Renting a car in UK and getting to France | FerrariChat
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Renting a car in UK and getting to France

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Nospinzone, Oct 14, 2023.

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  1. Nospinzone

    Nospinzone F1 Veteran

    Jul 1, 2013
    7,744
    Weston, MA
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    Paul
    #1 Nospinzone, Oct 14, 2023
    I did a search for this and all the posts are from 2004 to 2009, so a little dated.

    We (my wife and I) are taking the QM 2 from NY and docking in Southampton on May 30, 2024. The plan is to spend the week in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Then we want to go back to England and spend a week in the Cotwolds.

    Ideally, and I may be kidding myself, I wanted to rent a car in Southampton, drive to Folkstone, take the chunnel train to France, and then on June 7th take it back to England. Another possiblility is taking the car on a ferry from Portsmouth. I've heard that I may need permission from the rental car company to take the car across the channel.

    I've never driven a righthand drive car, but I don't think it should be an issue. I love manuals, but I would get an automatic just so I have one less thing to pay attention to. I've leased French cars many times and I know I have to have a safety kit in the rear seat area. Would a UK rental have this kit?

    Anyone who can shed some light and advice on this plan, I would greatly appreciate it!
     
  2. Patrick Dixon

    Patrick Dixon Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2012
    1,107
    UK
    #2 Patrick Dixon, Oct 15, 2023
    I think you'd be better getting a ferry to Cherbourg and renting a car for the French week there. Ferries to Cherbourg from Portsmouth or Poole. Trains from Southampton to Poole or Portsmouth take less than a hour.
     
    Nembo1777 and Nospinzone like this.
  3. Patrick Dixon

    Patrick Dixon Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2012
    1,107
    UK
    #3 Patrick Dixon, Oct 15, 2023
    PS. Haven't been for many years but have stayed a couple of times here and liked it. Sainte Mere Eglise is the place where the paratrooper got caught up on the church spire and they used to hang a dummy up there each year!
     
  4. Nospinzone

    Nospinzone F1 Veteran

    Jul 1, 2013
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    Paul
    #4 Nospinzone, Oct 15, 2023
    Thanks, we like staying at nice B&B's. However, I have already reserved, and paid in full, at another place.
     
  5. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,839
    North Wiltshire, UK
    #5 A348W, Oct 15, 2023
    Agree above probably easiest, get a taxi/ train to portsmouth, ferry to cherbourgh via brittany ferries. you can also go to caen, but better bet for hire car would probably be cherbourgh

    shout when you look at cotswolds; a few of use live there.

    have fun
     
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  6. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
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    #6 greyboxer, Oct 15, 2023
    I think Britanny have a fast ferry to St Malo from Portsmouth where there is supposed to be a Sixt rental office - also Cherbourg & Caen - as others note this might simplify your arrangements and ensure the right kit is in the car - then rent something else on your return to the UK at the docks
     
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  7. Nospinzone

    Nospinzone F1 Veteran

    Jul 1, 2013
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    #7 Nospinzone, Oct 15, 2023
    Thanks guys. It does look like taking the ferry and renting in France may be the best way to go. For one thing I looked at the reviews for Le Shuttle on Trip Advisor and they are absolutely horrible.

    Caen would be the best landing spot because our hotel is in Audrieu.
     
  8. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,839
    North Wiltshire, UK
    #8 A348W, Oct 15, 2023
    Just note the Caen ferry goes to Ouistreham, not Caen itself!

    Book a cabin as well, even if you do a day crossing, somewhere to escape to!
     
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  9. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
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    #9 greyboxer, Oct 16, 2023
    Thinking about this some more the ferry schedule may not tie in too well with the local branch of the hire firm's operating hours in which case it may be worth looking at taxi from Ouistreham to Audrieu & have car meet you there the next morning
     
  10. Nospinzone

    Nospinzone F1 Veteran

    Jul 1, 2013
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    #10 Nospinzone, Oct 16, 2023
    Yes, I saw the ferry schedule. The QM2 docks at 6:00. We surely couldn't make the 8:00 sailing on the 30th. The 15:00 sailing would get us in too late. I was thinking we would just spend the day in Portsmouth sightseeing and stay in a hotel for the night. Then we would take the ferry on the morning of the 31st. That is the day our booking starts for 7 nights in Audrieu.
     
  11. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,839
    North Wiltshire, UK
    #11 A348W, Oct 16, 2023
    Southampton to Portsmouth is about 45-60 minutes. You need to be checked into the ferry 90 minutes before departure from memory.

    Lots to do in Portsmouth; as long as you have interest in maritime! There is the main maritime museum, Historic Dockyard. Walk along the front to the dday museum. Also worth getting the ferry to Gosport (15 minutes) and going to the submarine museum (i did a bit of work on hms alliance) Gunwarf Quay is an outlet shopping centre which is also useful. Still & West is a good pub.

    Not many great hotels in Portsmouth, but some really nice B&Bs and airbnbs.
     
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  12. Patrick Dixon

    Patrick Dixon Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2012
    1,107
    UK
    #12 Patrick Dixon, Oct 16, 2023
    Never seen HMS Victory (I must go one day) although I did build an Airfix model in my yoof.

    Ferry check in might be less 'ordered' for foot passengers - the 90 mins may just be if you have a car.

    Anyway, enjoy! Sounds like a great trip. Don't forget to try lots of Calvados.
     
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  13. Nospinzone

    Nospinzone F1 Veteran

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    #13 Nospinzone, Oct 16, 2023
    A B&B sounds good, a place where we can leave our luggage while we sightsee. Any recommendations are welcome.

    The submarine museum really interests me. I've visited several of them in the US. And definitely would like to see the D Day museum.

    We would be foot passengers so probably do not need to get there that early, but I will check on that.

    Thanks for the Still & West referral (love an English pub, I hear they are upgrading their food offerings) but I won't tell my wife about the outlet shopping center! :D
     

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