Battlebus - Tours of the D-Day beaches and battlefields of Normandy

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the common questions we are asked, we also draw your attention to these pages on our website: About Us, Staff, and How to Book.

Where are you based? Our standard tours commence in Bayeux in the heart of the D-Day invasion area of Normandy.

How long are you Tours? All our standard tours run from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

How many tours do you run each day? From March to October, we usually run 3 different tours per day (including private tours.) The American Highlights Tour usually runs daily and the two-day American Experience Tour usually runs 2 or 3 times a week. For the British Highlights, Canadian Juno and Band of Brothers Tours it can vary greatly, sometimes we may run 3 or 4 in one week, and at other times there may be days between tours. It all depends on how our diary shapes up, based on the bookings we receive. The earlier you contact us, the more influence you have on our diary and the more likely you are to get the tour you want. We do not run tours on set days of the week, our schedule is solely determined by the booking requests we receive.

How far in advance should I book? Basically as early as you can, especially with larger groups (4 to 8 people,) and preferably when you still have some flexibility with your schedule. In general we are less likely to be able to help people who are booking only a week or two before their trip and have no flexibility.

What vehicles do you use? We use comfortable Peugeot minibuses which seat 8 passengers (plus our driver/guide). They have full air-conditioning and are fitted with seatbelts throughout. Ever-tightening European safety regulations for muti-seater minibuses mean that there is somewhat restricted visibility over the front seats in the rear of these vehicles, but this is because of the increased protection of all passengers. Safety must come first and you can rest assured that we have now taken over 30,000 clients on tours and have never had a customer come to any harm whilst travelling in our vehicles.

Physical Requirements During the 9 hours of a Battlebus tour there is a lot of standing, and a fair amount of walking. You will need to have a level of fitness sufficient for this type of day. These are not drive-by bus tours, where you sit onboard all day taking photos. We walk the beaches and battlefields, and the days can be tiring. If you have mobility problems, or are worried about the walking, please ask about a Private tour, so we can tailor the day to your needs. You must also be able to board the minibus which involves a step up of about 12 inches.

Can a Battlebus Guide come with us in our own car? No, in the past we offered this service but since 2007 we have only offered tours in our own vehicles.

Can I stay elsewhere than Bayeux the night before the tour? Yes, as long as you are staying within 50 minutes drive time of Bayeux. Because of the 8.30am start time of our tours we do not take bookings from people staying further than this. Therefore places like Honfleur, Deauville and Rouen and are all too far away.

What about if I come from Paris in a day-trip by train? The first train into Bayeux arrives at 9.27am on weekdays and even later on weekends. So it's impossible to take a tour with us in a day-trip from Paris.

I use a wheelchair, can I book a tour with you? Our minibuses are not equipped with lifts or ramps, but we can accommodate a folding wheelchair on a private tour, but you would still need to climb in and out of the vehicle un-aided.

I am worried that your tours are too detailed and only for WWII buffs? We pride ourselves that our tours are suitable for all, for the novice and expert alike. Our blend of personal stories, anecdotes and general overviews are suitable for all levels of interest, please see our testimonials here.

Can you book accommodation for us? No, but we have information about staying in Normandy together with a list of recommended hotels here .

Do you do tours in languages other than English? No, all our tours are in English only, other companies in Bayeux offer tours in different languages.

What experience do your Battlefield Guides have? Take a look at our staff pages, there is quite extensive background information about our team. Plus please read here about the use of the word "guide."

Do you provide a special service for WWII Veterans? Yes most definitely, we have a special page detailing the Normandy Veteran tours we can offer. In all cases WWII veterans travel FREE with us on our standard tours - this is our thank you for your service in the name of freedom.

Can children come on a Battlebus Tour? We have set the minimum age at 12 to take a place on a standard tour. In our experience younger children find the days too tiring and the subject-matter too difficult. Plus some of the battlefields and beaches we visit are not especially child-friendly.

Will you pick us up at our hotel for our D-Day tour? No, Bayeux has an allocated tour excursion point called Place de Quebec which is close to most of the hotels and signposted “Departs Excursions”. By having a single pick-up point, and not crossing the town back and forth meeting clients up at their hotels, we are able to depart for the beaches much quicker. In our experience because it makes a real difference to the amount of time will have at the sites themselves everyone is happy to walk to our departure point. On private tours, yes in most cases you will be met at your hotel or bed & breakfast.

Is there time for coffee breaks and souvenir shopping on the tour? The only refreshment break is made at lunch, we advise you to bring water and any snacks you may want at other times during the day. Every one of our standard tours includes a museum with a shop where books, postcards and souvenirs can be purchased. But there is no free time for additional shopping.

What provisions are made for lunch on a full day tour? Lunch is at your expense. On all our tours we will include time for lunch somewhere on route. We generally get sandwiches or snacks, and we often eat “on the run” to enable us to keep moving and see more sites. You may bring your lunch with you if you prefer.

What about Comfort /Bathroom breaks? On all our tours we make as many toilet stops as permitted by the particular itinerary. The type of facility varies from modern museum bathrooms to more old-fashioned public conveniences. There are normally a minimum of 3 or 4 stops during the day and often more. On the American Highlights Tour (for example) there are a minimum of 5 stops.

Will I have time to take photos? Yes, most of the places chosen by the guide to stop and talk to you are right on or overlooking the battlefield. While he is talking you will be able to take photos of the key buildings and features and at some sites you may be given additional time for photo taking after his explanations. But if you are wanting to set up tripods and use several cameras to take multiple shots from every conceivable angle, then you may be frustrated by the pace of the tour, because there's a lot to see and only so much time!

How and when do we pay for tours? Payments are to be made on the day of your tour, in cash in Euros or by Travellers Cheques in Euros. We also accept cash in US Dollars and GB Pounds, at the day’s exchange rate plus an 8% surcharge. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS OR TRAVELLERS CHEQUES IN US DOLLARS.

You don’t have special prices for Students? No, our tours are of a high standard, we accompany our clients around the sites for the duration of the day and we truly believe our tours are worth the price given the service you receive. We have more information here and there our other options for touring Normandy if you feel Battlebus in not for you .

Should I tip our Battlebus guide? It's completely optional, but yes please do if you have enjoyed your day. As a touring company we are not like a restaurant that includes a service charge as part of the bill, so our staff very gratefully accept tips. It's tiring keeping the passion and enthusiasm going throughout the long season, and a tip is a genuine way of thanking the guide for putting the extra effort in to make your day memorable. But if funds are tight a sincere thank you is also appreciated!

What should I wear? Sturdy shoes, trainers or walking boots are recommended. We cross beaches, dunes, fields and rough ground on all our tours. For warmth in spring and autumn (fall) we recommend layering your clothes, having spare sweaters etc with you and a hat. Umbrellas may seem a good idea, but often if it’s raining, it’s far too windy to use one - a waterproof jacket with a hood or hat is a much better solution. From October to March definitely be prepared for winter weather, hats and gloves are useful and an extra pair of socks. Please see the thread about when to travel to Normandy on our forum here.

Do you recommend reading anything on D-Day before I come? Of course, there are hundreds of good books on the subject, and a little background knowledge is always handy. We have a list of books that we recommend here. Or you could always watch “The Longest Day” DVD, it’s not 100% accurate, but is a good starting point. Plus we make announcements on our forum about new books.

I have a question I can’t find an answer to on your website? We believe we’ve covered everything on this website, but if you have a question, just ask, if we can answer it we will. You can find contact details here. We also invite you to use our Battlebus forum, where you can post further questions about your Normandy trip.

Why Choose Battlebus?

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This page last modified on Saturday, October 31st 2009