Caen is located in the heart of Normandy, just a few kilometers from the Channel coast. Marked by the history of William the Conqueror and the events of the D-Day landings in 1944, the town combines medieval heritage, contemporary memory and university dynamism.
Here we’ve put together all the practical options for getting to Caen, whether you’re arriving by train, by plane via Paris airports, by car or by ferry from England. We’ve compiled some useful information to help you choose the most suitable means of transport for your situation.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to Caen
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- By train: 1h45-2h from Paris Saint-Lazare (most convenient option)
- From Paris-CDG airport: 3h-3h30 (train via Paris or car)
- From Paris-Orly Airport: 2h30-3h (metro + train or car)
- By car from Paris: 2h15-2h45 on the A13 freeway
- By ferry from England: Portsmouth-Ouistreham link (port of Caen), approx. 6-hour crossing
- Caen-Carpiquet Airport offers some limited seasonal connections
Compare flights to airports around Paris and Caen.
See train timetables and availability.
Where is Caen
Caen occupies a central position in Normandy. The town lies around 15km from the coast, linked to the sea by a canal that leads to the port of Ouistreham. This location makes it an ideal base for exploring both the D-Day coastline and the region’s inland areas.
The town is well connected to the main destinations in the region and northern France:
- From Paris: 2h15 drive
- From Rouen: 1h45 drive
- From Rennes: 2h45 drive
- From Le Havre: 1h15 drive
- From Le Mont-Saint-Michel: 1h30 drive
By train from Paris – the most convenient option
The train is the most direct and comfortable way to reach Caen from the capital. Connections are regular, the journey is seamless and Caen station is right in the city center. We prefer this option for travelers landing in Paris or already staying there.
The Paris Saint-Lazare – Caen route
Intercités trains run between Gare Saint-Lazare and Gare de Caen. Departures are staggered throughout the day, approximately every 1 to 2 hours depending on the time slot.
Duration: 1h45 to 2h depending on the train
Frequency: several trains a day, from morning to evening
Good to know: Caen station is about a 15-minute walk from Caen Castle and the historic center. The tramway also runs between the station and the main neighborhoods. You don’t need a car to get to the heart of the city. But you can also rent a car here.
Tickets are available online or at the box office. We recommend booking in advance to benefit from the best rates, especially at weekends and during school vacations.
See train timetables and availability.
From other French cities
Caen is also accessible by train from other major French cities, although some journeys involve a connection:
- From Rouen: approx. 1h30-2h (direct TER Normandie link)
- From Rennes: approx. 3h (change in Paris or direct connection depending on timetable)
- From Lyon: approx. 4h30-5h (TGV to Paris, then Intercités)
- From Lille: approx. 3h30-4h (change in Paris or Rouen)
- From Cherbourg: approx. 1h15 (direct TER or Intercités connection)
WHERE TO STAY IN Caen
Option 1: in the old town center
We recommend..:
- Hotel Best Western Plus Le moderne not far from the castle – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel La Fontaine also near the castle – see prices, photos and availability
- B&B Les Chambres de L’Abbaye, near Abbaye-aux-Hommes – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: to Ouistreham
To sleep more in the countryside or near the beach (15 to 20min from Rouen). We recommend..:
- Hotel Manoir Hastings and its stone houses – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel La Mare Ô Poissons and its swimming pool – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3: near the port or station
We recommend..:
- Campanile hotel next to the station – see prices, photos and availability.
Caen from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is France’s main international airport. It serves flights from all over the world, all year round. The airport is located northeast of Paris, around 250km from Caen.
Compare prices for flights to CDG.
By train (via Paris)
From CDG, the RER B takes you to Gare du Nord in around 35 minutes. You can then reach Gare Saint-Lazare by metro (line 4 then line 14, or RER E) in 15-20min. From there, an Intercités train will take you to Caen in around 1h50. There is no direct link between CDG and Gare Saint-Lazare; a cab between the two stations is also a possibility.
Total duration: 3h30-4h30 (including transfers)
We think this is a good combination if you know your way around the Paris transport network. The overall time depends on the fluidity of connections and the time at which you arrive at CDG.
See train timetables and availability.
By rental car or private transfer
The journey by road from CDG takes around 2h30 via the A1 and then the A13, outside rush hours. If traffic is heavy around Paris, allow 3h to 3h30. Rental agencies are located in the airport terminals.
We recommend this option if you plan to explore Normandy by road after your arrival. The car gives you the freedom to discover the D-Day beaches, the magnificent town of Bayeux or the countryside with its castles at your own pace.
By direct bus
Long-distance bus companies (FlixBus, BlaBlaBus) offer occasional connections between CDG airport and Caen. Times vary according to season and demand.
This is the most economical solution. We advise you to check availability in advance on the operators’ websites, as frequencies remain limited.
Caen from Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)
Paris-Orly airport, located south of Paris, serves numerous European routes, as well as destinations in North Africa, the French overseas territories and the Mediterranean basin. It is about 240km from Caen.
