Rouen, in Normandy, stands on the banks of the Seine northwest of Paris. Known for its Gothic cathedral, half-timbered houses and close ties to Joan of Arc (an emblematic figure in French history).
Here we detail all the options for getting to Rouen, whether you arrive by train, by plane via the Paris airports, or by car. We’ve put together some practical information to help you choose the best means of transport for your trip.
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 Rouen
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- By train: 1h10-1h30 from Paris Saint-Lazare (easiest and fastest option)
- From Paris-CDG airport: 2h-2h30 (train or car)
- From Paris-Orly Airport: 2h-2h30 (shuttle + train or car)
- From Beauvais Airport: approx. 2 hours’ drive
- By car from Paris: 1h30-2h on the A13 freeway
- Rouen Boos Airport exists, but offers virtually no scheduled commercial flights.
Compare flights to 3 airports around Paris.
See train timetables and availability.
Where is Rouen?
Rouen lies on a meander of the Seine, in the eastern part of Normandy. The town lies halfway between Paris and the Channel coast, in a valley surrounded by wooded hills. This position makes it a natural crossroads between the French capital, the Normandy beaches (Dieppe, Étretat, Pays de Caux) and the inland bocage countryside.
The city is also well connected to the major cities of northern France:
- From Paris: 1h20
- From Lille: 2h45 drive.
- From Caen: 1h45 drive.
- From Le Havre: 1h drive.
By train from Paris – the most convenient option
The train remains the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Rouen from Paris. Connections are frequent and direct, and the journey takes just over an hour. We recommend this option without hesitation for travelers arriving in France via Paris.
The Paris Saint-Lazare – Rouen Rive-Droite link
Trains run from Gare Saint-Lazare (Paris) to Gare de Rouen Rive-Droite. Departures are regular throughout the day, approximately every 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the schedule.
Duration: 1h10 to 1h30 depending on the train
Frequency: numerous daily trains, from the first service in the early morning to the evening.
Good to know: Gare de Rouen Rive-Droite is located right in the city center, 10 minutes’ walk from Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Gros-Horloge. You don’t need any additional transport to reach the historic heart. But you can also rent a car to explore the region.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the station. We recommend booking in advance to get the best rates, especially during vacation periods or weekends.
See train timetables and availability.
From other French cities
Rouen is also accessible by train from other French destinations, although most journeys require a change in Paris:
- From Lille: approx. 2h30-3h (change in Paris or Amiens depending on connections)
- From Lyon: approx. 4h-4h30 (TGV to Paris, then Intercités)
- From Caen: approx. 1h30-2h (direct TER Normandie link)
- From Le Havre: approx. 1h (direct TER Normandie link)
WHERE TO STAY IN Rouen
Option 1: in the old town center
A charming historic heart, museums and attractions around every corner… We recommend..:
- Gustave Flaubert Literary Hotel with lots of quotes – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hôtel de Bourghteroulde set in a 16th-century residence – see prices, photos and availability.
Option 2: near the station
Just a 10-minute walk from the historic center, you’ll find more modern options. We recommend..:
- Blu Radisson Hotel next to the Jeanne d’Arc Tower – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel de Dieppe Best Western and its Art-deco ambience – see prices, photos and availability
Rouen from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is France’s main international airport. It welcomes flights from all over the world, all year round. It lies northeast of Paris, around 170km from Rouen.
Compare prices for flights to CDG.
By train (via Paris)
From CDG, take the RER B to Gare du Nord (about 35min). You can then reach Gare Saint-Lazare by metro (line 4 then line 14, or line E of the RER) in 15-20min. From there, an Intercités train takes you to Rouen in 1h20.
There are no direct metro or Balieu trains between CDG and Gare Saint-Lazare. You can also take a cab to Gare Saint-Lazare.
Total duration: 3h – 4h (including transfers)
We find this combination effective if you’re comfortable in Parisian transport. Connection times depend on the fluidity of the metro and the time of your arrival.
See train timetables and availability.
By rental car or private transfer
The journey by road from CDG takes around 2 hours via the A1 and then the A13, outside rush hours. For heavy traffic on the outskirts of Paris, allow 2h30 to 3h. Rental agencies are located in the airport terminals.
We recommend this option if you plan to visit Normandy on your own after your stay in Rouen. A private transfer costs between €150 and €250, depending on the service provider and the type of vehicle.
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
Some long-distance bus companies (FlixBus, BlaBlaBus) offer direct or semi-direct connections between CDG Airport and Rouen. Times vary according to season and demand.
This is the most economical solution. We advise you to check schedules in advance on the operators’ websites, as frequencies remain limited.
