4 day cycle routes
Four days & three nights London to Paris bike ride routesCycling from London to Paris in 4 days is a popular option. The challenge here is coupled with the chance to take your time a little more and see the sights along the way.
You will still need to train hard for your trip but the emphasis is on your ability to cycle medium distances over consecutive days rather than long distances in fewer days. This option really is achievable for everyone, including those who are new to long-distance cycling.
It is generally a good idea to get yourself down to the coast and rest there for the night before taking the ferry over first thing on day two. As for cycling in France, depending on your preferences, you may wish to complete 2 longer days in the saddle to allow you the opportunity to arrive in Paris in good time on the fourth day. Keep in mind the time it takes you on the ferry and the one hour time difference on day 2.
One thing to be careful of is the ferry times. Different routes have varying timetables. It is recommended by most ferry companies that you arrive at least 45 minutes before the planned departure time. Best to double-check with the ferry company you choose.
Finally, arriving in Paris is a big deal, so make sure you give yourselves time to celebrate. These London to Paris cycle routes prioritise, where possible, a shorter final day so that you have ample time to arrive in daylight and properly take in what you’ve achieved.
- London to Paris cycle routes on this page
- Route 1 : 4 day route via Portsmouth, Le Havre, Le Neubourg & Mantes-la-Jolie
- Route 2 : 4 day route via Dover, Calais, Arras & Compiègne
- Route 3A : 4 day route via Newhaven, Dieppe, Forges-Les-Eaux & Chaussy (Avenue Verte)
- Route 3B : 4 day route via Newhaven, Dieppe, Forges-Les-Eaux & Cergy-Pontiose
- Route 4 : 4 day route via Dover, Dunkirk, Cambrai & Soissons
Route 1
4 day London to Paris bike ride route via Portsmouth, Le Havre, Le Neubourg & Mantes-la-Jolie
- Route Plan & Distance
- Day 1 : London to Portsmouth
- Distance: 127 km / 79 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in London
- Day 1 : Portsmouth to Le Havre – Ferry
- Duration: Departs app. 23:30 – 8 hrs
- Ferry Info: Portsmouth to Le Havre Ferry Times, Prices & Availability
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Le-Havre
- Day 2 : Le Havre to Le Neubourg
- Distance: 82 km / 51 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Le Neubourg
- Day 3 : Le Neubourg to Mantes-la-Jolie
- Distance: 76 km / 47 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Mantes-la-Jolie
- Day 4 : Mantes-la-Jolie to Paris
- Distance: 56 km / 35 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Paris
- Total cycling distance = 341 km / 212 miles
Route 2
4 day London to Paris bike ride route via Dover, Calais, Arras & Compiègne
- Route Plan & Distance
- Day 1 : London to Dover
- Distance: 140 km / 87 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in London, Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Dover
- Day 1 or 2 : Dover to Calais – Ferry
- Duration: Multiple crossings a day – 1 hr 30 mins
- Ferry Info: Dover to Calais Ferry Times, Prices & Availability
- Day 2 : Calais to Arras
- Distance: 113 km / 70 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Arras
- Day 3 : Arras to Compiègne
- Distance: 117 km / 73 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Compiègne
- Day 4 : Compiègne to Paris
- Distance: 87 km / 54 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Paris
- Total cycling distance = 457 km / 284 miles
Route 3A
4 day London to Paris bike ride via Newhaven, Dieppe, Forges-Les-Eaux & Chaussy – Avenue Verte
- Route Plan & Distance
- Day 1 : London to Newhaven
- Distance: 159 km / 99 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in London, Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Newhaven
- Day 1 or 2 : Newhaven to Dieppe – Ferry
- Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
- Ferry Info: Newhaven to Dieppe Ferry Times, Prices & Availability
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Dieppe
- Day 2 : Dieppe to Forges-Les-Eaux
- Distance: 56 km / 35 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Forges-les-Eaux
- Day 3 : Forges-Les-Eaux to Chaussy
- Distance: 87 km / 54 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Chaussy
- Day 4 : Chaussy to Paris
- Distance: 94 km / 58 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Paris
- Total cycling distance = 396 km / 246 miles
Route 3B
4 day London to Paris bike ride via Newhaven, Dieppe, Forges-Les-Eaux & Cergy-Pontiose
- Route Plan & Distance
- Day 1 : London to Newhaven
- Distance: 97 km / 60 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in London, Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Newhaven
- Day 1 or 2 : Newhaven to Dieppe – Ferry
- Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
- Ferry Info: Newhaven to Dieppe Ferry Times, Prices & Availability
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Dieppe
- Day 2 : Dieppe to Forges-Les-Eaux
- Distance: 55 km / 35 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Forges-les-Eaux
- Day 3 : Forges-Les-Eaux to Cergy-Pontiose
- Distance: 85 km / 52 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Cergy-Pontoise
- Day 4 : Pontiose to Paris
- Distance: 34 km / 21 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Paris
- Total cycling distance = 271 km / 168 miles
Route 4
4 day London to Paris bike ride route via Dover, Dunkirk, Cambrai & Soissons
- Route Plan & Distance
- Day 1 : London to Dover
- Distance: 140 km / 87 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in London
- Day 1 : Dover to Dunkirk – Ferry
- Duration: Multiple crossings a day – 2 hrs
- Ferry Info: Dover to Dunkirk Ferry Times, Prices & Availability
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Dunkirk
- Day 2 : Dunkirk to Cambrai
- Distance: 152 km / 94 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Cambrai
- Day 3 : Cambrai to Soissons
- Distance: 100 km / 62 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Soissons
- Day 4 : Soissons to Paris
- Distance: 113 km / 70 miles
- Where to stay: Cycle Friendly Accommodation in Paris
- Total cycling distance = 505 km / 313 miles
Essential L2P Kit
Here is a list of essential cycling equipment for any London to Paris bike ride (we assume you already have a bike):
Main image : Metro Centric