How to travel from the UK to France without flying

• September 14, 2023

Travelers from the UK who wish to experience French culture, its lip-smacking cuisine, vast history, and scenic beauty frequently choose France as their holiday destination. You can simply fly to France however, flying is not the only option to reach and explore this beautiful country.

There are many alternative ways to travel to France from UK without flying which can be cheaper, greener as well as enjoyable. In this blog we will explore some of these options and provide some useful tips and information for your trip.

London to Paris Train / Take the Eurostar Train – London to Paris

One of the most convenient and comfortable ways to travel from UK to France without flying is by taking a train. Eurostar is the best option which is a high-speed train that connects London with Paris in just over two hours. You can board the train at St Pancras International station in London and arrive at Gare du Nord station in Paris. The train runs up to 18 times a day so you have plenty of options to choose from. The Eurostar offers many advantages over flying such as:

• You can avoid the hassle of airport security checks, baggage fees and delays.
• You can enjoy more legroom, free Wi-Fi in the train, power sockets and there are several entertainment options on board.
• Along the route you may enjoy the picturesque views of the countryside and the Channel Tunnel.
• You can save a lot of time and money by travelling directly from city centre.

UK to France by Car

Travel to France from UK by car is another great option. This is an amazing option if you don’t want to fly as it gives you flexibility to travel at your own pace and gives you freedom to explore different places at your convenience. You can drive your own car or rent one and stop wherever you like to take some pictures with magnificent views in the background.

However, keep in mind that driving in France is not exactly as same as driving in the UK. Here are some things you definitely need to know before you hit the road:

• You need to have a valid driving license, authentic car insurance and vehicle registration document.
• A very important driving rule is you need to drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left-hand side.
• You need to follow the speed limit which is 130 km/h on highway (110 km/h in wet weather), 110 km/h on dual carriageways (100 km/h in wet weather), 90 km/h on other roads (80 km/h in wet weather) and 50 km/h in urban areas.
• Some highways and bridges have tolls that you must pay. You can pay by cash or card at toll booths or use an electronic device called Liber-t tag that allows you to pass through without stopping.
• You need to carry some compulsory equipment in your car such as warning triangle, reflective jacket, headlamp converters (to adjust your headlights for driving on the right), and breathalyzer (to test your alcohol level).

To travel from UK to France by car you need to cross the English Channel by ferry or by train. There are several options to choose from such as:

1. Ferries to France from UK: There are many ferry routes that connect UK with France such as Dover-Calais, Newhaven-Dieppe, Portsmouth-Caen, and Plymouth-Roscoff.
   The time of journey varies from 90 minutes to 6 hours depending on the route and weather. You can book your ferry tickets online and remember the prices may vary depending on the date, time and vehicle type.
2. Eurotunnel: You can travel from UK to France by train. Eurotunnel as mentioned earlier is a train service that transports cars and passengers through the Channel Tunnel between Folke stone and Calais. The journey time is 35 minutes and you can stay in your car throughout the trip. You can book your Eurotunnel tickets online through their official website. The prices vary depending on the date, time and the size of your vehicle.

Flixbus UK

If you are looking for a cheap and eco-friendly way to travel to France from UK without flying then you can consider taking a bus. Flixbus is a leading bus company that offers low-cost and comfortable journeys across Europe. You can cover the distance from London to Paris by Flixbus in about 9 hours with one or two stops along the way. Flixbus UK offers many benefits over flying such as:

• You can avoid the hassle of airport security checks, baggage fees and delays.
• You can also enjoy free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and toilets on board.
• You can bring one hand luggage and one check-in luggage for free.
• You can reduce your carbon footprint by travelling through bus instead of plane.

Online France Visa

Before you start planning your journey you need to check if you need a France visa from London to enter the country. If you are a British citizen you can travel to France without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, if you are not a British citizen you will need to apply for a France Schengen visa which is a short-stay visa that allows you to visit any of the 26 countries in the Schengen Area including France.

You can apply for this visa online through a reliable and authorized France visa services provider like France Visas (Business and travel visa services provider). Here are some of the benefits of choosing France Visas:

• We help our clients who wish to travel to France for business or holiday purposes in getting France visa appointment.
• Our experienced team of experts strives to make the entire process hassle-free & swift.
• We provide you with the up-to-date and accurate information for successful visa appointment.
• We also keep you updated with the status of your France visa application UK.
• When you choose us you can rely on us and rest assure about the privacy and security of all your documents.

How to Book France Visa Appointment?

Our experts will help you get an online appointment for France visa in four easy steps:

• Fill the visa appointment form and submit it with all your relevant information such as date of birth, your travel dates and the date you are planning to come back.
• Submit all the required documents (we will include the required documents list below).
• One of our team members will get back to you and ask for your preferred appointment date and time.
• Pay the necessary Visa fees online and receive the information about your appointment via email.