Rouen 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 160km from Rouen.
By train (via Paris)
From Orly, line 14 takes you directly to Gare Saint-Lazare by metro in the heart of Paris. Then take a train to Rouen.
You can also take a cab to Gare Saint-Lazare. But, honestly, now that there’s a direct metro, it’s more comfortable and faster.
Total duration: 2h30-3h (including transfers)
See train timetables and availability.
By rental car or private transfer
By road, allow around 2 hours from Orly via the A86 and then the A13, excluding traffic jams. The route crosses western Paris and follows the Seine valley towards Normandy. Rental companies are present in the Orly terminals.
Rouen from Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA)
Beauvais-Tillé airport is located north of Paris, around 130km from Rouen. It is mainly used by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. Despite its “Paris-Beauvais” name, this airport is far from the capital, but within easy reach of Rouen.
Beauvais Airport is an attractive option for travelers from destinations served by low-cost airlines. We would point out, however, that on-site services (catering, transport) are more limited.
By rental car
The journey by road between Beauvais and Rouen takes around 1h30-2h via the A16 then the N31 or A29. This is the most direct route from this airport. There aren’t many rental agencies in Beauvais, so we recommend that you reserve your vehicle in advance.
By train (via Beauvais)
From the airport, a shuttle bus takes you to Beauvais train station (15min). From there, TER trains run between Beauvais and Rouen, but connections are not always smooth and the journey takes around 2h-2h30 depending on the timetable.
See train timetables and availability.
Rouen – Seine Valley Airport (Boos)
Rouen has a local airport at Boos, around 10km southeast of the city center. However, this airport offers virtually no scheduled commercial services. Its activity is focused on business aviation and private flights.
For international travelers or those arriving from other parts of France, Boos Airport is not an option. We can direct you to Paris airports or the train, which are much more convenient.
By car
From Paris
The A13 freeway provides a direct link between Paris and Rouen. The route covers about 135km and takes 1h30 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 on the A13 Paris-Rouen route.
Parking in Rouen: the historic center is largely pedestrianized. We recommend the underground parking lots near Notre-Dame Cathedral or Place du Vieux-Marché.
From other cities
Rouen is located at the crossroads of several major roads:
- From Caen: about 1h45 via the A13 (130km)
- From Le Havre: approx. 1h via A29 then A13 (90km)
- From Lille: approx. 3h45 via A1 then A29 (260km)
- From Amiens: about 1h30 via the A29 (120km)
- From Brussels: approx. 3.5 hours via A1 then A29 (340km)
- From London: approx. 4.5 hours, including Channel crossing by Eurotunnel or Dieppe-Newhaven ferry
Good to know: if you’re arriving from the UK, the Dieppe-Newhaven ferry link is an alternative to the Channel Tunnel. Dieppe is only 1 hour’s drive from Rouen, making it a convenient gateway to Normandy.
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 Rouen to Paris and other major French and European cities. Gare Routière de Rouen is located right next to the railway station.
From Paris: 2h-2h30
From Lille: 3h30-4h
From Brussels: approx. 5h
The bus is the cheapest way to get to Rouen. We note, however, that journey times are considerably longer than by train. This solution is ideal for travelers whose budget is a priority.
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 Rouen…
Once you’ve arrived in Rouen, you can easily explore the old town on foot. The bus and metro network (Métrobus, a tramway on tires) serves the entire conurbation. You don’t need a car to explore the historic center.
Highlights include Notre-Dame Cathedral (a famous series of paintings by 19th-century Impressionist painter Claude Monet), the Gros-Horloge, Saint-Maclou Church, the medieval quarter around Place du Vieux-Marché, and the Historial Jeanne d’Arc. Normandy gastronomy also deserves a special mention: Rouen-style duck, apple pie, camembert and cider are all on the menu.
- Notre-Dame de Rouen Cathedral
- The Gros Horloge and its pedestrian street
- Historial Jeanne d’Arc
- Saint-Maclou Church and Aître Saint-Maclou
- The banks of the Seine and the panorama from Côte Sainte-Catherine
- Excursions to Giverny, Étretat or the D-Day landing beaches
See our article on Rouen’s top attractions.
DISCOVER Rouen
- Best things to do in Rouen: 15 ideas
- Rouen’s tourist calendar: our selection of events
- Where to stay in Rouen: our best hotels
- Where to eat in Rouen: 20 best restaurants
- Rouen’s 10 best museums
- Itineraries in Rouen: 1 day – 2 days
- Rouen Museum of Fine Arts
- Rouen Cathedral
- Rent a car in Rouen
