eurostar trip from london to paris

The Man in Seat 61

A guide to Eurostar trains

London to paris & brussels.

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Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train linking London with Paris, Lille & Brussels via the Channel Tunnel at up to 300km/h (186 mph).  It's been running since 1994.  Eurostar is 55% owned by SNCF French Railways, 5% by SNCB Belgian Railways & 40% originally by the UK government, but now sold to overseas investors.  Don't confuse Eurostar with Eurotunnel (Getlink) who own the Channel Tunnel and whose car-carrying trains shuttle vehicles across the Channel.  This page explains all you need to know about travel by Eurostar between London and Paris, Lille or Brussels.

UPDATE:  Eurostars will not call at Ebbsfleet or Ashford in 2024.

Planning your trip

Check-in, on board, the journey

Other eurostar routes, other eurostar information, eurostar routes, london to paris.

Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord every hour or so, 7 days a week all year except Christmas Day.

London to Paris is 491.8 km or 305 miles.  Fastest journey time 2h15 non-stop.

Check train times at www.eurostar.com .

London to Lille & Brussels

Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi every couple of hours.  Most Brussels-bound Eurostars call at Lille in northern France, the interchange for French TGV high-speed trains to destinations all over France, see the London to France page . 

London to Brussels is 373 km or 232 miles, typical journey time 2h01, fastest journey 1h48.  London to Lille is 266.5 km or 165 miles.

London to Rotterdam & Amsterdam

In April 2018 Eurostar started a new service from London St Pancras via Brussels to Rotterdam & Amsterdam Centraal .  See timetable, fares & information on the London to Amsterdam by Eurostar page .

Direct Eurostars to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, French Alps & Disneyland

Eurostar used to run a direct train from London to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille 1-4 times a week May-September, see the Eurostar to Lyon, Avignon & Marseille page .  However, this has not run since 2019.

There's a Eurostar ski train from London to Bourg St Maurice in the French Alps once a week in winter, although from winter 2023/24 this will involve a change in Lille onto a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) , see the Eurostar Ski Train page .

Eurostar also used to run a direct train from London to Marne la Vallée, the station right outside the entrance to Disneyland Paris, several times a week, daily in school holidays, but this was cancelled in June 2023, for more information see here .

Faster & more reliable than flying

90%-95% of Eurostar trains arrive on time or within 15 minutes, whilst competing short-haul flights typically manage only 65-70% measured by the same standard.  From central London to central Paris, Eurostar is faster than flying, as well as more comfortable and convenient.  Not surprisingly, Eurostar has now captured over 70% of the London-Paris market from the airlines.

Eurostar fares

How to find the cheapest fares.

Fares from London to Paris or Brussels start at £52 one-way or £78 return.

Standard Premier (1st class) fares start at £115 one-way, £199 return.

Fares work like air fares.  Prices increase as departure date approaches and the cheaper seats sell out, so book early.  For example, standard class starts at £52 booked several months ahead but rises up to around £200 if you buy on the day.  Popular dates, days & trains will have higher fares (or fewer cheap tickets available) than less popular dates, days or trains.

Booking usually opens 6 months ahead.

Eurostar booking can in fact open up to 11 months ahead, but if you look many months ahead the data is often incomplete, departures may be missing or on certain dates no trains show up.  The missing trains usually appear in due course.

If you're going beyond Paris or Brussels, I recommend waiting until onward bookings open (typically 3 or 4 months ahead) & confirm onward trains before committing to a non-refundable Eurostar ticket.  Unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.

Tip:   The 2 or 3 daily Eurostars from London to Brussels which go on to Amsterdam only open for sale to Brussels passengers 60 days ahead.  The solution if you want one of these trains?  Book to Amsterdam, get off in Brussels!

How to find the cheapest Eurostar tickets

You can check fares & train times at www.eurostar.com .  For the cheapest fares, book well in advance - usually a maximum of 6 months ahead - and avoid busy Friday or Sunday afternoon trains when there are fewer cheap seats.  In fact, Eurostar have now said explicitly that the cheapest £78 return fares will only be found between midday Monday & midnight Thursday, and between midday and midnight on Saturday.  The cheapest return tickets require a Saturday night away.  One-ways start at £52 any day of the week.

Tip: The Eurostar website has a cheap fare-finder page which shows which dates offer the cheapest fares, a useful feature, but well hidden!  www.eurostar.com/uk-en/find-lowest-fares .

Refunds & changes to travel plans

Standard & Standard Premier tickets are non-refundable, but can be changed to another time or date without any change fee, just paying any difference in fare, until a full 7 days before departure.

Within 7 days of departure, you must pay a £30 fee in Standard class or £40 fee in Standard Premier plus the difference in fare.

In the fares chart below, fares shown with a from in front vary like air fares, rising as departure date approaches, with limited availability at each price level.  The fares shown without a 'from' do not increase like this, and are what you'll pay as long as there are seats left - except for railpass holder fares which are limited by a quota.

If you have to travel at short notice

Like airline tickets, Eurostar can be expensive if not booked well in advance. 

If heading to Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and so on, it may be cheaper to use the Stena Line Rail & Sail from London to Hoek van Holland plus onward train tickets as this is often very affordable even booked just 24 hours before departure.

One-way & open jaw fares

Eurostar's return fares are cheaper than two one-ways, so always book a round trip as return rather than two one-ways.

This is different from most European train fares, where a return is simply twice the one-way fare so you can book one way at a time without penalty.

There are no open jaw return fares for Eurostar, for example out London to Paris, back Brussels to London.  You need to buy one-way tickets for this, which costs more than a return to just one destination.  So avoid making open jaw journeys on Eurostar if you can.

Children & babies

Unlike airlines, children under 4 go free on Eurostar, no ticket is required, just bring them along with their passports.  A special child fare applies to children from 4 to 11 inclusive.  Children 12 & over travel at the youth fare.

All children under 12 must travel accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied children from 12 to 16 require a consent form signed by their parent or guardian.  See www.eurostar.com for details.

Interrail & Eurail passes on Eurostar

You use Interrail & Eurail passes on Eurostar on payment of a passholder fare, for prices & how to book see here .

How to buy tickets

If you're only using Eurostar, not onward trains further into Europe, buy tickets at either www.eurostar.com or www.sncf-connect.com , with no booking fee.

Eurostar bookings normally open up to 6 months before departure, sometimes more.

You print your own tickets or can load them into the Eurostar app on your phone, or can collect them from the machines at the station.

After paying, you can return to the www.eurostar.com home page, click on Manage Booking at the top of the page and use your booking reference and surname to find your booking and if desired, change your allocated seats.  Tips on choosing a specific seat on Eurostar .

If you have an Interrail or Eurail pass, you can buy a Eurostar passholder ticket online as shown here .

Buying tickets beyond Paris or Brussels

If you are going beyond Paris or Brussels, for example from London to the South of France, Spain or Italy, it's best to book Eurostar and your onward train tickets together in one place at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com .  The relevant page of this website will explain how best to buy tickets for your specific route & destination.

Eurostar bookings usually open 6 months before departure, but reservations for most other European trains only open 3 or 4 months ahead.  I strongly recommend waiting until onward bookings open so you can confirm onward train times before committing to a non-refundable Eurostar ticket.  Timings for onward trains can sometimes change on specific dates because of engineering work.

After buying Eurostar tickets at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com you can select seats on Eurostar using the Manage Booking link at www.eurostar.com , just as if you had booked direct with Eurostar.  Tips on choosing a specific seat on Eurostar .

See the Train travel to Europe page for more about how to buy European train tickets.  How to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi .  Advice on changing trains in Brussels .

If your journey starts outside London

Eurostar with an interrail or eurail pass.

To book a Eurostar passholder fare with an Interrail or Eurail pass, see here .

To buy tickets by phone

Call  03432 186 186 in the UK or +44 1233 617575 from overseas.

Eurostar's UK telesales office is open 08:00-19:00 on Mondays-Fridays and 09:00-17:00 weekends & holidays. 

Tickets can be sent to you by email to print or show on your phone.

There's a £10 phone booking fee, although no fee is charged to those buying Business Premier tickets.

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Video guide

The video shows a Eurostar e320.  Some journeys are operated by refurbished e300 trains.

Eurostar's 3 classes explained

Standard class.

Also known as 2nd class, standard class is comfortable, carpeted and air-conditioned, some seats unidirectional, a few around tables for four, ideal for families or friends.  All seats have an individual reading light and fixed or drop-down table, there is free WiFi and all seats have power sockets.  You'll have access to the two cafe-bar cars, or you can bring their own food & drink on board.  Standard class seats on the e320 and refurbished e300 trains can be reclined slightly, for posture rather than sleeping.

Standard Premier: 1st class for leisure

Standard Premier (to be renamed Eurostar Plus from November 2024) offers first class seating with fares aimed at upmarket leisure travellers & budget-conscious business travellers.  The same check-in times apply as for Standard class and there's no access to the business lounge, tickets are all non-refundable and only changeable for a fee.  A complimentary cold light meal and a round of alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks are served at your seat.  There is free WiFi and power sockets & USB ports at all 1st class seats.  All seats adjust from upright to a slight recline and all seats have an individual reading light and fixed or drop-down table.  The word 'Standard' is used its brand name to attract business travellers whose companies don't officially allow first class travel, but this is indeed first class.  Standard Premier replaced Leisure Select in 2010.

Is Standard Premier worth the extra?   Standard class is perfectly adequate and it's only 2h20 to Paris or 2h to Brussels.  There's no need to pay more if you don't want to.  But Standard Premier gives you wider seats with more leg & elbow room, the chance to choose solo seats or face-to-face tables for two, it's usually quieter with fewer families & kids, and of course there's a light meal included with wine, beer, tea, coffee & soft drinks.  So yes, it's a nice experience especially if your journey is for a special occasion!  Check the price difference for your dates, as I've seen Standard Premier cost only £10 more than Standard, given Eurostar's dynamic pricing.

Business Premier: 1st class for business

Business Premier (to be renamed Eurostar Premier from November 2024) uses exactly the same 1st class seating as Standard Premier, but in designated coaches and with fully-flexible & fully-refundable tickets, access to Eurostar's Business Lounges in London, Ebbsfleet, Paris & Brussels and a shorter minimum check-in.  The fare includes a complimentary hot airline-style meal, champagne (a particularly nice Monopol brut), wine, beer & soft drinks served at your seat.  There is free WiFi and power sockets & USB ports at all 1st class seats.  All seats adjust from upright to a slight recline, and all seats have an individual reading light and fixed or drop-down table.  The only downside?  It's priced assuming your company is paying!

Standard Premier and Business Premier passengers are accommodated in separate first class carriages but the seating is identical, with a spacious seating arranged 2+1 (2 seats, aisle, 1 seat) across the width of the train.  Eurostar vary the allocation of first class cars on each train between these two classes according to demand.  1st class seats have extra legroom compared to the higher-density seating in Standard class which has a 2+2 (2 seats, aisle, 2 seats) configuration.  See the Tips for choosing your seat section below for a Eurostar seating plan.

Choosing your seat

The manage booking feature.

All Eurostar tickets include a specific reserved seat, and initially you'll be allocated seats.

When you buy tickets at www.eurostar.com , you can change your allocated seats by clicking Change seats after payment and selecting specific seats from a numbered seating plan.

If you've booked a Eurostar via raileurope.com , thetrainline.com or sncf-connect.com , or bought passholder tickets at interrail.eu , eurail.com or b-europe.com , you can view & change seats like this:

Go to www.eurostar.com and click the Manage Booking link at the top.

Enter your 6-character Eurostar booking reference & last name and it'll retrieve your booking.

Look for the Change seats link, you can then select specific seats from a Eurostar seat map, see tips on picking the best seats .

Note that when a train gets fairly full, for example close to departure date, the change seat option may not appear.

You'll be sent an email confirming the change.

Tip:   Eurostar's 6-character alphanumeric booking reference is shown on your Eurostar ticket, for example KJ4T7Z.  It may not be the same as your retailer's booking reference.  On a ticket bought from B-Europe.com, it's shown as Reservation code .

Tip:   You can also view & change seats using the Eurostar app.  Download and open the app.  Click Your bookings and load your booking into the app by entering your last name and 6-character Eurostar booking reference.  You can now view or change seats and manage your booking in the app.  This works however you bought your Eurostar ticket, it even works with Interrail or Eurail passholder bookings.

Eurostar seat numbering plans

Here are accurate seating plans showing which seats face forwards, which line up with a window, which are airline-style face-to-back and which are arranged in bays around a table.  You might then understand why this website is called The Man in Seat Sixty-One.

How to tell if your Eurostar will be an e320 or an e300

Most Eurostar departures are operated by e320 trains.  All 8 e300 s were put into storage as passenger numbers fell during the pandemic, but the several e300 s have now returned to service.  Here's how to check:

Go to www.thetrainline.com , run an enquiry & find your train in the search results.  Click on a first class fare and make a dummy booking, taking it to the point where it shows your car & seat number, just before you have to pay.  If your first class seat is in cars 1, 2, 3 or 14, 15, 16 it is an e320 .   If it is in cars 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 it is an e300 .  Remember that the type can still be switched on the day for operational reasons!  www.thetrainline.com used to show on the search results page which type it was, but seems to have now stopped doing this.

If you already have a ticket you can go to www.eurostar.com , click Manage Booking then use the Change your seats feature to see a seat plan for your train, assuming the Manage Booking feature works with your booking reference.  If your train has 16 cars with 1st class at each end, it's due to be an e320 .  If 18 cars with all 1st class cars in the middle, it's an e300 .

Tips for picking the best seats

If you're travelling as a group of 3 or 4 people , choose seats around a table as opposed to airline-style pairs all facing the same way, as this is much more sociable.

If you're a couple in first class , choose a pair of seats facing across an intimate table-for-two.  Seat 61 was one of a pair like this on the original Eurostar trains, and in 1st class cars 2, 3, 14 & 15 in the new e320 trains .

If you want seats facing forward , this can be seen on these accurate seating plans (look closely at the train diagram, it shows which way the train goes when heading to Paris/Brussels, and when heading to London.  Car 1 is always at the London end of the train, car 16/18 at the Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam end.

If you prefer a window seat which lines up with the window (rather than one next to a blank bit of wall between the windows), look carefully at the plan.  The white or pale blue sections in the coach walls on the plan are the windows.

In standard class, a seat in the car next to the bar car makes it easier to fetch food and drink, which might be a consideration.  On the other hand, you get more people walking through to get to the bar.

If you've a tight onward connection when your Eurostar arrives in Paris or London , book a seat at the front of the train - car 16 or 18 going towards to Paris, or cars 1 or 2 going towards London.  You'll then get off the platform ahead of everyone else with less of a walk, saving vital minutes.  If going to Brussels, see information about the short cut to other platforms here .

Quiet coach :  Eurostar trialled a 'quiet coach' in Business Premier and Standard Premier (but not Standard class) in 2012, but the trial ended, and there is now no designated quiet coach.

Tip for the tall:  Extend your seat

On Eurostar's e320 trains in all classes (but not e300 ), the edge of your seat can be extended 2 inches just by pulling it out.  If you're tall, this is a great feature!

Useful telephone numbers

Checking-in for eurostar.

Unlike other British and European trains, Eurostar operates a check-in system.  You must check in for Eurostar at least 30 minutes before departure .

(15-20 minutes for Business Premier passengers).

With increased formalities due to Brexit , Eurostar advise passengers to check in earlier, ideally around 90 minutes .  However, the gates still close 30 minutes before departure (15-20 minutes for Business Premier) so if you can't make 90 minutes because of your other train connections it should still be fine.  But earlier is better!

Check-in opens 1½ to 2 hours before each train departure, it varies depending how busy they expect to be that day.

Check-in at London St Pancras:  See station guide

The check-in gates are in the wide passageway off the lower (street) level shopping arcade, one level down from the Eurostar trains themselves.  For more info about St Pancras station & its facilities, where to have a meal and so on, see the St Pancras station guide .

To check in, place your ticket barcode (on your phone or a printout) against the scanner screen on the automatic gates.  Or you can use a staffed check-in kiosk.  If you want to change your allocated seat (for example, to make sure you're facing forward), ask at a staffed kiosk.

Immediately after the check-in gates there's a security check with X-ray for your bags & metal detector for you, but it's quicker & easier than an airport.  No need to remove belt or shoes, no nonsense with liquids (though they don't like you carrying a cup of coffee through!), just put your bags & coat through the X-ray machine, remove metal items such as keys & coins and walk through the metal detector. 

After the security scan there's a UK passport check, where staff will scan your passport.  Then there's a French passport check.

Then you're inside the departure lounge and free to use the shops, bar, cafe or other facilities until your train is ready for boarding, usually 15-20 minutes before departure.  At St Pancras there's a Pret a Manger, bar, newsagents & travel goods shop, toilets and a Eurostar information desk.  The Eurostar information desk can provide you with Eurostar information, a free map of Paris, and Paris visitor metro passes.

If you have a Business Premier ticket (or Eurostar Carte Blanche card or American Express Platinum Charge Card) you can use the Eurostar Business Lounge with comfortable armchairs, WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee, wine, beer, spirits, juice and snacks.  There are Business Lounges at London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet, Paris Nord & Brussels Midi although not at Ashford, Calais or Lille.  The entrance to the Business Lounge at St Pancras is on the right-hand side of the departure lounge, immediately after the passport check.

The six Eurostar platforms at St Pancras (platforms 5-10) are directly above the departure lounge, and a boarding announcement will be made about 15-20 minutes before departure.  There are two gently-sloping moving walkways up to each platform, plus a lift.  If your reservation is in cars 1-5, you use one walkway, if your reservation is in cars 6-18 you use the other.  Just follow the signs!

There are no formalities on arrival in Paris, Lille or Brussels (other than a very occasional spot check), it's all done before you board.  So on arrival you just walk off the train, simple as that.

Check-in at Paris Gare du Nord:  See station guide

There are no formalities on arrival in London (unless UK customs people pull you over), it's all done before you board.  So on arrival you just walk off the train, simple as that.

Above, we're looking across the station concourse with the platforms on the right.  That's the escalator opposite platform 17 up to the balcony leading to the first-floor Eurostar check-in.

Departure lounge at Paris Nord.   Much improved since the early days, there are toilets, shops and cafes.

Business Premier lounge , upstairs from the main lounge, featuring this great cocktail bar.  You can use this lounge with a Business Premier ticket, with a Eurostar Carte Blanche card, or American Express Platinum Charge Card.  The lounge offers complimentary wine, spirits, beer, tea, coffee & soft drinks.

Check-in at Brussels Midi :  See station guide

On board eurostar.

There are two types of train in service with Eurostar, both with similar interiors:

e320 trains are all-new trains built in 2015 by Siemens.  Eurostar have 17 e320 trains.

e300 trains are classic trains from 1994, rebuilt with a new interior like the e320.  Eurostar have 8 e300 trains, they were taken out of service and put into storage during the coronavirus pandemic, but at least two have now returned to service.

How to tell which type of Eurostar is due to operate which departure .

Eurostar e320 trains

Eurostar introduced the first of their new e320 trains onto the London-Paris route in 2015 and 17 e320 trains are now in service.  Built by Siemens, the new trains feature free WiFi in all classes and power sockets at all seats.  The designation refers to the train's top speed, 320 km/h, although it can't currently exceed 300km/h on the London-Paris route.  And yes, seat 61 is still the best seat in the house - if you pick seat 61 in the right first class car, that is.  Cars 2, 3, 14 or 15, since you ask.

Click here for e320 seating plan .   How to tell if your Eurostar is due to be an e320 .

Eurostar's refurbished e300 trains

Luggage & facilities on board, food & drink on eurostar.

All Eurostar trains are completely non-smoking.

Business Premier includes an excellent complimentary hot airline-style 3-course meal with champagne & wine, with menus designed by master chef Raymond Blanc.

Standard Premier includes a simple cold tray meal with complimentary red or white wine, beer or soft drinks, tea & coffee.

All passengers have access to two bar cars, located in cars 6 & 13 in the refurbished e300 trains and in cars 8 & 9 on the new e320 trains . The cafe-bars serve tea, coffee, hot chocolate, beer, wine, spirits, sandwiches, wraps and a few hot dishes such as Chicken Tikka Massala.  The bar accepts credit cards as well as cash.  You can eat and drink in the bar area (standing space only, there are no seats) or take food & drink back to your seat.