We will make every effort to ensure that you receive your France visa appointment on your preferred date and time.

Documents checklist for Successful France Visa Appointment

To get appointment and apply France visa from UK the following documents are required:

• A valid passport which must be:
• Issued within the last ten years
• Must have two full blank pages for visa stamp.
• And is will be valid for at least three months after you come back to UK from France.
• A valid residence permit of UK.
• Passport format picture with the following specifications:
• Not more than six months old.
• 35x45mm size
• It must be a colored photo against light background.
• Both of the photos that you provide must be identical.
• Cover letter which explains the reason of your travel to France from UK.
• Proof of arrangements of your travel like your flight reservation (round trip) and your complete travel itinerary.
• Medical insurance that states that your emergency medical costs are covered in the entire Schengen region.
• Proof of hotel booking where you will be staying during your holidays or an invitation from a host in France along with his passport copy.
• Your recent bank statement which proves that you can handle all the costs incurred during your trip to France.

Other Documents Based on Specific Circumstances

Other requirements for online France visa appointment are as follows:

For Employees:

• Employment letter with the following specifications:
• Salary details
• Start date
• Position within the organization
• Your holiday dates (approved by the company)

For Self-Employed:

• A recent letter with the following specifications:
• Professional activity of previous three months.
• Date of business registration.
• VAT Certificate
• Total revenues of minimum last three months.

For Students:

An official letter from college or University in the UK with following details:

• Details of course
• Attendance record
• Course duration

Now that you are all sorted and know different ways for travelling to France from UK and the visa appointment process let’s take a look at the top things to do in France without any fail to not regret later:

One of the most scenic, romantic, and culturally diverse nations in the world France has a wealth of things to add to your bucket list. Even though there is so much to see, explore and eat in France here are 10 of our favorite things to get you started with:

1. Enjoy a meal at a Michelin-starred Restaurant in Eiffel Tower
   How much more romantic can it get? 125 metres above the earth on the second floor of the beautiful Eiffel Tower a Michelin Star dinner is served by a renowned restaurant. Currently, Le Jules Verne is a paradise for exquisite dining, serving only the freshest French ingredients and is run by three-star chef Frederic Anton. Magical, isn’t it?
   
2. Get Lost in the World of Louvre
   One of the most exquisite collections in the world canbe seen in the Musée du Louvre which includes antiques from Egypt, Etruria, Greece and Rome as well as the legendary Mona Lisa. Believe me, waiting in queue is worth every second?
3. Explore streets of Pigalle & Journey at Bouillon Pigalle
   Without a doubt one of the magical and enigmatic neighborhoods in the city is Pigalle. Each of its streets is more bustling than the other. There are more bars than you can shake a cocktail at.
4. Take a dip in divine waterways Marseille
   A visit to Marseille would not be complete without taking a walk through the picturesque creeks known as Calanques which were once known as Massalia to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Expect the hikes to be more than simply a stroll but you will forget about your sore feet when you are surrounded by blue water, the aroma of pine trees and the sound of cicadas.
5. Escape to the Champagne area
   The perfect celebration drink is undoubtedly champagne. Visit the area where it acquired its name especially the northeast to uncover the greatest appellations. Knock on the doors of regional producers from the Massif de Saint-Thierry to the Marne Valley and they will be more than delighted to offer you a tour and try those wonderful golden bubbles.
6. Pay a Visit to Cannes
   We might grow used to a life of spotting celebrities, admiring yachts, and swimming in gorgeous lakes. The cost of visiting Cannes is high but it’s worth a short trip for its opulent seaside beauty.
7. Ski at Chamonix
   There are good reasons why ski lovers go to Chamonix. It is one of the most beautiful and well-kept ski resorts in the whole world with a wonderful French flare.
8. Hop at the Beach in Nice
   Your list of top things to do in France is incomplete without visiting Nice. Some of the most popular spots on the French Riviera are along those crystal-clear Mediterranean coastlines. Nice attracts a lot of tourists since it offers the chance to blend French city life with stunning beaches.
9. Hit Amiens Cathedral
   The west front is shown in a stunning sound and light show during the summer with an English and French explanation of each statues meaning. On the other hand the inside is a bright, serene, and unspoiled area.
10. Seine River Cruise
    Seine River Cruise is the best way to explore the wonderful glory and sparkling attractions of France. Ride a cruise and tell stories to your friends about the enchanting fairyland. You can choose from the list of options available like lunch boat tours, romantic dinner, cabaret shows and much more.

Our Final Thoughts

Travelling from UK to France by train or any other mode of transport except flying is not just possible but enjoyable too. There are many alternative ways to reach this beautiful country by train, car, or bus, which can be more affordable, environmental friendly and of course more fun than flying.

Once you have your France visa UK you can visit France and explore the beautiful places listed above.