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Flights to Europe with American Airlines

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Experience the most amazing European destinations while enjoying premier services offered by American Airlines with our flights to United Kingdom , France , Spain , Germany , Italy , and much more!

When you fly American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, or Iberia you get access to more destinations across Europe. With more flights, flexibility, rewards, and partners, there’s nothing holding you back from traveling. In a partnership and in life, everything's better when done together. So, let's go together.

*Fares displayed have been collected within the last 24hrs and may no longer be available at time of booking. Fares listed may be Basic Economy, which class is subject to additional terms and conditions. Additional baggage fees and charges for optional products and services may apply.

Round trip flights to Europe

*Fares displayed have been collected within the last 24hrs and may no longer be available at time of booking. Some fares listed may include one or more connections that are Basic Economy, which class is subject to additional terms and conditions . Modifying this information may result in a different fare. To find the most updated fare, please visit aa.com. Additional baggage fees and charges for optional products and services may apply.

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Hotels, rental cars and vacation packages

Hotels in Europe

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Europe rental cars

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Driving advice

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Driving in France

France is the UK’s most popular holiday destination, and visiting by car gives you incredible freedom to experience it on your own terms.

Go to Paris for excitement and culture, then trek down to the Loire Valley to taste the finest French wines and food before swinging by La Rochelle on the coast, all in the space of a few days with minimal fuss. Driving is the ultimate way to explore France.

Whether you’re going for an extended holiday or just for a couple of days, driving in France isn’t anything to get stressed about, but there are some things to be aware of. Here are some tips to make sure you don’t get on the wrong side of the law or involved in an accident.

Driving in France checklist

France is one of the more regulation-heavy countries to drive in, and you need to keep in mind the following changes to the law:

• Drivers with less than three years of experience have a lower blood alcohol limit of 0.2 grams per litre. For other drivers the limit is 0.5 grams. Our advice is simply this: don’t drive after an alcoholic drink.
• Motorcyclists must also carry reflective safety jackets.
• It is now illegal to wear a headset for any purpose, even for the answering of phone calls. If you’re a motorcyclist with an integrated headset in your helmet then you’re exempt.
• Paris has introduced a Low Emission Zone to improve air quality. Check to see if your trip takes you through it and what charges you’ll have to pay.

You must have a valid driving licence issued in an EU or EEA country to drive a vehicle in France, and make sure your car has GB stickers on it.

When driving in France, always carry the following documents:

• Your driving licence
• Your passport
• Your V5C certificate
• Your insurance documents

You must also carry these safety items, unless you’re happy being slapped with a big fine:

• Warning triangle
• Reflective safety jackets
• Breathalyser
• Beam deflectors
• Helmet with compliant reflective elements if you are riding a motorcycle

Seatbelt rules

Just like in the UK, everyone in a car has to wear a seatbelt at all times. If you have children with you then make sure you obey these rules on car seats and restraints:

• Under 10kg: Rear-facing seat in the front passenger seat (with passenger airbag deactivated) or back seats.
• 10 - 13kg: The same conditions as above apply.
• 9 – 18kg: Child seat with included harness or protection tray.
• 15 – 25kg: Booster seat used in conjunction with adult seatbelt.
• 22 – 36kg: The same as above.
• Children under the age of 10 cannot travel in the front seats without using a child restraint. The only exceptions are if there are no rear seats, the rear seats are already occupied by children under 10 or if there are no seat belts.

Traffic lights

Just like the UK, France uses the three-colour traffic light system, however:

• There is no amber light displayed after a red light.
• A flashing amber light can mean: caution, slow down or proceed but give way to the right.
• A flashing red light means no entry, and can also indicate a level crossing or emergency vehicle exit point.
• If a red light is accompanied by a yellow arrow then drivers may turn in the direction of the arrow but have to give priority to vehicles travelling in that direction, as well as to any pedestrians.

You should overtake on the left, but if you are driving on a multi-lane road you may overtake on the right if the other lanes are moving slower due to traffic build-up.

Vehicles travelling uphill have right of way over those coming downhill.

Generally you should give way to the right, and this is compulsory at all intersections unless signs tell you otherwise.

