Why visit Ouistreham?
What is there to do in Ouistreham and how can you get there without a car? Here are the essentials, as seen by drivers who make the journey every week.
Ouistreham Riva-Bella brings together a seaside resort, a D-Day landing beach and the ferry to Portsmouth. Many of our clients arrive here to catch an early morning ferry.
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Located in the Calvados department, approximately 240 km from Paris and 135 km from Rouen, Ouistreham is perfect for a day trip or a weekend away. The town is easy to get around once you are there: it is the outward journey and the evening return that require planning.
Must-sees in Ouistreham
- 1. The ferry terminal to England
- 2. Sword Beach
- 3. Le Grand Bunker
The best time to visit: All year round, in time with the ferry crossings.
A day in Ouistreham, hour by hour
| 9:00 AM | Pick-up at your address in a private car, coffee on board, expected arrival 2.5 hours later. |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | First visit: the ferry terminal to England. |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch in the town centre, Norman specialities and local produce. |
| 3:00 PM | Sword Beach. |
| 5:00 PM | Le Grand Bunker. |
| 7:00 PM | Return journey to your address, Paris or the airport, with your chauffeur at the agreed meeting point. |
Train, bus or chauffeur-driven car for Ouistreham?
Ouistreham is served by Caen station; you take the train to Caen, then a tram and bus to the port. Usually, allow 2 hours by train, plus 30 to 45 minutes from Paris Saint-Lazare. It is a good solution when everything is running smoothly. The ferry to Portsmouth leaves early or arrives late: public transport does not always match these schedules.
| Solution | Door-to-door time | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Train Paris Saint-Lazare → Caen station | 2 h train, plus 30 to 45 min + connecting travel | Fixed schedules, luggage to carry, early last departure |
| Regional bus | Often 3 h or more | Few departures, no evening service |
| Private car with chauffeur | 2.5 h without changing | Road traffic at peak times |
Our shuttle takes over when rail services fail: strikes, engineering work, cancelled trains, missed connections, night flights, or simply when you are travelling with children, professional equipment or too many suitcases for a train platform. We pick you up at your address, at the time we have agreed upon, and drop you off in Ouistreham without any changes.
How to get to — and from — Ouistreham
Ouistreham is located about 240 km from Paris and 135 km from Rouen, a 2.5-hour drive from the capital. In a private chauffeur-driven car, the journey is direct, from your address to your hotel, starting from €290 for a saloon and €355 for a 7-seater van, price per vehicle.
To airports from Ouistreham, allow €320 for Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle and €315 for Orly. On your return, the chauffeur will meet you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and track your flight in real-time.
Good to know before you leave
- Pack good shoes: the promenade and beach are best explored on foot.
- Book your tours and tables in advance during high season.
- Parking is often full at weekends: being dropped off saves you driving around looking for a space.
- The Norman climate changes quickly: a windbreaker is warmer than an umbrella against the sea breeze.
- Last trains leave early: check the return time before booking dinner.
Areas served around Ouistreham
We don’t just stop in the centre of Ouistreham: hotels, holiday cottages, reception venues, businesses and surrounding villages are served at the same price per kilometre. Here are the most popular destinations nearby, each with its own dedicated page.
- Caen → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, about 10 km from Ouistreham. Things to see in Caen
- Falaise → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, about 5 km from Ouistreham. Things to see in Falaise
- Cabourg → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, about 10 km from Ouistreham. Things to see in Cabourg
- Houlgate → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, about 15 km from Ouistreham. Things to see in Houlgate
- Bayeux → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, about 20 km from Ouistreham. Things to see in Bayeux
- Villers-sur-Mer → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, about 20 km from Ouistreham. Things to see in Villers-sur-Mer
Taxi, private hire (VTC) or private shuttle in Ouistreham?
Many travellers look for a “Ouistreham taxi” when what they really need is a price known in advance. The difference is simple: a taxi starts the meter and the amount depends on the traffic; a private hire service like Navette Privée provides the price upon booking and does not change it, even in the event of traffic jams or a delayed flight.
- Ouistreham Taxi: convenient for a short trip in town, variable price, advance booking rarely guaranteed.
- Ouistreham Private Hire (VTC): booking for a chosen time, known driver, confirmed vehicle, fixed price.
- Ouistreham Airport Shuttle: €320 to Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, €315 to Orly, €290 to central Paris in a saloon, tolls and luggage included.
For an early morning departure, a late-night return or a Ouistreham – Paris trip with luggage, the private shuttle is often cheaper than a metered taxi, and always less stressful than a train with connections. Call 06 88 14 67 82 or request your quote online: you will receive a response in a few minutes.
Book your trip to Ouistreham
We drive to Ouistreham all year round, including Sundays and public holidays. A 4:00 AM departure or a return after midnight is no problem: just let us know the time.
- Bottled water and chargers on board
- Professional chauffeur, modern and air-conditioned vehicle
- Card payment, cash, bank transfer or company invoice
- Written quote for groups and businesses
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