Alternatively, feel free to take your own food and drink, even your own bottle of wine (the overnight Ski Train is an exception where no alcohol is allowed).

The bar car also sells Paris metro tickets , individually and in carnets of 10.  They charge only slightly more than you'd pay at the metro station in Paris, so if you have to cross Paris to catch an onward train this is the best way to buy your metro ticket.

Power outlets for laptops & mobiles

On the new e320 trains and refurbished e300 trains there are power sockets & USB ports at all seats in all classes, under the armrest.  They are alternately of the UK-type 3-pin and European-type 2-pin, so your seat could have either type, but the seat next to you will have the other type.

Free WiFi, TV shows & movies

The new e320 trains and refurbished e300 trains have effective free WiFi in all classes.  You'll find a selection of TV & movies to stream for free at onboard.eurostar.com as well as journey information.

There is good mobile phone voice & data reception throughout almost all the Eurostar journey including inside the Channel Tunnel, where it's provided by French telecoms companies in the northbound (towards London) running tunnel and by British telecoms companies in the southbound ( from London) running tunnel.

There is free WiFi at St Pancras International station for everyone.  WiFi access at Paris & Brussels is also available, but must be paid for.

Luggage on Eurostar

Unlike travelling by air, you don't check in your bags when travelling by train.  You keep them with you, placing small or medium size bags (up to backpack-size) on the luggage racks above your head and larger items on the big suitcase racks at the end of the coach just inside the entrance doors. 

Labelling your bags :  You must label your bags with your name (first name and surname), you'll find free paper labels at the terminal if you've forgotten.  For information about luggage limits on Eurostar & other European trains, see the luggage on European trains page .

Luggage limits on Eurostar :  In principle at least, Eurostar limits luggage to 2 large items per passenger, maximum 85cm in any one dimension, plus a small item of hand luggage.  There's no weight limit, so you can pretty much pack what you like, and (again unlike anally-retentive airports and airlines) nobody actually measures your bags or even worries if you have an extra carrier bag or two, as long as they all fit through the X-ray machines and don't cause any problems.

Items over 85cm :  In theory there's a maximum size limit of 85cm in any one dimension.  Which is odd, as there's no such limit on any other British or French train, and there's no real logic to it as far as I can see, as long as items fit through the X-ray scanners at check-in.  If you call Eurostar, staff may repeat the official 85cm limit and say you should use Eurostar's baggage service, but this is useless for anyone continuing beyond Paris, Brussels or London as items are only be available for collection with 24 hours of your Eurostar's arrival.  But in reality nobody measures your bags at check-in, and in practice people take guitars, 1 metre long tubes with rolled-up plans or posters inside, and other items that are a little over 85cm onto Eurostar, as they do on any train.  I can't 101% guarantee you'll never meet a jobsworth at check-in of course, but in 15 years of running this site I yet to hear of anyone having any problem.  In practice Eurostar is generally relaxed as long as you don't take the P.

Skis & snowboards :  One pair of skis or a snowboard (of any length) is allowed on Eurostar.

Guitars & other musical instruments:   Eurostar's policy on taking musical instruments is at www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-information/travel-preparation/baggage/baggage-allowances .  Basically, if it's under 85cm long, no problem, but over that and you pay a child rate for a seat next to you.  Though in practice nobody measures things so you will probably get away with taking a 90cm guitar as regular luggage and simply putting on a rack above your seat.  I can understand the official policy with a cello or double bass, but it does seem a nonsense that you have to pay for a guitar when it's perfectly normal to take a guitar free of charge on any other UK or European train.  See the paragraph above about items over 85cm in practice as well as theory.

Alcohol:   You're free to bring & consume your own wine or beer on Eurostar as long as you don't become a nuisance to other passengers.  To this end they typically limit alcohol brought for your own consumption to 1 bottle of wine or 4 cans of beer or 1 small bottle of spirits.  You can transport more than this if it remains unopened in your bags in transit, not for consumption.  No alcohol at all is allowed on the overnight ski train.

Prohibited items that can catch you out :  As well as the obvious prohibited items such as firearms or explosives, Eurostar prohibits any knife with a blade over 3", which has been known to catch out people returning to London with a nice set of Sabatier kitchen knives they bought in Paris.  Eurostar offer a checked baggage service for extra large items, which costs extra, see the baggage information page at www.eurostar.com .  No alcohol is allowed on the overnight Eurostar Ski Train to the French Alps, and only limited alcohol (no spirits) is allowed on the daytime Ski Train, but it's usually fine (within reason) on normal Eurostars.

Ice axes:  Until 2013 ice axes were not officially allowed on Eurostar.  Eurostar then changed their policy in 2013 and ice axes were officially allowed, if suitably tucked away in your luggage.  Since 2018 we're back to them not allowed again.

Left luggage lockers at stations

London St Pancras has a left luggage office run by the Excess Baggage Company, see opening hours & prices .  However, you'll find it cheaper to pre-book bag storage at Radicalstorage.com , they have an arrangement for luggage storage with nearby hotels.

Paris Gare du Nord has left luggage lockers ( consigne in French) downstairs under the main concourse just off the end of the Eurostar platforms and to the right.  Opening hours & prices .

Brussels Midi has luggage lockers near platforms 3-6.  Opening hours & prices

Taking a bicycle

Bicycles can be taken on Eurostar trains, see the Taking your bike by train page for details .

Taking dogs & pets

Unfortunately, you cannot take dogs or other pets on Eurostar trains, except for guide dogs. 

For alternative ways to take your dog or pet to Europe by train, see the taking your dog by train page .

Travellers with disabilities

What's the journey like.

This section describes a journey from London to Paris, but the journey from London to Brussels is identical until just after Lille, where the train leaves the Paris route and enters Belgium for the last half hour or so.

The train leaves St Pancras

The train manager makes his announcement that your Eurostar train to Paris is about to leave, the door alarm sounds and the doors then hiss shut.  As you settle into your seat, the brakes hiss off and the Eurostar very gently eases itself out of the magnificent arched trainshed of St Pancras International Station .  At this stage, the train is heading north, but almost immediately it makes a sharp right-hand turn past the huge steel gasometers that have been a familiar sight behind Kings Cross/St Pancras for years and which are now, believe it or not, listed structures.  Within a minute or two the Eurostar enters a covered bridge across the tracks leading out of the adjacent Kings Cross station, which becomes a long tunnel under east London taking the Eurostar east and south.

East London & Dartford Crossing

About 5 minutes after leaving St Pancras, you'll see a glimpse of daylight and the platforms of Stratford International station, only served by the domestic high-speed trains.  Around 8 minutes after leaving St Pancras, the Eurostar train emerges from the tunnel and starts crossing the wastelands of east London, past warehouses and run-down housing estates.  Just 10-12 minutes from St Pancras you'll see the impressive Queen Elizabeth II suspension bridge on the right, which carries the M25 London orbital motorway across the River Thames at the Dartford Crossing.  The Eurostar now plunges back into a short tunnel for its own crossing underneath the Thames, emerging the other side in the county of Kent.

Over the Medway Viaduct

The Eurostar train is now running at its full service speed of 186mph (300 km/h), with traffic on the adjacent London-Dover M2 motorway almost standing still in comparison.  Just 15-20 minutes after leaving London, the train crosses the most dramatic structure on the new high-speed line, the viaduct high over the River Medway.  To the right of the train as it crosses the viaduct, you'll see small boats moored on the muddy riverbanks far below you.  To the left of the train, over the top of the adjacent M2 motorway bridge, you can see Rochester Cathedral and Rochester Castle in the distance.

Across rural Kent

Into the channel tunnel, welcome to northern france.

The tunnel is dark, so nothing to see, and no, you can't see the fishes.  But the Eurostar soon bursts into the daylight again at up to 100 mph, and you're now in France.  You'll see the French terminal for the car-carrying trains away to your left.  If you look to the horizon on the left, you can just see the distinctive clock tower of Calais town hall.  A handful of Eurostar trains call at Calais-Fréthun, a few miles from Calais town centre, but others just start accelerating onto the French high speed line.  Unlike conventional railways, the high speed line follows the contours of the land more like a motorway, and you will feel the Eurostar rising onto the hills and settling into the dips.  The area of Northern France crossed by Eurostar is largely flat farmland, dotted with villages built around ancient stone churches.  The variety of church spires you can see is remarkable!  The Eurostar may call at Lille or simply pass through on the centre tracks.  The line to Brussels curves off to the left soon after Lille.  Paris is now less than an hour away.

Your train arrives in Paris!

Changing in paris or brussels, changing trains & stations in paris:  see the paris metro page, changing trains in brussels:  see the brussels midi station guide, the train & ferry alternatives, london to paris: see the train & ferry page.

You can still travel from London to Paris by train and ferry if you want.  Taking the traditional route via Dover & Calais it now takes 9 hours and is no longer particularly convenient as you have to make your own way by taxi or on foot between Dover Priory station and the Eastern Docks in Dover, and between Calais ferry terminal and Calais Ville station in Calais.  The original train/ferry interchange stations at Dover Western Docks and Calais Maritime closed in the 1990s when Eurostar started.  London to Paris by train & ferry also costs more than a cheap Eurostar ticket booked in advance.  However, train & ferry can be cheaper if you need to travel at short notice when all the cheap Eurostar fares are sold out, and of course you get to see the White Cliffs of Dover on the way.  You can substitute train+ferry+train for Eurostar London-Paris in any of the journeys routed via Paris shown on this website, but you'll need to buy separate train and ferry tickets.  Times, fares & info for travelling from London to Paris by train & ferry are shown here .

London to Paris 'sleeper' option via Portsmouth - Caen:   There's an overnight train-ferry-train option where you can leave London Waterloo around 18:00, sleep in a comfortable cabin with en suite shower & toilet 22:45-06:45 on Brittany Ferries' overnight sailing from Portsmouth to Caen, then take a train from Caen to Paris St Lazare arriving around 11:05.  This is good option if you need an alternative to Eurostar.  Times, fares & info for travelling from London to Paris by overnight train & ferry are shown here .

London to Amsterdam, central & eastern Europe, Scandinavia via Harwich-Hoek van Holland

If you're heading for northern or eastern Europe and there are major problems affecting Eurostar services, or you need to travel at short notice when Eurostar can be expensive, you can buy a cheap inclusive Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands using Stena Line's overnight Harwich-Hoek luxury superferry, including a comfortable private cabin with toilet & shower, free WiFi and satellite TV.  Indeed, this can be a good alternative even with Eurostar running normally, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail London to Amsterdam page for details .  You can then use int.bahn.de to book a separate onward ticket from Amsterdam to Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Prague, Copenhagen, Zurich or Warsaw.

North of England & Scotland to mainland Europe by ferry

DFDS Seaways ( www.dfds.com ) sail from Newcastle to IJmuiden (the port of Amsterdam) overnight, and P&O Ferries ( www.poferries.com ) sail from Hull to Rotterdam.  It's then easy to take trains from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to Antwerp or Brussels, to Berlin or Cologne, or direct sleeper trains from Amsterdam to Prague, Switzerland, Southern Germany, Denmark or Poland.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Hotels in London or Paris

A paris hotel for a romantic break.

There's the famous & flashy Paris Ritz in the Place Vendôme (over €500 a night) or the similarly-priced Le Meurice , but if you want a really special hotel for a luxury break or romantic weekend and can afford around €300 a night, I'd recommend the small, sumptuous, intimate L'Hotel .

It's on the bohemian left bank, walking distance from the Seine, the Ile de la Cité & Notre Dame.  Oscar Wilde spent the last days of his life here in room 16, famously quipping, "My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go.".  Fortunately the wallpaper is now all in very good taste.  The hotel has been used by many famous people since then, from Sinatra to Mick Jagger.  Rooms are on the cosy side, but they are beautifully decorated and have character that bigger and flashier hotels lack.  Book a stay at l'Hotel .  Book a private transfer from station to hotel .

Hotels near the Gare du Nord & other Paris stations

Hotels near the Gare du Nord with good reviews:   Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station);  Art Hotel (3-star);  Avalon Hotel (2-star);  Hotel Cambrai (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 1-star).

Hotels near the Gare de l'Est with good reviews:   Libertel Gare de l'Est Français (opposite the station, 3-star);  Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (350m from the Gare de

Hotels near the Gare de Lyon with good reviews:   Hotel Terminus Lyon (right in front of the station, 3-star);  Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon (on the station itself, 4-star);   Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon (opposite the station, 4-star);  Mistral Hotel (800m from Gare de Lyon, 1-star);  Hotel 26 Faubourg (5 min walk from Gare de Lyon, 2-star);

Hotels near the Gare de l'Est with good reviews:   Libertel Gare de l'Est Français (opposite the station, 3-star);  Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (350m from the Gare de l'Est, 2-star);  OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l'Est (2-star).

Hotels near the Gare Montparnasse with good reviews:   Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse (150m from the Gare Montparnasse, 4-star);  Best Western Sevres Montparnasse (15 minute walk to Gare Montparnasse, 3-star);  La Maison Montparnasse (10 min walk from station, 2-star);  Hotel du Maine (5 min walk from station, 2-star).

Affordable hotels near London St Pancras

These affordable hotels have good or great reviews: Alhambra Hotel , Meridiana Hotel , MacDonald Hotel , Angus Hotel or Crestfield Hotel .

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.  Click to book

In March 2011 the luxurious, expensive and beautifully-restored 5-star St Pancras Renaissance Hotel opened for business.  Designed by the renowned architect Sir George Gilbert-Scott, it first opened in 1873 as The Midland Grand Hotel, a railway hotel built into the Victorian architectural masterpiece that is St Pancras station.  The hotel closed its doors in 1935, considered too large and outdated to continue as a hotel, and after a period of being used as railway offices, this beautiful landmark building was left derelict and slowly decaying.  However, its fortunes have now been totally reversed.  High-speed Eurostar trains to Paris leave from St Pancras station's magnificently-restored 1868 trainshed designed by William Barlow, and the once derelict Midland Grand Hotel has been reborn as a glorious 5-star hotel, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel .  No expense has been spared in recreating and restoring this Grade 1 listed building to its former glory. 

Rooms described using the term 'Barlow' are in the newly-built Barlow House wing at the side, these start at around £250 a night.  Rooms described using the word 'Chambers' are in the original St Pancras Midland Hotel building, where rooms start at around £486 a night, rising to suites costing several thousand. 

You can of course, just have a drink in the bar or meal in the restaurant, accessible from the south west corner of the upper level concourse, the same level as the Eurostar trains.  The bar-restaurant is housed in what was once St Pancras station's booking office, the Grade 1 listed wood-panelled booking windows are still there behind the bar, and it still says 'Booking office' in the stones above the entrance doors.  The hotel lobby has been built in what was once the station's taxi rank.

The Great Northern Hotel.    Click to book

Another classic railway hotel has been re-born, re-opened after refurbishment to top class standards in April 2013.  It's cheaper than the Renaissance St Pancras, and just across the road from the entrance to St Pancras International's Eurostar check-in area, so ideal for an early morning train.  On each floor you'll find a pantry with complimentary coffee, tea, cake and even jelly-babies.  Check the reviews and book the hotel .

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Find train tickets from London to Paris

Good to know, top tips for finding london to paris train tickets.

• 25% of our users found round-trip train tickets from London to Paris for $167 or less.
• You will generally catch the best train deals if you travel in the evening.
• The cheapest train from London to Paris was found 89 days before departure, on average.

FAQs when traveling from London to Paris by train

How long is a train journey to paris from london.

The train journey from London to Paris takes 2h 19m on average and covers a distance of 212 miles.

What train companies travel from London to Paris?

There are different train companies operating between London and Paris. Train and Eurostar are the most booked train companies.

Book train tickets from London to Paris (round-trip)

Search by stops, search by train company, book eurostar tickets from london to paris (one-way), popular train routes to paris.

• Trains from Nice to Paris from $59
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Popular train routes from London

• Trains from London to Amsterdam from $67
• Trains from London to Manchester from $80
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• Trains from London to Rotterdam from $159

How to Plan a Day Trip to Paris From London by Train

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A day trip to Paris from London is the perfect addition to a trip to England!  Thanks to the fast and efficient Eurostar train, it’s never been easier to visit Paris for a day. The train takes just two hours and 20 minutes.

Honestly, one day isn’t enough for Paris — ideally, you should spend as much time there as you can. I would gladly stay in Paris for weeks on end.

But not everyone has lots of extra time on their trip. So is it worth it if you only have one day to spare?

Absolutely — taking the train from London to Paris is always worth it. Even if all you have is one day, you can still make it the best day ever.

But if you’re only visiting Paris for one day, it’s best to plan your trip carefully so that you get as much out of it as you can. I’ve laid out all the steps you need to take and a suggested itinerary for someone visiting the French capital for the first time.

Let’s take a look at the itinerary! I want you to have the best day trip ever.

This post was most recently updated in January 2023.

Table of Contents

Paris Day Trip from London FAQ

The best way to get from London to Paris is by train . It goes from St. Pancras Station in London to Gare du Nord in Paris and takes about two hours and 20 minutes.

No matter what the weather is, you should dress neatly and wear shoes with good arch support. I usually wear jeans, black flats, a faux leather jacket, and a scarf.

Yes, you need your passport to go from London to Paris or vice versa. You will go through immigration. This goes for EU residents too, as due to Brexit the UK is no longer in the EU.

The perfect one-day itinerary in Paris includes exploring Notre-Dame and the Marais, having my favorite crepes and galettes in the world for lunch, visiting a gorgeous art museum, and seeing the Eiffel Tower up close.

Take the train from London to Paris

The train is far and away the best way to visit Paris for a day.  Eurostar trains depart from London’s St Pancras International Station, arrive at Paris’s Gare du Nord, and take about two hours and 20 minutes each way. You can buy Eurostar tickets here.

This is the Channel Tunnel train to Paris that goes underwater, beneath the English Channel. You go from the center of London to the center of Paris, plus the train journey is exceedingly pleasant.

The bus from London to Paris, by comparison, takes more than seven hours. Not worth it. Driving takes just under six hours if you don’t hit traffic.

You could fly from London to Paris, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a day trip. The flight only takes about one hour and 10 minutes, but you have to factor in getting to the airport 90 minutes before your flight, plus nearly all of the London airports and all Paris airports are located significantly outside the city and take a long time to get there.

(If you insist on flying to Paris for the day, I recommend either flying from London City Airport, which is centrally located though often very expensive, or flying from Heathrow and taking Heathrow Express from Paddington Station, which takes just 15 minutes.)

You need your passport when going from London to Paris, whether it’s by train, plane, or any other method. Even if you’re an EU citizen. Britain is neither in the Schengen Area nor the European Union anymore.

What time should you book the train for? If it were me, I would book a very early train to Paris and a very late train back to London. Perhaps even the last train. I would want to have an early start and enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in Paris.

Book Eurostar train tickets from London to Paris here.

Alternatively, book a day tour from London to Paris via train here .

Be realistic about how much you can see on a Paris day trip from London.

One day is not enough for Paris, nor is it enough for everything you will personally want to see on a day trip to Paris from London. You can’t see the Louvre Museum and the Musée d’Orsay and go to the Eiffel Tower and go to Hemingway’s bars and walk around Montmartre and see the show at the Moulin Rouge.

In fact, I wouldn’t advise visiting more than one museum on a day trip to Paris.

I encourage you to choose one or two activities that are absolute musts and to plan your day around them. Supplement your day with activities that are close to your main priorities.

For example, if seeing Notre-Dame is a priority, you can easily fit in nearby destinations like Saint-Chappelle, Île Saint-Louis, Shakespeare and Company bookstore, and either the Marais or St. Germain des Prés.

If you want to spend part of your day in Montmartre, visit the Sacré Coeur, take a long walk down Rue Lepic, see Amélie’s Café des Deux Moulins, and walk down to the Opéra before checking out the rooftop terrace at Galeries-Lafayette.

And if you absolutely must visit the Louvre on your Paris day trip, take time to wander the Tuileries Gardens, visit the Palais Royal, and grab a hot chocolate at Angelina before window-shopping at the jewelry shops of Place Vendôme.

Include downtime in your itinerary.

