Yes you can fly to Europe but why not drive from England to France? Take your own car or rent one. Not only will you avoid crowded airports and expensive baggage fees, but you can tuck 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)
Avoid the stresses of catching a flight. A road trip is slow travel at it’s best!
I think you’ll find that 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!
Book ahead for your stay in France now.
I used Booking.com to book a city apartment in Honfleur and a gite near Saint Malo last year. Both worked out really well. From hotels to Airbnb type accommodations, you’ll find it! I like that I can 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

Lovely harbor of Saint Martin de Re on the Ile de Re on the coast of western France.
4 Options to Drive from England to France
- Rent a car in England and drive via the Eurotunnel to France
- Rent a car in England and take a ferry to France
- Take the Eurostar train from England and rent a car in France
- Take a ferry “on foot” to France where you rent a car
1. Drive a Car onto the Eurotunnel to France
Rent your car in England and then drive it to France using the Eurotunnel LeShuttle (for car and rail traffic under the English Channel). You 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. You pass through customs on the way out.
PROS
- The Eurotunnel takes only 35 minutes from England to France with 4 departures an hour.
- Pack your car at your home or hotel in England.
- 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 any necessary paperwork
- Stock up in France, bring home by car without worrying about excess baggage.
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 2024/25.
- If you’re 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 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 a ferry bound for France. You drive onto the ferry, leave the car below and spend your cross channel journey above, either in a cabin, designated seat (booked when you buy your ticket) or open seating. Ferries offer food and drink service while on board and while not quite as comfortable as a typical cruise ship they are 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. Use an entry port in Normandy or Brittany (instead of the Dover to Calais Eurotunnel for example) to save miles if you’re traveling to south or western France.
Some ferries will leave late at night and arrive the following morning, giving you an early start.
I’ve done this journey twice, once in a rental car and once in my own car and highly recommend it. Find links to UK ferry lines below.
PROS
- Pack your car at your home or hotel in England.
- Drive instead of paying for trains or taxis from home to port.
- Stock up on wine or antiques in France and bring it home in your own car!
- Take your pet with you – make sure they have a proper pet passport and any necessary paperwork
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 the Eurostar to France then Rent
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).
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” French – and European roads. Left hand drive.
- You’ll be renting a car for fewer days, so budget friendly
- If you’re 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 a taxi or metro to the rental car location once you’re ready to start your road trip.
- Driving in and out of Paris could be challenging
- You’ll travel back to England with only your suitcases or 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. Take a Ferry “on foot” to France then Rent a Car
Most ferry ports in southern England are accessible by train if you’re not driving while 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.
PROS
- In France, you’ll rent a left hand drive car (US style) meant for French roads (and most of Europe).
- You’ll be renting a car for fewer days, so budget friendly
- If you’re 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.
Drive from England to France Resources
Ferries
Use Direct Ferries where you can view and book all ferry lines or I’ve also included individual ferry lines.
Portsmouth to Cherbourg, St. Malo, Caen, Le Havre
Eurotunnel
Eurotunnel “Le Shuttle” crosses from Folkestone England to Calais, France. It’s the fastest way to cross the English Channel with 4 departures every hour and a 35 minute transit time.
You 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.
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. Of course you may find other deals. 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 (its based on the rate you get not whether or not you’re legal in the country!).
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.
Look up rental car options
My Recommendations for Arriving in England:
Most US to UK flights will fly into one of London’s major airports; Heathrow or Gatwick. Heathrow is more accessible to central London.
Gatwick is south of greater London and may be a better choice if you don’t plan to spend time in the city and want to be closer to the ferry ports to France on the south coast of England.
A. If you want to stay in London
Before you leave the US, book a hotel in London. Once you land, travel into London using my recommendations. Or if you prefer to be picked up at the airport to your hotel, ask your hotel to book you a private taxi. Expect to pay about £80 ($115.) one way into central London.
Once you’re ready to start your road trip, travel back to the airport or nearest car rental agency location to pick up your car.
B. If you’re NOT staying in London
I recommend staying at least one night before setting off on your road trip making it easier to coordinate your arrival to your ferry or the Eurotunnel.
Keep in mind, England is 5 hours ahead of the east coast. If you’re traveling from the US east coast, you may not feel too jet lagged, but from the west coast you will! It’s a good idea to catch up on sleep before taking the next leg of your journey to France.
Book a room in an airport hotel for that first night, then pick up your rental car at the airport or take a train to 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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4 Comments
Sue-Anne Mayne
June 19, 2021 at 11:33 AMWhat a fabulous post!! SO much detail and so well researched. I have always preferred the ferry to the Eurotunnel because I like to feel like I have left one country to travel to another. The white cliffs of Dover in the distance are a very romantic sight! But you have got me thinking. It seems that luggage is the big drawback to many easy travelling plans. My friend at @the5kilotraveller tells us all how to travel light, but I have to admit I am not very good at it. And I do love to be able to buy interesting bits and bobs along the way. You have certainly made me start planning a trip to France again. Just need the UK government to give it the green light now!! x
Tessa
June 22, 2021 at 11:09 AMGlad you found the post helpful Sue-Anne. I’m currently researching again as I’d love to be able to finish the trip I started before the first lockdown!
Cynthia
June 9, 2021 at 6:43 PMFor now, I’ll have to live vicariously through you! Loved the post, really loved the pictures!
Tessa
June 9, 2021 at 7:32 PMThank you Cynthia – so glad you enjoyed reading it! These were taken during my visit to France. I know you’ll make your own trip happen one day soon.
All the best,
Tessa