Travelling to the South of France: do you choose the car, the train, or the plane?

You have been looking forward to it all year: a wonderful holiday in the South of France with FranceComfort. At our holiday parks, everything is already arranged, down to the last detail; all you have to do is show up. Often, the real holiday feeling starts with the journey itself. But the question remains as to what the best way to travel is. Do you choose the speed of the plane, the convenience of your own car, or a sustainable train ride? In this blog, we will walk you through the different ways of travelling so that you can easily determine which option best suits your holiday.

Languedoc 4 vakantie in Zuid Frankrijk aan de Middellandse Zee.jpg

Waarom veel vakantiegangers kiezen voor de auto

Met de auto op vakantie in Frankrijk heeft zeker zijn voordelen. Al onze vakantieparken zijn zeer goed te bereiken met de auto. U kunt heerlijk op uw eigen tempo naar uw vakantiehuis in de Dordogne of uw villa met zwembad in de Provence. Het geeft het gemak een tussenstop te maken bij leuke dorpjes voor een eventuele overnachting. Daarnaast heeft de auto ook ruimte om extra bagage mee te nemen. Zeker als u tijdens uw vakantie ook graag de omgeving van Zuid-Frankrijk wilt zien, is een eigen auto erg prettig.

Voor gezinnen is de auto vaak een ideale keuze. U reist comfortabel samen en heeft alles bij de hand. Wilt u niet helemaal naar Frankrijk rijden, dan is het huren van een auto op locatie natuurlijk ook een optie. Voor de nodige reisinformatie heeft ANWB altijd het meest recente en passende reisadvies voor Frankrijk paraat, maar de belangrijkste punten voor het reizen met de auto nemen we ook in dit blog met u door.

Why many holidaymakers choose the car

Going on holiday in France by car certainly has its advantages. All our holiday parks are very easily accessible by car. You can travel at your own pace to your holiday home in the Dordogne or to your villa with a swimming pool in Provence. It offers the convenience of stopping over at charming villages for an overnight stay. Moreover, the car has room to take extra luggage. Having your own car is particularly pleasant if you would also like to see the surroundings of southern France during your holiday.

For families, the car is often an ideal choice. You travel comfortably together and have everything at hand. If you do not want to drive all the way to France, renting a car on location is of course also an option.

Southern France: environmental zones and mandatory car items

As the landscape slowly transforms into rolling hills, sunflower fields and French villages, you naturally want to travel in a relaxed manner. However, there are a few things you need to consider beforehand. Think, for example, of environmental zones and toll roads.

For some French cities and regions, you need a Crit’Air environmental sticker. You order this via the official Crit’Air website and receive it by mail at your home address. Without a valid sticker, you risk a fine when entering an environmental zone.

Additionally, it is wise to check in advance whether you have all the mandatory items in the car.

Mandatory in the car

  • a warning triangle
  • a safety vest
  • a valid driving licence
  • vehicle registration certificate

This way, your holiday starts well-prepared and relaxed.

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Pay attention to toll roads in southern France

If you want to get from A to B quickly, you should use the French toll roads. You may encounter the classic toll booths where you pay the fee at the entrance. You can often pay with cash, debit card or credit card. Additionally, a “Free Flow” system is available. This involves cameras and sensors that register your license plate, allowing you to pay later. The charges range between €0.09 and €0.13 per kilometre for a passenger car.

Do you prefer to enjoy the French landscape longer and avoid the toll roads? Then take the “routes nationales” (N-roads) or “routes départementales” (D-roads). These are free, but you will be on the road for longer.

To the South of France by train: pros and cons

Are you choosing to travel by train to the South of France? Then the holiday feeling can begin right away. Let yourself be carried along by the international railways and admire the beautiful surroundings at a relaxed pace as you travel. Along the way, you can lean back and dive into that one book you have been anticipating getting to. The train travels fast, so a nice bonus is that you will arrive in the South of France sooner.

Although this is a wonderful start to your holiday, travelling by train also has some disadvantages. For instance, you may have to change trains, you are bound by schedules, and it is more difficult to take a lot of luggage with you. Additionally, not all our holiday parks are located near a station, and a rental car on site might be handy. Of course, this doesn't have to be a problem; good preparation is half the battle.

Flying to the South of France: fast, but with less luggage

If you are going to the South of France, the fastest option is by plane. The anticipation begins at the airport, which we all associate with going on a trip. Within a few hours, you will find yourself under the French sun by the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying everything that the South of France has to offer. However, you should bear in mind that while flying is often a smooth travel experience, you will need extra time to check in for your flight.

In addition, limited baggage rules apply and you may need additional transport from the airport. Fortunately, many airports offer car rental, allowing you to travel easily to your holiday park. Naturally, most of our holiday parks are easily accessible from the airport. This way, you can quickly enjoy your well-deserved break.

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Which mode of travel best suits your holiday in the South of France?

A croissant for the road as the first lavender fields come into view: being on the road is part of your holiday to the South of France. For families with children, the convenience of the car is the most applicable, considering the amount of luggage and the necessary stops in between to stretch your legs. Stay overnight in a picturesque Flemish or French village to get into the mood.

Are you travelling alone or with just one other companion? Then the sustainable alternative of the train can be the perfect solution. Enjoy the view together as the landscape slowly changes, creating that holiday feeling. On the other hand, is your holiday with FranceComfort short and sweet, or do you want a no-hassle journey? Then a holiday by plane suits you best. However, whichever trip you choose, our holiday parks are a great base from where you can explore the South of France with ease.

FranceComfort holiday parks: let the anticipation begin

Whether you choose a relaxing car drive, a comfortable train journey, or a quick flight, the journey to the South of France is already part of your holiday. Along the way, the landscape will slowly change, the sun will shine a little more often, and the French holiday feeling will get closer and closer.

Have you already decided which holiday park best suits your vacation? View the different regions in the South of France and begin dreaming of long summer evenings, charming villages and the delightful French countryside.

Book your holiday directly with FranceComfort   View our holiday homes