It’s easy to spend a Paris day trip going from attraction to attraction, but I think the magic of Paris is found in the in-between moments. Sitting in a cafe with a coffee or a glass of red wine. Wandering cheese and pastry shops. Crossing the Seine over and over again with no destination in mind.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to get of the beaten path — just go to a new neighborhood and wander in whatever destination pleases you.  I wrote a whole post about it.

This free time is where the Paris magic happens.

What to Do on a Day Trip to Paris

I always tell people to travel to the destination that makes their pulse race. And that goes for Paris, too. Prioritize the things that make you excited — the things that are most important to you personally, not the things that you think you should do. If you’re not into art, you don’t have to go to any museums! You can have a day trip to Paris from London without seeing the Mona Lisa .

If your favorite movie in high school was Moulin Rouge! or Amélie , spend time walking around Montmartre.

If you love Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas, go to the Musée d’Orsay for the best collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings in the world.

If you’re a die-hard Doors fan, go see Jim Morrison’s grave at Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Beyond that, I think how you should explore Paris depends on your travel experience level. If you’re an experienced traveler, you can handle exploring by metro on your own.

If you’d like something a bit easier, or if you or your companion have limited mobility, a hop-on-hop-off Paris bus tour is a great option for getting around. These bus tours take you from attraction to attraction and let Paris unfold in front of you.

Bonus: if you book the full day tour from London to Paris by train , they include a hop-on hop-off bus tour for free.

Perfect Itinerary for One Day in Paris

Book an early train from London to Paris and a late train back to London.

You have two options:

1) You can book London to Paris train tickets here.

2) You can book a day tour that includes train tickets and a hop-on-hop-off bus tour in Paris here.

From that point on, this is my idea of a nice Paris itinerary that takes in a lot of the central sights. It’s a particularly good option for a first-time Paris visitor.

Morning: Notre-Dame and Vicinity

Arrive at Gare du Nord and transfer to the metro line 4 toward Mairie de Montrouge. Get off at Saint Michel Notre-Dame.

Stop for a quick coffee if you’d like and go see Notre-Dame. (Unfortunately, Notre-Dame has been closed since the awful fire. But you can still admire it from the outside.)

Next, walk east to Île Saint-Louis and wander the streets. If you’re feeling really indulgent, get an ice cream at Berthillon ! This ice cream is fantastic and world-famous.

Head north toward the Hotel de Ville and explore the streets of the Marais, heading further upward. Stop by Pierre Hermé for macarons — they’re the best in the city. Just be sure to eat them the same day. Good macarons aren’t built to last.

12:00 PM: Lunch at Breizh Cafe in the Marais

Breizh Cafe is home to outstanding Brittany-style buckwheat galettes and sumptuous crepes. There are several locations in Paris now; you want the Le Marais location at 109 Rue Vieille-du-Temple.

I usually get a galette with egg, cheese, and artichoke followed by a salted caramel crepe for dessert, along with their delicious homemade cider.

Make a reservation in advance if possible ( they finally do online reservations, but only two weeks in advance ); if not, try showing up when they open at 11:00 AM.

Alternative lunch: Walk up to Rue des Roisiers and wait in line at L’As du Falafel, one of the best cheap lunches in Paris. Order your falafel and walk a few streets away to Place des Vosges, where you can enjoy your falafel “sur l’herbe” or sitting on a bench.

Alternative gluten-free lunch: As I update this post in 2023, I realize that neither galettes nor falafel are ideal for gluten-free travelers. If that’s the case for you, find any adorable Parisian-looking cafe in the Marais and dive into their menu. You can always find meat, fish, or an omelette with vegetables.

My friend Jodi creates extremely well-researched gluten-free travel cards that communicate what you can and can’t eat in the local language. Here’s the French card. Well worth the investment!

Afternoon: Museum of Your Choice

Visit one of Paris’s world-class museums in the afternoon. Since you’re visiting Paris on a day trip and have limited time, I urge you to buy skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid long lines, and be sure to double-check which museums are open that day.

The Centre Pompidou (Beaubourg) is a short walk from Breizh Cafe; if you’re a fan of modern art and architecture, this is a great choice. (If not, I’d go somewhere traditional instead.) There’s a fabulous view of the Eiffel Tower from the top, too. Buy skip-the-line tickets to Centre Pompidou here.

Another option? Head to the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa  (La Joconde) for yourself! The Louvre can be overwhelming; I recommend limiting yourself to two or three sections of the museum (I happen to love the golden Gallerie d’Appolon).  Buy skip-the-line tickets to the Louvre here.

My favorite Paris museum is the Musée d’Orsay, which is home to incredible Impressionist paintings in a fantastic old train station. Buy skip-the-line tickets to the Musée d’Orsay here. Don’t forget to get a photo from the second level.

Not a museum fan? Check out a cool neighborhood instead! My top recommendations are Montmartre (18th arrondissement) or St. Germain (6th arrondissement). Pick out a destination in each — perhaps Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre, or Les Deux Magots in St. Germain — but spend the bulk of your time wandering.

Late afternoon: See the Eiffel Tower up close

How you see it depends on how much time you have. You can take a hop-on-hop-off cruise down the River Seine if that interests you. I recommend taking the Metro Line 9 to Trocadéro for the most stunning surprise view of the tower when you turn the corner. From there you can take all the photos you want.

I do not recommend actually climbing the Eiffel Tower. Why? Because you won’t be able to see it in your photos! But if you insist, once again I recommend buying skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets due to your limited time. Make sure it includes the summit.

Instead, you can enjoy the most wonderful view from the Trocadéro Gardens and on the other side, Champs de Mars, a big long park.

I recommend getting a good view from the nearby Arc de Triomphe. It’s a 20-minute metro ride on the 6 from Bir-Hakeim/Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel to Charles de Gaulle Étoile, five-minute cab ride, or 30-minute walk.

Climb the Arc (once again…yep, skip-the-line Arc de Triomphe tickets are best here) and enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower as well as down the Champs-Elysées to Place de la Concorde.

A free alternative is to go to the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette department store in the 9th. It’s not quite as close as the Arc, but it’s free to visit with a fabulous view — and a great way to experience your Paris sunset. Just don’t get sucked into the shopping!

75 minutes before your train: arrive at Gare du Nord

You have to go through immigration again at Gare du Nord, so it’s wise to arrive 75 minutes before your departure.

If you’re coming back from the Eiffel Tower, your best route is to take the 9 from Trocadéro to Mairie de Montreuil and switch to the 4, taking it to Gare du Nord. It should take around 35 minutes.

Enjoy that high-speed Eurostar train ride back to London, awash in your Paris memories. Now would be an excellent time to dive into those macarons you procured earlier!

Do’s and Don’t’s For a Day Trip to Paris from London

I’m not going to begrudge you for doing what you think is best for yourself, but here are some tips:

Do keep track of the time change. Paris is one hour ahead of London.

Do research opening times in advance. Especially so for museums. The Louvre and Centre Pompidou are closed Tuesdays, while the Musée d’Orsay and Musée Rodin are closed Mondays, to start.

Do say, “Bonjour, madame!” or “Bonjour, monsieur!” whenever you enter a shop or restaurant. This is considered basic manners in France and if you don’t, you may be treated rudely in return.

Don’t leave central Paris. This tacks on a lot of time to what is already too short of a trip. Versailles, for example, is just outside the city center but can easily eat up more than half a day. That also goes for Chartres, Giverny, Reims, the Loire Valley, the beaches of Normandy, Disneyland Paris, and other day trips from Paris.

Do guard against pickpockets. If you use a purse, I recommend using a black crossbody purse that zips shut , preferably made of leather or faux leather. Keep your hand on it. You can also keep valuables in the hidden pocket in a  Speakeasy Travel Supply scarf  — I guarantee nobody will pickpocket you there!

Don’t leave love locks anywhere. They’re damaging to structures and your lock will be removed anyway. Just enjoy the city of love without vandalizing it in the process.

Don’t go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This may seem like shocking advice, but when you’re on top of the Eiffel Tower you can’t see the Eiffel Tower.

It’s like going to the top of the Empire State Building in New York — the most iconic building will be missing from your photos.

Definitely go to the base of the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero Gardens for the best views, but if you want a good view from a building, I recommend the top of the Arc de Triomphe (close proximity), the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette department store in the 9th (a bit further away), or the top of the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre (furthest away but sweeping views over the whole city).

Do not, under any circumstances, forget an umbrella! Paris’s weather is similar to London’s, but only London gets the overcast weather fame. The weather changes quickly in Paris and rain can come out of nowhere, even on an otherwise sunny day. This travel umbrella is small enough to pack away but strong enough to hold its shape on a windy day.

What to Wear on a Day Trip to Paris

Parisians have a well-earned reputation for being among the best dressed in Europe. So what should you wear on a day trip to Paris?

It depends on the season, but my go-to outfit is a nice top or sweater, slim or skinny dark jeans, a faux leather moto jacket ( this one is similar to mine) or sleek winter coat, and a beautiful scarf or pashmina ( Speakeasy Travel Supply makes gorgeous scarves with a secret hidden pocket — perfect for Paris!).

For shoes, I recommend a pair of black flats with good arch support (I swear by black Abeo flats from the Walking Company ). If it’s cold, you might prefer  a pair of black boots .

My go-to stylish sneakers are these white leather Cole Haan sneaks . Top your look off with tasteful makeup, nice jewelry, and a pair of dark sunglasses .

You might enjoy dressing up a bit, especially if it’s warmer out. Wearing a nice dress makes for better photos and could earn you more cordial treatment from locals or even get you mistaken for being local.

What not to wear: Shorts, athletic sneakers, baseball caps, old-looking t-shirts, and anything with a university name on it will immediately brand you as a foreigner anywhere in Europe, but especially so in Paris. I recommend leaving these items at home.

Ready to go? Book train tickets from London to Paris here!

More on Paris:

• Solo Female Travel in Paris — Is it Safe?
• Where to Stay in Paris: Best Neighborhoods and Hotels
• 33 Most Famous Streets in Paris
• How to Spend a Layover in Paris
• 100 Travel Tips for Paris
• The Art of the Chilled Out Trip to Paris

Have you done a day trip to Paris from London? Share away!

12 Things You Need To Know Before Riding Eurostar Between Paris and London

Riding Eurostar between Paris and London is an amazing travel experience. Not only is it a smooth and fun ride, but it can save you time and stress when compared to flying. If you’ve never ridden Eurostar before, here are some tips to help you have a better trip.

• 1 How Early Should I Arrive For The Eurostar Train
• 2 Are Passports Checked on the Eurostar Train
• 3 How Long Are You Underwater on the Eurostar
• 4 Is Eurostar Quicker Than Flying
• 5 Does the Eurostar Feel Fast
• 6 Is It Better To Fly or Take Eurostar to Paris and London
• 7 Is Eurostar Scary
• 8 Is Eurostar a Double Decker Train
• 9 Can You See Underwater on Eurostar
• 10 Does Eurostar Check Your Bags
• 11 Do You Keep Your Luggage With You On Eurostar
• 12 Are There Tables on Eurostar
• 13 Booking Train Tickets In Europe

How Early Should I Arrive For The Eurostar Train

You should arrive at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure on Eurostar. On our recent ride it took 30 minutes to get through customs and immigration on our way to London. On top of getting through these security checks, you’ll want to arrive early enough to enter the train when boarding opens, which is 20-30 minutes before the train leaves.

Are Passports Checked on the Eurostar Train

Passports are checked when riding on the Eurostar train. You passport will be checked at the Gare du Nord station in Paris before boarding the Eurostar train from Paris to London. There are separate lines for EU passport holders and all other passport holders. The check is made after you go upstairs to the London Hall.

How Long Are You Underwater on the Eurostar

The speed limit in the Channel Tunnel for trains is 160kph / 100mph. The Channel Tunnel is under the English Channel for 37.9 km or 23.5 miles, which is the worlds longest undersea tunnel. When riding the Eurostar you’ll be underwater for about 13 minutes.

Is Eurostar Quicker Than Flying

It takes 2 hours and 30 minutes to go from Paris to London on Eurostar. With security and customs checks taking an additional 30 minutes, your total travel time from the city center can be 3 hours. Eurostar is quicker than flying due to airport security taking longer than train security and the location of the airports.

Does the Eurostar Feel Fast

The Eurostar does not feel fast while you are riding on it. It is a very quiet and smooth train and you’ll have trouble figuring out how fast you are going without looking at a speedometer. Even though you’ll be travelling at around 100mph through the tunnel and 160mph outside of the tunnel, it won’t feel that fast.

Is It Better To Fly or Take Eurostar to Paris and London

It is better to take Eurostar to Paris and London versus flying. When riding on Eurostar the stations are in the city center, which will save you time and money once you reach your destination. If you fly, you’ll be landing at a remote airport and need to take a train into the city. It is also a big time saver to ride Eurostar versus flying.

Is Eurostar Scary

Eurostar is not scary and will not feel different than riding any other train. Most trains go through several tunnels at some point, and the Channel Tunnel will feel just like any other tunnel, just a little longer. If you didn’t know you were underwater you wouldn’t be able to tell. Riding Eurostar should not be a frightening experience as it is a very smooth and quiet train ride.

Is Eurostar a Double Decker Train

The Eurostar is not a double decker train, it is a single level train. Seats can be purchased in 3 separate classes, but all classes are on the same level. There are no stairs to negotiate when riding on Eurostar. You’ll have a choice of sitting in the direction of travel or away from it, but there are no levels to choose from.

Can You See Underwater on Eurostar

Eurostar trains have nice picture windows at the seats that let you see outside. When you are in the underwater section of the ride you will only see the inside of the Channel Tunnel. You cannot see underwater while riding on Eurostar, so no you will also not see any fish.

Does Eurostar Check Your Bags

There is a bag check before boarding Eurostar. Since you are changing countries while on the train, your bags must pass through customs, where they will be scanned and checked. It is a much quicker check than at an airport. You’ll load all of your luggage onto the belt and it’ll be scanned in a matter of seconds.

Do You Keep Your Luggage With You On Eurostar

When riding Eurostar you’ll keep your bags with you on the train. Your bags will either go in the luggage racks at the end of the car, or in the overhead space above your seat. There is plenty of space for your bags. You’ll need to label all of your bags with your name before riding. Simply put your bags on the racks, find your seat and enjoy the ride, then grab your bags on the way off the train.

Are There Tables on Eurostar

Each train car on Eurostar will have tables. Not every seat will have a formal table though, as most just have a fold down tray from the back of the seat in front of them. If you want to sit at a table, reserve seats that face each other, as those seats have tables between them.

Booking Train Tickets In Europe

We book our train tickets in Europe using either Trainline or Rail Europe . These services offer an easier customer experience as we’ve found our credit cards work better when booking through these sites. Eurostar Tickets can be booked on either platform. In addition Rail Europe offers rail passes if you are planning a longer trip.

Eurostar is a marvel of the train world. What many once thought was impossible is now possible by travelling under the English Channel. It is certainly one of the most unique and memorable short rides on a train you can take.

No matter if you are travelling from Paris to London on Eurostar or the other way around, we hope you have an enjoyable and memorable trip!

Robert Marmion

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Discover your rail options from London to Paris

London is a popular starting point for many travelers on their European vacation. A short and comfortable train ride connects the British capital with France's city of love, Paris. Let's show you how you can travel from London to Paris by train.

London to Paris train time

No changes on the way

For Eurail travelers

Which Pass?

Eurail global pass.

Travel from London to Paris and discover up to 33 European countries . The Eurail Global Pass is our most popular rail pass, and the perfect way to see more of Europe. Gives you access to this train route and countless more!

View options >

The rail route: London to Paris

Distance from London to Paris

214 miles (348 kilometers)

Train stations

London St. Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord

Your train options

There's only one train running directly from London to Paris: the  Eurostar high-speed train . So that makes choosing the right train a bit easier!

This train is seriously speedy. On average the journey takes 2 hours 28 minutes,  at its fastest, 2 hours 16 minutes . You need to turn up at the railway station 30 minutes in advance, for boarding procedures.

There are around  13 trains each day  running from London to Paris and back. The earliest sets off early morning and the latest in the mid-evening. For exact travel times, check out our  timetable .

Like airplane tickets, the train from London to Paris costs you more if you purchase your ticket close to the date of travel. Prices can rise from €50 to above €300 a ticket. Luckily, if you are the holder of a Eurail Pass you don't have to worry about changing fares.  Eurail Pass holders only pay a fixed reservation fee instead of the full ticket fare .

Eurail Pass holders can reserve:

a seat in Standard 2 nd  class (€30)

a seat in Standard Premium 1 st  class, fee: €38

This reservation allows you to experience the facilities of one of Europe’s most advanced trains, and travel between the hearts of two iconic cities. We recommend reserving your seat 2 to 3 months in advance.

On-board facilities

Traveling through the Channel Tunnel to the European mainland aboard the Eurostar is a comfortable experience. Here's what you can expect.

Extra space and comfort

Meal and drink tailored to the time of day, served at your seat

Complimentary magazines

Comfortable, air-conditioned train cars

Drinks and snacks available from the on board cafe

A generous 2 bag luggage allowance, plus hand luggage

Family facilities

Space for extra luggage

Sockets for charging your devices

How to travel

If you are planning to travel only between London and Paris you may wish to buy a regular, single train ticket, known as a point-to-point ticket. 

If you'd like to travel by train along additional routes and extend your trip beyond Paris , then a Eurail Pass will make your journeys a whole lot easier.

Simple. If you have one of the following Eurail Passes, along with a seat reservation, you can get on board the Eurostar:

The Eurail Global Pass

Any Eurail Four Country Select Pass that is valid in France

Any Eurail Three Country Select Pass that is valid in France

The Eurail Pass is a paper train ticket that lets you travel on most trains in Europe. Giving you  unlimited access to Europe's rail network  on each day and in each country that it's valid (bonus: you get to choose those days and counties), you can travel from city to city without having to buy separate tickets.

Video train route Paris to London

What your fellow travelers said

" Even in standard class Eurostar seats are comfortable and carriages are air conditioned. " Read Erin McNeaney's account of her trip on the Eurostar.

" It’s the perfect start or end point for a Eurail trip. "

Serial Eurailer Andrew explains why London is a top Eurail destination.

"There’s something about this magical city that just never gets old. "

Discover what to see in Paris the first time you visit.

Related Pages

How to get from paris to amsterdam by train.

How to Get From Paris to Rome by Train

How to get from Paris to Geneva by train

How to Get From Paris to Barcelona by Train

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Paris to London trains

Take a direct Eurostar train from Paris to London in just 2 hours and 17 minutes.

2hrs 17mins

No airport transport, no time wasted

City centre

to city centre travel

Our tickets are now more flexible than ever before. And from 4 November, you’ll be travelling in our new travel classes Eurostar Standard, Eurostar Plus, or Eurostar Premier.

Take a train from Paris to London

Travelling from Paris to London with us is simple, smart, and speedy. Go direct from city centre to city centre in just 2hrs 17mins. And whether you’re going for work or play, we’ll get you there feeling relaxed and rested. Read on to discover why taking Eurostar from Paris to London is the only way to travel.

Take a high-speed train from Paris to London

To start your journey, get to Paris Gare du Nord at our recommended arrival time to allow plenty of time to go through border controls and security. This historic station, with a neoclassical 19th-century façade, is conveniently located at the heart of the city in the 10th arrondissement - connected with several urban transport lines, including Paris Metro, RER and local buses. You’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants at Paris Gare du Nord to keep you occupied before you jump on one of our Eurostar trains.

On board a direct train from Paris to London

Travelling with Eurostar is simple, affordable and relaxing. You can bring two bags and one piece of hand luggage for no extra charge and with no weight limits. We won’t charge you for choosing your seats and there are no restrictions on liquids, so feel free to bring something bubbly for the journey. Find out more about our luggage allowances . Wherever you sit, you can email, tweet and post all the way with our free onboard wi-fi. You’ll find power sockets at your seat, so you can stay charged up while you relax. If you find yourself feeling peckish, you can enjoy a range of hot and cold drinks and sweet and savoury snacks at Eurostar Café . And if you’re travelling in Standard Premier or Business Premier, you’ll be served a three-course meal at your seat. Find out more about our food on board . Whether you’re travelling for work, a special occasion, or heading away on a budget break, we’ve got the travel class for you. Check out our seats in Standard , Standard Premier and Business Premier .

