How to travel from Dunkirk to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France

The distance between Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is around 506km (314 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 4h 55m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Dunkirk to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin 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 Cherbourg-en-CotentinDunkirk if you're planning a return trip.

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Train and Plane

Take the train to Lille Europe then fly from Lille Lesquin (LIL) to Caen (CFR) then take the train to Cherbourg.

  • Duration5h 15m
  • Flight time2h 35m
  • Typical cost
    €495($495)
Operated by

Multiple operators

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train
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Train

Take the train to Paris Nord and then to Cherbourg.

  • Duration5h 30m
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    €115($115)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

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bus
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Bus and Train

Take the bus to Paris Nord - Saint-Denis Université then take the train to Cherbourg.

  • Duration7h 40m
  • Departs4 times a week
  • Typical cost
    €68($68)
Operated by

Multiple operators

1 similiar route

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

🚀 Fastest
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car
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Drive

Drive to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.

  • Duration4h 55m
  • Distance506km (314 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

There are several options for getting from Dunkirk to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take the train which costs around €52 ($52) and will take around 7h 50m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 4h 55m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €90 ($90).

The distance between Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is around 506km (314 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 323km (201 miles)

It takes around 5h 30m to get from Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 55m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Dunkirk to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is to drive which takes around 4h 55m and will set you back approx €90 ($90).

The cheapest way to travel between Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then take the train which will typically cost around €52 ($52) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. It typically takes around 5h 30m and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Dunkirk to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Paris Nord and Haussmann Saint-Lazare. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 5h 30m.

TGV inOui and SNCF run train services between Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. Trains depart every 4 hours and will take around 5h 30m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. We recommend that you drive to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. instead which will take 4h 55m.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Dunkirk to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. We recommend that you take the train to Lille Europe then fly from Lille Lesquin (LIL) to Caen (CFR) then take the train to Cherbourg. instead which will take 5h 15m.

The closest major airport to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is Carpiquet Airport (CFR) (CFR) which is approximately 99km (61 miles) from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) (BVA) and Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) (NTE) 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 Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. The distance is around 506km (314 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 55m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Dunkirk to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is to take the train which takes, on average, 5h 30m and will usually cost around €115 ($115).

How do I get from Dunkirk to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

Compare travel optionsbetween Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

Transport options from Dunkirk to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane
5h 15m
€495($495)
every 4 hours1,357km (843 miles)
Train
5h 30m
€115($115)
every 4 hours663km (412 miles)
Bus and Train + 1 similar
7h 40m
€68($68)
4 times a week674km (419 miles)
Bus to Lille, train7h 50m
€52($52)
twice daily600km (373 miles)
Drive
4h 55m
€90($90)
on demand506km (314 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Dunkirk and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

Airports near Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

The following major airports near Cherbourg-en-Cotentin offer regular flights to various popular destinations within France and internationally.

CFR
Carpiquet Airport (CFR)
Domestic Airport
Distance
99km (61 miles) from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
BVA
Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA)
International Airport
Distance
270km (168 miles) from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
NTE
Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE)
International Airport
Distance
276km (172 miles) from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin