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What are the current travel links between France and the UK and Ireland

The Local France
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What are the current travel links between France and the UK and Ireland
With Britain unlikely to reopen overseas travel until August, airlines are cancelling flights as demand plummets. Photo: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP

As travel between France and the UK and Ireland remains heavily restricted, the news that the UK will delay the easing of lockdown until mid-July is causing some travel companies to cancel their services. Here's a round up of the current links between France and the UK, and between France and Ireland.

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Travel between the UK and France

France is on the UK's amber list for travel, which means travellers must present a pre-departure test, plus quarantine at home for 10 days upon arrival in England, Wales or Scotland. In addition, PCR tests will be required on days two and eight of quarantine.

The UK health secretary, Matt Hancock, has warned that the amber list features "places that you shouldn't go to unless you have an absolutely compelling reason", and concern over new Covid variants, particularly from India, is making it unlikely the situation will change soon.

You cannot currently enter the UK if you've been in or through a country on the red list, unless you're British, Irish or you have the right to live in the UK.

The UK is listed as "orange" for France, which means travellers need a negative Covid-19 test, and, unless you are fully vaccinated, an essential reason for travel.

Here is a full list of requirements for travel  between France and orange list countries.

READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about travel between France and an orange-list country

Flights

The number of flights to and from France are dwindling, with Britain unlikely to really reopen overseas travel until August.

According to the Telegraph, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet have already started cancelling flights until after July 19 - the date of the next stage of reopening - as demand plummets.

A spokesperson for EasyJet told the Local that “due to the recent UK government decision not to further open up international travel for the summer we have been required to evaluate our schedule in line with where we see the restrictions impacting demand."

"As a result, we are currently not able to fly as much as we had hoped between the UK and France and this means some flights will be cancelled."

Customers will be offered a refund, a voucher, or a free of charge transfer to an alternative flight.

Eurostar

Eurostar is currently operating two services a day in each direction between Paris and London. A spokesperson for Eurostar told The Local that while they are not cancelling services, "they are already operating a minimal timetable which is based on demand."

"We will continue to monitor demand, and adapt services should there be an increase in bookings," they said.

The tickets sold by Eurostar are now flexible, which means you can change your ticket free of charge up to 7 days before departure.

See the full list of rules for travelling to the UK with the Eurostar HERE.

Ferries

Brittany Ferries is currently operating a daily passenger service between Portsmouth and Caen and Poole and Cherbourg, as well as a weekly service between Portsmouth and Cherbourg.

The passenger service between Portsmouth and Le Havre is suspended until further notice. The service between Portsmouth and St Malo will resume on 27 June. Further services are expected to start from 20 June. More information HERE.

P&O is operating its route between Dover and Calais, with around 15 daily sailings.

Irish Ferries is launching a new Dover-Calais service on June 29th, with up to 10 daily sailings. 

Eurotunnel

The Eurotunnel is open with shuttles running regularly (one an hour each way). However, all bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance, and it is no longer possible to purchase a ticket at check-in.

The service is also offering refundable tickets, so travellers can receive a full refund should they need to cancel.

The tunnel's Covid-19 travel information can be found HERE.

TRAVEL TO IRELAND FROM FRANCE

Ireland is classed as "green" for France, which means fully vaccinated travellers do not need to follow any travel restrictions. More information can be found HERE.

France was removed from Ireland's hotel quarantine list, so people arriving from France no longer have to isolate themselves at a pre-booked hotel. However, they will have to show a negative Covid-19 test and fill out a passenger locator form. More information about travel to Ireland from France can be found HERE.

Flights

Several airlines such as Aer Lingus, Air France and Ryanair are currently running flights to Ireland.

However, Aer Lingus has cancelled summer flights to several European destinations including cities in France due to a lack of demand. The company told the Irish Times it was rearranging its summer schedule after the government announced that restrictions on international travel would be eased from the middle of next month.

Ferries

Irish Ferries is continuing to operate its schedules between Cherbourg and Dublin, three crossings a week each way, for people travelling for essential reasons. Flexible tickets are available.

More information HERE.

Brittany Ferries is operating a service between Rosslare and Cherbourg, and is scheduled to resume its service between Cork and Roscoff on June 29th.

This article is based on the latest information provided by transport operators - anyone who has a trip booked is advised to check directly with their operator.

 

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Anonymous 2021/06/24 14:31
A WARNING IF YOU HAVE YOUR MARRIED NAME ON YOUR PASSPORT! I showed my TousAntiCovid app PCR test result at an Air France check in desk and it was going to be refused as proof because the certificates in the app only show your BIRTH NAME. Luckily I had the paper copy of the test result which also had my married name. My first vaccination attestation has both names, the second only has my birth name as it has been decided that the vaccination passport will also just have birth name. I am travelling this weekend and have a copy of my birth cert, marriage cert, tax payment and utility bill just in case!
  • Anonymous 2021/06/24 14:33
    Mon nom marital ne figure pas sur mon attestation de vaccination, est-ce normal ? Oui. Depuis le 3 juin 2021, l’attestation de vaccination certifiée comporte uniquement le nom de naissance. C’est la norme qui sera adoptée sur la future attestation de vaccination européenne qui entrera en vigueur le 1er juillet 2021. (SOURCE: https://www.ameli.fr/bouches-du-rhone/assure/covid-19/vaccination-contre-la-covid-19/lattestation-de-vaccination-certifiee-en-pratique)
Anonymous 2021/06/20 20:57
Thanks for including information for Irish (and other English speaking EU citizens) visitors to France. Much appreciated Bill Godwin

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