Here we’ve put together all the practical options for getting to Le Havre, the port city on the Normandy coast, whether you’re traveling by train, car, plane via Paris airports or ferry from England. We’ve compiled some useful information to help you plan your journey.
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 Le Havre
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- By train: 2h15 from Paris Saint-Lazare (easiest option)
- By car from Paris: 2h-2h30 on the A13 (approx. 200km)
- From Paris-CDG airport: 2h30-3h (train or car)
- From Paris-Orly Airport: 2h30-3h (metro + train or car)
- From Beauvais Airport: approx. 2h30 drive
- By ferry from Portsmouth (England):
- From Rouen: 1h drive or approx. 1h by direct train
Compare flights to 3 airports around Paris.
See train timetables and availability.
Where is Le Havre
Le Havre lies on the north bank of the Seine estuary, at the western end of eastern Normandy. This position on the English Channel puts Le Havre at the crossroads of transatlantic shipping routes and links to England.
We appreciate this location, which allows us to combine exploring the town with excursions to the Côte d’Albâtre (Étretat, Fécamp) or the Pays d’Auge (Honfleur, Deauville). Le Havre is also a good starting point for exploring the Seine valley as far as Rouen.
Here are distances and driving times from the main nearby towns:
- From Paris: about 2 hours (200km)
- From Rouen: about 1h (90km)
- From Caen: about 1h15 (110km)
- From Honfleur: about 25min (25km via the Pont de Normandie)
- From Étretat: about 30min (30km)
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.
Day trips from Normandy towns
If you’re already in Normandy and want to spend a day discovering Le Havre and its Unesco-listed heritage, the city is easily accessible from the region’s main towns.
- From Rouen:
- Rouen is a 1-hour drive via the A29 and then the A13. The direct train journey also takes around 1 hour on the Normandie regional train service. We find this proximity makes for a very comfortable day trip.
- From Honfleur, Deauville or Caen:
Honfleur is only 25 minutes away via the Pont de Normandie. From Deauville, allow around 45min. Caen is 1h15 away by car. Driving is easy on well-maintained Normandy freeways. By public transport, there are bus connections from Caen, Deauville and Honfleur. We do, however, recommend a car for greater flexibility, especially if you’re planning a detour to Étretat or the cliffs of the Côte d’Albâtre. - From Étretat:
Étretat, famous for its chalk arches, is just a 30-minute drive from Le Havre. The road follows the coastline, offering beautiful panoramic views of the cliffs. Bus service between the two cities.
By train from Paris – the most direct option
The train is the most comfortable way to reach Le Havre from Paris. The link is direct and regular, with no connections. We prefer this solution for travelers arriving in France via the capital.
The Paris Saint-Lazare – Le Havre route
Intercités trains depart from Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris and run directly to Gare du Havre. Departures are staggered throughout the day, approximately every 1 to 2 hours depending on the time slot.
Duration: 2h15 on average
Frequency: several trains a day, from morning to evening
We recommend buying your tickets in advance to benefit from the lowest fares, especially during school vacations and long weekends.
See train timetables and availability.
Good to know: Le Havre station is a 15-minute walk from the center, rebuilt by Auguste Perret, and the beach. You can reach the main sights on foot or take the LiA streetcar network. You can also rent a car to explore the region.
From other French cities
Le Havre is also linked by rail to other destinations, although most routes are via Paris or Rouen:
- From Rouen: approx. 1h (direct connection by TER Normandie regional train)
- From Lille: approx. 3h30-4h (change in Paris or Rouen)
- From Lyon: approx. 5h-5h30 (TGV to Paris, then Intercités)
- From Caen: approx. 1h30-2h (connection in Rouen). It’s easier by direct bus.
WHERE TO STAY IN Le Havre
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
On the waterfront:
Hilton Hotel with its modern decor and balconies – see prices, photos and availability.
Downtown, in the heart of Perret architecture:
Hôtel Pasino, for ultra-spacious rooms – See prices, photos and availability
Hotel Vent d’Ouest, a charming place to stay – See prices, photos and availability
Le Havre from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is France’s main international hub. It receives flights from all over the world, all year round. It lies northeast of Paris, around 230km from Le Havre.
Compare prices for flights to CDG.
By train (via Paris)
From CDG, take the RER B to Gare du Nord (about 35min). Then take the metro to Gare Saint-Lazare (line 4 then line 14, or RER E) in 15-20min. From there, an Intercités train takes you directly to Le Havre in around 2 hours. You can also opt for a cab between CDG and Gare Saint-Lazare if you prefer to avoid connections on the Paris metro.
Total duration: 3h30-4h30 (including transfers)
We consider this option to be suitable for travelers familiar with the Paris transport network. Connection times vary according to the fluidity of the metro and the arrival time of your flight.
You can also take a cab or vtc from the airport to the station.
See train timetables and availability.
By rental car or private transfer
By road, the journey from CDG takes around 2h30 via the A1, the northern ring road, then the A13 and A29, outside rush hours. When traffic is heavy around Paris, plan for 3h to 3h30. Rental agencies are located in the airport terminals.
We suggest this option if you plan to explore Normandy on your own – the cliffs of Étretat, Honfleur and the Côte Fleurie are less than 1 hour from Le Havre.