Emergency services vehicles always have priority over other road users.

You must give way to traffic already on a roundabout (so on your left) unless signs say otherwise.

Your horn should only ever be used to give necessary warning to other drivers. You should never use your horn between dusk and sunrise unless in an emergency; the same rule applies at all times of day in urban areas.

Warnings to other drivers should be given by your lights, but don’t think that a quick flash from an oncoming car means you can proceed or make a turn. In narrow roads in towns and cities the French use a headlight flash to say: “I’m coming through here, so watch it.”

If an oncoming driver flashes you while driving on a main road it could well be a warning of a police speed trap up ahead.

Speed limits

These are the national speed limits. Stick to them but be aware that some signs may indicate a different limit in specific areas.

• Motorways — 130 km/h in normal conditions, 110 km/h in rain, 50 km/h when visibility is under 50 metres.
• Dual carriageways or inner city motorways — 110 km/h in normal conditions, 100 km/h in rain, 50 km/h when visibility is under 50 metres.
• Other roads — 90 km/h in normal conditions, 80 km/h in rain, 50 km/h when visibility is under 50 metres.
• Urban/built-up areas — 50 km/h in all conditions.

If you break the speed limit by 40 km/h or more you will have your licence confiscated on the spot by the police. You can also have your vehicle impounded, be hit with a fine and possibly be held in custody.

Breakdown procedure

If you’re unfortunate enough to have a breakdown don’t call your breakdown company straightaway. If you’re on a motorway or toll road you need to use the orange emergency phones at the roadside. A local firm will tow you to a recovery zone and only then can you contact your cover provider.

To make sure your breakdown is handled efficiently be sure to take out European breakdown cover before your trip.

Parking regulations

Whatever you do, don’t park up on a single yellow line. In France this means that both parking and stopping are forbidden, and parking will get you a fine and your car could be towed away. If the line is broken you can stop, to load or unload for example, but you cannot park.

Local parking restrictions will be indicated by signs, so before you lock up and wander off for some sightseeing, make sure you are allowed to park if you want your car to be there when you return.

Drink driving

Yes, it’s the land of amazing wine (and pretty good beer) but don’t be tempted to drink and drive. The police can carry out random breath tests as they see fit, and must carry one out after a driver has committed any driving offence or been involved in an accident.

The maximum level of blood alcohol is lower than the UK at 0.05%, except as noted earlier for those with less than three years of experience.

Stick to these rules, and you’ll be able to enjoy your holiday no matter where the journey takes you.

Get covered in Europe

With our Euro Plus annual cover, you’ll get both our
 5* rated UK cover and cover for Europe .

Related articles

European breakdown cover.

Short-term European breakdown cover

For single trips or short breaks abroad.

For complete peace of mind when traveling abroad multiple times within a year.

Only available for cars less than 16 years old

Driving in France - a checklist

Papers, equipment ... what you must have with you when driving in france.

• Explore France ►
• France in brief
• Plan your trip
• France on a budget
• Tourist map of France
• Staying in France
• Eating in France
• Climate & weather
• Camping in France
• Accueil en français
• Search About-France
• Paris for free
• Other main cities
• Choose a region
• Best of France
• The south of France
• The Dordogne
• The French seaside
• The Loire valley
• The Massif central
• Top attractions
• Heritage cities
• Best small towns
• Best of rural France
• Wild France
• Skiing & wintersports
• Find a hotel
• Driving in France
• Motorway services
• Routes from Calais
• Rules of the road
• Driving checklist
• Ferries to France
• Flying to France
• Rail travel in France
• Bus and coach travel
• Life in France
• French institutions
• The French language
• Vital words & phrases
• French grammar
• A-Z of French life
• Study in France

About-France.com - the connoisseur's guide to France

Checklist :.

