How to travel from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle, France

The distance between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle is around 473km (294 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 5h 5m.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out La RochelleCherbourg-en-Cotentin if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
+
plane
+
train
+

Train and Plane

Take the train to Caen then fly from Caen (CFR) to Nantes (NTE) then take the train to La Rochelle Ville.

  • Duration6h 25m
  • Flight time2h 30m
  • Typical cost
    €275($275)
Operated by

Multiple operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
4 x train
+

Train via Lison

Take the train to Lison, Rennes then Nantes and then to La Rochelle Ville.

  • Duration6h 30m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    €95($95)

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
3
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Coutances - Gare SNCF then Rennes and then to La Rochelle.

  • Duration8h 50m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    €35($35)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
4
car
+

Drive

Drive to La Rochelle.

  • Duration5h 5m
  • Distance482km (299 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle

There are several options for getting from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around €35 ($35) and will take around 8h 50m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 5h 5m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €87 ($87).

The distance between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle is around 473km (294 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 389km (242 miles)

It takes around 6h 45m to get from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5h 5m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle is to drive which takes around 5h 5m and will set you back approx €87 ($87).

The cheapest way to travel between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around €35 ($35) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle. It typically takes around 6h 45m and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Paris St Lazare, Montparnasse Bienvenue and Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 6h 45m.

SNCF and TGV inOui run train services between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle. Trains depart every 4 hours and will take around 6h 45m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle. It typically takes around 8h 50m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Valognes Place Félix Buhot, Coutances - Gare SNCF, Granville - Gare SNCF and Rennes. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 8h 50m.

NOMAD CARS Manche, SNCF Bus, FlixBus and Blablabus run regular bus services between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle. Buses run once daily and take around 8h 50m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle. We recommend that you take the train to Caen then fly from Caen (CFR) to Nantes (NTE) then take the train to La Rochelle Ville. instead which will take 6h 25m.

The closest major airport to La Rochelle is Laleu Airport (LRH) (LRH) which is approximately 4km (2 miles) from La Rochelle. Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) (NTE) and Poitiers-Biard Airport (PIS) (PIS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle. The distance is around 482km (299 miles) by road and it will take around 5h 5m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle is to take the train which takes, on average, 6h 45m and will usually cost around €135 ($135).

How do I get from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle

Compare travel optionsbetween Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle

Transport options from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to La Rochelle
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane + 1 similar
6h 25m
€275($275)
4 times a day1,397km (868 miles)
Train to Paris St Lazare, plane7h 5m
€245($245)
4 times a day925km (575 miles)
Train via Lison + 1 similar
6h 30m
€95($95)
twice daily587km (365 miles)
Train6h 45m
€135($135)
every 4 hours841km (522 miles)
Bus
8h 50m
€35($35)
once daily473km (294 miles)
Drive
5h 5m
€87($87)
on demand482km (299 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle

Bus companies

Airports near La Rochelle

The following major airports near La Rochelle offer regular flights to various popular destinations within France and internationally.

LRH
Laleu Airport (LRH)
Domestic Airport
Distance
4km (2 miles) from La Rochelle
NTE
Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE)
International Airport
Distance
116km (72 miles) from La Rochelle
PIS
Poitiers-Biard Airport (PIS)
Domestic Airport
Distance
122km (76 miles) from La Rochelle