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.
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