• Driving licence
• Proof of vehicle ownership or hire
• Vehicle insurance
• Headlamp beam deflector
• Spare set of bulbs
• Breathalyzer kit
• Hazard warning triangle (breakdown triangle)
• Spare set of car keys
• High-visibility waistcoats
• Vehicle condition
• Maps or Satnav
• If driving in central Paris, an emissions quality sticker
• ► Driving licence. When driving in France, you will need a recognised full  and valid driving licence. An international licence (an IDP) is not required for short term visitors (up to 90 days) from countries of the EU, EEA, the UK (post Brexit) , USA, Canada; however it is either recommended or else required for visitors from other countries. For specific details, check with the local French embassy in your country of origin. NB: The  minimum age for driving in France is 18, so drivers under the age of 18 cannot drive in France, even if they have a full driving licence issued in their own country.

• For longer stays, standard EU driving licences remain valid, but holders of driver's licenses from non-EU countries will probably need to obtain a French licence. Again, check with the French embassy in your country before starting off on your trip.
• ► Proof of ownership , This is the car's registration certificate (for cars registered in the UK, the V5C certificate). If stopped by the police, you may well be asked for the "Carte grise" (grey card) : it is the vehicle's registration certificate that you are being asked to show.
• ► Proof of insurance . The standard international and European insurance document is the "Green Card", and drivers from  Europe (including the UK) should make sure that they have a Green Card from their insurer before entering France. UK insurers may provide this free, or may charge extra. Within the EU, standard vehicle insurance is valid throughout the Union, but only  provides basic insurance for your vehicle (third party cover) unless otherwise stated, whether or not a green card is provided. As regards the extent of you vehicle insurance cover, you should check with your insurance company before setting off for France or beyond. Many insurance policies that are comprehensive policies in the UK only provide third party cover when the vehicle is taken abroad.
•     Many UK motorists like to take out extra holiday insurance, such as that available from the AA, to cover the costs of emergency repairs and/or repatriation of the vehicle and passengers in the event of a major mishap. Click to visit the AA website .
• ► Headlamp beam deflector .  Depending on your car, you will either need deflector patches or have to adjust the beam manually. In the UK, headlamps dip to the left, which is a big problem when driving at night on the continent, as that means they dip into the path of oncoming traffic. Beam deflectors (often just a bit of opaque tape to stick on a part of the headlamp) correct this.
• ►  Spare set of bulbs .  Though it is highly unlikely that you will be stopped and asked to show your spare set of bulbs, and though it is not practical to carry spare sealed-beam units that require a garage visit for fitting, French rules of the road require cars to carry a spare set of bulbs. Many French drivers do not carry them.....
• ► Breathalyzer kit . or alcohol level test. In theory, it is obligatory to carry one of these - but there is no penalty for not having one.
• ► Hazard warning triangle .  All vehicles must carry a red reflective breakdown warning triangle that can be placed at a suitable distance behind a car if it is immobilised on the highway or hard shoulder
• ► Spare set of car keys .  Not obligatory, but highly recommended. After all, it would be unimaginable hassle to lose your keys, then have no way of getting into your car... or once in it, of starting it.

• ► Vehicle condition .  Don't set out on a long journey to France or beyond, to Italy or Spain or wherever, without having first had your car serviced or checked. In particular, check tyre pressure and condition.
• ► Maps or Satnav .  One or the other of these is always advisable, even if you are planning a simple journey on motorways or main roads. Detailed local maps can help you in the event of the unforeseen. They can also help drivers of larger vehicles - coaches, HGVs, caravans or motorhomes - avoid unsuitable roads before they actually reach them.  Satnavs are quite good at forgetting to mention bits of vital information, such as low bridges or narrow bridges on minor roads.
• ► Emissions quality sticker .  These are required for vehicles driving into many French cities during weekdays, or in some other  cities on poor air quality days (mostly in winter). Stickers can be ordered directly from the official French government agency  for less than 5 € including postage within Europe..

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Explore Paris , France

Few cities match the iconic status that Paris boasts in the imagination of travellers. In fashion, gastronomy, and the arts, she is queen. As you visit the different quartiers of the City of Light, her moods shift from gritty to sophisticated, from Haute Couture to punk. There is always something new to discover in Paris beyond the legendary sights and museums we all know so well. This fabled city has a way of getting under your skin and feeling instantly familiar to all who wander her hypnotic streets and linger at her inviting cafés. Learn More...

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