Car hire in Calais positions you at the gateway between Britain and continental Europe. This Channel port, France’s closest point to England, serves as the entry point for millions of travellers each year. Beyond its ferry terminal, Calais offers access to the Opal Coast, historic sites, and the broader Hauts-de-France region.

Getting Around Calais by Car

Calais centre is compact, with the Town Hall and Rodin’s Burghers of Calais statue walkable from the centre. Street parking is affordable (€1 per hour). The A16 connects to Boulogne-sur-Mer (30 minutes south), Dunkirk (40 minutes north), and Paris (2.5 hours).

Driving from the UK is straightforward — the Eurotunnel terminal has car hire desks, or ferry terminals are well-signed. The A26 connects Calais directly to Reims and beyond.

The Opal Coast offers scenic driving. The D940 follows cliffs and beaches between Calais and Boulogne. Allow extra time — the views are worth stopping for.

Day Trips from Calais

Boulogne-sur-Mer, 30 minutes south, has France’s largest fishing port and an excellent aquarium (Nausicaá). The medieval castle and old town are worth visiting. Allow half a day.

Côte d’Opale, the coast between Calais and Boulogne, offers dramatic cliffs and beaches. Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez are the closest points to England — on clear days, you can see the White Cliffs of Dover. The drive takes 45 minutes each way with stops.

Le Touquet, 45 minutes south, is an elegant seaside resort with a sandy beach, pine forests, and Belle Époque villas. Popular with British visitors for golf and weekend breaks.

WWI Sites, the Somme battlefields are 60-90 minutes south. Vimy Ridge (Canadian Memorial), Beaumont-Hamel (Newfoundland Memorial), and other sites are accessible for day trips. Combine with Amiens.

Dunkirk, 40 minutes north, has the Operation Dynamo museum about the famous evacuation. The beaches and old town are worth visiting. Continue to the Belgian border (20 more minutes).

Driving Tips for France

Driving in France: drive on the right. Priority from the right still applies in some areas — watch for signs. Speed limits are 130km/h on autoroutes, 80km/h on rural roads, 50km/h in towns.

From the UK: your UK licence is valid in France. Remember headlight converters if driving a UK-registered car. French law requires breathalysers and warning triangles — buy these at the ferry terminal.

Tolls: The A26 south has tolls (about €20 to Reims). The A16 along the coast is free between Calais and Boulogne. Factor toll costs into longer trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Calais worth visiting beyond the ferry?

For a day, yes. The Burghers of Calais by Rodin, the Town Hall, and beaches are pleasant. But the region’s highlights — Boulogne, the Opal Coast, Le Touquet — are 30-45 minutes away. Consider Calais a gateway, not a destination.

How far is Paris from Calais?

About 2.5 hours on the A26/A1, mostly motorway. Tolls are around €20-25. The drive passes through pleasant countryside. For a day trip, the train from Calais to Paris takes 90 minutes.

Can I drive to Belgium from Calais?

Yes — the Belgian border is 40 minutes north via A16. Bruges is 75 minutes, Brussels 2 hours. No border controls. Check your rental contract allows Belgium — most do, but some charge cross-border fees.