France Travel Information

Things to know before you visit France

When visiting France by ferry there are a few things you’ll need to know before you travel. Find out more about advanced passenger information, pet travel and travel insurance below!

Advanced Passenger Information (API)

Advance Passenger Information is required by the UK government for anyone leaving or entering the UK, as part of border control measures. When visiting St Malo, we are required to collect the following details of every passenger travelling to or from France, for Border Force to undertake Entry / Exit checks.

• First Name
• Surname
• Gender
• Date of Birth
• Nationality

How do I provide my API?

Your advance passenger information can be provided online via Manage My Account. If you do not have an online account, please call us on 0345 609 1024 to complete the information on your behalf.

To speed up your journey through our ports, you can supply this information to us online before you travel. If you do not supply your passenger information in advance of travelling, you may be stopped at boarding and asked to add your API otherwise you may be refused travel.

How do I change the API on my booking?

You can manage this information in Your Advance Passenger Information can be updated at any time before you travel. Simply log in to Manage My Account and update the details or call us on 0345 609 1024.

Do I need to supply passenger details for every booking I make?

Yes, the passenger details for each person travelling on every booking must be supplied in advance, otherwise we are sorry, but you won’t be able to travel.

Do I have to enter API if I am travelling to or from the Channel Islands?

No, your Advance Passenger Information will only be required if you are travelling to or from France. Those travelling between the UK and Channel Islands will not be required to enter this information.

Travel Insurance

We recommend you take out travel insurance to cover you for any unexpected delays, loss of luggage, accidents, medical treatment, or repatriation should you need it.

1. Rabies vaccination prior to travel.

Your dog will need a rabies vaccine at least 21 days before an Animal Health Certificate can be issued, so booking in a rabies vaccination as early as possible is a must to avoid delays. Your vet should provide you with a document evidencing the vaccination details, this may be a vaccination card or vaccination certificate. This should contain the following:

Pet details including your 15-digit microchip number.
Date of the vaccination.
Batch number and manufacturer of rabies vaccination.
The veterinary practice stamp and signature of the vet who administered the rabies vaccination.

France does not require that your dog is up to date with the annual, routine vaccinations but it is advised you keep these up to date.

2. Animal Health Certificate

You will need to obtain an animal health certificate within 10 days of travel and at least 21 days after you dogs’ rabies vaccination. You will need to book in with an official vet who is required to issue pet travel documents. Your dogs’ microchip will need to be scanned in order for the certificate to be issued, so you must visit a vet to obtain the document.

Depending on the vet practice, Animal Health Certificates may cost anywhere between £100-£300.

*You must have departed on your trip no more than 10 days after the certificate was issued, or you will need to obtain a new one.

3. Tapeworm Treatment

Before you return to the UK your pet will need a tapeworm treatment between 1 – 5 days before their scheduled arrival back to the UK. The treatment date and time must be recorded by the vet at the bottom of the Animal Health Certificate. Most vets in France offer this service. If you do not give your pet the treatment within the correct timeframe, you’ll have to either wait 24 hours or visit the vets to get the treatment again.

The government advises speaking to your vet at least 4 months before travelling to get the latest advice. For more information about pet travel visit our pet travel guide.

What do I need to drive in France?

If you’re going to be driving in France, you must be aged 18 years or over and hold a full, valid driving licence.  Driving licences issued in the UK, the EU and EEA countries are accepted.

If you’re taking a moped or motorbike up to 125cc you must be aged 16 or over.

To comply with the European Motoring Requirements, you’ll need to carry the items below to drive in France and in case of accident and emergency.

Other items you need:

• Clean air stickers - you need a Crit'Air sticker displayed on your car when travelling to certain cities costing around £3.60. If you don’t display one you could be fined around £120. Find out more here.
• For motorcyclists you must bring the following:
  • Reflective jackets
  • Warning triangle
  • Headlamp beam deflectors
  • Snow chains when driving through snow zones.
  • Safety helmets

Driving in France

In France you will need to drive on the right. This may take some getting used to, but French road signs are helpful, focusing on place names rather than numbers.

It is the law in France that all passengers wear a seat belt, and that no child under the age of 10 can travel in the front of a vehicle unless it is an adapted rear-facing seat.

Speed limits by weather conditions

Please check for more advice on driving in France and driving abroad here.