Arriving at London St Pancras International

Eurostar trains arrive right in the heart of London at St Pancras International station , one of the most elegant stations in the world. Built in 1868, it is a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture. On arrival, you can indulge in some boutique shopping, experience fine dining at a world-class brasserie or enjoy a glass of bubbly at the longest champagne bar in Europe. As well as lots of shops and restaurants, you’ll find underground lines and buses to whisk you to London’s top museums and galleries.

Timetables for trains from Paris to London

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

See full timetable

Frequently asked questions

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A Eurostar Paris to London train ticket starts from $52.

How long is the Eurostar train journey from Paris to London?

The Eurostar can take up to 2hrs 37mins from Paris to London, however, most of our trains will take you to London in only 2hrs 17mins.

Are there additional fees when travelling with the Eurostar Paris to London train?

Unlike airlines, there are no hidden costs when travelling by Eurostar between Paris and London. Once you have picked your train tickets ( Standard , Standard Premier or Business Premier ), there will be no additional fees for seat selection, advanced booking, or luggage allowance .

How early should you arrive for the Eurostar Paris to London train?

Get to the station at our recommended arrival time to allow plenty of time to get through border controls and security for your Paris to London train.

Where does the Eurostar leave from in Paris?

We have direct routes to London from Paris Gare du Nord and passengers have a choice from up to 10 trains a day.

How much luggage can I bring with me on the Eurostar when travelling on the Paris to London train?

When travelling between Paris and London on Eurostar, Standard and Standard Premier adult tickets allow you to bring two pieces of luggage that are up to 85cm long, and one small piece of hand luggage such as a handbag or briefcase. We also have allowances for Business Premier passengers and kids travelling with child tickets.

Can you take liquids on the Eurostar Paris to London train?

You can take liquids on the Eurostar Paris and London train and there is no volume limit, so you can bring all your toiletries and even a bottle of bubbly!

Can you take your own food on the Eurostar Paris to London?

There are no food restrictions, so you’re allowed to bring your own food from home on the Eurostar.

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*Terms and conditions

Find train tickets from London to Paris

Good to know, top tips for finding london to paris train tickets.

• 25% of our users found round-trip train tickets from London to Paris for £119 or less.
• You will generally catch the best train deals if you travel in the morning.
• The cheapest train from London to Paris was found 89 days before departure, on average.

FAQs when traveling from London to Paris by train

How long is a train journey to paris from london.

The train journey from London to Paris takes 2h 20m on average and covers a distance of 212 miles.

What train companies travel from London to Paris?

There are different train companies operating between London and Paris. Train and Eurostar are the most booked train companies.

Book train tickets from London to Paris (return)

Search by stops, search by train company, book eurostar tickets from london to paris (one-way), popular train routes to paris.

• Trains from Geneva to Paris from £63
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Popular train routes from London

• Trains from London to Manchester from £442
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How to Take the Eurostar Between London and Paris

• Where Do Trains Depart From?
• Disneyland Paris Route
• Check-in Procedures

Services at Eurostar Stations

• Other Services and Perks
• Advantages of Taking the Eurostar

If you assume air travel is always the most efficient way to get from one major European city to the next, think again. The high-speed Eurostar train whisks you to Paris from London— or in the opposite direction— in as little as two hours and 16 minutes, traveling at speeds of up to 186 miles per hour. When you consider travel to and from the airport, complex security procedures, and waiting time until take-off, flying between the two capitals isn't necessarily quicker. This is especially true since Eurostar trains depart from and arrive in city centers, making it much easier to get around and start your urban adventure! Keep reading for full details on how to take the high-speed service, how to prepare for your trip, and make the most of your journey along the way. 

Where Do Eurostar Trains Depart From? 

On the London-Paris route, Eurostar trains travel between St. Pancras International Rail Station in central London to Gare du Nord in central Paris . London Underground (subway) and Paris Metro trains frequently serve the stations, making it easy to get to your departure point. In Paris, Gare du Nord is additionally served by commuter-line train RER B. 

The high-speed trains travel at breathtaking speeds over land and beneath the Channel Tunnel (Chunnel), which runs below the English Channel.

Eurostar to Disneyland Paris: An Alternative Route 

Thinking of booking a trip to Disneyland Paris? Eurostar runs directly from London and Paris to Marne-la-Vallée during school holidays and at other times. With the ability to take as much luggage as you want and the quick journey time, it can be an ideal way to give the children a treat. 

From the Marne-la-Vallée station, it's only a two-minute walk to the park. You can then easily get to central Paris if desired using the RER commuter-line train A. 

If you book the Disney Express luggage service you can leave your bags at the station.

Check-in Procedures for Eurostar Trains 

Passengers are expected to check-in at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time and must do so in person (online check-in is not available). Either print your ticket in advance, use an e-ticket by downloading the Eurostar app on your phone, or print your tickets using your reservation reference at dedicated hubs next to the check-in kiosks. Entrance is through automatic gates; scan your ticket's barcode and go through. 

 You will be routinely scanned along with your bags. Most of the time, you will not be asked to take off shoes, but you will need to remove coats, coins, and other items from pockets and sometimes jewelry. 

Once through the security area, you will need to present your passport to immigration authorities. Currently, you will have to pass through immigration checks with both French and U.K. border authorities.

Eurostar stations on both sides of the English channel are equipped with various services, including restaurants and cafés, duty-free shops, outlets for plugging in phones and laptops, and free Wi-Fi.

Business-class travelers and "Carte Blanche" members benefit from dedicated, fast-track lines and a Business Premier lounge. Meals, snacks, hot and cold drinks, newspapers, and power outlets at most seats are available in the lounges.

Hungry? Make sure to take a look at our full guide to the best restaurants in and around the Eurostar stations in London and Paris , and find something good to eat. 

Other Eurostar Services and Perks 

• There's an excellent 2-for-1 offer on many museums and galleries, which you can take advantage of by just showing your Eurostar ticket and your passport. Click on the Eurostar Plus Culture link on the Eurostar site.
• In Paris , there are offers on museums like the Musee d’Orsay , the Grand Palais, and the Jeu de Paume.
• Eurostar also offers Eurostar Plus Gourmet in partnership with a top table which gives you up to 50 percent off your bill in certain restaurants. Again just present your Eurostar ticket (and take your passport with you as well) when paying your bill. Check the site for the offers which change regularly. These apply to Paris, and to Lille.
• Eurostar Plus Shopping gives you 10 percent off your purchases at Galeries Lafayette in both Paris and Lille.

Top Advantages of Taking the Eurostar 

There are many reasons to take the high-speed service when trying to get between Paris and London. These are the main advantages to consider: 

Speed & Efficiency 

• Trains to Paris can take as little as two hours, 16 minutes. Journeys are a little longer for trains that briefly stop at Ebbsfleet or Ashford in the U.K.
• Trains go from city center to city center, saving you time.
• Trains depart about once every hour daily, except on Dec. 25.
• If you wish to book for onward travel to other destinations in France beyond Paris, the Eurostar reservation system also allows you to reserve seats for high-speed trains to Avignon, Strasbourg, Lyon, Troyes , Antibes , Nice , and Bordeaux . Some are now direct from London. 

Reasonable Fares & Good Deals 

• Fares can be competitive compared to air travel, especially if you book in advance. You can even get good deals on first-class seats if you start looking several months ahead. While it's admittedly easier to find $30 one-way airfares, once you take into account the cost of transportation between airports and airlines taxes, the Eurostar can often prove less expensive. 

Luggage Allowance & Check-In Procedures

• You are allowed two bags free of charge—far more than on many airlines these days.
• You can check-in as late as 40 to 45 minutes before your train leaves, so you won't have to spend hours inside the departure zone.
• Security procedures are generally quicker than in major airports—although this can depend on current regulations and guidance from local authorities.

Environmentally-Friendly

Taking the train generates less pollution and carbon emissions than flying or driving do. In 2007, Eurostar launched its " Tread Lightly" initiative , aiming to make all Eurostar journeys to and from St Pancras International carbon-neutral and to eliminate the use of fossil fuels by 2030. They have new goals established that include reducing train energy use by 5 percent and plastics and paper usage by 50 percent.

History of the Eurostar

Eurostar runs through the Channel Tunnel (also popularly known as the Chunnel), a 31.4-mile undersea rail tunnel that goes from Folkestone in Kent in the U.K. to Coquelles in Pas-de-Calais near Calais in northern France. More than 200 feet deep at its lowest point, it has the distinction of having the longest undersea portion of any tunnel in the world.

The tunnel accommodates high-speed Eurostar trains and roll-on, roll-off vehicle transport, and international freight via the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle .  It was way back in 1802 that French mining engineer Albert Mathieu first put forward an underwater tunnel. 

It was an ingenious plan, envisaging a railway that would use oil lamps for lighting, horse-drawn carriages, and a mid-Channel stop to change the horses. But fears about Napoleon and French territorial ambitions put a stop to that idea.

Another French plan was proposed in the 1830s, when the English put forward various schemes. In 1881 things were looking up with the Anglo-French Submarine Railway Company digging on both sides of the Channel. But once again, British fears stopped the digging.

There were numerous other proposals from both countries over the next century, but it wasn’t until 1988 that the politics were settled and serious construction started. The Tunnel finally opened in 1994.

Given the history of the two countries and the byzantine politics in both parliaments, it’s incredible that the tunnel was built and now operates so successfully.

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11 Ways to Get from London to Paris (& Vice Versa)

Last updated: December 18, 2023 - Written by Jessica Norah 44 Comments

London and Paris are two of the most iconic cities in Europe, rich in history, culture, and attractions. Many visitors to Europe want to visit both capital cities and need to figure out how to travel from London to Paris.

Did you realize that these two capital cities are only 214 miles (344 km) apart? And thanks to the creation of the Channel Tunnel (the Chunnel) it’s incredibly easy to get back and forth between them.

It is easy to combine visits to London and Paris into the same trip, due to their proximity. If you would like to plan a visit to both cities, you might be wondering what is the best way to get from London, England to Paris France?

To help answer that question, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to get from London to Paris (or from Paris to London). We’re going to list all the options you have for getting from London to Paris, as well as give you an idea how long each option takes, the cost associated with each method, the main companies and ways to book each route, and cost-saving tips.

We also provide advice on how to choose a method based on your budget, time, and travel style, and we also share our own preferred way to travel from London to Paris.

Table of Contents:

How to Get From London to Paris

Here are 11 different ways to get from London to Paris or Paris to London. We cover all the most popular ways such as taking the Eurostar train, flying, driving, taking a coach, guided day tours, and taking the ferry. We also cover less conventional ways such as walking, biking, and even swimming, as well as lesser-known options such as ride-sharing and private transfers.

It is important to remember that no matter how you plan to travel from London to Paris that you are crossing an international border and transitioning from the UK to the Schengen Area. You will have to go through border security and customs, so you need to make sure you have all the necessary travel documents before your trip to enter and leave each country.

Here are 11 ways to get from London to Paris in no particular order:

1. Eurostar Train

This is perhaps the easiest way to get from London to Paris and is usually our recommended way to travel between the two cities. The Eurostar is fast and efficient, and direct from the heart of London to the heart of Paris. All you have to do is get on the train on time and then you can relax the rest of the journey.

Although I think it is now taken for granted, taking a train directly between London and Paris is the newest way to get between these two European capitals. Before the Channel Tunnel, or Chunnel as it is often called, was opened in 1994, the only way to cross the English Channel was by boat or plane.

The Channel Tunnel is an amazing feat of engineering and it has the longest underwater section of any tunnel in the world!

Which train companies operate between London and Paris?

Only one passenger train company is able to use the Chunnel, and that is the Eurostar train. The high-speed train goes directly from London St. Pancras Station to Paris Gare du Nord. They run a number of trains each day between the two cities.

The Eurostar also offer direct trains from London to other places, including Disneyland Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

Note that the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train operated by Belmond travels between London and Paris and used to allow you to book a trip from London to Paris and vice versa. It was an approximately 11-hour luxury train journey that included a ride on the British Pullman from London to Folkestone, a luxury coach ride across the Eurotunnel, and then the Venice Simplon Orient Express train from Calais to Paris. However, when I checked in 2020, they were no longer offering this route, and we are not sure it will return in future years.

How much does the train cost from London to Paris?

A one-way Eurostar ticket can cost anywhere from starting at about €44 for a standard ticket to up to €375 for a business premier ticket.

There are no set costs for the Eurostar train tickets, and like airline tickets the price fluctuates based on how long until the travel date and how many tickets have been sold. There are currently three classes of tickets you can buy.

The three types of tickets are Standard Class, Standard Premier, and Business Premier. Your ticket type determines your access to food services, how spacious your seat is, lounge access, how many pieces of luggage you can bring aboard, and whether you will be charged change or cancellation fees if you need to change your ticket.

Currently, all classes offer comfortable seats, access to food and drinks (food is included with the Premier tickets), and up to 2 pieces of luggage per person (Business Premier allows for up to 3). For the most up to date information about the classes and what is included with your ticket, you can check that out here .

To save money, we recommend booking well in advance to get the best rates. Although you can sometimes get a good deal at less busy times of the year at the last minute, you could pay up to 10X the standard fare at busy times of the year if you book at the last minute.

Also if you have flexibility on your dates, the best availability and fares are often on midweek trains.

Can I use a Rail Pass to travel from London to Paris?

Yes, your Eurail Global Pass (European rail pass for non-Europe residents) or Interrail Global Pass (European rail pass for residents of Europe)   can be used on the Eurostar. To travel with Eurostar using your pass you need to book your seat in advance and pay a seat reservation fee. You’ll be traveling in either Standard or Standard Premier, depending on the class of your rail pass.

Eurail and Interrail users only pay a fixed reservation fee, instead of the full price. At last check, the reservation fee was €30 for Standard class (available for 1st and 2nd class pass holders) and €38 for Standard Premier (available for 1st class pass holders only).

A reservation is mandatory and can be made up to 12 weeks in advance. Once you have your pass, you can do this on the Eurail website , in person at the Eurostar terminal, or by calling +44 (0) 1233 617 575.

Remember that your Eurail pass isn’t valid on other transport in the UK, so you should probably do this leg at the beginning or end of your pass’ validity.

How long does the train take from London to Paris?

The train from London to Paris takes an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes station to station, although in perfect conditions it could be as short as 2 hours and 16 minutes.

Passport checks are done at St. Pancras station before leaving for Paris, so you will want to get to the Eurostar terminal at least 45 minutes before your train.

Note that events such as worker strikes, protests, and adverse weather can affect the running of the train. You can check for Eurostar service updates and delays online here .

Where to buy train tickets?

You can buy Eurostar tickets directly from the company’s website , as well as from a variety of other online train ticket websites such as Trainline . Normally prices are the same across websites when we’ve checked.

You can also purchase tickets in-person at the ticket office in the Eurostar terminal at St. Pancras or Gare du Nord. However, if you are attempting to buy same-day tickets, this could be very expensive.

You can usually book Eurostar tickets from London to Paris up to 180 days in advance of your travel date.

Flying is another popular way to get between London and Paris because it is very quick flight and flights between the two cities are often inexpensive.

Remember though that between getting to and from the London and Paris airports, going through security and boarding procedures, it may be more time-efficient to simply take the train. But it is another good option to consider.

Which airlines fly between London and Paris?

Several airlines offer nonstop flights between London and Paris. At last check these include EasyJet, CityJet, Vueling, British Airways, and Air France.

Many more airlines offer flights that include layovers, including KLM, Swiss Air, Lufthansa, and Austrian Air. Although if time is a factor, these flights are going to take much longer than taking the train.

How much does it cost to fly from London to Paris?

The cost can fluctuate quite a lot depending on the time of year, availability, and proximity to travel.

You can often get a flight between London and Paris for under €100, sometimes much lower if you find a good sale with one of the budget airlines. We’ve seen them as low as €29 on sale. Just be sure to factor in any baggage fees when comparing prices.

If you have a large budget and want to avoid standing in long security lines, you can also charter a private plane from London to Paris. Private hire costs start around 5,000 euros for a light jet. You can check prices here .

How long does it take to fly from London to Paris?

Depending on the airline and airplane, it takes between 1 hour and 5 minutes and 1 hour and 30 minutes to fly directly from London to Paris or vice versa.

Make sure to confirm which airport your flights depart and arrive at. London has 6 major airports and all are in different directions from London, with different transportation options. You can see our London airport transport guide for more information on the best ways of getting to and from each one.

In Paris, flights to and from London land in one of its three major airports, Charles de Gaulle, Orly, or Paris Beauvais.

Also be sure to factor in the time to get to and from the airports. It can take up to an hour to get to London Heathrow from downtown London for example, and 45 minutes to get from Charles de Gaulle to the center of Paris.

Where to book flight tickets?

You can buy tickets from your preferred booking engine or directly from the airline. To compare flight ticket prices across airlines, we like to use Priceline , and Kiwi   to search for the cheapest, most convenient options.

3. Car / Driving 

Driving from London to Paris is another popular way to get between the two cities. It gives you a certain amount of flexibility, plus the comfort of staying in your own car the entire journey. You don’t need to worry about luggage restrictions or paying fees per person, and the timetable is more flexible than traveling by train or plane.

You have two options when traveling by car on how to cross the English Channel, you can take the Eurotunnel or you can take a ferry. The Eurotunnel is the fastest option and the one we’ll talk about most in this section. See the Ferry section later in the article if you prefer to cross by ferry.

You can transport pretty much any vehicle, including a car, truck, motorcycle, trailer, or campervan by the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. Those on motorbikes get reduced fares compared to car drivers and those with larger vehicles pay a bit more.

It is also the easiest way to travel with pets between the UK and France. However, you must have all the proper documentation, microchipping, and vaccinations for each pet to be allowed entry. You can see the pet requirements here .

It’s important to note that France and the UK have different driving regulations that must be followed. In addition to knowing the differences in traffic laws (e.g., people in the UK drive on the left and people in the France drive on the right), there are also different things you need to do to prepare to bring a foreign car across the border.

For example, all those driving UK cars in the EU are required to have a valid driver’s license, passport, vehicle registration certificate (V5 document), proof of motor vehicle insurance, UK sticker on their car (GB sticker no longer valid), have reflective safety vests in the car, and put stickers over their headlights so as not to “dazzle” oncoming traffic. You can view the full requirements here.

Additionally, France requires all vehicles visiting Paris (and a few other cities) to have a Air Quality Emissions Certificate , which can be purchased online.

For those wanting to bring a car into the UK from France, the main requirements are passport, registration, and proof of motor insurance valid in the UK. You can also check out these tips for driving in the UK .

Although driving is an easy option, it still requires preparation as you must have a number of documents and car supplies to take a car from the UK to mainland Europe, and these requirements do change fairly regularly. We recommend checking the most recent border crossing and driving requirements at least a month before your trip so you can obtain any necessary documentation or supplies.

If you have traveled between the UK and France prior to Brexit, note that some requirements have changed and you should be sure to check all changes to ensure you have done everything you need before your trip. You can check this page for post-Brexit travel changes.

Can I drive across the Channel Tunnel?

No, nobody actually drives through the tunnel. Instead, you drive up into a special container shuttle and then sit in your car while a special vehicle called the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle carries you and your car through the tunnel.

These transport shuttles can carry all types of vehicles including cars, motorcycles, passenger vans, motorhomes, tours buses, and semi-trailer trucks (lorries).

Note: Vehicles that use flammable gas (e.g., LPG, BiFuel, Autogas, Hydrogen, CNG or CGH2 ) cannot be transported by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle because of safety reasons. This includes vehicles where the gas is only being used as a secondary or back up fuel source. Similarly, any flammable gas containers (e.g. for use in a campervan) and their size is regulated and these must be declared for inspection.

Taking a Car on Channel Tunnel versus Ferry?

Both the Eurotunnel and the ferry will take you from Folkestone/Dover to Calais (or vice versa). Taking the Channel Tunnel is much quicker and more direct than taking the ferry. It takes only 35 minutes to cross the channel via the Eurotunnel, as opposed to 90 minutes by ferry.

However, the ferry tickets can often be less expensive so good to price compare if you are on a tighter budget. Also, there are multiple ferry routes between the UK and France so you have more options in terms of where you depart and arrive.

How long does it take to drive from London to Paris?

