Means of transport for coming on holiday to the Dordogne
Dordogne is a department in south-west France, located inland in the heart of lush natural surroundings. It has major tourist attractions that make it a very popular holiday destination from spring onwards.
Are you planning to come to Dordogne but wondering which means of transport to choose? Here are some tips to help you prepare your family holiday or trip with friends in Dordogne in the best possible way.
Coming to Dordogne by car
Travelling to Dordogne by car offers several significant advantages for your stay in south-west France. To make your journey easier, we recommend using the motorways, but if you would like to travel at a lower cost and enjoy the scenery, you can also opt for regional roads.
- From Paris, you can take the A20, A10 or A71 motorways, allowing you to reach Sarlat in between 5h30 and 7h depending on the route you choose;
- From Rennes, take the A83 motorway for a journey of around 550 kilometres (about 6h38 driving time);
- From Lyon, the fastest route is the A89 motorway, allowing you to reach Sarlat in around 4 hours and 30 minutes.
You may also consider posting your trip on a carpooling platform to reduce travel costs and offer seats to people planning to travel to Dordogne at the same time as you.
A major advantage of travelling by car is the complete freedom it gives you once you arrive. You will be able to move around easily and without time constraints, making it simple to explore all the tourist sites of Dordogne.
As this is a rural area whose population increases significantly in summer, public transport and the distance between the must-see places of the Périgord Noir make having a vehicle almost essential if you want to explore the whole department during your holiday.
For motorhome travellers
For road trip enthusiasts, Dordogne is an ideal department to explore by road and discover its rich heritage at the wheel of your motorhome.
The presence of many campsites across Dordogne also makes it easy to stop and stay overnight comfortably with all the facilities you need. Discover the motorhome pitches at our campsite and book your spot for the summer!
Coming to Dordogne by train
The train is the most environmentally friendly option for long-distance travel, one of the least tiring, and relatively inexpensive if you plan ahead.
From Paris, several rail routes are available:
- Departure from Montparnasse station on the Paris–Bordeaux high-speed train, then a regional TER connection to Dordogne towards Sarlat or Périgueux (allow around 5 hours 46 minutes for Paris–Sarlat)
- Departure from Austerlitz station on an Intercité train towards Limoges, where you can connect to a TER service to Périgueux (allow around 4 hours 20 minutes for Paris–Périgueux)
Once you are in the south-west, TER regional lines from Bordeaux towards Sarlat or Périgueux serve many towns and villages in the department. They will therefore allow you to easily reach your holiday destination or travel around during your stay to discover Dordogne’s highlights.
If you want to avoid traffic jams and enjoy a quick and relaxing journey, choosing the train is a great option. And if you wish, you can rent a car on arrival to make it easier to get around and visit the region.
Coming to Dordogne by bus
The bus is the most economical public transport option for coming to Dordogne. To make things easier, look for a company offering return trips. Not only will costs be reduced, but you will also have peace of mind and won’t need to worry about transport planning during your stay.
However, if you plan to explore the department, we recommend renting a vehicle, as it will make your journeys easier and give you greater freedom to discover the region.
Coming to Dordogne by plane
Flying to Dordogne is the fastest option, but also the most expensive.
Depending on your departure airport, you can land in Bordeaux or Bergerac and then continue your journey by rental car to explore Dordogne and its many tourist sites.
- Bergerac airport offers flights from several major UK cities (Bristol, London, Liverpool) as well as Brussels in Belgium;
- Bordeaux airport allows you to reach south-west France in only 1 hour 10 minutes of flight time.
Whatever means of transport you choose for your camping holiday, you will enjoy your stay and leave with wonderful memories. Book your stay now.