My Best Tips for DRIVING to Disneyland Paris from the UK
When we decided on a last-minute trip, driving to Disneyland Paris from the UK felt like the perfect option for our family. We packed up the car, booked the Eurotunnel (like this), and hit the road—and honestly, it was much easier than I expected, even for a first-timer!
If you’re thinking of driving to Disneyland Paris from the UK, I’ve put together a complete driver’s checklist of what you’ll need to make the journey as stress-free as possible. From French law requirements to keeping the kids happy, here’s everything I learned along the way (plus a few tips I wish I’d known beforehand!).
MUST-HAVES for Driving to Disneyland Paris from the UK
Before you hit the road, there are a few things you absolutely must have to stay on the right side of French law. Luckily, it’s not a massive list, and most of the items can easily be picked up beforehand.
What French Law Requires That You Carry In Your Car
I actually grabbed everything I needed in one package — super handy because it had all the essentials in one place. Here’s the Amazon AA EU Driver’s Kit I recommend. It’s lasted us for many trips. And when you drive to France in future, you only need to buy the stickers again.
- Hi-vis vests for every passenger (you’ll need to keep them inside the car, not the boot!)
- Breathalyser tests (technically required, though the fine has been scrapped—so it’s up to you. The alcohol limit is lower than in the UK so some drivers may prefer to be on the safe side if you plan on drinking.)
- Warning triangle for emergencies
- Headlamp beam converters (to stop your UK headlights from dazzling other drivers on the right-hand side)
- UK sticker (unless you’ve got the new number plates with the UK symbol)
🤓 GOOD TO KNOW France is super strict on speed camera warnings. If your sat nav has alerts for speed cameras, make sure to turn them off before you go, as they’re illegal there. You don’t want to get caught out by that one!
Making the Journey Comfortable
The drive from Calais to Disneyland Paris takes around three hours, so it’s worth planning ahead to make sure everyone’s comfortable.
Here are a few things I found really helpful for the journey:
- Snacks: Trust me, having plenty of snacks on hand will save you a lot of ‘Are we there yet?’ moments. And since you can’t bring UK dairy, meat, or fruit into France, stick to non-perishables or grab something at the Eurotunnel terminal before boarding.
- Travel pillows and blankets: For those inevitable naps (and trust me, you’ll want one for the drive home!), having something comfy to cuddle up with makes all the difference.
- Charger for devices: Don’t forget the car charger for your phone, sat nav, and any tablets! You don’t want to be scrambling for directions with a low battery. ✏️ PRO TIP Consider bringing a portable charger (especially for the kids’ tablets) if your leads won’t stretch or you don’t have enough outlets. This is the power bank we use.
- Taking a break: There are handy rest stops along the way (see the section below) with plenty of places to grab food, stretch your legs, and use the restroom. Perfect for breaking up the drive and giving everyone a bit of a breather.
Keeping the Kids Happy
Let’s be honest—long car journeys can be tricky with little ones, but with a bit of preparation, it’s definitely manageable. On top of the snacks I mentioned earlier, here are a few extra tips to keep the kids happy en route:
- Entertainment: If you’re travelling with kids like we were, a tablet or something similar is a lifesaver. We downloaded a couple of Disney movies before we set off, which kept them entertained for most of the drive. Colouring books, sticker sets, and some new (quiet!) toys are great to whip out for little ones when they start to get a bit restless. (We love this Disney Activity Book!)
- Surprise goodies: Pack a few small, new toys for younger kids (nothing too messy!) and bring them out when the boredom sets in. Something as simple as a new colouring book or a little toy car can work wonders.
- Regular stops: The rest stops along the way are well-equipped with playgrounds, picnic areas, and plenty of space for a good run around, which helps burn off some energy before getting back in the car.
- Car games: We played classic games like ‘I Spy’ and ’20 Questions’ to pass the time. They’re simple but work a treat!
All About the Eurotunnel for First-Timers
We used the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, and it was such a smooth experience (check out our Last-Minute Trip). If you’re considering it, I highly recommend booking as early as possible to save some money—prices do go up closer to the travel date, especially during busy times like half-term!
Here’s how it works:
- Check-in: You need to arrive at least 45 minutes before your departure, though I’d suggest giving yourself a little extra time just to be safe.
- Eurotunnel Terminal. After you check-in, you can park your car and head inside for Duty-free shopping, food, coffee and toilets. On the screens above you’ll see they are posting boarding numbers. When your group is called, it’s time to get back in your car and join the queue.
- The crossing: The journey itself only takes about 35 minutes, and you stay in your car the whole time. There’s not much to do onboard, but you can get out to briefly stretch your legs or use the toilet. This is also a good time to stick on those headlamp beam converters if you haven’t already!
