Getting There & Away: Carnac

Air Travel

Major Airports & Airlines

Closest airports include Nantes Atlantique (NTE), Rennes Bretagne (RNS), and Lorient South Brittany (LRT).

Airport Details

Nantes (NTE): 1h 45m from Carnac, international/domestic flights.
Rennes (RNS): 1h 30m from Carnac, mainly domestic/some European.
Lorient (LRT): 45m from Carnac, limited domestic flights.

Flight Routes & Pricing

No direct international flights from major global hubs to Carnac's regional airports. Connect via Paris or other European hubs.

Flight Advice

Higher prices/reduced availability in summer (July-August).
Shoulder seasons (May-June, September) generally offer better value.
Price fluctuations occur around major French public holidays.

Flight Deals

Find affordable flights with Dollar Flight Club.

Flight Comparison

Compare flight prices across airlines using Skyscanner.

Car Rental Search

Locate rental cars through DiscoverCars.com.

Airport Transfers to Carnac

From Nantes NTE & Rennes RNS

Car Rental: Widely available; highly recommended for flexibility.
Nantes: Shuttle bus to city train station, then TGV to Auray.
Rennes: Metro to train station, then TGV to Auray.
From Auray: Local bus or taxi to Carnac.

From Lorient LRT

Car Rental: Available at Lorient airport.
Taxi: Direct taxi to Carnac costs approximately €80-€100.
Bus: Limited connections to Lorient city center; onward bus to Carnac requires transfers.
All airports offer standard facilities: car rental, ATMs, shops, restaurants.

Departure Information

Exit Fees

No specific exit fees or taxes apply upon departure from France for tourists. Any charges are included in your ticket price.

Airport Timing

Arrive 2 hours before domestic/Schengen flights, 3 hours before non-Schengen international flights. This allows for check-in and security.

Train Station Timing

Auray station: 15-20 minutes before departure for domestic trains, 30 minutes for TGV high-speed trains.

Land Transportation

Train Connections

Auray, about 15 km (9 miles) from Carnac, serves as the main rail gateway. High-speed TGV trains connect Auray directly to Paris Montparnasse (3 to 3.5 hours).

Train Travel Guide

Regional Trains (TER) connect Auray to other towns in Brittany.
Use SNCF Connect to check schedules and book tickets.
Long-distance buses (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) connect to major cities from Lorient or Vannes.

Self-Driving & Car Rental

Driving on the right-hand side. A valid driving license is necessary, and an International Driving Permit for non-EU licenses comes highly recommended.

Driving Information

Rental companies: Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise.
Manual transmission cars are standard; automatics are available but more expensive.
French motorways may have tolls (péages), payable by cash or card.

Road Conditions & Safety

Roads in Brittany are generally well-maintained. Rural roads can be narrow. Observe posted speed limits.

Driving Safety Notes

Roundabouts are very common; understand how to navigate them.
Strict drink-driving laws with low blood alcohol limits.
Paid parking in Carnac Plage during summer; free parking in Carnac Ville.

Sea/River Arrivals

Carnac itself does not have direct sea or river arrivals for tourists.

Ferry Information

Nearest major ferry ports: Saint-Malo and Roscoff (northern Brittany).
Ferry connections from UK and Ireland.
Standard Schengen entry procedures upon disembarkation from outside Schengen.

Important Travel Notes

No internal border checks when traveling between Schengen countries.
Direct bus services to Carnac are rare; connections via Auray or Lorient are common.
Book automatic cars in advance if preferred, they are less common.

Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal without a hands-free system.
River transportation is not a direct arrival option for Carnac.
Plan onward travel from ferry ports in advance due to connection frequency.

Getting Around Carnac

Public Transportation

Carnac uses a bus network for public transportation. No metro or tram system. The Kicéo network manages local services.

Bus System Overview

Route: Ligne 1 connects Auray Train Station, Carnac Ville, Carnac Plage, and La Trinité-sur-Mer.
Ticketing: Single tickets available from bus driver (€1.50-€2.50).
Frequency: Varies by season; more frequent in summer, less on weekends/holidays.

Taxis & Ride-Sharing

Taxis offer direct travel. Ride-sharing apps are generally not available in Carnac.

Taxi & Ride Info

Licensed Taxis: White/black vehicles with "Taxi" sign. Found at stands or by phone.
Fares: Regulated, base fare + per-km rate. Auray to Carnac: €25-€40.
Ride-sharing: Uber not typical in Carnac. BlaBlaCar for inter-city travel.

Walking Routes

Pedestrian-friendly areas in Carnac Ville & Plage. Coastal paths (GR34) offer scenic walks.

Cycling Network

Extensive dedicated cycle paths connect town, beach, and megalithic sites. Helmet recommended for adults.

Specialty Transport

Tourist "train" (Petit Train de Carnac) operates in summer, offering narrated tours.

Rental Options

Car Rental

Minimum age 21-25. Valid driving license required; IDP recommended for non-EU licenses. Major credit card needed for deposit.

Car Rental Info

Companies: Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise.
Book in advance, especially for automatic transmission or peak season.
Motorcycle/Scooter rentals are less common; require appropriate license.

Bicycle Rental

Several rental shops in Carnac and Carnac Plage offer various bicycles. Rent for a few hours or up to a week.

Bicycle Rental Info

Includes standard, electric bikes, child seats, or trailers.
Excellent way to explore megalithic sites and coastal paths.
Example local provider: Carnac Cycle.

Driving & Accessibility Notes

Driving Laws

Speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 110-130 km/h highways. Seatbelts mandatory. No mobile phone use without hands-free. Strict drink-driving laws.

Walking/Cycling Areas

Pedestrian-friendly town centers. Coastal paths (GR34). Marked paths at megalithic sites. Respect signage to protect stones.

Accessibility Services

Information on accessible routes from Maison des Mégalithes or tourist office. Public transport accessibility improving. Inquire when booking accommodation/tours.

Final Transportation Tips

Consider local bus services (Kicéo Ligne 1) from Auray station. For direct travel, taxis are available. Explore ancient sites and coastal paths on foot or by bicycle.

Getting There & Away