You can fly to Europe but why not drive from England to France? Take your own car or rent one.

Avoid crowded airports and expensive baggage fees, while tucking in a liter or two of lovely French wine to bring home! France is just the start. Once you cross the channel, you can wander to your hearts content (just be sure your rental car company knows where you’re going)

4 Options to Drive from England to France

1. Rent a car in England and drive via the Eurotunnel to France
   
2. Rent a car in England and take a ferry to France
3. Take the Eurostar train from England then rent a car in France
   
4. Take a ferry “on foot” to France where you rent a car

Driving in France has similarities to the USA (for example). More multi lane highways with service areas and faster travel times. Americans will be glad to hear that most of Europe drives on the right side of the road too.

By car you can travel at your own pace, keep your own schedule and ease your way into European life. So let’s get planning!

Oh as of October 12 2025, there are new entry regulations for the EU. Check out my video for all the details.

Why not browse where to stay?

I used Booking.com to book a city apartment in Honfleur and a gite near Saint Malo last year. Both worked out really well. I to book ahead and secure the dates I want without paying up front (unlike Airbnb). Just use the filter “Free Cancellation”!

Drive from England to France – Best Routes

Lovely harbor of Saint Martin de Re on the Ile de Re on the coast of western France.

1. Rent a car then take the Eurotunnel

Rent your car in England, then drive to France using the Eurotunnel LeShuttle (for car and rail traffic under the English Channel).

You’ll drive your car onto the “train”, staying in it for the 35 minute trip to Calais, France.

I’ve traveled back to the UK via the LeShuttle with a rental car and didn’t encounter any problems at all.

PROS 

• The Eurotunnel takes 35 minutes with 4 departures an hour so it’s fast
• No need to pay for trains or expensive taxis to departure ports.
• Take your pet with you – make sure they have a proper pet passport and necessary paperwork
• More room to bring home goodies from France

CONS

• Cars in the UK are right hand drive (drive on the left ), but cars in France and most of Europe are left hand drive (drive on the right like the US).
• Not all rental cars can be taken to Europe – check before you book
• Backlogs possible at Dover port (England) due to enhanced customs and entry requirements in 2025/26 with EES.
  
• A wee bit claustrophobic? You’re in a tunnel for the better part of 20 minutes.

Choose this option if:

• You don’t like boats, long ferry crossings or are prone to seasickness.
• If your destination is north or eastern regions of France then Eurotunnel at Calais is the closest entry “port”

Book your rental car

Vibrant Roussillon village in Provence in the south of France

2. Rent a Car in England, Take a Ferry to France

Book a rental car in England and use a ferry bound for France.

You drive onto the ferry, leave the car below and spend your cross channel journey up above, either in a cabin, designated seat (booked when you buy your ticket) or open seating. Ferries offer food and drink service on board and while not a typical cruise ship, they’re well equipped for a journey of 4-8 hours.

Ferries depart from the south coast of England – Newhaven, Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth – to the north coast of France.  For travel to south or western France, use an entry port in Normandy or Brittany.

Some ferries leave late at night and arrive the following morning, giving you an early start. Don’t forget to book a cabin unless you like sleeping in a seat!

I’ve done this journey multiple times, in a rental car and my own car and highly recommend it.

Find links to UK ferry lines below.

PROS  

• Drive to port instead of paying for trains or taxis from home.
• Stock up on wine or antiques in France to bring home in your own car!
• Take your pet with you

CONS

• UK cars are right hand drive (drive on the left), but cars in France and most of Europe are left hand drive (drive on the right like the US).
• Longer journey. The shortest ferry between England and France takes about 1 1/2  hours (compared to 35 minutes through Eurotunnel). The ferry crossing from Portsmouth or Poole takes a little over 4 hours.
• If you don’t like boats or long ferry crossings or if you’re prone to seasickness you may want to pass. Most ferries are flat bottomed and although perfectly safe, DO tend to rock side to side in rough seas.

Choose this option if:

• You’re willing to trade time on a ferry for less time driving – especially heading to the west or south of France.
• You’d rather not travel through a tunnel.
• You enjoy being on the water and experiencing entering a port by ferry!

Enjoy beautiful Seine views if you make a detour through Paris.

3. Take Eurostar to France then Rent a Car

Travel as a foot passenger on the Eurostar train from London St Pancras station to Paris. The journey takes just 2+ hours!

