indy_dad

Still evaluating the myriad of ways we can get from the UK (north of London) to Normandy with a family of 4 (kids 13 & 10). We plan to have a car for the week though it may or may not be our own. Despite all the options, the quickest (and easiest?) way seems to be to fly into CDG.

From there, we could train on to Caen or pick up a car at CDG. The train connections (RER B to Gare de Nord, RER E (?) to Gare St Lazare, train to Caen seem like more hassle than it's worth with kids and luggage (4 smalls). Since I'd be picking up a car in Caen or CDG, seems more straightforward to go ahead and get the car at CDG and make the ~3.5 hr drive from there. FYI, the monetary difference is likely in the "doesn't matter/go for convenience" range.

Am I overlooking anything with that plan?

Plan A would be to arrive/depart on Saturdays. Should it change if it were Friday/Friday?

Similarly, if we go the Eurostar route, that's one less train connection and I assume a more challenging drive out so I might lean toward continuing on to Caen before getting the car. Or getting a connection to a westerly locale for pickup?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

StCirq

Can't you take a hydrofoil or ferry from Dover to Calais - or is that a thing of the past? If you can, that's what I'd do and pick up the car IN Normandy.

Gretchen

It's not difficult to pick up the car at CDG and drive. You are on the sort of "correct" side of Paris to go north.

indy_dad

Thanks for the input. Any other comments?

spiral

Personally we always take the ferry or Eurotunnel to France. It is a long drive from the Midlands but it is so much less stressful than flying. The time taken getting to the airport, parking, getting through security, hanging around for boarding then getting a hired car at the other end all mounts up.

Getting the ferry is usually very straight forward. There is plenty of space for the kids to enjoy and for you to have a rest. And of course there is no restriction on your luggage plus you have room for some beer and wine on the way home!

Given you want to go to Caen Brittany Ferries Portsmouth/Caen Normandie Express crossing seems best. Yes it is a long crossing but it can be fun for the kids.

It would take 8 hours or so to reach Caen from the Midlands using the fast ferry. Given you would still have a 2 hr 30 min drive from CDG to Caen would the flight be much faster?

indy_dad

Spiral -- I'm slowly coming around. Just need to get over the wrong-handed driving aspect.

Unfortunately, the fast ferries are set up for the early morning for the day-trippers so it would be a touch longer. It is a few hours faster to fly but probably $1000 more with the flights and rental car.

Perhaps I'll take the Eurotunnel over and the ferry back. Might even try the overnight for the experience.

Thanks.

spiral

Yes I can see that driving a British car on the right when you are used to driving on that side would be confusing!

The only problem with using the tunnel out and the ferry back is that you often seem to pay as much for a single journey as you do for the return.So if you do different types of crossing you end up doubling your costs. This is not a problem if both journeys are with Brittany ferries.

We are using the overnight from Portsmouth to St Malo and then the Caen -Portsmouth evening ferry on the way back on our trip down to the Vendee this year to minimise the actual driving and keep the times of day sensible!