.
By ferry
There are many connections to France from Britain, offered by numerous ferry and other ferry companies including Stena Line, Brittany Ferries and P&O
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