London to La Rochelle (LGW–LRH) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter France visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period under Schengen rules. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date with at least two blank pages. UK passports are stamped on entry and exit since Brexit. ID cards are no longer accepted for UK nationals.

No supporting documents are mandatory, but border officers can ask for proof of accommodation, onward travel, and sufficient funds (EUR 65 per day if staying in a hotel, EUR 32.50 per day if staying with a host, per the French consular tariff). The 90-day limit is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. French overseas territories (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Reunion, French Guiana, Mayotte) have separate entry conditions. ETIAS pre-travel authorization (EUR 7, valid 3 years) is expected to become mandatory in late 2026.

Direct flights from London to Paris run about 1 hour 15 minutes, with Eurostar at 2 hours 15 minutes city center to city center. Budget carriers serve dozens of French airports from UK regionals. France uses the euro. No vaccination requirements. UK driving licenses are valid for short visits. The Eurostar and Le Shuttle (car train) from Folkestone clear both UK and French immigration at the UK terminal before departure, so passport checks happen on the British side.

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.