Flight-free travel options to reach your Family Adventure in France

27 Oct 2025, 12:22

Avoid airport anguish this summer!

There are many no-fly options when it comes to getting to France for your Family Adventure Holiday. You will need your car while you're there so bringing it across the channel is essential (unless you choose to hire one).

We've broken down the top 5 and highlighted the pros and cons each Channel crossing might present for your family. There are bargains to be had if you book your channel crossing now, but be quick, prices will only go up the longer you wait.

What's the quickest way to cross the English Channel? 

LeShuttle, the car train service through the Channel Tunnel is the quickest way to cross the Channel, taking around 35 minutes— about an hour faster than the Dover to Calais ferry. Plus, unlike the ferry, LeShuttle is the most reliable crossing in the event of bad weather.

Coming in at the mid-price point of all the channel crossings, it's a good value option if you like a quick, weather-proof hop over to France. 

What's the cheapest trip across the English Channel?

Your family’s cheapest Channel crossing is by ferry from Dover to Calais. DFDS is currently offering an early booking offer of 15% off sailings in 2026 The P&O Dover-Calais sailings were not quite on sale at the time of writing so keep checking their site as the prices rise as they get booked up.

Though providing better value than other cross-Channel crossings, this option requires a longer drive to Normandy once you arrive in France, compared to sailing into Caen or St Malo. The drive from Calais to Château takes around 4.5 hours.

What are the closest ports to the holiday accommodation in Normandy?

If you'd prefer to have more time relaxing on the ferry and a shorter drive once in France, opt for a crossing to Caen. Brittany Ferries run a crossing from Portsmouth to Caen that takes 5 hours 45 mins which gives you plenty of time to stretch your legs, have lunch or even watch a film in the onboard cinema! Once you disembark at Caen, your family will only have 1-hour to drive to the Château.

Prices for sailings with Brittany Ferries vary according to time of day but are already rising for August 2026 dates.

What's the most relaxing way to travel from England to Normandy?

If comfort is your biggest concern, take the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo via Brittany Ferries. The cabins are comfortable and there's a pleasant restaurant which feels more like a cruise ship than a ferry. Wake up refreshed at Saint-Malo and ready for your 1-hour drive to the Château. If you live in the South West of England, you can also catch a ferry from Weymouth to Saint-Malo. 

Other English Channel crossings to Normandy

Another option, with equal travel time split between the ferry crossing and driving in France, is the Newhaven to Dieppe crossing. This great value ferry takes around 4 hours, with a further 3.5 hour drive to the Château. 

How much does it cost to cross the Channel?

*Indicative prices based on the cost of a crossing for 4 people in a standard family car travelling 1/8/26-8/8/26. Prices researched 27/10/25 and other options and sailing times are available

Found the best travel option for your family?

Now that's out of the way, check availability for your preferred Château Family Adventure Holiday week and book that crossing before prices rise.