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 direct bus
Long-distance bus companies (FlixBus, BlaBlaBus) sometimes offer connections between CDG airport and Le Havre, either direct or via Paris. Frequencies vary according to the period.
This is the most economical solution. We recommend consulting the timetables in advance on the operators’ websites, as the offer remains irregular.
Le Havre from Paris-Orly airport (ORY)
Paris-Orly airport, south of Paris, serves numerous European, North African, overseas and Mediterranean destinations. It is about 220km from Le Havre.
By train (via Paris)
From Orly, metro line 14 takes you directly to Gare Saint-Lazare, in the heart of Paris. Then take an Intercités train to Le Havre. The direct metro makes this journey much smoother than before, and we now find it more convenient than taking a cab to the station.
Total duration: 3h-3h30 (including transfers)
See train timetables and availability.
By rental car or private transfer
The road journey from Orly takes around 2h30 via the A86, then the A13 and the A29, excluding traffic jams. The route crosses western Paris before following the Seine valley towards Normandy. Car rental companies are present in the Orly terminals.
Le Havre from Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA)
Beauvais-Tillé airport, north of Paris, is mainly used by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. Despite the name “Paris-Beauvais”, it’s a good distance from the capital – but around 180km from Le Havre.
This airport is of particular interest to travelers from low-cost destinations. We would point out, however, that on-site services (catering, transport links) are still more limited than at Paris airports.
By rental car
The journey by road between Beauvais and Le Havre takes around 2h-2h30 via the A16 and then the A29. There are not many rental agencies in Beauvais, so we advise you to book your vehicle in advance to guarantee availability.
By train (via Beauvais and Rouen)
From the airport, a shuttle bus takes you to Beauvais train station in 15 minutes. From there, a regional train serves Rouen, where you can catch a second train to Le Havre. Connections are not always well timed and the total journey takes 3h to 3h30.
See train timetables and availability.
By car from France and Europe
From Paris
The A13 freeway links Paris to Rouen, then the A29 continues to Le Havre. The route covers around 200km and takes 2 hours in normal traffic conditions. On Friday evenings and for weekend departures, leaving Paris can add 30min to 1h to the driving time.
Tolls on the Paris – Le Havre route via the A13 and A29.
Parking in Le Havre: the center, rebuilt by Perret, has several underground parking lots. We recommend those close to the Town Hall or the waterfront for easy access to the main sights.
From other cities
Le Havre is located at the junction of several of Normandy’s main roads:
- From Rouen: approx. 1h via A29 then A13 (90km)
- From Caen: approx. 1h15 via A13 and Pont de Normandie (110km)
- From Lille: about 3h30 via the A1 then the A29 (330km)
- From Amiens: about 2 hours on the A29 (190km)
- From Brussels: about 4 hours on the A1, then the A29 (400km)
- From London: approx. 5 hours including the Eurotunnel crossing, or directly via the Portsmouth – Le Havre ferry.
Good to know: the Pont de Normandie (toll about €5.50) links Le Havre to Honfleur in just a few minutes. This passage is a must if you’re arriving from Caen or Deauville via the south shore of the estuary.
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
Bus companies (FlixBus, BlaBlaBus) provide connections between Le Havre, Paris and other major French cities. The Gare Routière du Havre is close to the train station.
From Paris: 2h30-3h30
From Rouen: 1h30-2h
From Lille: 4h-5h
The bus is the cheapest way to reach Le Havre. We note, however, that journey times far exceed those of the train. This formula is ideal for travellers for whom budget is more important than speed.
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
By ferry from England
Le Havre has a ferry terminal with regular crossings from Portsmouth, England. This link provides direct access to Normandy for British travellers or those wishing to take their vehicles on board.
The Portsmouth – Le Havre route
Brittany Ferries operates this crossing. Departures are generally daily, sometimes twice a day in high season.
We like this option for its practicality: you disembark directly in Le Havre, ready to head for the Côte d’Albâtre or to take the road to Honfleur and the rest of Normandy. Cabin comfort means you can relax during the crossing.
Good to know: crossings fill up fast during British school vacations (July-August) and long weekends. Book in advance to get the best rates and guarantee a place for your vehicle.
See ferry schedules and availability.
Other ferry connections to Normandy
If the timetable from Portsmouth doesn’t suit your schedule, other Normandy ports offer crossings from England:
- Dieppe: ferry from Newhaven (approx. 4h crossing), then 1h45 drive to Le Havre
- Caen-Ouistreham: ferry from Portsmouth (approx. 6h), then 1h15 drive to Le Havre
- Cherbourg: ferry from Poole or Portsmouth, then approx. 2h30 drive
Compare all crossings to Normandy.
Et une fois au Havre…
Once in Le Havre, the city center is easily accessible on foot or by streetcar (LiA network). The beach is just a few minutes’ walk from the heart of the town, a rare asset for a conurbation of this size.
Among the sites we have selected:
- St. Joseph’s Church (whose 107m lantern tower dominates the town),
- the Musée d’Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa), home to one of France’s most important Impressionist collections,
- the Hanging Gardens, set in a former fort,
- the UNESCO-listed Perret district.
- the marina and waterfront
See our article on Le Havre’s top attractions.