By train (via Paris)
From Orly, metro line 14 takes you directly to Gare Saint-Lazare, in the heart of Paris. From there, take an Intercités train to Caen. A cab between the airport and the station remains an alternative, but line 14 is now faster and more comfortable.
Total duration: 3h-3h30 (including transfers)
See train timetables and availability.
By rental car or private transfer
By road, allow around 2h30 from Orly via the A86 and then the A13, in smooth conditions. The route crosses western Paris before following the Seine valley and then branching off into inland Normandy. Rental companies are present in the Orly terminals.
Caen-Carpiquet Airport (CFR)
Caen has its own airport, located at Carpiquet, around 7km west of the city center. Caen-Carpiquet Airport offers a few seasonal routes to destinations in southern France and the Mediterranean basin (Lyon, Marseille, Ajaccio, Bastia, Porto, depending on the year and the airline).
Flight availability remains limited, however, and varies from season to season. We advise you to check which connections are available at the time of planning. For the majority of international travelers, Paris airports remain the most reliable option.
Compare flights to Caen-Carpiquet.
Getting to the city center from Caen-Carpiquet Airport
The airport is just 7km from the center of Caen. Several options are available to you:
- By shuttle/bus: the Twisto bus service links the airport to the city center in around 20 minutes. Frequency depends on flight schedules.
- By cab: allow around 15 minutes and €15-25 to reach the center.
- By rental car: a number of agencies are available at the airport. We recommend booking in advance, as the choice is more limited than in Paris.
By ferry from England – via the port of Ouistreham
The ferry is a particularly attractive option for travelers from the UK. The port of Ouistreham, also known as “Caen-Ouistreham”, lies just 15km north of Caen, on the English Channel coast.
The Portsmouth – Ouistreham route
Brittany Ferries operates regular crossings between Portsmouth (England) and Ouistreham. The crossing takes around 6 hours during the day and 7 hours at night. In high season, several departures a day are guaranteed; in low season, the frequency decreases.
Ferries fill up fast in summer. Reserve your seats in advance.
See ferry schedules and availability.
From the port of Ouistreham to Caen
The journey from the port of Ouistreham to the center of Caen takes about 20 minutes on the D515. If you arrive by car, the road is direct and well signposted. For pedestrians, a bus service (Twisto line) links the ferry terminal to Caen, but timetables are based on ship arrivals. A cab is also a quick solution.
By car
From Paris
The A13 freeway provides a direct link between Paris and Caen. The route covers approximately 230km and takes 2h15 in normal traffic conditions. At peak times (Friday evenings, weekend departures), leaving Paris can add 30 minutes to 1 hour to your driving time.
Tolls: the A13 is a toll freeway for most of its length.
Parking in Caen: the city center has several underground parking lots, notably near the Château de Caen and Place Saint-Pierre. We recommend parking the car and exploring the center on foot.
From other cities
Caen is located at the crossroads of several major roads:
- From Rouen: about 1h45 via the A13 (130km)
- From Le Havre: approx. 1h15 via A29 then A13 (110km)
- From Rennes: approx. 2h45 via the A84 (190km)
- From Le Mont-Saint-Michel: approx. 1h30 on the A84 (130km)
- From Cherbourg: approx. 1h30 on the N13 (120km)
- From Brussels: approx. 4h30 via A1, A29 then A13 (450km)
- From London: approx. 6 hours including the Portsmouth-Ouistreham ferry crossing, or 5 hours via the Eurotunnel and then by road from Calais.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
By long-distance bus
Several bus companies (FlixBus, BlaBlaBus) link Caen to Paris and other major French cities. The Gare Routière de Caen is located near the railway station.
From Paris: 2h30-3h30
From Rouen: 2h30-3h
From Rennes: 3h-3h30
The bus remains the most economical option for getting to Caen. We note, however, that journey times are significantly longer than by train. This solution is designed for travelers who are budget-conscious.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
And once in Caen…
Once you’ve arrived in Caen, you can explore the city on foot or by tramway. The Twisto network (tramway and bus) covers the entire urban area. You don’t need a car to explore the historic center.
Not-to-be-missed sites include the Château de Caen (a fortress founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century), the Caen Memorial (one of the world’s leading museums on the Second World War and peace), the Abbaye aux Hommes and the Abbaye aux Dames. Normandy gastronomy can also be savoured here: Caen-style tripe, seafood, camembert and calvados are just some of the local specialities.
- Caen Castle and the Fine Arts Museum
- Caen Memorial
- The Men’s Abbey and the Ladies’ Abbey
- Old Caen and its half-timbered houses
- The D-Day landing beaches (Juno, Sword, Omaha, Gold, Utah)
- Excursions to Bayeux (and its famous Tapestry), Mont-Saint-Michel or Honfleur
See our article on Caen’s top attractions.
DISCOVER Caen
- What to do in Caen
- Where to stay in Caen: our best hotels
- Where to eat in Caen: our best restaurants
- Caen’s best museums
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days
- Caen Castle
- Caen Memorial Museum
- Rent a car in Caen: our tips