It takes about 6 hours to drive and take the Channel Tunnel from London to Paris, excluding potential traffic and delays. The Eurotunnel Le Shuttle leaves regularly, with up to 4 shuttles per hour at busier times of the day/year.

However, note that 6 hours is about the shortest drive time under optimal driving conditions and so it can take much longer if there is bad traffic, construction, or Eurotunnel delays. We recommend allowing a couple of extra hours in your schedule so that you handle potential delays.

Before your journey, we recommend checking Traffic England for relevant UK road conditions and delays and this website for France’s highways. You can monitor the route using a service like Google Maps or a GPS unit to keep abreast of potential delays. You can monitor Eurotunnel service and potential delays here .

Fastest driving route from London to Paris?

There is really only one driving route from London to Paris, which is through the Channel Tunnel. If you take the most direct route it is about a 258 mile (415 km) drive from London to Paris plus about 34 miles (54 km) for the Eurotunnel crossing.

The fastest route is to drive from London to Folkestone along the A1. You then check-in and go through border security, board the Channel Tunnel transport, and then the journey across the Channel should take about 35 minutes. Once you arrive in Coquelles (near Calais), you’ll leave the shuttle, go through border security, and then head to Paris via the A26 and A1.

Cost of driving from London to Paris?

Prices for the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle vary based on the size of your vehicle, whether you have any trailers or attachments, and the kind of ticket you buy. One way fares start around £79, but round trip fares can be as low as £29 each way. You can check prices here .

Don’t forget to also factor in the cost of fuel which can vary widely depending on your vehicle and current fuel prices. If you are driving an electric car or hybrid car, there are electric charging stations that you can use at both Eurotunnel Le Shuttle terminals in the UK and in France.

If you are renting a car, you will also need to take into account your rental car fees and any additional charges (e.g., cross border surcharge). If you are considering renting a car, keep reading.

Should I hire a car to drive from the UK to France?

Generally, we don’t recommend renting a car and driving it from the UK to France (or vice versa). If you own your own car or campervan and live in the UK or Europe, then it may make good sense to take your car across the Channel via Channel Tunnel or by ferry. You’ll save money and be able to drive in your own vehicle.

However, we find this is often more problematic for those with a rental car. First, several rental car agencies don’t allow rented or leased cars to be taken across the border, aboard ferries, and/or on one-way trips. Some do of course, but it limits your options.

Second, it requires you to learn the driving rules and regulations and have the proper documentation for both countries. Finally, it will mean that in at least one country you will be driving a car designed for driving on the wrong side of the road with the steering column and wheel on the opposite side.

Our advice would be to rent a car only where you need it and to rent the car in the country you plan to drive it. So if you need a car both in the UK and France, you can rent a car in the UK and then return it before you go to France. Then in France, you can rent a different car there for your time in France.

There is no reason you need a car to get from London to Paris. In fact, since you can’t actually drive across the Channel, you can’t use a car for the full journey anyway. And certainly, you don’t need a car in either London or Paris as both cities are not desirable places to get around by car. Public transportation is efficient and easy to use in both cities.

What do I need to take a rental car across the Channel?

For those renting, borrowing, or leasing a UK registered car, you still need to ensure your car meets all the standards and that you have all the necessary documentation and equipment. As noted earlier, these include a valid driver’s license, passport, insurance card, GB sticker, safety vests, and stickers on headlights. Those planning to drive to Paris, also need to have an Air Quality Emissions Certificate. You can view the full requirements here.

You will also need to ensure that you have permission to take the car aboard across the Chunnel (some rental car agencies do not allow this) and have a VE103 certificate .

Where to rent a car in London ?

There are lots of car rental agencies based in London. Most of them center around one of the airports but there are some downtown locations too. You can find all the major international car rental brands in London.

Note that some rental car agencies do not allow cars to be taken out of the country, which means you would not be able to take them across the border by ferry or by Eurotunnel to France. Car rental agencies that do normally allow border crossing from the UK to France include Avis , Budget , Europcar, and Hertz . But you will want to double-check when making your booking and check your rental contract.

If you plan to take the car to France (and elsewhere in Europe), an extra fee may apply. You’ll want to be sure to let the agent know when you pick it up to ensure you have the proper insurance, stickers, and documentation (e.g., VE103 certificate ).

In terms of renting a car in the UK, you also normally need to have held a valid driving license for at least a year (some require up to 3 years) and the driver’s license must be in English or use the Latin alphabet. If not, you’ll need to obtain an International Driving Permit from your home country before your trip.

The minimum age to rent a car in the UK is 21, but some companies will charge an additional fee for drivers under 25. Note that there also may be further restrictions on those under 25 such as no access to premium level cars and no taking the car across any borders. You usually need a valid credit card to complete the rental transaction, but some places will accept a debit card.

Automatic transmissions are usually available but many car rentals have manual transmissions (“stick shifts”). Make sure you are comfortable using a car with the steering wheel on the right, which will mean shifting with your left hand.

Where to rent a car in Paris ?

There are lots of car rental agencies based in Paris. Most of them center around the airports but there are some downtown locations too. You can find all the international car rental brands like Avis , Budget , Europcar and Hertz here.

If you are planning to drive to the UK from France, as discussed above, you want to make sure you choose a rental car agency that allows for cross-border crossings.

The rental car agency requirements in France are similar to those noted above for the UK. The minimum age to rent a car in France is also 21, with some companies charging extra fees for drivers under 25. Again, automatic transmissions are available but many car rentals have manual transmissions (e.g. “stick shifts”).

4. Bus / Coach

Taking a bus from London to Paris is usually the least expensive transport option. While not as fast as a train or flying, it is an easy way to get between the two cities.

Which coach companies operate between London and Paris?

The most popular companies that service this route are Flixbus and BlaBlaBus .  

Flixbus is the largest bus network in Europe. their buses have large comfortable seats, bathrooms, wi-fi and power outlets. They pride themselves on being timely and energy-efficient. They run about a dozen buses a day from London to Paris, at intervals, although only about half of them are direct (the rest involve a transfer in Lille). They also own the Eurolines buses that run this route. The trip usually takes 7 to 9 hours.

BlaBlaBus (formerly Ouibus) is a French bus company that covers ten countries in Europe, and 300 destinations. They have an app that allows you to use e-tickets instead of printed ones. They offer about half a dozen buses a day, some go to the city center and others straight to the airport. The trip takes 7 to 10 hours.

Most buses from London to Paris leave from the Victoria Coach Station in London (164 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP) and then end at the Bercy Seine Bus Station (210 Quai de Bercy, 75012 Paris). But you can also get buses from London to the Paris airports, Disneyland Paris, and a couple of other places as well.

You can check schedules and purchase tickets directly from the bus companies above, or you can compare across all buses doing this route by using an aggregator site like trainline or Omio .

Can coaches cross the Channel Tunnel?

Yes, buses and coaches use the same EuroTunnel shuttle service as cars do. So the buses do not actually drive across the Euro Tunnel, instead, they drive into a transport vehicle and are shuttled across.

How much does the bus cost from London to Paris?

Bus tickets prices from London to Paris can fluctuate a little but typically cost between £12 to £40 per person. Taking a coach is usually the cheapest way to get from London to Paris.

How long does the bus take from London to Paris?

The bus can take between 7 to 10 hours based on traffic and the number of stops. This makes it a bit longer than driving yourself.

How to book a bus ticket?

You can book your bus ticket directly on the bus company’s website, such as Flixbus , or you can try an aggregator like Omio or trainline to find the best rate.

Taking a ferry across the channel is a unique, slower, and scenic way of getting from London to Paris. If you want the best view of the White Cliffs of Dover and the Cap Blanc-Nez (similar white cliffs of Calais), the ferry is our recommended option.

The ferries take foot passengers, cyclists, and vehicles. They are the most popular way for cyclists to cross between the UK and France.

The ferry is also a popular option for pet owners as most ferries allow pets to be brought aboard for those traveling with a vehicle. Pets must stay within the pet owners’ vehicle during the crossing, but there are pet exercise areas at each of the ports. If you want to travel with a pet, be sure to check the pet guidelines for your crossing in advance as they must have the proper documents and vaccinations.

There are three main ferry routes from England to France or vice versa. For the goal of getting from London to Paris, the quickest and most popular option is to get the ferry from Dover to Calais. We’ll focus on this route, but we’ll also talk about your other ferry options, including an overnight ferry option.

What are the ferry routes between the UK and France?

There are about a dozen possible routes you can take between the UK and France. Here are the main ferry routes between the UK and France:

• Dover to Calais
• Dover to Dunkirk
• Newhaven to Dieppe
• Portsmouth to Le Havre
• Portsmouth to Caen
• Portsmouth to Cherbourg
• Portsmouth to St. Malo
• Poole to Cherbourg
• Plymouth to Roscoff

For those planning a trip from London to Paris, we recommend the Dover to Calais as the fastest and most efficient route for most people. The Newhaven to Dieppe route is popular for cyclists and long-distance walkers. The Portsmouth routes by Brittany Ferries are a good option if you are looking for an overnight sleeper ferry.

How to get to the ferry from London?

You have the option to drive, take the train, or get a bus to reach the ferry ports. So this is going to depend on which ferry port you need to reach.

For all the ferries, it is recommended that you plan to arrive 60 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to leave in order to give you plenty of time to check-in and go through security and customs checks.

We’ll cover three of the ferry routes in detail below:

Getting to Dover Ferry Port from London

You can take a coach, high-speed train, regular train, or drive to get from London to the Dover ferry port.

If you are driving, the drive is about 80 miles (128 km) and takes about 2 hours. Traffic, especially leaving London, can really affect the drive time.

The fastest option to get from London to Dover is to take the high-speed train. The least expensive way is to take a coach from London.

The high-speed train to Dover leaves from St. Pancras Station in London and takes just over 1 hour. Other trains leave from both Charing Cross and Victoria Station in London and take about 2 hours to reach Dover.

The buses along this route generally take between 2.5 hours and 3 hours. Most coaches leave from London Victoria Coach Station and arrive either at the Dover Ferry Port (recommended), Dover City Centre, or Dover Priory train station. Bus fares generally range between £5 to £12 for a one-way ticket.

To check schedules and compare prices for both trains and buses, you can use the site  trainline or Omio .

From the Dover train station or bus station, it is a short taxi ride (about 5 minute drive), shuttle bus ride, or a long walk (~ 30 minutes) from either station to the passenger ferry terminal. There are regular shuttle buses from outside the train station (fee of £2 per person at last check) that stop at the port. You can check taxi fares and prebook taxis online with minicabit .

Getting to Newhaven Ferry Port from London

The Newhaven ferry port is about 76 miles (122 km) from London and it is about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive. Traffic can really affect the drive time.

If taking the train, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by train. I think all routes require at least one train change to make this journey. From the Newhaven town station, it is about a 3 minute walk to the ferry terminal.

Taking a bus is possible but the direct bus only appears to run on certain days of the week. The bus takes about 3 hours.

To check schedules and compare prices for trains from London to Newhaven, you can use the site trainline or Omio .

Getting to Portsmouth Ferry Port from London

The Portsmouth ferry port is about 75 miles (120 km) from London and it is about a 2 hour or so drive. Traffic can really affect the drive time so be sure to check traffic conditions.

Trains from London to Portsmouth Harbor station take about 1.5 to 2 hours. It is a short taxi ride (~ 8 minutes) or long walk (~ 35 minutes) from the train station to the ferry terminal.

The bus from London to Portsmouth generally takes between 2  to 2.5 hours. Most buses leave from Victoria Coach Station and arrive at Portsmouth The Hard Bus & Coach Station. It is a short taxi ride (~ 8 minutes) or long walk (~ 35 minutes) from the bus station to the ferry terminal. There is a taxi rank outside of the train station or you can check taxi fares and prebook taxis online with minicabit .

How to get from the ferry port to Paris?

It will depend of course on which port you sail to from the UK, but in most cases you have the option to rent a car, take a coach, or take a train to Paris.

The most common ferry port is the Calais Ferry terminal. If you arrive in Calais by ferry, you have the option to rent a car, take a bus to Paris, or take the train. The fastest option, and the one we typically recommend, is to take the TGV high-speed train.

To get to the Calais train station (Gare de Calais Ville), you can either take an hourly bus for €2, take a taxi, or walk to the train station (~ 35 minutes). You can then take a train from Calais to Paris, the direct trains take from about 2 hours to 3 hours depending on route and speed of the train.

The Calais bus station is located next to the train station and direct buses generally take 4 to 4.5 hours to reach Paris. Most buses terminate at the Bercy Seine Bus Station.

To check your options for getting to Paris from any port in France, you can check for train and bus schedules, routes, and book tickets on trainline or Omio .

How long does is the journey by train and ferry from London to Paris?

The entire journey will generally take from about 6 hours to 8 hours, depending on your train times, route, and connections.

The most time efficient way to use the ferry to get from London to Paris is to take a direct high-speed train from London to Dover, take a taxi or the shuttle bus from Dover train station to Dover ferry terminal (check in 60 minutes before departure), make the 90 minute ferry ride, take a taxi from the Calais ferry port to train station, and then take a direct high-speed train from Calais to Paris.

What is the cost of taking the ferry from London to Paris?

Ferry prices are often £30 to £90 per person between London and Calais, and depend on the time of year, time of day, whether you are bringing a vehicle or not, size of your vehicle, and whether you are bringing pets. Prices for other ferry routes between the UK and France often fall within this price range as well.

But you then of course also have to factor in the cost of getting to and from the ferry ports, whether you are driving, taking trains, or going by coach.

If you are going to take the ferry between Dover and Calais and plan to use trains, I’d estimate about £100 to £150 per person for the total journey from London to Paris. Less if you are traveling by coach.

Where to book tickets for ferry?

We recommend booking your ferry tickets directly with the ferry operators. We recommend checking DFDS Seaways . If you prefer to travel from Plymouth, Portsmouth, or Poole, you can also check out Brittany Ferries .

DFDS Seaways – Operate passenger ferry routes from Dover-Dunkirk, Dover-Calais, and Newhaven-Dieppe multiple times a day. Crossing takes between 90 minutes and 4 hours, depending on the route. For their Dover departures, they currently do not allow foot passengers, only those passengers traveling with a vehicle or bicycle. They do allow foot passengers on the Newhaven-Dieppe route.

Brittany Ferries – Brittany Ferries operate ferry routes from Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Poole with most of their UK to France ferries leaving from Portsmouth. Ferries take from 3 hours to 8 hours to get from UK to France, and they also operate overnight ferry journeys. They allow passengers with vehicles as well as those traveling on foot.

If you are driving, we recommend booking in advance. If you are traveling as a foot passenger, you can book ahead of time on their website or you can usually easily buy tickets at the terminal the day of, as they never book up for foot passengers.

What if I want to take an overnight ferry from the UK to France?

Yes, it is possible to take a slow ferry trip across the English Channel between the UK and France. Brittany Ferries offers a number of overnight ferry options between the UK and France.

They offer routes leaving from Portsmouth, Poole, and Plymouth in the UK and going to a number of ports in northern France, including Le Havre, Caen, Cherbourg, and St. Malo.

For those wanting to travel by overnight ferry between London and Paris, we recommend booking either the Plymouth to Caen ferry or Plymouth to Le Havre ferry for options best suited for getting between London and Paris. But if you plan to explore the regions of Brittany or Normandy along the way, you have several route options.

Not all Brittany Ferry trips are overnight sailings so do make sure you book the correct one if you do want an overnight voyage. They typically have one daytime crossing and one overnight cruise for each route daily. The ships range from simple to fairly luxurious.

Many of the Brittany Ferry ships offer multiple dining options, cafes, live entertainment, gift shop, children’s play area, and a movie theater.  When we do an overnight trip, we like to get on, check into our cabin, have a nice dinner at the restaurant, go see the live entertainment, and then head off to bed. The food from the main restaurant is usually very good.

Having traveled by overnight ferry a few times now, I would definitely recommend only booking the overnight ferries if you book a cabin. There are nice reclined airplane style seats you can reserve as well, so this is an option if you are the kind of person who can sleep comfortably in reclined seats (I personally cannot). As otherwise you are paying more for a much longer ferry and will probably arrive pretty tired if you aren’t able to get enough sleep.

We take these ferries when we want a slower and more luxurious ferry option. This is often the first day of a trip or the final day of a trip for us so it often makes a nice transition. But if we want a quick option, we’ll book one of the regular 1.5 hour ferries to cross the Channel.

Can I travel in my own boat from London to Paris?

Yes, technically you can travel along the River Thames from London to where it enters the Channel, cross the English Channel, and then navigate the Seine River to reach Paris. But this journey, especially the English Channel crossing, has certain legal requirements and crossing by barges and small boats are weather dependent and can be dangerous.

If this is something you are considering, you should definitely start researching the route and your options well in advance.

6. Take a Guided Tour

If you are wanting to head off on a quick and organized day or weekend away, you might visit Paris from London on a guided day trip. The two cities are close enough together that it’s possible to leave before breakfast and be back by dinner!

How long is a guided tour from London to Paris?

Most of the guided tours from London to Paris are one long day. So you’d leave London early in the morning and leave Paris by train in the evening. Most day trips leave around 6:00 am and return to the city around dinner time, so expect a long full day of travel and sightseeing.

However, if you have more time, some tours stay overnight in Paris for a day or two.

How much does a tour cost from London to Paris?

Tour costs start at about £200 per person and depend on how much is included. Most include Eurostar train tickets, a sightseeing tour, and an attraction ticket or two. Multi-day trips will, of course, cost more.

What are some Tours that go from London to Paris?

There are a number of tour options, especially day tours from London to Paris, that you can take. Here are some of the better-rated options we’ve found:

• Paris Full-Day Trip from London – This full day luxury tour includes a guide who meets you in London at the Eurostar terminal. You take the Eurostar train to Paris, take a sightseeing bus around Paris, take lunch at the Eiffel Tower, cruise down the Seine and then have free time to visit explore (or take an optional Louvre tour), or do what you wish before your return to London by train.
• Paris Rail Day Trip with Options   – This 15-hour full-day round trip Eurostar journey to Paris allows you to choose the type of Eurostar train ticket (standard or first-class) and how you want to see Paris. You can do independent sightseeing on your own which includes a sightseeing bus pass or you can join a guided day trip around Paris with a guide that includes a Seine River cruise.
• Day Tour by with Lunch Cruise  – This tour includes round-trip Eurostar tickets, a fully guided tour of Paris by luxury coach and a 2 hour Seine river cruise with 3-course lunch
• Guided Paris Day Trip with Free Time – This tour includes Eurostar tickets, a sightseeing bus tour of the city, and a Seine River cruise. You then have the afternoon to use as you wish and explore independently.

Note that some of the tours are fully guided with a person meeting you either at the London train station or when you arrive in Paris and then stay with you for the rest of the day. Others are partially guided and some are independent and they just book your tickets and let you explore independently. So just be sure to read carefully what is included and what is not.

Join a Full day Walking Tour of Paris?

Another idea is to book your own train tickets and make your own way to Paris on the Eurostar and then join up with an all-day walking tour of Paris. You can leave London super early to join the tour, but I’d recommend spending the night beforehand so you are well-rested and won’t have to worry about rushing to get to the tour starting point.

For example, this full-day walking tour includes a guided walking tour of several areas of Paris, including Montmartre, Île de la Cité, and the Latin Quarter, a guided visit to the Louvre Museum, a visit to the Eiffel Tower, and Seine River cruise tickets.

7. Carpooling / Ridesharing

If you are looking for an inexpensive option to get from London to Paris but would like to avoid the bus, you could consider a rideshare or carpooling option. It is an option that also gives you a built-in travel buddy for the journey.

Ridesharing services for a London to Paris trip?

For a trip from London to Paris, you can check out carpooling or ridesharing service like BlaBlaCar , Carpling , or Liftshare to find a carpool across the Channel. On these websites private citizens can offer a seat in their car for a fee to travelers headed in the same direction.

Do keep in mind the safety implications of accepting a ride in a private vehicle with a stranger. Make sure someone always knows where you are going and who you are going with. We recommend sharing the location of your ride and journey, such as with Google maps or similar tracking app, so that a family member or friend can see your location in real-time.

It is technically possible to take a mainstream ride share service like Uber from London to Paris. But you are very unlikely to get a driver willing to make this journey and the cost of the trip would be high. If you are looking for a private transfer like that, see our section below on Private Transfers.