By the way, Eurostar LeShuttle also uses the Eurotunnel which is the only car and passenger transport from England to France (other than ferries).

Book your Eurostar train here.

PROS

• You really want to spend a night or more exploring Paris the city of light.
• Renting a car in France, means your car will “fit” European roads. Left hand drive.
• Shorter car rental, so budget friendly
• Not eligible to rent a car in England? You may be able to in France

CONS

• Once you arrive at Gare du Nord, you’ll need a taxi to your hotel.
• You’ll need to take another taxi or metro to pick up rental car
• Driving in and out of Paris could be challenging!
• You travel back to England with only what you can carry.

Find the perfect pad to stay in Paris!

Choose this option if:

• You really really want to see Paris en route!
• You’ve found a better deal to rent in France and you prefer a right driving car (easier to pay tolls!)

Looking down from the Chateau across Saumur and the Loire river in west-central France.

4. Travel “on foot” to France then Rent a Car

Most ferry ports in southern England are accessible by train if you don’t plan to drive in the UK.  You can usually book and board the ferry as a foot passenger. Once you arrive in France pick up a rental car at your port of arrival. Or take Eurostar to Paris and book a rental car there.

PROS

• In France, you’ll rent a left hand drive car (US style) meant for French roads (and most of Europe).
• Shorter car rental, so budget friendly
• Not eligible to rent a car in England? You may be able to in France

CONS

• You’ll have to lug suitcases from home to train/taxi and onto the ferry and of course do the reverse when you return.
• You won’t be able to load up a car with French wine and other goodies.
• You’ll need to walk, get an Uber or taxi to pick up and drop off your rental car in France

Choose this option if:

• You’re not eligible to rent a car in the UK.
• You want to save some money or can get a better rental deal in France

The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, one of the must see landmarks to visit.

Resources

Ferries

Book your ferry here.

Dover to Calais  

Newhaven to Dieppe

Portsmouth to Cherbourg, St. Malo, Caen, Le Havre

Poole to Cherbourg

Plymouth to Roscoff

Eurotunnel

Eurotunnel “Le Shuttle” crosses from Folkestone England to Calais, France, the fastest route to cross the English Channel with 4 departures every hour and a 35 minute transit time.

Drive to the Eurotunnel port (make sure to look for the non-commercial vehicle entrance) then wait until you’re directed to drive onto the train bed. You stay in your car during the crossing.

As of 2026 you’ll have to complete EES passport documentation at Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar for entry into the EU (if you are a  non EU resident). Watch my video for all the details.

Car Rental FAQs

Europcar was the rental company that allowed us to rent a car in England to drive to Europe. The whole process was fairly straightforward and I didn’t encounter any problems. If you’re a Costco member for example, they’ve got some great car rental deals in France.

You’ll need a UK or US driving license to hire a car in England or Europe. If you’re driving on your US license, expect to show your return ticket to the US to the car rental agent.

Be sure to carefully check all details when booking such as insurance coverage and additional driver if needed. The rate I got from Europcar in England was inclusive, but when I checked rates in France; insurance, GPS and other perks are all a la carte.

Check out your rental car options

Arriving in England Next Steps:

Most US to UK flights fly into one of London’s major airports; Heathrow or Gatwick.  Heathrow is the most accessible to central London.

Gatwick – south of greater London – may be a better choice if you’re not spending time in London. It’s closer to the ferry ports on the south coast of England.

A. You’re Staying in London

Before you leave the US, book a hotel in London.

Once you land, travel into London with my recommendations.

Ask your hotel to book you a private taxi if you want an airport pickup. Expect to pay about £80 ($115.) one way into central London. 

Once you’re ready to start your UK to Europe road trip, travel back to the airport or nearest car rental agency location to pick up  your car. You already know airports often have better rates, right?

B.You’re NOT staying in London

I recommend staying at least one night on arrival. Make it easy on yourself to coordinate your arrival to your ferry or the Eurotunnel.

If you’re traveling from the US east coast, you may not feel too jet lagged (England is 5 hours ahead) but from the west coast you will! Why not get a good nights sleep before hopping on a ferry or Eurostar.

Book a room in an airport hotel for that first night, then pick up your rental car at the airport or your nearest car rental agency.

Get ready to board the ferry or Eurotunnel to start your England to France road trip. Safe travels!

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