France travel guide for Britons

Britons do not need a visa for tourist or business stays in France of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From 2026, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before you travel. Your passport must be valid for the whole trip and have at least three months left after your planned departure date.

For longer stays, such as work, study or retirement, you will need a visa or residence permit. Check the French consulate website for the latest rules.

As a UK citizen, you can enter France without a visa for short stays. The 90-day rule applies across the Schengen Area, so days spent in other Schengen countries count towards your total. Keep track of your days if you travel around Europe.

From 2026, you will need an ETIAS authorisation. This is not a visa; it is an online application that costs €7 and is valid for three years or until your passport expires. Apply before you travel, as it can take a few days to process.

Your passport must be valid for the whole of your stay and have at least three months validity beyond your departure date. Border officials may ask for proof of accommodation, return tickets and sufficient funds, so carry copies of your bookings.

The British Embassy in Paris is the main point of contact for UK citizens in France. It can help with lost passports, arrests and other emergencies. For routine matters, check the gov.uk travel advice page first.

There are also British consulates in Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseille. For the most up-to-date contact details and opening hours, use the embassy tool on this site.

France is generally more expensive than the UK for food and accommodation, but costs vary widely. A budget traveller might spend £50–£70 per day, while a mid-range traveller could spend £100–£150 per day. Paris is pricier than the regions.

Accommodation: hostels from £25 per night, budget hotels from £60, mid-range hotels from £100. Meals: a café lunch costs £10–£15, a sit-down dinner £20–£35. A glass of wine is about £4–£6. Museums: many are free on the first Sunday of the month, otherwise £10–£15.

Transport: a Paris metro ticket is about £2, a TGV from Paris to Lyon about £25–£50 if booked in advance. Flights from the UK to Paris start at about £30 one-way on budget airlines, but add baggage fees.

Direct flights from the UK to France are frequent. From London, Paris is about 1 hour 15 minutes; Nice is about 2 hours. Budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair fly from many UK airports, and full-service airlines like British Airways and Air France also operate.

The Eurostar train from London to Paris takes about 2 hours 15 minutes from St Pancras to Gare du Nord, and is a comfortable alternative to flying. It can be cheaper and faster when you factor in airport transfers.

For the best prices, book flights or trains in advance, especially for summer and school holidays. Use the flight-time planner to compare options from your home city.

France uses types C and E plugs, with a standard voltage of 230 V and a frequency of 50 Hz. UK plugs (type G) are different, so you will need an adapter. Most phone chargers and laptops are dual-voltage, so you only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.

If you are bringing appliances that are not dual-voltage (like a hair dryer), check the label. You may need a converter.

Service is included in the bill by law in France. You do not need to tip, but it is customary to round up the bill or leave 5–10% for good service in restaurants. For a coffee at a café, leaving a small coin is appreciated.

Taxi drivers appreciate a small tip, but it is not expected. Hotel staff, such as porters, may expect a couple of euros per bag.

The EU-wide emergency number 112 works in France for police, ambulance and fire. You can also call 15 for ambulance (SAMU), 17 for police, and 18 for fire. For deaf callers, text 114.

Save these numbers in your phone before you travel. If you need to contact the UK government, the British Embassy in Paris can help.