Getting There & Away: Honfleur

Air Travel

Major Airports

The main entry points for international visitors are Paris airports, offering extensive global connections.

Airport Locations

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): Approximately 180 km (112 miles) from Honfleur.
Paris Orly (ORY): Approximately 170 km (106 miles) from Honfleur, serving international and European flights.
Deauville Normandie (DOL): Regional airport, 10 km (6 miles) from Honfleur, limited seasonal European flights.

Transfer Options

Planning your transfer from the airport to Honfleur is an important step. Options vary by airport and desired convenience.

Getting to Honfleur

From CDG/ORY: Train (RER B) to Paris, then SNCF train to Le Havre/Lisieux/Pont-l'Évêque, followed by bus/taxi.
Direct bus: FlixBus/BlaBlaCar Bus to nearby cities, then regional bus to Honfleur.
Rental Car: Most direct and flexible option (2-2.5 hours via A13). Check DiscoverCars.com.

Flight Availability

Direct flights to CDG and ORY are available from most major global hubs.

Price Fluctuations

Flight prices to Paris fluctuate by season, peak in summer and holidays. Check Dollar Flight Club and Skyscanner.

Airport Facilities

CDG and ORY offer extensive facilities; DOL has basic services.

Airlines and Routes

Paris Airports CDG/ORY

Major international airlines: Air France, Delta, United, American Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa.
Extensive routes from major global hubs and European destinations.
Low-cost carriers: EasyJet and Ryanair offer European connections.
Booking flights several months in advance secures better rates.

Deauville Normandie DOL

Airlines operating limited routes: Volotea and British Airways (seasonal).
Mainly serves specific European cities on a seasonal basis.
Check flight schedules carefully; options are few.
A short taxi ride (15-20 min) connects DOL to Honfleur.

Important Travel Tip

Documentation Ready

Upon arrival, have your passport and any necessary visa documents ready for inspection.

Departure Planning

For international flights, arrive 2-3 hours before departure. For regional flights, 1.5-2 hours is usually sufficient.

Ferry Check-in

For ferry departures, arrive 1-2 hours prior for check-in and boarding procedures.

Land Transportation

Train Connections

Honfleur does not have a train station. To reach it by train, you arrive at a nearby station and then connect via bus or taxi.

Nearest Stations

Trouville-Deauville (15 km): Regional connections from Paris Saint-Lazare (~2 hours).
Pont-l'Évêque (15 km): Smaller station with regional connections.
Le Havre (25 km): Connections to Paris Saint-Lazare (~2.5 hours).

Long-Distance Buses

Companies like FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus offer long-distance routes to larger nearby cities like Le Havre, Caen, or Paris.

Bus Services

From these cities, regional buses operated by NOMAD Car (formerly Bus Verts du Calvados) connect to Honfleur.
These bus services provide a budget-friendly way to reach Honfleur from major transport hubs.
Check schedules and connections in advance for smooth travel.

Self-Driving Considerations

Renting a car offers the most direct and flexible route for exploring Normandy. Be aware of local driving requirements and laws.

Driving Requirements

Valid national driving license. Non-EU citizens need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Minimum driving age is 18; rental companies often require 21 or 25 (with young driver fee).
Major credit card in driver's name for security deposit.

Driving Laws & Parking

French motorways are excellent but are toll roads. Speed limits are strictly enforced. Parking in Honfleur can be challenging in peak season.

Important Rules

Drive on the right side of the road. Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants.
Speed limits: 130 km/h motorways, 80 km/h rural, 50 km/h urban.
Several paid car parks are available on the outskirts of the historic center. Park there and walk.

Road Safety Notes

Roads in Normandy are safe and well-signposted.
Be aware of "priority to the right" at some intersections (less common on main roads).
Pay attention to cyclists, especially on rural roads.

Strong winds along the coast can be a factor, notably in autumn and winter.
Heavy rainfall can lead to localized minor flooding in low-lying areas (rare in town center).
Be aware of tidal changes if walking near the water's edge.

Sea & River Arrivals

Ferry Services

Honfleur's maritime history extends to current sea connections, mainly through nearby ferry ports with services from the UK.

Closest Ferry Ports

Caen (Ouistreham): Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth, UK (~45-60 min drive to Honfleur).
Le Havre: Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth, UK (~30-40 min drive to Honfleur).
These connections offer a direct way to bring your car to Normandy from the UK.

Cruise Ship Visits

Honfleur has a small port capable of accommodating some smaller cruise ships or river cruise vessels.

Cruise Information

Larger ocean cruise ships typically dock in Le Havre.
Excursions to Honfleur are often arranged for passengers from Le Havre.
Standard French border control procedures for international ferry arrivals.

River Tours

Occasional tourist boat trips operate on the Seine estuary for sightseeing.

Unique Views

These tours offer unique perspectives of the harbor and Pont de Normandie.

Not for Transport

These boat trips are mainly for sightseeing, not for point-to-point transportation.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Timing

France does not have a specific departure tax or exit fee for travelers. Your airline ticket or ferry fare typically includes all applicable taxes.

Departure Timing

Airports: 2-3 hours before international flights; 1.5-2 hours for regional.
Ferry Ports: 1-2 hours before scheduled departures.
Train/Bus Stations: 15-30 minutes before departure.

Facilities

Major airports offer comprehensive facilities for departing travelers. Train and bus stations have more basic amenities.

Departure Facilities

Airports (CDG, ORY): Shops, restaurants, lounges.
Train/Bus stations: Cafes, small shops, waiting areas.
Confirm you have everything before heading to your gate or platform.

Baggage Considerations

Weight Limits

Be aware of airline baggage weight and size restrictions to avoid excess fees.

Security Checks

Prepare for security checks by having liquids and electronics readily accessible.

Carry-On Essentials

Keep important documents, medications, and valuables in your carry-on bag.

Smooth Travel

Pre-booking transfers and checking schedules will contribute to a smooth journey.

Getting There & Away