Cheapest Ways to Get to France From the UK

According to Voyager Travel Insurance, France is the UK’s second favourite holiday destination, with over 7 million visitors from Britain every year. And it’s easy to see why, France has so much to offer from romantic weekends in Paris, and family fun at Euro Disney to glorious sunshine in the south of France. And if you’re still wondering how far France is from the UK, the closest distance is approximately 20.7 miles! Its proximity makes it the ideal destination for budget travellers.  

How to get to From the UK to France

The good news is, there are several ways you can travel from the UK to France. Whether you’re a driver, enjoy train journeys or love flying. We have explored all the options so that you can make an informed decision when planning your next trip to France. 

Which route is the fastest to France from the UK?

If you’re looking to get to France in the shortest possible time consider using the Folkstone to Calais crossing. It only takes approximately 35 minutes via the ferry or Eurotunnel - you will be saying Bonjour in no time! If you're wondering if the ferry is cheaper than the Eurotunnel, the answer is that it’s slightly cheaper. But more on saving costs later… 

What is the cheapest way to get from the UK to France?

Several factors can affect the cost of travel. In general car sharing is the cheapest way to drive to France. If you are travelling with friends or family - use the ferry to cross the channel and share the cost of the fuel as well as the ticket price. Depending on how many of you are sharing and where you are travelling from in the UK and where you are going to in France; the cost can be as little as £45 per person.  

UK to France: Cheapest ferry crossings

If travelling by car and using the ferry the cost will always depend on a few factors: 

• Dates and time of travel.
• How many passengers? 
• Vehicle type, if you have a roof box, caravan etc. 
• The company you travel with.
• The closer you book to the departure date the higher the price - try and book in advance to save money.

When I explored some crossings and dates in Spring 2024 (out of term time) I found that the cheapest ferry crossings were Folkestone to Calais and Dover to Calais. 

A Friday to Monday crossing with 2 passengers and approximately 9 am departure from the UK and returning at 5 pm from Calais cost £98 in total. My car of choice was a VW Golf Plus. You can find discount codes for Irish Ferries and DFDS Seaways on our discount code pages which provide these crossings from Dover.  

It’s worth noting that P&O ferries offer some last-minute prices, travelling at off-peak times, which is usually during the night - so if you are a night owl, that may be a good money-saving option. 

The most expensive ferry crossing from the UK to France was between Portsmouth and Caen. Travelling at the time as above was a whopping £326 in total, this was travelling with Brittany Ferries. 

Is the ferry cheaper than the Channel Tunnel?

The ferry is cheaper than Le Shuttle. Even if you decide to travel at off-peak times they will still cost more. So what’s the advantage of choosing Le Shuttle? It’s a time-saving way to travel. The journey time from the UK to France is just 35 minutes. You will need to check in an hour before departure. Using the same details as above a return ticket on Le Shuttle is £359. 

Eurostar is another option specifically for food passengers. A standard return ticket using the same details as above is £595. This journey starts at St Pancras in London and takes you to Paris in France. Eurostar is far more expensive than LeShuttle but depending on your plans you may decide it’s the most convenient.  

We have a range of discount codes available for Eurostar if you decide that's how you would like to cross the channel which may save you some money. 

Is flying to France from the UK cheaper than the train or ferry?

Not only is flying to France from the UK quicker, it’s cheaper too. And if you are wondering why trains are more expensive, the aviation industry is one of the most undertaxed and over-subsidised sections of the UK economy, according to The Eco Experts.  

How cheap are flights to France?

At the time of writing this, I found flights from various airports around the UK from just £14.99 to Paris, one way, with Ryanair. As you can see - this is a bargain compared to rail. I’ll leave you to consider whether to monetary cost over environmental cost. According to The Guardian, trains from and around the UK are 50% more expensive than plane fares. 

Which airlines fly to France from the UK?

Along with Ryanair, you can fly to France with: 

• British Airways 
• Air France 
• Easy Jet
• Vueling 
• Iberia

If you decide that flying to France is the best option for you, we have some discount codes that can save you money. 

When is the cheapest time of year to fly from the UK to France?

If you are now planning to fly to France, there are times of the year when plane tickets may be cheaper. January, February and the start of March give you a great opportunity to experience France in the Spring without breaking the bank. The end of November to early December may be cheaper too; potentially a great time to plan a visit to a Christmas market. 

Remember that midweek and off-peak times will usually be cheaper too. Friday and Saturday are the most expensive days to fly. 

Other Ways to Save Money on Trips to France

Now that you are ready to make your way to France it’s worth looking into these other ways that you could make your trip even cheaper, leaving you with more spending money in your pocket.  

Use comparison sites, to save money on your channel crossing

Be sure to check out travel comparison sites before you book, it will save time and money. Whether you are booking train, ferry or plane tickets, be sure to check sites like Skyscanner, Expedia, Kayak, and Rome2Rio.  

Make the most of your Tesco Clubcard

Tesco Clubcard members can turn points into vouchers from travel companies. Get 2 times the value of your points at Irish Ferries, LeShuttle, P&O Ferries, Stena Line, National Express and Mega Bus.  

Look for discount codes and promotions

Always keep an eye out for discount codes and promotions. New ones appear all the time so it’s always good to check before you book!