Driving to/through France from UK right now
Discussion
I had been planning on driving through France to Italy later this month.
Does anyone have any experience on how it works in France with the new rules introduced a couple of days ago? I have heard of people from the UK being denied boarding to Eurostar in London. Are people being turned back at Eurotunnel or ferries?
You are not allowed to enter France as a UK citizen as a tourist at the moment, you need an official reason to visit. And you are supposed to self isolate, however the self isolation is not rigidly enforced. That is all clear from the French consulate website.
But what about transit through France? Would they let me in if I had proof of an overnight booking in Italy? And what if I then stayed overnight in France? I am double vaccinated, travelling alone in a bubble (car). Minimal threat of me spreading anything.
I know the rules for UK citizens were barely enforced before this week, just wondering what has changed, And what it’s like trying to enter by car.
Does anyone have any experience on how it works in France with the new rules introduced a couple of days ago? I have heard of people from the UK being denied boarding to Eurostar in London. Are people being turned back at Eurotunnel or ferries?
You are not allowed to enter France as a UK citizen as a tourist at the moment, you need an official reason to visit. And you are supposed to self isolate, however the self isolation is not rigidly enforced. That is all clear from the French consulate website.
But what about transit through France? Would they let me in if I had proof of an overnight booking in Italy? And what if I then stayed overnight in France? I am double vaccinated, travelling alone in a bubble (car). Minimal threat of me spreading anything.
I know the rules for UK citizens were barely enforced before this week, just wondering what has changed, And what it’s like trying to enter by car.
I had a similar question about driving to Spain - the answer was that technically it’s allowed for a number of reasons listed here which include travelling to a main residence there (but presumably not a holiday booking)
As you say, enforcement in France is always variable, but how much are you risking if you are turned back at the port, stopped on the autoroute etc, sent to a quarantine hotel, etc?
As you say, enforcement in France is always variable, but how much are you risking if you are turned back at the port, stopped on the autoroute etc, sent to a quarantine hotel, etc?
I was planning to drive to the Alps on the 23rd of June... hoping for a last min reprieve, but I don't feel too positive.
The French Gov have said they're not actually enforcing the isolation period, in so much that there's not sending Officers out to check if people are isolating, you just need to sign a document to say you will, but I don't fancy my chances of turning up in Calais with a van full of bikes, 5 days accom booked and a solemn promise I'll definitely spend 9 hours driving to our Chalet, and then do nothing but admire the view from the garden and return home again.
Supposedly (so say some Travel Cos I follow on SM) France may drop the isolation period when they announce / confirm the new Travel rules on the 9th of June, and it's all a Political game to get Boris to put France on the Green list.... I don't know... I want to believe it, but I know wishful thinking when I see it.
The French Gov have said they're not actually enforcing the isolation period, in so much that there's not sending Officers out to check if people are isolating, you just need to sign a document to say you will, but I don't fancy my chances of turning up in Calais with a van full of bikes, 5 days accom booked and a solemn promise I'll definitely spend 9 hours driving to our Chalet, and then do nothing but admire the view from the garden and return home again.
Supposedly (so say some Travel Cos I follow on SM) France may drop the isolation period when they announce / confirm the new Travel rules on the 9th of June, and it's all a Political game to get Boris to put France on the Green list.... I don't know... I want to believe it, but I know wishful thinking when I see it.
Griffith4ever said:
My neighbour is driving to Italy next week's through France. It can be done. The rules allow for it. I think it's key he has a good reason - he has Italian residency, and a house there. He only got confirmation he could to it yesterday.
It seems that EU citizenship and proof of residence is key, transiting to go on holiday might not hold so much water.How about seeing my 82 year old Dutch mum who has not seen family for over a year and a half and is getting really worried she'll never get to see her sons or grand kids ever again.
Looking at the Dutch Gov site and it's a minefield even if I attempt via Harwich to Hook of Holland.
Stena's prices are through the roof and I just can't find anything clear about visiting for at least mental health reasons.
Thought about going via France but then there's Belgium before Holland. Plenty of talk of border patrols even on tiny country road crossings.
Maybe I should try to do a Steve McQueen. Might need to upgrade the ol Vespa though.
Looking at the Dutch Gov site and it's a minefield even if I attempt via Harwich to Hook of Holland.
Stena's prices are through the roof and I just can't find anything clear about visiting for at least mental health reasons.
Thought about going via France but then there's Belgium before Holland. Plenty of talk of border patrols even on tiny country road crossings.
Maybe I should try to do a Steve McQueen. Might need to upgrade the ol Vespa though.
croyde said:
How about seeing my 82 year old Dutch mum who has not seen family for over a year and a half and is getting really worried she'll never get to see her sons or grand kids ever again.
Looking at the Dutch Gov site and it's a minefield even if I attempt via Harwich to Hook of Holland.
Stena's prices are through the roof and I just can't find anything clear about visiting for at least mental health reasons.
Thought about going via France but then there's Belgium before Holland. Plenty of talk of border patrols even on tiny country road crossings.
Maybe I should try to do a Steve McQueen. Might need to upgrade the ol Vespa though.
Feel your pain. Stuck in Germany here, haven't seen UK family for a year and a half, none of them have met my daughter born February 2020. Hoping to get there in August, getting more and more annoyed at those who are just upset that they can't have their foreign holiday.Looking at the Dutch Gov site and it's a minefield even if I attempt via Harwich to Hook of Holland.
Stena's prices are through the roof and I just can't find anything clear about visiting for at least mental health reasons.
Thought about going via France but then there's Belgium before Holland. Plenty of talk of border patrols even on tiny country road crossings.
Maybe I should try to do a Steve McQueen. Might need to upgrade the ol Vespa though.
RedWhiteMonkey said:
Feel your pain. Stuck in Germany here, haven't seen UK family for a year and a half, none of them have met my daughter born February 2020. Hoping to get there in August, getting more and more annoyed at those who are just upset that they can't have their foreign holiday.
This exactly. We're in France and desperate to get home and see family but until recently it would have cost a couple of thousand just in testing costs as opposed to being free in France for anyone who needs one no questions asked.P-Jay said:
Supposedly (so say some Travel Cos I follow on SM) France may drop the isolation period when they announce / confirm the new Travel rules on the 9th of June, and it's all a Political game to get Boris to put France on the Green list.... I don't know... I want to believe it, but I know wishful thinking when I see it.
It's frustrating isn't it. Your comment above has given me some hope!EdJ said:
P-Jay said:
Supposedly (so say some Travel Cos I follow on SM) France may drop the isolation period when they announce / confirm the new Travel rules on the 9th of June, and it's all a Political game to get Boris to put France on the Green list.... I don't know... I want to believe it, but I know wishful thinking when I see it.
It's frustrating isn't it. Your comment above has given me some hope!
rev-erend said:
Thanks for this. Useful info. But it is still (deliberately?) unclear..about transiting and need for quarantine, or not. If you have to quarantine for seven days, you are not transiting, even if you want to. I really feel for those split from their families.
Centrente said:
Update: from June 9 Brits can travel to France freely as long as they are double vaccinated and have a negative antigen test. Daily Mail website just now.
I'm reading French websites now and the wording I'm seeing is that Europeans can travel to France with those provisos. But based on the French govt categorisation of 2nd June, the UK is not included in their definition of "espace européenne" (green countries), so I'm not making bookings just yetGassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff