Getting To Calais

If youre travelling from the UK, getting to Calais is quite easy. From London, you can choose to travel by car or train. Many visitors take the ferry from Dover to Calais for the speed, comfort and reasonable cost. There are a number of ferry companies offering service at all hours of the day and night.

Calais has a small local airport, Calais Marck, which is not serviced by regularly scheduled flights at this time. It is possible to fly to Paris' Charles de Gaulle International Airport however, and take the train to Calais.

By car

If youre driving, you can cross the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel, with the trip from Dover to Calais taking just 30 minutes on Eurotunnel trains. The ferry from Dover to Calais is also quick and inexpensive.

If youre driving to your onward destination from Calais, there is an excellent autoroute system, which will comfortably take you to your destination. An alternative to the autoroute is driving along the N1 (the old route), on which you can follow the coast from Dunkerque through Abbeville and many charming towns and rolling countryside before heading inland for the drive to Paris.

By rail

English rail services have trains running from London to Dover and the high-speed Eurostar service links London to Calais and beyond. The Eurostar passenger trains are also an option crossing from Dover to Calais, with a crossing time of just 30 minutes. Travelling to Calais from any major French city should also pose no problem, as there is TGV (high-speed) services to Gare Calais Frthun, just outside Calais.

From Calais, Eurostar trains to London and Paris depart are arrive at the TGV station (Calais Frthun). You can reach the station either by bus or by one of the regular Boulogne trains from Gare Calais. Once on the TGV, you can change at Lille for direct, high-speed service to many cities in France including Avignon, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, Nmes, Perpignan and Rennes.

By bus

From Calais Port, there is a bus service run by the local bus company, with frequent departures to and from the centre. There's also a free daytime bus service that goes to Place d'Armes and to the central train station, although it doesnt run as frequently. Also in the port area, you will find buses providing service to the out-of-city hypermarkets, and to Dunkerque and Boulogne.

By air

Calais Marck Airport only handles private, local flights. International travellers are most likely to fly into Paris' Charles de Gaulle International Airport, the closest major airport to Calais. From here, Calais can be reached by train, including high-speed TGV and Eurostar services, which depart from Gare du Nord.

Taxis

Taxis are easily found at the port and in the city centre. Your hotel can also book a taxi in advance for you by telephone. Most taxis operate according to a meter, but it is advisable to check the rate before you embark on your journey.