Ridesharing travel time from London to Paris?

The timing will depend on the exact route and method of crossing the English Channel, but most drivers estimate it will take between 6 and 8 hours.

Cost of ridesharing services from London to Paris?

Carpool rides from London to Paris seem to be generally be priced between £35 to £50.

This would make it cheaper than renting your own car and about the same price as driving your own car when you calculate fuel costs and ferry or Eurotunnel prices.

8. Private Car Transfer or Cab

If you don’t want to deal with any logistics or changes and don’t mind a more expensive option, you might consider booking a private car transfer. Although most cab companies and rideshare drivers won’t do such a long cross-border journey, there are some private transfer companies that offer this service.

The driver will pick you up from your hotel, train station, or airport in London and then take you to the chosen destination in Paris. You can also do the reverse and get a private transfer between Paris and London.

How to Book a Private Car Transfer or Cab from London to Paris?

As noted, most companies do not offer this service as it is such a long drive and includes a cross-border crossing over the English Channel. So your options are pretty limited but there are a few companies that can arrange this service.

Here are a few options:

• This private transfer service takes you from London to Paris. A driver will pick you up from your lodging, handle your luggage, and offer you a comfortable ride all the way to Paris. They will have water and snacks available and short breaks will be made for toilets and refreshments. Service can include up to 15 passengers.
• If you are traveling from Paris to London, the same company offers private transfers starting in Paris . So you would be picked up in Paris and driven to London.
• This private transfer service picks you up anywhere in Paris and drops you off anywhere in London. The driver picks you up in a Mercedes car that includes air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. Service can include up to 8 passengers.

How long does it take to get from London to Paris by private transfer?

A private transfer between London and Paris will generally take between 6 and 8 hours, depending on traffic. Most use the Eurotunnel to cross between the UK and France.

Cost of a Private Car Transfer or Cab from London to Paris?

Prices for this service start at around £530 and go up depending on the number of riders and the style of car you desire. A group of up to 4 can travel together for about £1,068 and a group of 8 for £1,268.

Although this is an expensive option for a single traveler or couple, it can be a reasonably priced option for a family or large group.

If you are an avid cyclist, it’s possible to ride your bike from London all the way to Paris. You can cycle all the way to the edge of England and then jump on a ferry or take the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle to cross the English Channel to France. Most cyclists take the ferry.

While we’d recommend such a long-distance cycle trip only for those with more experience as a cyclist, most of this route is fairly flat and suitable for beginner level long-distance cyclists. We’ve read of a number of parents with older children who have successfully done the Avenue Verte route

If you plan to do this route, I’d just be sure to do your research in advance.

Bike route from London to Paris?

There are two main routes, and a variety of variations that cyclists may choose in getting from London to Paris. The two main routes are (in very simplified detail):

Dover/Calais Classic Route : Follow the old Roman Road of Watling Street out of London down to  Dover. Cross the channel by ferry to Calais, then follow Napoleon’s Route National 1 from Calais to Paris. This route is 304 miles (490km) and is not waymarked.

Newhaven/Dieppe Avenue Verte Route: Follow the A11 down to the port of Newhaven. Cross the channel by ferry to Dieppe. Then follow the D915 into Paris. This route is about 247 miles (398 km) long and is waymarked.

We recommend getting a guide to help you understand the route and prepare for the journey. There are a couple of good cycling guides for the route. These include this detailed guidebook by Cicerone on how to follow either the Classic Route or Avenue Verte Route. There is also this cycling guide by SusTrans that helps direct cyclists how to get from the London Eye to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris using the Avenue Verte route.

If you are looking for good maps, Ordnance Survey makes the best maps for the UK and IGN makes similar maps for France. For choosing a map, Ordnance Survey recommends the weatherproof active maps of the Landranger series for long-distance cyclists and IGN recommends the Top100 or Top75 series maps for cyclists. Ordnance Survey makes paper maps, digital maps, and also has preloaded GPS units for cycling and hiking.

It is recommended that you pair a guidebook or maps with a cycling GPS to navigate and stay on the route.

A great online resource for planning your trip is london2paris.co.uk , a website dedicated solely to biking from London to Paris. Most people do the trip independently, but you can also join organized rides of cyclists doing this route or organize a group yourself.

Can cyclists bike across the Channel Tunnel?

No, you cannot actually cycle across the Channel Tunnel. Instead, you can have your bicycle taken across in a specially adapted trailer across the Eurotunnel shuttle.

To use the Eurotunnel cycling service, cyclists must book their crossing at least 48 hours ahead of time by calling the EuroTunnel sales department to ensure a space for their bikes: 44 (0)1303 282201 . You can find out more here .

You can also bring bikes across on the Eurostar train; however, this would defeat the purpose if you want to cycle most the route between London and Paris. You can find out more about bringing bikes on the train here .

Can cyclists bring bikes onboard the ferry?

Yes, you can bring your bicycle onboard almost any of the ferry services between the UK and France. Most cyclists prefer to take the ferry rather than the Eurotunnel as it is generally less expensive, requires less pre-planning, and the ferry crossing locations are better aligned with the popular cycling routes.

The most popular ferry routes for cyclists are the Newhaven to Dieppe route which is operated by DFDS and the Dover to Calais route operated by DFDS .

How long does it take to cycle from London to Paris?

It takes most people 2 to 5 days to cycle from London to Paris, but the route can be done in less than 24 hours. It depends a lot on if you are trying to get there as quickly as possible or if you plan to do some sightseeing and exploring along the way.

It seems that 3 days is the most popular amount of time allocated to the route, which allows most people to complete it while moving along at a steady pace. If you want to do some sightseeing along the way, I’d recommend 5 days or more.

Where to rent a bike in London?

If you won’t have your own bike, there are a lot of places where you can hire bikes in London. For rentals, almost all stores require that you return the bikes in London. So if you are planning a round-trip cycling tour to Paris and back, this would work fine.

However, if you are planning to cycle from London and Paris and not return to London, then it is unlikely you’ll find a bike hire shop where you can rent in one country and return in another.

If you need a one-way bike rental, we recommend purchasing a bike for the trip and then selling it at the other end. So you could buy a bike in London and then sell it in Paris. There are a number of places in both cities where you can buy and sell used bicycles and cycling gear.

If you are really committed to slow travel, you can walk from London to Paris. As there is a large body of water in your way, you won’t be able to walk directly, of course, but you can do the crossing on foot via ferry or Eurotunnel.

Walking routes from London to Paris?

The shortest route would be to walk from London to the ferry terminal in Newhaven, walk onto the ferry, and then walk from Dieppe to Paris.

If you trying to figure out your walking route, or at least a place to start, the Avenue Verte Route might be a good one to consider. It is popular with cyclists and you can read more about the route above within our cycling section. There are a couple of guidebooks on the route (although they are geared to cyclists) that might be helpful.

Whatever route you choose, make sure you do research on the route you want to do and have a good map. It is recommended that you pair a good map with a compass and GPS unit designed for hiking .

If you are looking for good maps, Ordnance Survey makes the best maps for the UK and IGN makes similar maps for France. For choosing a map, Ordnance Survey recommends the weatherproof active maps of the Explorer series for long-distance hikers and IGN recommends the Top25 and Blue Series maps for hiking. Ordnance Survey makes paper maps, digital maps, and also has pre-loaded GPS units for hiking.

Can you walk through the Channel Tunnel?

No, you can’t walk across the Channel Tunnel. The only way to get across the English Channel is on a train, in a vehicle through the Channel Tunnel, or on a ferry.

How long does it take to walk from London to Paris?

It takes at least 3 days to walk from London to Paris and most people take 1 week. According to Google maps, it would take approximately 57 hours to walk the 234 miles from London to Paris. That, of course. considers only the most direct route and doesn’t factor in sleep and rest time.

The most direct route itself is approximately 234 miles; however, 75 miles of that is the ferry, specifically the Newhaven to Dieppe one. So the walking distance of that route would be about 159 miles.

How long it will take to make the journey will depend on your chosen route, level of fitness, planned stops, and how fast you want to move. I’d figure out your route and route length first and then estimate your time based on how many miles you think are doable per day on average.

So for example, if you calculate your chosen route will entail about 170 miles of walking and you think you can walk 30 miles a day you could reach Paris in about 5 or 6 days. If you do 20 miles per day you’d get there in about 8 to 9 days, and if you think 10 miles per day is more realistic it will take about 17 days.

11. Swim the English Channel

Ok, you probably aren’t seriously considering this one, but it’s fun to think about!

You can swim from England to France across the English Channel, but not vice versa anymore as the French have outlawed the act of swimming from France to England. Although if you start in England, you can then return on the same swim back to the UK if you want to do a return swim.

Keep in mind there are certain legal regulations, a fee, and necessities for being able to do this very long swim. You will need to train, particularly in cold water conditions, before undertaking this swim.

Once you are committed to doing it, the first step is to complete the Channel Swimming Association registration packet. Then you will need to book a Channel Swimming Association escort pilot to follow alongside in a boat who will provide assistance if needed and will also bring along your documentation.

You will need to book a swim window (usually a span of several days in a warmer month) and wait for good weather to ensure a safer swim.

If you are interested, you’ll want to head over to the Channel Swimming Association website that offers information regarding registration and regulations. It also offers lots of tips, support, and advice to prospective swimmers.

Swimming route across the English Channel?

Swimmers usually start near Shakespeare’s Cliff between Folkestone and Dover, and end at or near Cap Gris Nez, between Boulogne and Calais in France.

At its shortest point, the channel is only about 21 miles (32 kilometers) long; however, most swims are longer because currents often pull the swimmers out of their desired tract.

How long does it take to swim the English Channel?

It depends on the ability and swim style of the swimmer. Swims can take anywhere from 7 hours (lightning fast) to 27 hours.

People have been successfully swimming across the English Channel since 1875 and you can see a list of some of the more notable swimmers and record holders here .

What is the cost of swimming across the English Channel?

The cost of a Channel swim is generally between £3500 and £5000, but can vary widely. At a minimum, you need to pay for a registration packet and pilot boat.

But you also need to consider travel to and Dover, how long you might need to stay in Dover (food and accommodation), supplies, and time in France (unless you swim back). If you are getting any training lessons, you’ll want to add those costs as well.

What is the Best Way to Get From London to Paris?

The best way to travel between London and Paris is going to depend on what you think of as best. If we had to pick one method, we’d recommend taking the Eurostar train. But this will not be the best method for everyone.

Cheapest Way to Get from London to Paris?

The cheapest practical way to get from London to Paris is to take a bus, which will generally cost you between £12 to £40 per ticket. If you book ahead of time and for a less desirable time slot, you can get from one great city to the other for the cost of a movie ticket.

Carpooling is also a low-cost option as well.

Quickest Way to Get from London to Paris? 

The quickest way to get from London to Paris is to take the Eurostar train. On the Eurostar you can get from the center of London to the center of Paris in under two hours.

Most Cost/Time Efficient Way to Get from London to Paris?

Still probably the Eurostar train. It’s possible to get very inexpensive fares and it’s by far the quickest route.

Most Luxurious Way to Get from London to Paris?

A private jet ride is probably the most luxurious and expensive option.

Other more luxurious options, at much lower price points, include a private transfer service, first-class Eurostar train ride, first-class or business class flights, booking a luxury guided tour, or taking an overnight ferry.

Best Way to Sightsee Between London to Paris? 

Driving or cycling allows you to plan an itinerary of interesting stops along the route and allows you to stop and soak up the scenery at your own pace.

Best Way to do a Day Trip to Paris from London?

If you only have a day or two to spare to visit Paris from London, we recommend taking the Eurostar train between the two cities as it is the most efficient. A direct flight can also be a good option although we prefer the train. If this is your plan, we recommend choosing a hotel in London near St. Pancras, see our list of recommended hotels in London for some options.

If you are looking for an option that requires minimal planning, you might consider booking a guided day trip, such as this one , from London to Paris. You just need to make sure you have all the required travel documents with you and then the rest of the planning (including your Eurostar train tickets) will be handled by the travel company.

Most Leisurely Way to Get from London to Paris? 

Walking from London to Paris will take you about a week but you will have plenty of time to reflect along the way. Cycling or a slow drive are also more leisurely options.

Our Preferred Way to Get from London to Paris?

Normally, we take the Eurostar train as its the most efficient method. If we need our car in France, we normally drive and take the ferry to cross the Channel. The Eurotunnel is faster with a car, but we typically choose to take the ferry.

If we have extra time, we enjoy taking an overnight ferry with Brittany Ferries .

What do I Need to Know Before Traveling Between London and Paris?

It’s important to remember that you are crossing an international border when you travel between London and Paris. Many people will need to prepare in advance in terms of reservations, travel documents, vehicle paperwork, and travel plans.

Here are some things to know before you go:

• Everyone needs to have a valid passport to travel between the UK and France. You may also be asked for proof of onward travel. Depending on your citizenship, you may also need a visa and other travel documents. If you are unsure what you need for travel, I’d check with the UK government website and the travel authority for your own country.
• The primary language in the United Kingdom is English and the primary language spoken in France is French.
• The currency used in the UK and France is different. The currency in the UK is the British pound sterling (GBP) and the currency in France is the Euro.
• The electricity voltage is the same in both the United Kingdom and France (230 V); however, the plug types are different. The standard plug type in the UK is Type G and in France is Type C or E. So you will need to pack a travel adapter to plug in electrical items no matter what country you are from if you plan to travel in both countries. You can see our guide to travel adapters if you need to get one.
• Please check the COVID-19 related restrictions for entry into the UK and France (and re-entry when you return). These requirements keep changing, but may include completing paperwork, proof of vaccination, booking COVID-19 tests, and quarantine. Be sure to have testing and needed documentation ready before your trip. You can check current COVID-19 requirements here .
• If you are bringing pets or other animals across the border, you will need to have the proper documents for the animals. This normally includes a pet passport, microchipping, required vaccinations, and vaccination records for each pet to be allowed entry. There may be special requirements depending on the specific type of transportation you use (e.g., ferry versus Eurostar). You can see the pet entry requirements posted by Eurotunnel here . Please be sure to check the latest pet requirements before you travel and have all the supporting documentation on hand.
• If you are planning on driving between the UK and France, be sure to have the proper documentation, permits, and car supplies needed. See our Driving section above for more information as the requirements for drivers are different for the UK and France.
• Note that many rental car agencies do not allow for cars rented in the UK to be driven in France and vice versa and many do not allow for ferry crossings, so be sure to do your research before making a booking. Drivers from some countries will need to get an International Driving Permit before their trip to rent a car and drive in the UK and France. See our Driving section for more information.
• If you plan to drive in either country, the driving regulations are different for the UK and France so be sure to check driving laws and regulations for each country. Notably, the biggest difference is that those in UK drive on the left side of the road and those in France on the ride side of the road. This is one of the reasons we don’t generally recommend visitors rent a car in one country and drive to the next as the cars in the UK are designed for drivers driving on the left and cars in France are designed for those driving on the right side.
• Note that once you cross the border you are also changing international time zones with a one hour time difference. So be sure to reset your watch and plan your travel accordingly. The UK is in the Greenwich Mean Time time zone and France is in the Central European time zone. So, if it is 10:00am in the UK, it will be 11:00am in France.
• If you are planning to do sightseeing in London, we recommend checking out our suggested 2 day London itinerary , 3 day London itinerary , or 6 day London itinerary . For transport, you can check out our London public transit guide and our Oyster Card guide . For money savings passes, you might consider the London Pass .
• If you planning to spend time sightseeing in Paris, we recommend checking out our suggested 1 day Paris itinerary , 2 day Paris itinerary , 3 day Paris itinerary , and our Eiffel Tower guide .  For money saving passes, you might consider the Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass .
• If your travels are also taking you to Edinburgh (or elsewhere in Scotland), see our guide to traveling from London to Edinburgh .
• The United Kingdom left the European Union officially on January 31, 2020 and is no longer a part of the EU. If you have traveled between the UK and EU prior to Brexit, you will want to familiarize yourself with the new laws and regulations (especially if planning to drive or travel with pets).
• If you have any questions about travel between London and Paris, feel free to ask in the Comments section below. We can also answer questions about general travel to either the UK of France. We regularly travel to both and have lived in both the UK and France.

We hope this helps you figure out how to get from London to Paris, or vice versa!

Planning to travel to London and Paris in the future? Pin this article to Pinterest to save and read it later:

If you have any questions about traveling between these two cities or travel within either one, just let us know by leaving a Comment below.

Which of these methods is your favorite way to travel between London and Paris? If you have any of your own tips or advice about travel between London and Paris, feel free to share below!

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Rhona Lebner Post author

December 25, 2023 at 1:22 am

Excellent publication, this was so helpful!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

December 27, 2023 at 7:12 pm

Glad you found our article helpful, and do let us know if you have any questions about traveling between London and Paris!

Best, Jessica

Lynn Hicks Post author

October 17, 2023 at 3:23 pm

Could you please send me hotel suggestions for Paris. We will arrive via Eurostar and would like to stay near main attractions. Two nights and one full day in Paris. Taxis or Uber to hotel from train station is fine. Travel group: I am 62 yrs old, husband 71, and disabled son, 39. Thanks for your help

October 18, 2023 at 4:32 pm

Happy to try to help and provide some advice about your trip to Paris. So first what you’ll want to do is to have a list of the places you want to visit so that will help give you a good idea of where you want to stay. For example, let’s say you want to see the outside of Notre Dame, go on a Seine River cruise, go up the Eiffel Tower, and visit the Louvre. Those are all right along the Seine River in Paris, so maybe you’d want to choose a hotel in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 7th arrondissements (Paris is divided into 20 areas known as arrondissements) within walking distance of the river.

Then next you’ll want to determine your budget and type of accommodation. In your case obviously accessibility may be very important. For example, if your son is in a wheelchair you’ll want to make sure the hotel and the room you book are fully wheelchair accessible. I’d probably look at newer hotels (or hotels that have been recently renovated) as they tend to be more likely to have wider doorways, ramps, roll-in showers etc. (Also be sure to check accessibility for all the attractions you want to visit!)

So the Eurostar arrives into Paris at the Gare du Nord (train station) which is in the 10th arrondissement. I would probably recommend getting a taxi to your hotel from there as that area is not the most central if you want to be near main attractions such as the Louvre or Eiffel Tower.

It is hard to give specific hotel recommendations without knowing your itinerary or your stay dates, budgets, and any specific needs (1 room or 2 rooms?, wheelchair accessible needed?). But here are just a few options to get you started that are within the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 7th (based on attractions listed above), offer some wheelchair accessible rooms, and offer triple or family rooms: Hotel de Varenne in the 7th, Hotel Relais Bosquet in the 7th, L’Empire Paris in the 1st, and Hotel Etats Unis Opera in the 2nd.

Hope that helps, and if you want to give me more details, I am happy to try to help to find more specific hotels that better fit your needs.

Wishing you a wonderful trip to Paris!

Audrey Ruland Post author

July 22, 2023 at 11:04 am

Hi Jessica and Laurence,

Thank you for the invaluable information and great detail on your blog! I do not like tunnels, is there a way to get from Heathrow to Paris efficiently, without going through the Chunnel? Maybe a ferry/train combo but get the train on the other side of the Chunnel? Are there any large tunnels beyond the Chunnel?

Thank you, Audrey

July 26, 2023 at 2:08 pm

There is only one international tunnel connecting the UK and France, the Chunnel which is an undersea tunnel. There are no other bridges, tunnels, or roads connecting the two countries.

So in terms of efficiency, the quickest and easiest for you would be to take the train into London (to London St. Pancras station) from the airport and then get the EuroStar to Paris. However, all EuroStar trains, buses, cars, and other types of ground transport goes through the Chunnel obviously (the cars/bus on Le Shuttle). So the only way to avoid it would be to fly to Paris or to take a train to one of the ferry ports and take a ferry boat and then get a train from the ferry port in France to Paris. Or you could rent a car and drive it onto the ferry and then onwards to Paris, although I wouldn’t really recommend that as you probably would not need the car in Paris.

But a ferry is not very convenient from Heathrow in comparison as you have to takes trains on each side, but it can be done but will take you longer. There are a few ferry connections from the UK to Paris, and you can check the ferry section above and investigate your options depending on your date and which ferry connection you prefer. This would definitely bypass any underseas tunnels. You can also compare the price of a ferry and trains to the cost of airfare to Paris as it may be cheaper (and certainly faster) to fly.

