Coming to Ile de Ré | Destination Île de Ré

How to get to the island of Ré

The Ile de Ré is located in the middle of the Atlantic coast, halfway between Nantes and Bordeaux. It is linked to the mainland by a bridge that provides easy access to La Rochelle.

The bridge, inaugurated on May 19, 1988, is 2,926.5 meters long and rises 42 meters above sea level. It joins La Repentie, near the port of La Pallice to the north-west of La Rochelle, to the Pointe de Sablanceaux at Rivedoux-Plage and to the east of the Ile de Ré. Its toll contributes to the eco-tax, on which various actions and resources to protect the island’s environment depend.

There are many ways to get to the island of Ré, depending on what you want to do.

Transport Bus Shuttle Ile De Re Laurence Furic

By train
La Rochelle station offers daily connections to Nantes, Bordeaux and Paris-Montparnasse on the TGV Atlantique.
lnfo SNCF : 3635 or on https://www.oui.sncf/
Paris – La Rochelle shortest journey 2h44 > https://www.sncf-connect.com/train/trajet/paris/la-rochelle
Book your train ticket on https://www.thetrainline.com/fr or on https://www.sncf-connect.com/
By bus / Coach
All year round, the 3/3E “La Rochelle-Ile de Ré” line of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, operated by Transdev Express Sud-Ouest La Rochelle, serves the island’s 10 villages.
From La Rochelle (SNCF station, Place de Verdun, Belvédère, airport – depending on the season), journey times range from 30 min to Rivedoux-Plage, the first village after crossing the bridge, to 2 h to Les Portes-en-Ré, at the very end of the island.
During the summer season, the “Ré Express” (3E) bus service picks you up at the station and stops on request, making the journey even quicker. Reservations are not necessary.
Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver, in the sales offices of the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Place de Verdun in La Rochelle (Cars Régionaux Nouvelle-Aquitaine counter), or directly via the “Ticket Modalis” application.
Specific season tickets for line 3/3E are available by the week (€12.60), month (€28) or year (€134).
Single ticket: 2.30€, return ticket: 4.10€.
Consult bus timetables.
Electric shuttle from the bridge
The Navette RespiRé runs between the Belvédère parking lot (La Rochelle) and the Sablanceaux parking lot (Ile de Ré). Operating days vary according to the season.
From March 30 to October 13, you can cross the bridge free of charge with the shuttle, accompanied by your bike in a specially-equipped vehicle, or just with your backpack.
See shuttle schedules.
On foot or by bike
You can reach the Ile de Ré on foot or by bike.
Please note that the right-hand lane from the toll booths is reserved for bicycles, while the left-hand lane is for pedestrians. Crossing the bridge is free for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
From Niort on the 90 km Vélo Francette (to La Rochelle), from Roscoff or Hendaye on the Vélodyssée, which runs along the entire Atlantic coast.
By boat
Ars-en-Ré, La Flotte, Rivedoux-Plage and Saint-Martin-de-Ré offer visitor moorings. In all cases, please contact the harbor master’s office before installing any berths, except in emergencies.
The port of Ars can be reached on 05 46 29 25 10.
The port of La Flotte on 05 46 09 67 66
The port of Saint-Martin: 05 46 09 26 69
The port of Rivedoux-Plage: 05 46 09 39 39
Croisières Inter Iles – Maritime Shuttle La Rochelle -> Saint-Martin-de-Ré (April to September)
Discover the island by sea! From the old port of La Rochelle to Saint-Martin-de-Ré, 05 46 50 55 54 and www.iledere-larochelle.fr
On a scooter or motorcycle
The cost of crossing the bridge is €3 all year round for motorized two-wheelers.
Carpooling
Ride economically and responsibly, in a friendly atmosphere.
Rezo Pouces, 48 stops!
Register at: www.covoiturage-iledere.fr
By car or motorhome
Since January^1, 2012, an ecotax has had to be paid on every crossing. The amount of this tax varies not only according to the time of year, but also according to the size of the vehicle using the bridge.
If you want to make more crossings, it’s a good idea to buy a multi-passenger pass, which reduces the unit cost. The ticket office is open every day from 5.30 am to 9.30 pm.
A Pont de Ré ticket office representative can be reached on 05 46 00 51 10.
Pont de Ré fares and season tickets by vehicle class and period here!
By cab
Many local professionals are at your disposal to pick you up at the train station or airport and make your arrival easier.
Find a list of cabs here.
By plane
2024 LINES AND COMPANIES served at La Rochelle-Ile de Ré airport
EasyJet :
Lyon: All year round
Bristol: from 06/27/2024 to 08/31/2024
Geneva: from 06/25/2024 to 09/17/2024
London-Gatwick: from 06/26/2024 to 09/01/2024
Manchester: from 26/06/2024 to 31/08/2024
Ryanair :
Marseille: all year round
Brussels-Charleroi: from 03/31/2024 to 09/29/2024
Cork: from 02/06/2024 to 24/10/2024
Dublin: from 03/19/2024 to 10/24/2024
London-Stansted: from 03/27/2024 to 10/26/2024
Marrakech: from 04/06/2024 to 27/09/2024
Porto: all year round
Click here to view and download the flight schedule
For further information, contact La Rochelle-Ile de Ré airport on 0 892 23 01 03 or visit https://www.larochelle.aeroport.fr/vols-et-destinations/compagnies-aeriennes/

The Ile de Ré bridge

To get here, I take the bridge!
Since 1988, the Ile de Ré has been linked to La Rochelle by a 3 km bridge. It’s open 24/7.

The bridge is only chargeable on the way to the island, not on the way back. All motorized vehicles – scooters over 50 cm3, motorcycles, cars, camping cars, buses and heavy goods vehicles – must pay this toll. A toll station is located on the mainland at “Le Belvédère”.

You can also opt to cycle or walk across, as facilities are available for this, and these alternatives are entirely free of charge. In high season, free electric shuttles and buses from La Rochelle also make crossing easy.

The Charente-Maritime department, which manages the bridge, offers a range of season ticket options. The season ticket sales office is open daily from 5.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.

Find out more, on the Ile de Ré bridge

Ecotax

An eco-tax has been in place since January 2012, replacing the old toll, to contribute to the protection and management of sensitive natural areas on the Ile de Ré, notably by funding eco-guards. It is also thanks to this commitment, among others, that 80% of the territory remains undevelopable to this day.

Practical information

The bridge in brief

Open: 24/7
Free: for pedestrians and cyclists
Low season: September 12 to June 19
High season: June 20 to September 11
Fares* Aller<>Retour: €8 in low season / €16 in high season
Speed limit: 80km/h
Overtaking: prohibited!

*depending on vehicle class