Five (Magical) Ways to Get to Disneyland Paris

Have you entered our Magical Holiday Moment competition yet?

If you have, you might already be thinking about how you’re going to get to Disneyland Paris if you win (it’s ok, we like planning ahead too). So to help you out, we’ve put together a list of some of the best ways of travelling to the resort from the UK.

We’ve included a few slightly more unconventional modes of transport for those of you who really fancy getting into the Disney spirit – feel free to add your own magical suggestions at the end.

1. Pocahontas-style Canoe / Ferry

While you could travel like the Powhatan Indian tribe and enjoy all the ‘colours of the wind’ by crossing the Channel in a canoe, another option is taking the ferry from Dover to Calais. Ferries leave regularly throughout the day, taking cars across to France in around 90 minutes (there are specific times for passengers without vehicles). After stretching your legs on deck, just jump back in the car and scoot along the motorway to Disneyland Paris. Easy-peasy. And probably drier than a canoe.

Time: 90 minutes on the ferry, plus 3 hours driving from Calais (canoe: 5 hours)
Cost: from £35, plus motorway tolls (canoe: free)

2. “Under da Sea” / Euro Tunnel

Ok, so you won’t need to actually swim – although others certainly have – but you can still have an underwater adventure of sorts on your way to Disneyland. Leave any ‘poor unfortunate souls’ not going to Disneyland behind as you make your journey ‘under the sea’ from Calais via the Channel Tunnel, where you can travel in the comfort of your own car and drive off onto the motorway at the other side.

Time: 35 minutes in the Euro Tunnel, plus 3 hours drive from Calais (swimming: 7 hours)
Cost: from £44 per car plus motorway tolls (swimming: free)

3. Spell and Broomstick / Eurostar

While Miss Price in Bedknobs and Broomsticks went from A to B with a broomstick and a quick spell (“Lackipo nikrif scrumpet leech”, if you’re interested), a good alternative is the Eurostar. Leaving from London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet and Ashford, it’s the most convenient way of getting to Disneyland Paris. With a journey time of less than three hours, it’ll drop you outside the magical gates before you’ve had a chance to sing every verse of Hakuna Matata – and not having to change trains means you’ll certainly have ‘no worries’ along the way.

Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (broomstick: unknown)
Cost: From around £69 each way (broomsticks travel free)

4. Umbrella / Plane

Feeling flightly? Then take your cue from Mary Poppins. Simply wait until the wind changes, open up your umbrella and glide through the air for an experience that’s sweeter than a ‘spoonful of sugar’. If the weather isn’t playing ball, luckily there are two airports in Paris that both offer excellent transport links to Disneyland and its hotels (look at this map to find them). Whether you want to hop on a shuttle bus or drive a rental car to the park once you land, airlines such as Easyjet, AirFrance, British Airways or FlyBe will get you there.

Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (umbrella: unknown)
Cost: From around £71 each way (umbrella: £7.99)

5. Magic Carpet

If you really want to arrive in style, then look no further than Aladdin’s magic carpet. Private and with excellent on-board service, there’s no journey smoother than this multi-coloured companion, and a ride on Aladdin’s flying friend will ensure you’re always ‘one jump ahead’ on your journey to Paris.

Ok. Not really. But maybe if we wish hard enough…

Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Cost: Three wishes