If you decide what route/method of transport you want to do, happy to try to help with more specific questions.

Kasey Gupton Post author

June 18, 2023 at 7:11 am

Hello- you mentioned places to stay in London if one was going to travel between London and Paris but I didn’t see a list of recommended Paris hotels for an overnight between the two cities. Also, what do you recommend for transportation from Heathrow to London center? KG

June 18, 2023 at 7:19 am

Happy to try to help and give recommendations!

So for where to stay in Paris, are you driving between them and wanting a place to stay at a location along that drive? Or a place near the Paris airport or in Paris city center? Also good if you could share an idea of what type of hotels you like and your per night budget. If you could clarify your travel plans and where you are looking for lodging, we are happy to give recommendations as we have stayed in several places in and around Paris.

For getting to London from Heathrow, we generally recommend either taking the Underground train (Tube) or the Elizabeth Line between Heathrow Airport and London city center. However, it does depend on where exactly you are staying. You can see our guide to getting from the London airports to London here for a list of all the options. Happy to give more specific advice if you let me know where you are staying.

June 18, 2023 at 8:30 am

Thank you so much for the quick response. Not sure about Paris. We will take the quick train through the Chunnel from London to Paris and we have one full day/night before returning to London. Definitely want to take the River Seine tour- see Tour Eiffel and cafes, Jardin de Tuileries and Montmartre

June 18, 2023 at 9:28 am

You’re very welcome.

If planning to take EuroStar and you know your dates, I’d book your tickets now. Ticket prices have gotten much higher recently and they just go up the later you wait to book. The sooner you book, the more likely you are also to get the train time you want as many services sell out in advance. Since 1 day is not a lot of time in Paris, I would personally recommend trying to come in on a later service from London and spending 1 full day and 2 nights in Paris to give you the most time.

If you are taking the Eurostar to Paris from London, you’ll arrive into (and leave again to go back to London) the Gare du Nord which is within the 10th arrondissement (area of Paris). So my recommendation since you need to arrive and leave from here, would be to just find a hotel within walking distance of the train station, so maybe within a 10-15 minute walk. That will make it much easier for you if taking the train and you won’t need to get a taxi or take public transit to get to your lodging or to the train so it can save you time and money. You might consider this well-reviewed hotel which is located right across from the Gare du Nord. But there are a lot of options near Gare du Nord from chain hotels like Ibis/Holiday Inn/Mercure to apartments to nicer hotels.

But of course for your sightseeing, you still need to take public transit (or a taxi). So I think it just depends if you prefer to be near the train station for convenience or if you prefer to be within walking distance of specific attractions of interest to you like the Eiffel Tower (which is the 7th arrondissement). I personally really love the Marais area. But I think for a 1 day visit, staying near the train station may make the most sense for you this time.

So if you only have one full day, I would just be sure to book your tickets for the Eiffel Tower (especially if you want to use the elevator), museums, Seine river cruise , and any other popular attractions in advance. Especially if you are going this summer, things are very busy and lots of places are selling out tickets in advance and you don’t want to waste time in ticket lines. So I’d plan our your day carefully and leave plenty of time to actually see each place and get between attractions without being too rushed. Start early and have a great full day and night out and about!

What I might suggest if you want to see as much as possible in the day you have is to book a guided day tour like this one that includes all your attraction entry tickets (this particular one includes Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, a Seine river cruise). That way, you don’t have to worry too much about planning and will get to see everything included in the tour and then have the evening free to explore a little more and have dinner on your own. But to do a tour you would probably need to come in from London the night before the tour and I’d recommend trying to staying a second night to have a full day in Paris before returning to London the next morning. So if you can I’d try to have 2 nights and 1 full day minimum here.

Anyway, hope that helps and let us know if you have more questions as you plan your trip to London and Paris!

Arlene Schneid Post author

May 2, 2023 at 7:24 am

Can I take my small chihuahua pup with me on the train to and from London and Paris?

Laurence Post author

May 4, 2023 at 9:44 am

So you cannot take any pets on the Eurostar train, they do not accept pets of any kind with the exception of guide dogs.

However, you can take pets on the Eurotunnel and on some ferry services. You would need to check pet passport, quarantine and vaccination requirements.

Hope that helps!

Jessica & Laurence

Paula Post author

February 27, 2023 at 10:04 am

Have prices gone up so much? I can’t see any train ticket to Paris from london for 30…and I am looking from now to December…

March 1, 2023 at 6:29 am

Sadly, yes, prices have increased a lot recently and I just went and updated the lowest price above in the article. The cheapest ticket they appear to offer is about 44 euros (£39) and the business premier tickets now seem to all be around 375 euros which is a huge increase. Tickets have always had dynamic pricing but ranged from about 30 euros to 300, but that now seems to have changed with prices ranging from about 44 to 375.

When are you wanting to travel? The cheapest tickets I see for most months are 57 euros for a one-day ticket. You will definitely still save money by booking well in advance but you will have to pay more that you would have probably done a year or two ago. If there are no reasonable prices available for your dates, I would compare it to the prices of ferries, flights, and buses. On some days, it is sadly cheaper to fly to London than take the train.

Hope that helps! Jessica

Karen Wilkinson Post author

November 28, 2022 at 9:19 pm

I am trying to find transport from London to Paris, for two people, The Flixbus is $427.00 round trip, The Eurostar is $879.00 . WE are two seniors wanting to go the week between Christmas and New Years. Are there codes or discounts that I am unaware of? Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you

November 29, 2022 at 9:21 am

Unfortunately this is just a really expensive time of year and the only way to get “regular” priced tickets is to book well in advance normally for the Eurostar. I don’t know of any special discounts or codes that would likely help in this situation.

So a bus is likely still going to be your cheapest option. I would play around with your dates and times, the further before Christmas and the later after Boxing Day you can travel, the better your chances of getting better prices. On the Megabus website , if you are able to leave on December 15th, I see 2 one-way tickets from London to Paris for 2 travellers as only £55 (London, Victoria Coach Station to Paris, Gare de Bercy) But they don’t offer any tickets for your return so you’d need to find another option for your return. But that could definitely save you money one way.

There is also Union Ivkoni, a Bulgarian bus company, than runs a late night bus from London to Paris on certain days and is pretty cheap. But we have never used the service and it doesn’t have good reviews. BlaBlaCar Bus is another budget option that does run this route.

Another option would be to consider flying. It would be cheaper to take a budget airline and fly from London to Paris than take the Eurostar train service around that time of year. It looks like you can get a round trip flight for around £260 to £300 per person (so around £500 to £600 for both round-trip), depending on your dates. Vueling and EasyJet seems to have some of the lowest prices.

If getting to a ferry port is an option you can also price those tickets. But this means if you are not driving that you would need to get a train or bus to the British ferry port, and then one from the French port to Paris. Then do the same on the way back. This is a lot more hassle, but this would at least avoid the really expensive Eurostar tickets.

Finally, you could also try to find someone else locally who is heading to France same time and driving, and willing to help cover their fuel and travel costs.

Anyway, hope that helps and it would be great if you want to let us know what you decide to do. It might help others trying to travel between London and Paris this holiday season.

November 29, 2022 at 9:41 am

Thank you so much for all your details, I am dashed that is going to cost the same to go to Paris as it did to fly from Houston. Thinking of just do some type of Great Britain tour that week. So disappointing! Thank you again for your prompt response and insightful help. Warm Wishes, Karen

November 29, 2022 at 10:51 am

You’re welcome and hope it helps. You do have options but other than that one bus ticket, I don’t see good deals out there right now. If you do decide to head to Paris, I would recommend booking soon as services will likely become fully booked on certain dates as the holidays approach.

Yes, you would probably be able to get much better value traveling around the UK by train or bus. If you decide to do that, I would just recommend booking any trains in advance. Lots of Christmas markets, pantomimes, shows, and the like will be going on across the UK and Ireland and then the New Years/Hogmanay celebrations and Boxing Day events afterward. Accommodation is going to be higher around the holidays, particularly in the big cities like London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. But you can often find good value options in secondary cities.

Just note that the rail strikes could affect you so be sure to check those dates. As of now, “there will be four periods of strike action by the RMT union taking place between December and January, which will impact Christmas travel. The days affected are December 13, 14, 16 and 17, and January 3, 4, 6 and 7.”

Anyway, hope that helps and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip.

Arhaan Post author

October 30, 2022 at 12:48 pm

Use A16 only A1 ,A26 is nasty with so many potholes and A16 is a direct straight line I drove there and tried both routes and the A1 and A26 was so much worse than A16. So in conclusion just avoid A1 and A26 and use A16 only until you are at Paris because then you have to use the A1 only once and that section is fine but the other sections of the road are not fine and have tons of potholes

October 31, 2022 at 10:15 am

Thank for taking the time to comment and let us know about the condition of the A1 road. It is sad to hear it is in such a state with so many potholes.

So yes, so once you get to Calais, the A26 and A1 is generally the most direct route but only by a short distance/short amount of time. So taking the A16 is generally takes only slight longer (generally only 10 to 30 minutues). And from your report, the A16 is currently the road to take for the best road experience. Let’s hope that they repair the issues with the A1 and A26 soon.

Thanks again for your comment and I am sure your report will be helpful to those planning a drive between London and Paris in the coming months!

Roy Hinchliff Post author

November 23, 2022 at 6:46 am

Jessica, I think you should be aware that Arhaan was writing about the motorways in the north of France, not England. England may indeed have some bad roads and the ones which run north from Dover, the M2 and the M20 probably get the most heavy traffic of all, but the A1, A16 and A26 are elsewhere in England and do not lead to Channel Ports (except the A26 which connects Tonbridge with Newhaven)

Apart from that, may I compliment you on a very informative and useful guide which I am recommending to an Australian cousin who is asking me exactly the question answered by your website.

November 24, 2022 at 4:49 am

Thanks, glad our post helped answer any of your cousin’s questions about getting between London and Paris.

Thanks for the clarification about the prior poster’s question about the routes and road conditions. Most of my response does relate to the routes in northern France but I will remove the sentence about the ratings of the A1 in England as I think that may confuse future readers (I think I was confusing it with the M20 when writing that)!

Mridula Post author

July 1, 2022 at 11:15 pm

Hi, Thank you for explaining it very clearly. I have got questions related to taking our own vechile. Could you please let me know if it’s cost effective if taking your own vechile when you are travelling with active toddlers? And is it safe for them to sit under the tunnel for few hours?

July 2, 2022 at 3:41 am

Hi Mridula,

I think you are asking about whether you should take the Eurostar passenger train or take you car onboard the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle?

The Eurostar is pretty self-explanatory in that it is a high-speed train between London and Paris. It takes about 3.5 hours and you can take it directly from London to Paris. The least expensive seats (Standard Class) normally start around 30 euros if booked well in advance. But they can get very pricey, especially if booked more last minute or during particularly busy periods. Children fares are lower than adult fares and those under age 4 can travel for free as long as they are with a parent/guardian, have a valid passport, and are sitting in an adult’s lap for the journey.

So if you take your own car aboard the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, you drive you car into the train car and basically stay in your car for the duration of the ride. The journey itself takes about 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais, and so you typically spend maybe 45 minutes inside in your car. So you should note that the Le Shuttle does not start in London nor does it end in Paris. If you are trying to get to Paris, you will then need to drive 3 to 4 hours to reach Paris after getting off the shuttle.

Which is going to be more cost effective will depend on your specific trip and the cost of the Eurostar tickets for your dates. If you are just going from London to Paris and plan to spend time in Paris, it often doesn’t make much sense to have a car as you don’t need a car to get around the city as there is good public transport options as well as taxis and rideshare services. You also need to ensure that your car has all the necessary equipment/certificates to be able to drive in Paris. Given that you’ll need to pay for fuel, parking, certificates, and the shuttle, it is unlikely you’ll save much money. But if you are planning to drive around other places in France and don’t want to take the train, then having a car can be a more cost effective and easier option.

But if you are just getting between London and Paris, the Eurostar is often the most simple and easiest option. I would recommend this option if you don’t need a car on your trip.

For the question about the kids in the tunnel, for both options, you are only actually in the tunnel for a total of about 30 minutes or less. Most of the Eurostar train journey is not in the Chunnel but just making its way on land between London and Paris.

Anyway, hope that helps and just let me know if you have further questions as you plan your trip!

July 2, 2022 at 3:55 am

Hi,Yes, we do have plans to go around the Paris and Normandy. How big is Normandy and how many days it will take us to cover?

July 2, 2022 at 8:11 am

If you decide to go by car to get from London to Paris, the car will be useful to explore Normandy. But for Paris, unless you have free parking there, we’d recommend considering leaving it at a car park or Park & Ride just outside Paris and take a shuttle or train into the city. You can see some options here .

Normandy is a fairly big region and you could spend a lot of time exploring Normandy. So it just depends on what you are interested in doing and seeing there and how much time you have there. There are lots of historical sites, the World War II sites (particularly D-day landing beaches), seaside towns, religious pilgrimage sites (Mont St. Michel), museums, etc. Two of the largest cities in Normandy are Le Harve and Rouen, both are worth exploring if you are interested in history and city sightseeing. The Norman region is also known for its gastronomy and particularly cider and apple brandy. I would recommend at least 3 days but you could easily spend a week or so here.

If you are limited in time, here is a suggested 2 day Normandy itinerary if you just have 2-3 days in the region. This itinerary focuses on Mont Saint Michel and the D-Day landing beaches and WW2 history which are two of the more popular things to do in the region for visitors. But again, it really depends on you and your family’s interests. With small children, you’ll want to consider what might be of most interest to them (e.g., seaside family-friendly beaches, outdoor attractions, and theme parks might be of more interest) and how much time you want to sightsee each day.

Normandy is pretty easy to get around by car. You can also take trains to the cities and many of the larger towns. You can also join a tour from Paris, as there are a lot of day tours from Paris to Normandy. You can see some tour options here .

July 2, 2022 at 9:50 am

Wow that’s amazing thank you for giving me a direction on what I should do and for the look out. Thank for your patience.

July 3, 2022 at 3:53 am

Hi Mridula, You’re very welcome and wishing you and your family a great trip to Paris and Normandy. If you have any further questions as you make plans for your trip, just let me know. Best, Jessica

July 5, 2022 at 4:52 am

Hi Jessica,

Thanks for helping me to make my decision. I have decided to go via my own vechile and booked through Euro tunnel as well. Just wanted to check with you can suggest some good family stay at Normandy or near by. I have looked into couple of them but not clear in their websites. Could you please help me?

July 5, 2022 at 10:14 am

You’re very welcome, glad you have got it booked.

Where in Normandy would you like to stay? Normandy is a region not a city, so it really depends on what you plan to do there. But if you give me where you want to stay in the region (e.g., near Caen, walking distance to a beach, or near Mont St. Michel), what type of place you like to stay (e.g., hotel, resort, apartment) and your budget, I am happy to send along a couple of suggestions.

Sundar Post author

August 31, 2021 at 6:15 am

Hello Jessica, It is a nice article to read, in fact you have explained very clearly all the options to get to Paris from London. Just curious if National Express bus service still available from London to Paris. I travelled from London to Paris long back using National Express bus. And P&O ferry actually accommodated all vehicles including our bus along with us. Is this still operating in the same route? Thanks

September 1, 2021 at 11:42 am

You can certainly still take a bus or coach from London to Paris (see the options listed in post). However, I don’t think there is a regular National Express bus service any longer. I just searched and could not find one currently available. I should also mention that National Express is not currently operating all its routes due to COVID-19 and staff shortages that it used to run.

Buses can still go across on some of the ferries; however, generally the fastest buses will cross the English Channel using the EuroTunnel shuttle.

September 2, 2021 at 11:03 pm

Thanks for the reply

Giorgia Post author

July 3, 2020 at 6:52 am

Hi! In this difficult time for everyone due to the coronavirus lockdown, I was pleased to read a nice article about travelling, very useful information…thank you Jessica and Lawrence!! I hope to go to Paris very soon.. Thank you!

July 3, 2020 at 9:10 am

Hi Giorgia,

Yes, it is definitely a difficult period for everyone, especially those in the travel industry.

France, including Paris, is currently open to travelers from certain countries so I would check the latest government guidelines and announcements. If you are traveling from London, I believe that UK travelers will be allowed to visit France (including via Eurotunnel) starting July 10, subject to checks.

You’re very welcome and wishing you a safe trip to Paris.

Marius D Post author

May 19, 2020 at 9:52 am

very useful information…thank you Jessica and Lawrence!!

May 19, 2020 at 10:10 am

You’re very welcome Marius 😉 Wishing you safe travels if planning a trip between London and Paris!

May 19, 2020 at 10:12 am

Jessica, I love to travel, but I have to find a new job…I am not a rich man and I cannot afford expensive destinations…although I did do my share of travelling….:)

Prashanth Post author

March 22, 2020 at 1:11 am

We always enjoy your articles its inspired a lot by reading your articles day by day. So please accept my thanks for your latest ones.

March 22, 2020 at 8:11 am

Hi Prashanth, Glad you enjoy reading our articles. If you are planning to travel between London and Paris, just let us know if you have any questions! Best, Jessica

February 29, 2020 at 9:18 am

Now with the coronavirus I guess its safer just to stay at home and not travel so much.

February 29, 2020 at 10:32 am

I definitely think certain places are to be avoided. I think it is a fine line between try to avoid putting yourself at risk and not overreacting too much to the news headlines. But I definitely think people should think carefully about their travel, use precautions, and do what they feel is best.

But the coronavirus is definitely hurting tourism, not only in the places with documented infections, but everywhere. We’ve heard from companies that are down 50% to 80% in their bookings so it is going to be a hard time for any business related to travel.

Lori Davies Post author

February 28, 2020 at 1:37 pm

HI Jessica – Your post is very timely as we are planning a trip to Europe from NYC right now and trying to get our travel booked in advance for a June trip. We are on a fairly tight budget and definitely don’t plan to hire a car. We are going from London to Paris to Rome on our trip and staying for 3-4 days in each city. There are 2 of us, would taking the bus be our cheapest option? What are the quality of the buses?

Thanks, Lori

February 28, 2020 at 4:32 pm

Yes, if you are on a tighter budget, the bus is almost always the cheapest option in terms of your options on how to get from London to Paris. You can often get the bus tickets for £10 to £20 if you book in advance. But I would definitely also check Eurostar train tickets from London to Paris as well as sometimes the bus and train tickets are pretty similar and you can save a lot of time by taking the train.

It is hard to say anything about the specific bus you may get and it will depend on the company, but they are going to be good quality coaches designed for longer trips. I know the Flixbus coaches all have Wifi, power sockets, snacks available for purchase, baggage storage, and toilets on board.

Hope that helps and wishing you safe travels! Jessica

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Eurostar travel tips – London Paris by train [Everything you need to know]

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: March 26, 2024

A question asked by many travellers is how to travel from London to Paris by train. This article explores the various options available for travellers wishing to visit Paris from London with detailed information and Eurostar travel tips for those who wish to make the journey by train.

There are various options to complete the journey from London to Paris, including air travel, coach tours, driving or sea ferry across the English Channel (which for many years was the traditional way to cross the channel) Since the Chunnel  opened for passenger trains in November 1994 the Eurostar train service has been a preferred travel option for millions of people every year. 

If you are visiting the UK and would like to know about train travel in general you may like to read my guide to traveling the UK by train.

UK Travel Planning Podcast Episodes – London to Paris

London – departure → paris – arrival, duration of the journey, direct services from london st. pancras to the following stations, how much does a ticket on the eurostar cost, standard class eurostar ticket holders, standard premier eurostar ticket holders, business premier eurostar ticket holders, what luggage can i take on the eurostar, where is the best place to stay if i am catching an early eurostar train service, what is the procedure when i arrive at st pancras to catch my eurostar train, st pancras international station – features, paris gare du nord – features, related posts for travellers to paris, london travel guide & itinerary planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks), eurostar from london to paris – essential  information and eurostar travel tips.

The service runs from London St Pancras International Train station (situated in North London) to Paris Gare Du Nord.