- Pets on the Eurotunnel: If you’re travelling with pets, you’ll be pleased to know that they’re allowed on the Eurotunnel. Just make sure you book the pet version and have the necessary vaccination/pet passport paperwork in order.
- Arriving in France: Once you’re off the train in Calais, you’re straight onto the motorway, and the signs for Paris (and Disneyland!) are clearly marked. You could be at the parks in 3 hours – easy peasy!
Rest Stops Along the Way From Calais to Disney
We made a stop at the Coeur des Hauts-de-France Ouest rest area, which is located at km 122 on the A1 motorway—about halfway to Disneyland Paris.
It was such a great place to take a break, especially after our early morning start! There’s a Paul bakery, McDonald’s, an Easy Drugstore, and even a Franprix supermarket where we picked up some sweets and souvenirs. If you are driving late, there’s also an Ibis Hotel on-site if you need to rest up for the night.
Honestly, it was a welcome break to stretch our legs and refuel (both us and the car!).
Tolls and Fuel Costs
Driving in France is generally straightforward, but there are a few costs to keep in mind, particularly when it comes to tolls and fuel.
Tolls
Most of the French motorways (autoroutes) are toll roads, and you’ll need to pay as you go. From Calais to Disneyland Paris, you’re looking at around €22-25 in tolls each way, so be sure to have your payment handy.
The toll booths accept both cash or card, and it’s usually a simple process—just drive up, take a ticket when you enter the motorway, and pay at the booth when you exit the toll portion of the motorway.
📌 TOP TIP The toll ticket window is designed for cars with the steering wheel on the left! So if you don’t have someone riding next to you, you might need to get out of your car to pay.
If you want to make life even easier, you can get an Emovis tag (like an automated toll pass) before your trip. It lets you use the fast lane at toll booths, and the charges are automatically taken from your account. We didn’t use one this time, but it’s worth looking into if drive in France regularly.
Fuel Costs
As for fuel, you’ll need to factor in petrol or diesel for the trip.
We have a typical family car, and we used about one tank of fuel from Calais to Disneyland Paris and back. That costs around €70-80 depending on your car and fuel prices.
Of course, prices vary, but it’s a good ballpark figure to budget for.
NEED TO KNOW for Driving to Disneyland Paris from the UK
Driving in France as a UK driver isn’t too tricky, but there are 3 important things to remember:
- In France, they drive on the right. This one feels strange if it’s your first time, but you will quickly get used to it.
- Watch your speed. Keep an eye on the speed limits. On French motorways, it’s 130 km/h (about 80 mph) in dry conditions, but that drops to 110 km/h (around 68 mph) in rain. In towns and cities, the limit is usually 50 km/h (about 31 mph), and 90 km/h (around 56 mph) on rural roads.
- Know the motorway rules. Radar detectors are illegal in France. Make sure to turn off those speed camera alerts on your sat nav! 🔗 Check out more useful French motorway rules.
A Few More Things to Keep in Mind
Before heading off on your adventure, it’s important to make sure a few practical things are in order. Here’s what I’d recommend double-checking:
Tips for Driving an Electric Vehicle (EV) to Disneyland Paris
If you’re planning to drive an electric vehicle to Disneyland Paris, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of charging points along the way and even at the resort itself.
Here are a few handy tips for EV drivers:
- Charging on the road: There are several charging stations along the A26 and A1 motorways from Calais to Disneyland Paris. Many rest stops, including Coeur des Hauts-de-France Ouest I mentioned above, offer fast chargers. Make sure you’ve planned your route with apps like Chargemap or Zap-Map, which show the locations and availability of charging points in France.
- Charging at Disneyland Paris: Disneyland Paris has EV charging stations available in the main guest car park, located near the entrance. You’ll need a European charging adapter, so double-check that your car is compatible with the local plugs.
- Plan ahead: It’s always good to have a charging plan before you set off. France has a well-developed EV infrastructure, but it’s smart to know where your stops will be and how long charging might take. Keep in mind that motorway service areas often have fast chargers, but rural spots may have slower ones.
- Download the apps: As mentioned above, apps like Chargemap are excellent for helping you navigate charging points in France. Many chargers also accept contactless payments, but having the right apps on hand can save time and hassle.
By planning your charging stops in advance and keeping an eye on the battery levels, driving your EV to Disneyland Paris can be a smooth and eco-friendly experience.
Over to You…
Driving to Disneyland Paris was such a fun and flexible way to travel with the family. Not to mention budget-friendly. The route is straightforward, and having the car made it easy to bring everything we needed (and a few extra souvenirs on the way home!). The Eurotunnel crossing was a breeze, and the journey from Calais to Disney, with a few well-planned stops, was pretty stress-free.
👉 Have you got all your essentials? Do you have any questions? Leave me a comment below so I can help you!
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