🏁 24 Hours of Le Mans 2027 – Travel by Ferry
The 24 Hours of Le Mans returns to France in June 2027 for the 95th running of one of the world’s most famous motor races.
The official event takes place from 9–13 June 2027, with the main 24-hour race starting on Saturday 12 June. It forms the fifth round of the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship.
For motorsport fans travelling from the UK, taking the ferry can turn Le Mans into a proper European road trip.
You can take your own car, bring everything you need for the weekend and drive directly from your arrival port towards Le Mans.
🏎️ When is the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2027?
The 95th 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place from Wednesday 9 June to Sunday 13 June 2027. The main race is scheduled to begin at 4pm on Saturday 12 June, before finishing 24 hours later on Sunday.
However, Le Mans is much more than the main race. Activities take place throughout race week, including practice, qualifying and support events. Therefore, many fans choose to arrive several days before the race itself.
The 2027 Hypercar field is set to feature major manufacturers including Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Ford, Genesis, McLaren, Peugeot and Toyota.
⛴️ Why Travel to Le Mans by Ferry?
Taking the ferry works particularly well for a trip to Le Mans. Instead of flying and arranging transport after you arrive, you can take your own vehicle across the Channel. Once you leave the ferry, you can continue directly towards Le Mans.
Travelling with your car also gives you more flexibility with luggage. That can be particularly useful if you’re camping or staying near the circuit. You can pack tents, chairs, cool boxes and other equipment without worrying about airline baggage limits. It also gives you the freedom to extend your trip and explore more of France before or after the race.
🇫🇷 Ferry Routes for Le Mans 2027
There isn’t one single best ferry crossing for every Le Mans visitor. Your choice will depend on where you live in the UK, how long you want to spend on the ferry and how much driving you want to do in France. Several UK to France ferry routes can work particularly well.
The Portsmouth to Caen ferry is an attractive option for Le Mans.
Caen is in Normandy and provides a relatively straightforward onward drive towards the circuit. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has previously listed Le Mans as around 185km from Caen, with a driving time of approximately 1 hour 40 minutes in normal conditions. This makes Caen particularly useful if you’re travelling from southern England.
Best for: Reducing the amount of driving once you arrive in France.
Another option is the Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry.
Cherbourg sits further west on the Normandy coast, so the onward journey is longer than from Caen. However, it can still provide a useful route for motorists travelling from southern England. From Cherbourg, you can head south through Normandy before continuing towards Le Mans.
Best for: Travellers who prefer arriving in Normandy and continuing through western France.
The Poole to Cherbourg ferry provides another route into Normandy.
This can be particularly convenient if you’re starting your journey in Dorset, the South West or parts of southern England. After arriving in Cherbourg, you can continue south towards Le Mans by road.
Best for: Travellers starting in southern and south-west England.
The Newhaven to Dieppe ferry provides another option for reaching northern France.
Dieppe is further east than the Normandy ports of Caen and Cherbourg. However, it can work well depending on where your UK journey begins. From Dieppe, you can continue south towards Le Mans.
Best for: Travellers starting in South East England.
The Dover to Calais ferry gives you another way to reach France.
The crossing itself is short, although you’ll have a considerably longer drive across France after arriving. This option can still make sense if reaching Dover is much easier from your starting point or you prefer a shorter sea crossing.
Best for: A short Channel crossing with a longer onward road trip.
⭐ Which Ferry Route is Best for Le Mans?
For many travellers, the decision comes down to balancing time at sea against time behind the wheel. A crossing to Normandy can bring you closer to Le Mans before you start driving in France.
Meanwhile, Dover to Calais gives you a shorter ferry crossing but leaves you with more miles to cover after you arrive. Don’t look at the ferry crossing in isolation. Consider your entire journey from home to Le Mans. A slightly longer ferry crossing could result in a much easier drive on the French side.
🚗 Driving to Le Mans After the Ferry
Le Mans sits in the Sarthe department of north-western France. Its location makes it particularly well suited to a ferry-and-drive trip from the UK. For example, official Le Mans travel information has previously placed the city around 185km from Caen, 152km from Rennes and 205km from Paris.
However, allow additional time during race week. Thousands of spectators travel to the area, so roads around Le Mans and the circuit can become much busier than usual. Check your route before leaving your ferry port and follow local traffic information as you approach the circuit.
🏕️ Taking Camping Equipment to Le Mans
Camping is a major part of the Le Mans experience for many visitors. This is another reason travelling by ferry with your own vehicle can work so well. You can pack your camping equipment into your car before leaving home and keep it with you throughout the journey.
The official event offers several reception and camping areas. Details and access arrangements for 2027 are being released as the event approaches. If you plan to camp, check what your chosen campsite provides before travelling. You should also check your ferry operator’s rules if you’re carrying gas bottles, fuel containers or other restricted items.
🚐 Travelling to Le Mans by Motorhome or Campervan
Accurate vehicle dimensions are especially important during the TT period. Steam Packet asks pA motorhome or campervan can also be a practical way to travel to Le Mans. Many UK to France ferry routes accept larger vehicles. However, you must enter the correct vehicle dimensions when booking.
Your fare can depend on the height and length of your vehicle. You should also check availability at your chosen Le Mans campsite before booking your ferry. Race weekend is extremely popular, so don’t assume you’ll be able to find somewhere suitable when you arrive.
🗓️ When Should You Travel?
Although the main race doesn’t begin until Saturday, arriving earlier can make your trip much more enjoyable. The event programme runs across several days. Practice and qualifying take place before the main race, while additional events form part of the wider Le Mans experience.
Travelling earlier can also give you more flexibility when choosing ferry crossings. Think about your return journey too. Thousands of spectators leave Le Mans after the race. Staying an additional night can give you a more relaxed journey back towards the ferry port.
🎟️ Book Your Race Tickets Separately
Remember that your ferry booking does not include admission to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Race tickets, grandstand seats and camping passes should be booked separately through the official event ticketing channels.
Check exactly what your race ticket includes before arranging the rest of your trip. Once your race tickets and accommodation are confirmed, you can choose ferry crossings that fit around your plans.
🚘 Make Le Mans Part of a French Road Trip
You don’t have to drive straight to Le Mans and straight home again. Taking your own vehicle gives you the freedom to extend your trip. You could spend some time exploring Normandy after leaving the ferry, stop somewhere on your journey south or add another French destination after the race.
If you’re already making the journey across the Channel, adding an extra day or two can turn race weekend into a much bigger road trip. Our Ferries to France guide can help you compare the different ways to cross the Channel. You can also explore our Motor Racing by Ferry hub for more European motorsport trips as we add them.
🏁 Plan Your Ferry Trip to Le Mans 2027
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is made for a road trip. Taking the ferry means you can start that road trip from home. Choose a UK departure port that works for you, compare the different French arrival ports and consider the entire journey rather than simply choosing the shortest crossing.
Whether you’re camping beside the circuit or staying further away, having your own vehicle gives you much more freedom throughout the weekend. Then all that’s left is the racing.
FAQ
Planning to travel to 24 Hours of Le Mans 2027? These answers cover some of the most common questions about reaching Le Mans by ferry.