• The Eurostar train travels underneath the English Channel through the Channel Tunnel, sometimes referred to as the ‘Chunnel’.
• There are three actual tunnels, two used for passenger trains and freight trains while the third tunnel is a service tunnel.
• The Chunnel is 31 miles long (50.45km), 23.5 miles actually under the English Channel.
• Time in the tunnel is around 20 mins.
• There are up to 19 trains daily from London to Paris.
• The first train leaves Monday to Friday at 05.40 hrs.
• The first train on Saturday leaves at 06.18 hrs and on Sunday at 08:19hrs

TIP: Please note there are timetable changes throughout the year around seasonal service demands.

• The fastest journey takes 2 hours 16 minutes.
• Average journey time is 2 hours 20 minutes.
• Paris Gare Du Nord
• Paris Disneyland
• Lille (France)
• South of France
• Calais – France
• Brussels – Belgium
• Amsterdam – Netherlands 
• Rotterdam – Netherlands

Connected Service* – Change trains in Paris, Lille or Brussels for service destinations for trains to

• Netherlands

* Eurostar is now merged with THALYS with rail links to 17 cities across Europe

The cost of Eurostar train tickets are variable throughout the year and the day/time of travel. At the time of research (Feb 2023) there are considerable fluctuations in the cost for Standard and Standard Premier seats. Business Premier seats had minimum cost variations.

The cheapest prices found were travelling 7 weeks in advance. (On the official site it states advance booking can be available up to 330 days in advance of travel)

An approximate ticket cost is:

• Eurostar Standard Class – From £39 one-way (first train midweek)
• Eurostar Standard Premier – From £84 one-way (first train midweek)
• Business Premier – All journeys were £275 one-way

Tip: I noticed when checking for the cheapest prices as above that 24 hours later the prices had increased substantially. If you see a price you are happy with – don’t delay!

Information for your journey depending on your class of ticket

• Arrive as early as possible – the times given are a guide only.
• Download your train tickets for the most up-to-date recommended arrival time for your booking.

For departures from London St Pancras International to the Gare du Nord recommendation at present (Feb 2023) is to arrive at the station around 90 mins before the train’s scheduled departure. (60/75 mins for passengers who require special assist)

Standard and Standard Premier gates close 30 mins before departure at St Pancras International.

• Drinks and snacks are available from the Café Metropole on the train (or alternatively purchase snacks in the departure lounge cafes and shops before you board)
• Services consist of old and new trains.
• Free WiFi and power sockets are available.
• Baby changing facilities are available on all services though not in all coaches.
• Unlimited ticket exchanges up to 7 days prior to departure (you pay the fare difference – see t&c’s)
• Eurostar Carte Blanche, Classique and Avantage members check for membership variations.

Arrive at the station around 90 mins before the train’s scheduled departure. Ticket gates close 30 mins before departure.

• Extra space at the seats.
• Power sockets at all seats.
• Seat service of a light meal and drinks. Menu is appropriate to the day/time of travel.

Premier ticket holders should arrive at the station 45 to 60 minutes before the scheduled train departure time. The gate closes 15 minutes prior to departure.

• No exchange fees and free cancellations (see ticket t’s & c’s)
• Treats/drinks
• Magazines/newspapers.
• Dedicated fast track ticket gates
• Seat service, on board, 3-course meal. The menu is appropriate to the day/time of travel.
• Extra space at seats.

Luggage Size

All adults travelling can take two pieces of luggage (3 in Business Premier) that are:

• Up to 85cm long.
• And one small piece of hand luggage.
• No weight limit but you must be able to carry and lift your own bag safely.
• No fluid restrictions.

Children travelling on a child ticket can take 1 piece of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage.

If you are catching an early train (or arriving back in London on a late train from Paris) the best option (if you are not already in London) is to stay as close as possible to St Pancras Station. (Read my guide to using public transport in London if you are unsure about how to get to St Pancras)

We found ourselves in this situation a few years ago when we decided to pop over to Paris for my birthday and had booked the early train.

After looking at many hotels we settled on the Hotel Megaro , which is across the road from the station. We had a lovely stay (and have subsequently stayed there again) and I was particularly impressed with the staff (and the bubbly and cake they surprised me with once they knew it was my birthday!)

On subsequent visits we have stayed at the Pullman , located next to the British Library and a 4 minute walk from St Pancras International.

For other options in the area, look at our London neighbourhood guide and recommended accommodation options for all budgets.

• On arriving at the ticket gate all passengers need to:
• Scan the ticket bar code at the ticket gate bar code reader. Some paper tickets do not have a bar code, so you have to check in at one of the service desks.
• Through to security, bag checks. As you would find at an airport. Speed of this can depend on the time of the day or how early/late you are arriving at security before your train departs.
• Passport control – Speed as above.
• Though to the departure lounge, and relax before your train leaves.
• Tax-free shops available.
• Cash machines are available for Pound and Euro currency.
• Check departure boards for your train. This will show the following information
• Train ID (usually 4 digits) and departure time, should match your train ticket.
• Train boarding time and train departure platform.
• Don’t rush to board as soon as the train boarding opens, there is plenty of time.
• Board the train and find your seat. There are usually coach attendants around near the train doors who will direct you to the correct seat in your coach.
• Disabled access can be arranged – contact Eurostar staff or arrange in advance.

TIP: There is always a Eurostar staff member or two at the gates ready to help passengers with any problems. Do not be afraid to ask.

• Coaches are clearly marked to check you have the correct one, seat ranges are also clear at the door into the coach. Check your seat number and board the coach from the right end. This reduces the need to carry your luggage down the entire coach.
• Free magazines and daily newspapers are available for your use as you get on the train.
• Only sit in your designated seat prior to departure. The train may have further stopping points where more passengers will board.

• Train station is located on Pancras Road, London NW1.
• Easy links to the UK rail network at different part of the same station and adjacent Kings Cross train station with ticket offices and ticket machines, also tourist information services.
• London Underground ‘tube’ has underground station at St Pancras, easy access to Eurostar services.
• Excellent selection of coffee shops/bars and restaurants to be found at St Pancras train station, also small express supermarket shops like Marks and Spencer.
• British souvenir and beauty shops to be found in the station concourse.
• Left luggage and lost property services available.

TIP: Do not rush into through the ticket barriers into the station, if time allows, take your time to look around and enjoy the station architecture, statues and the shops.

• Quick exit off the train after arriving at the station.
• No further passport checks, exit straight off the train into the main station concourse.
• Paris Gare Du Nord station is the centre of Paris, instead of air travel where airports are around 1 hour or more outside the city.
• Easy access to bus and RER services and Paris Metro underground system.
• Ticket offices and machines for travel information and ticket purchases for Metro, RER and bus services.

GOOD TO KNOW: You can purchase a book of Paris Metro (RER and bus) tickets on board the Eurostar from the Café Metropole in books of 10 (called a carnet) prior to the Paris.  This makes life a lot easier in Paris if you are pushed for time or if you are unsure of how to buy tickets) Note that this will end in 2025!

Enjoy your trip from London to Paris!

I hope that this guide to taking the Eurostar from London to Paris answers any questions you may have about the journey.

It is a great way to travel between the 2 capitals and an easy trip to make (even if you only want to go for the day!)

If you love the idea of a day trip from London by train but don’t want to travel to France read about 12 places only a few hours by rail from London .

If you are interested in a longer train journey around the UK our 14 day itinerary for the best of Britain by rail included 3 countries and 7 of the top destinations.

If you prefer to make the trip as part of an organised tour I would recommend checking out some of the great options on Get Your Guide . You can find more information about their day trips to Paris from London via Eurostar by clicking this link.

For Eurostar bookings and ticket prices click the button below ↓

CLICK HERE FOR PRICES AND AVAILABILITY FOR LONDON TO PARIS EUROSTAR TICKETS

• TOP TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS TO PARIS

All of my top tips to making the most of your visit to Paris

• 10 THINGS NOT TO DO IN PARIS  

Learn from my mistakes and avoid doing any of these things when in Paris!

• FRENCH FOOD AND DRINK TO TRY WHEN YOU ARE IN PARIS 

This post includes a map of where you can find some of the best food in the French capital.

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Is a 1st time tourist staying on Île Saint-Louis"a bad idea - Paris Forum

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Is a 1st time tourist staying on Île Saint-Louis"a bad idea

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18 replies to this topic

The Ile St. Louis is a perfectly fine place to stay.

Enjoy Paris . You'll wish you had longer :)

The location is great-you are literally on the river so will be close to various neighborhoods and attractions. The Metro is a bit far but for two days/one night you should be able to enjoy strolling the neighborhood and crossing bridges to explore others, above ground. Check maps to confirm your options according to your interests. I stayed there solo in 2016, single female mid 50’s (at the time) and thought it was a great place to have as “home base”. Enjoy!

The area also has a lot of mansions (many have been turned into apartments) so as you walk around, peek into any open doors you see as there are some very lovely courtyards in those buildings.

You can also easily walk into the Marais from the island or into Saint-Germain, to experience neighborhoods that feel completely different.

For sightseeing, I wouldn't bother with a private driver guide. There's very little parking near any of the famous sights, so you'd only be looking at them from the outside. And for that, the hop-on/hop-off buses or Foxity will suffice at 1/10th of the price. If you want a guided walking tour of your island*, however, I recommend Florent. During lockdown, he was doing live video tours and did one of the island, talking about its history and the famous people who lived there. https://www.facebook.com/pariswith.flo/

*or any other area of Paris, come to that

(I'm jealous... I've always wanted to stay in that hotel!)

I already know that. But I appreciate her coming with me. Maybe after seeing the city I will be able to put-on my big girl pants and try it solo🤞🏻 Thank you for the information about transportation from the station.

TravellerPlus, Oh my, that looks divine! That will be a definite. Thank you

Hank W. I think what you said makes a lot of sense. Only problem I will be 68 soon and have had the blessing and the curse of being a Hospice nurse for 35 years. No way to know if you’ll pass this way again. So maybe a little taste is better than none. Thank you

Strathmerefan. Thank you for confirming the location. A single solo traveler, My hero.

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I've been to more than 30 countries, but I'll always think this European city is the best destination for children of any age

• Of all the countries I've been to, I think London is the best place for kids of any age.
• My husband and I took our son to the city when he was a baby, a preteen, and a teenager.
• The city has many museums, parks, and other activities to entertain kids of all ages.

As a travel writer, one of my greatest loves is experiencing a new country , region, or city with my son. But one place has always been our favorite: London.

The city, which is projected to be the top summer travel destination in 2024 , is popular among tourists due to its iconic sites, gardens, and history. But if you ask me, London is also the best spot to bring your kids, especially if they range in age.

I've been to over 30 countries, and out of all of them, London is the place we chose to bring our child when he was a baby, a preteen, and a teenager.

From the city's amazing architecture to its bustling museums , there are plenty of activities to catch any kid's attention. Here's why I'll always believe London is a terrific destination for children of any age.

Transportation in London is usually a breeze

In my experience, arriving in and getting around London is pretty easy. The Heathrow Express, an airport rail link operating from London Heathrow Airport, can transport passengers to Paddington Station in 15 minutes or less.

Once in the city, we take the Tube, a rapid underground transit system, to get to the big sights. Children under 11 travel for free when accompanied by an adult, and discounts are available for older kids.

When my son was 11, he loved the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus, a touristy but fun experience that takes passengers to major city sights like Big Ben and the Tower of London. Passengers can get off the open-top double-decker vehicle anytime, take a tour, grab a bite to eat, and then continue their journey when the next bus comes.

I recommend getting a 48-hour pass because you can get a great city overview on the first day and then dig deeper into certain spots on the second.

Finally, in an emergency like an infant meltdown or a toddler tantrum, Ubers are almost always accessible.

The city is full of parks for children to play in

London has incredible green space for such a large city. Many of the city's parks are free to the public and are wonderful spots for kids to picnic, sightsee, and burn off energy.

Regent's Park has gorgeous gardens, a playground, and a lake. At Hyde Park, families with two adults and up to four children can swim in the Serpentine Lido for only £15, or about $19.

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Greenwich Park is another one of our favorites because it offers beautiful views of the River Thames and an expansive lawn surrounding the Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian.

There's no need to worry about a language barrier

I'm a seasoned traveler, but language barriers can still throw me for a loop. I always try to learn a few simple phrases, but not understanding a language and juggling a kid can cause a lot of stress.

In London, there's no need to worry about a language barrier. Though over 300 languages are spoken in the city, most people know English.

There might be different words for various objects — like "nappy" or "diaper" — but I've easily communicated with the people around us in London.

London is full of kid-friendly eateries

Each time we've traveled to London, I've seen terrific restaurant options for palates of all ages. For example, Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen offers a deal so children 8 and under dine for free when ordering off the kids' menu.

Delicious international foods , such as Italian, Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian cuisine, are also available all over London. Fast-food chains like Simit Sarayi and Yo! Sushi are also located throughout the city.

We loved taking our son to sample sweets at Harrods' Food Halls and enjoy sandwiches and scones at St. Martin-in-the-Fields' Café in the Crypt in Trafalgar Square.

There are tons of entertaining museums that offer free admission

London offers nearly 200 museums for patrons to soak up the city's culture and history. They're the perfect places to seek shelter from rain or serve as quiet, interesting respites for a napping baby.

On our first family trip, we strolled our then 8-month-old son through several wings of The British Museum as he peacefully slept. When he was 11, we hit The British Library to marvel at the Magna Carta and checked out the artwork at the National Portrait Gallery.

On our most recent excursion, we watched as our 16-year-old perused the masterpieces at Tate Modern. Most of these museums offer free admission, great kids' activities, hands-on exhibitions, and terrific gift shops.

London is close to tons of easy day-trip options

If you're a traveler who needs a change of pace or scenery every few days, London is a gateway to several day-trip destinations. Places like Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Birmingham, and Brighton are only a bus ride away.

Visiting cities like Paris , Brussels, and even Amsterdam in a single day is doable thanks to the Eurostar train, which runs through several Western European countries.

The bottom line: London's fun, full of great transportation options, and offers endless activities to entertain the entire family. It's truly a winner for kids of all ages.

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My four-day rail and ferry adventure from the UK to Albania

From London to Tirana, via Chambéry’s medieval streets, bustling Bari and Albania’s dynamic capital, this trip across Europe has treats at every turn

M y overriding memories of crossing countries by train, on a trip from London to Albania, are of half-empty carriages and countryside sweeping past windows bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset. I remember cypress trees, red-roofed villages with square churches, farmland in neat strips and row upon row of vineyards.

On my London-Paris-Chambéry-Turin-Bari-Tirana journey over land and sea, there was, for long stretches, little to do. The wifi was patchy. It took a while to adapt to having so much time to simply watch the world go by, travelling through landscapes without having to navigate them.

The biggest stress happened long before I set off, when a landslide not far from the French border with Italy blocked the rail line between Chambéry and Turin, forcing a closure that continues today. Byway, the no-fly operator I had booked with, offered to reroute me through Nice and on to Turin via the Vermenagna valley (with changes in Tende and Cuneo), or book me on the FlixBus service over part of the Mont Blanc massif. I was keen to see Chambéry and the Alps, so I chose the bus.

People seemed surprised when I told them I was travelling overland to Albania. As I gushed about the romance of slow travel by train and sleeper ferry, and my excitement about Tirana, I got comments about being “brave”. I didn’t feel especially brave: all the planning, tickets and hotel bookings were done for me, and friendly help was a WhatsApp call away if needed.

I just had to download the Rail Planner app for my Interrail pass and make sure I was at the right station at the right time (Turin was the biggest challenge: it has four main railway stations and taxis scream between them bearing anxious-looking passengers).

The entire journey took four days. If I did it all again, I’d stay longer in Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot – and remember to buy my Paris Métro ticket from the cafe on the Eurostar.

Day one: London to Chamb éry

First to Paris’s Gare du Nord, then the metro to Gare de Lyon, where I make a beeline for a cafe opposite the station. Noise pervades the pavement tables of Café Terminus, but the cacophony is delightful – an atmospheric place for a citron pressé .

I’m in plenty of time for the train to Chambéry and, excitingly, am on the upper deck. Soon, we break free from the suburbs to trace huge stands of forest. Beyond Lyon begins a ripple of hills, lazy rivers and thickly forested slopes. As evening approaches, it’s all Alpine scenery. I arrive at an almost-empty station and walk to the boutique Hotel des Princes in Chambéry’s old town.

Chambéry has an Italian feel – it was the seat of the House of Savoy before the dynasty moved on to Turin – and its medieval alleys, cathedral and pastel-coloured townhouses are quietly impressive. The 1838 Fontaine des Éléphants sits in the middle of the closest square to the old town, and peeking from the end of every street are the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges. My stay is peaceful and easy.

Day two: Chamb éry to Turin

From Chambéry, the train to Turin would take about 2½ hours, but the bus takes double this. I’m on the top deck again, which is worth it for the sight of misty fingers of early morning light breaking across the mountain ridge. Snoozing backpackers rouse themselves to snap pictures of remote Mont Blanc peaks, before slumbering once more through the tunnel to Italy. In Turin there’s perfume in the air from the blossom-covered trees.

Turin’s grid of long, straight boulevards is testament to its development by the Romans – the redbrick Palatine Gate is another Roman relic – and its grand piazzas, royal palaces and graffitied colonnades date from the city’s Savoy heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the number one attraction is the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum).

My favourite moments? Ricotta and fig ice-cream on Piazza San Carlo, an aperitivo on off-the-beaten-path Via Sant’Agostino and the towering neoclassical Mole Antonelliana (national museum of cinema). I eat Turin’s famous doughy pizza al padellino (pan pizza) and spend a comfortable night in the eaves of Hotel Urbani in 19th-century residential streets close to the grand Porta Nuova train station.

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Day three: Turin to Bari

The views from my next train are of cinematic Tuscan scenes. Scorched fields, vines and Italian cypress trees. Neat red roofs and shabby-chic farmhouses. Fluffy clouds cling to hills that Google Maps tells me are the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. After hours of soothing golden landscapes, the opal-blue Adriatic wallops into view just north of Ancona. Beach bars whip by and cypress trees are replaced with palm trees: I’ve arrived in the south of Italy.

Bari is hands down my favourite stop. The noise, heat and energy as we step off the train in the early evening are joyous. After Chambéry and Turin, Bari feels brash, a little rough around the edges even; a proper port city. The labyrinthine alleyways of the whitewashed old town are almost cliched in their cuteness. Despite the troupes of tightly packed headphone-wearing Americans following guided tours, it somehow manages to retain a tranquil atmosphere.

Old ladies yawn from the shade as tourists surreptitiously snap pictures and laundry flutters from balconies. I could stay for ever, but after 24 hours (which includes a lot of pasta, a stroll along the posh promenade to the not-so-posh city beach and a night in an elegant aparthotel, Residence Zodiacus , halfway between the station and the old town), it’s time to board the night ferry to Albania.

Day (and night) four: Bari to Tirana

I arrive at the ferry on foot and am escorted through the car deck to jokes about going in the wrong direction (to Albania, instead of from it). In the early morning I spot a pink sky through the cracked window of my comfy en suite cabin, and head to the top deck to see the sun rise over the distant outline of Albania. Disembarking in the port of Durrës is a bit of a scrum and there’s a bus to the capital waiting, but I opt instead for a five-minute taxi ride to the centre of town and breakfast of pastries and espresso on a dazzling white road lined with boutiques and palm trees. I later regret this though, as the aircon on the grubby public bus I eventually take to Tirana is more tired than I am, and drops me in an urban sprawl miles from the centre.

Tirana itself is a revelation. My hotel, Padam Boutique , is a grand villa with handsome rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s striking new skyward architecture on every nearby street. A short stroll away is the landmark Pyramid of Tirana , which stands as a symbol and monument to change (and is fun to climb at sunset). Skanderbeg Square – a jumble of buildings erected on a roundabout at the time of the celebrations to mark the fall of communism in 1992 – is now a pedestrianised, glossy public space. There are nods to Albania’s recent, wretched history behind the iron curtain, of course – the Bunk’Art and Bunk’Art 2 museums, in nuclear bunkers are unmissable – but Tirana and the country are more than just the last century. My journey is done, but it feels like Tirana is just getting into its stride.

The trip was provided by Byway , which offers sustainable travel and accommodation packages across the UK and Europe. Its Alps to Albania trip costs from £679pp

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