Driving London to Paris and returning same day...

[fizz47]

So who has done the Uk to Paris drive?

On Sunday we are taking the euro- tunnel to Calais and then driving straight to Paris.

Never done the trip by car before....arrive 9.48 am France time...

How long will it take to get too Central Paris? Google maps is saying 3.5 hours.. Would this be accurate?

What would be the best route to take?

Any recommendations for a very quick breakfast in Calais?

Any tips and hints for driving there and generally being in Paris....

Our train back is 11.30 pm - assuming we reach slightly earlier back in Calais- any reccomendations at that time in the evening to kill time?


I already have my continental driving kit ready which includes- breathalyser, hi-vis jackets for everyone, fire extinguisher, warning triangle and spare bulbs.

What do I do about headlights? How strict are they on not adjusting headlights?

[Motorrad]

Sunday? When I lived in Paris it was a parking free for all on Sunday- this was 10yrs ago however.

My advice- screw breakfast, the massive 'Euro' shopping centre next to the tunnel is going to be closed. Just hit the autoroute to Paris and grab a coffee, croissant, sandwich or whatever at the next services en route.

Just take the most direct route to wherever you want to go in Paris. It's a small city but whatever you want to do there try and get close as driving around the place is a shag even on a Sunday.

re: headlights- just stick some pieces of black masking tape wherever you thing might work best. Main thing is to prep the car so the fking frogs dont decide to use you as a cash cow.

Edited by Motorrad on Thursday 23 August 20:23

[Mandat]

I've done several London - Paris day trips and it is easily do-able. Calais to Paris is usually about 3 hours drive, although traffic on the peripherique when you get to Paris can be horrendous at certain times.

[chevy-stu]

Quite a number of PH'ers have driven in groups on saturday daytime to Paris, drive the tunnels at night and return straight to London...

[fizz47]

Ok - hoping traffic is not too bad on a Sunday..

Whihch route would be better? Google maps brings up 2 routes..

1) A26/ then A1

2) A16