Le Havre cruise port to Paris: train, bus, taxi compared
Paris is about 200 km from the ship, and the train is by far the sensible way to do it. The cruise terminal is 2.5 km from Le Havre station, so the first job is a shuttle, a taxi or a walk, and the second is watching the clock on the way back.
- Cheapest
- €8.98–€27FlixBus coach · 3 h 10 min
- Fastest
- 2 h 30 minTaxi from Le Havre · €300–€400
- Taxi
- €300–€400Taxi from Le Havre · 2 h 30 min
Nomad / TER train: €34–€68 for the group, about 2 h 45 min. No booking needed.
Train
Nomad / TER train
2 h 45 min
For the group€34–€68estimate
Nomad / TER train
TER Normandie · direct from Le Havre station to Paris Saint-Lazare
- Per person
- €17–€34
- Door to door
- 2 h 45 min
- Runs
- 05:23–20:09
- Frequency
- about hourly
- Board at
- Le Havre station, 2.5 km from the cruise terminal
- Suitcases
- Fine
Bus
FlixBus coach
3 h 10 min
For the group€17.96–€54estimate
FlixBus coach
Direct coach, but not to a central station
- Per person
- €8.98–€27
- Door to door
- 3 h 10 min
- Runs
- 06:00–23:10
- Frequency
- about every 2 hours
- Board at
- Le Havre bus station, Cours Lafayette, next to the railway station
- Suitcases
- Fine
Taxi
Taxi from Le Havre
2 h 30 min
For the group€300–€400estimate
Taxi from Le Havre
No fixed fare, agree a price in advance
- Per person
- €300–€400 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 2 h 30 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Rank at the cruise terminal
- Board at
- Taxi rank at the cruise terminal
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Private car
Pre-booked private car
2 h 30 min
For the group€350estimate
Pre-booked private car
Fixed price, driver meets you at the terminal
- Per person
- €350 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 2 h 30 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Pre-booked
- Board at
- Meeting point at the cruise terminal, given in your booking
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Every option in detail
TrainNomad / TER train
- €17–€34 (estimate)
- 2 h 45 min
- 05:23–20:09
- → Paris Saint-Lazare
SNCF Connect lists 16 trains a day from Le Havre, the first at 05:23 and the last at 20:09, with the fastest journey at 2h04 and an average of 2h18. Fares start at 17 euros on the Nomad Résa fare in second class, and the price on a given day ranged from 17 to 34 euros in the dates shown, so book ahead. The cheapest fares have exchange and refund conditions, so check them before paying. From the cruise terminal, count on a shuttle or a taxi for the 2.5 km to the station, or about a 30 minute walk.
BusFlixBus coach
- €8.98–€27 (estimate)
- 3 h 10 min
- 06:00–23:10
- → Bercy Seine, Porte Maillot, La Défense
FlixBus lists 9 coaches a day, the first at 06:00 and the last at 23:10, with the fastest trip about 2h15. Prices start at 8.98 euros and rise on busy dates, and an aggregator shows a Le Havre to Paris average near 27 euros. The coaches do not stop at Saint-Lazare, so allow time for a metro ride in Paris. Over the day it is not much cheaper than a booked train, so it is the option for a late return rather than a daytime one.
TaxiTaxi from Le Havre
- €300–€400 per vehicle (estimate)
- 2 h 30 min
- 24 hours
- → Door to door in Paris
A taxi from Le Havre to Paris is not a regulated fixed fare. Quotes on montransport.com for a sedan average about 350 euros, with a range from roughly 175 to 1,000 euros depending on the vehicle, so agree the price before you set off. The drive is about 198 km and takes around 2h15. It makes sense only for a group of four who want a flexible day.
Private carPre-booked private car
- €350 per vehicle (estimate)
- 2 h 30 min
- 24 hours
- → Your address in Paris
A standard sedan for three passengers is quoted at about 350 euros one way, and the price is fixed per car. The drive is about 198 km and takes around 2h25. Check the cancellation terms and whether a return trip can be added before you commit.
The same trip in a different situation
Arriving late at night
Cruise ships rarely call at Le Havre at night, so the usual question is the return. The last train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Le Havre leaves at 20:40 on SNCF Connect, with the first at 05:46, and ships usually sail in the early evening, well before that train would get you back. In practice, leave Paris in the early afternoon and aim to be at Le Havre station at least two hours before the ship's all-aboard time, allowing time for the 2.5 km to the terminal. If you are leaving Le Havre early, the first train to Paris is at 05:23 and the first coach at 06:00. A private car is the safer fallback if you are late, because the driver can take you straight to the quay.
See the comparison →4 people, 4 suitcasesTravelling as a group of four
Four people on the train pay between 68 euros and 136 euros one way, depending on the fare. A taxi from Le Havre averages about 350 euros and a pre-booked private car is about 350 euros for a standard car that normally carries three. The train is therefore a fraction of the cost for a group of four, and your luggage travels with you. A car only makes sense if you want to avoid the 2.5 km transfer on each end or have a tight timetable.
See the comparison →Practical tips
- Book the Nomad train in advance on SNCF Connect or the Nomad site. The 17 euro fares are limited and the price varies by date.
- The cruise terminal is 2.5 km from the station. Ask your cruise line whether it runs a shuttle to the city centre, as the terminal also has a taxi rank.
- Work out the return before you leave the ship. The last train from Paris is at 20:40, but your all-aboard time matters more.
- All the trains on SNCF Connect for this route go to Paris Saint-Lazare, which is the reference point for this page.
- FlixBus stops at Bercy, Porte Maillot and La Défense, not at a mainline station, so allow extra time for the metro in Paris.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get from Le Havre cruise port to Paris?
Take a shuttle or taxi to Le Havre station, 2.5 km away, then a Nomad TER train to Paris Saint-Lazare. The ride takes from 2h04, and door to door is about 2h45. Fares start at 17 euros.
How long does the train from Le Havre to Paris take?
The fastest train takes 2h04 and the average is 2h18, according to SNCF Connect. There are 16 trains a day from Le Havre, the first at 05:23 and the last at 20:09.
What is the last train from Paris back to Le Havre?
SNCF Connect shows the last train leaving Paris Saint-Lazare at 20:40, with 15 trains a day. For a ship you must leave Paris much earlier, because the ship's all-aboard time comes first.
How far is the cruise terminal from Le Havre station?
About 2.5 km, according to the Le Havre Etretat tourist office. A taxi rank and a city centre shuttle operate at the terminal, and walking takes around 30 minutes.
Is a taxi from Le Havre to Paris worth it?
It costs around 350 euros on average for a sedan, against 17 to 34 euros per person on the train. It only makes sense for a group that wants a flexible day.
