london to paris chunnel travel time

France Travel Blog

Taking The Channel Tunnel Between London and Paris

You probably know that there are several ways to get from England to France; specifically to get from London to Paris (or vice versa). But there’s no getting around the novelty factor of taking the Channel Tunnel, affectionately known to many as the “Chunnel,” to make the trip. Why take a boring old hydrofoil or airplane when you can zip through a tunnel running  underneath a massive body of water  instead?

If taking the Chunnel from London to Paris seems like your kind of thing, then here are the various transportation methods that use the Channel Tunnel.

Taking the Eurostar Through the Chunnel

When it comes to speed and convenience, you can’t do much better to get from London to Paris than to take the Eurostar train. The Eurostar zips through the English and French countryside on either end of the Channel Tunnel at a whopping 300 kph (186 mph). Although when it’s going through the tunnel itself, the train is restricted to 160 kph (100 mph). Still, nothing to sneeze at. The Eurostar will have you from London’s St. Pancras station to Paris’ Gare du Nord in a blistering 2.5 hours.

Of course, this speed and convenience come at a price. A round-trip ticket can cost as much as £160 (€180+) if you’re trying to book at the last minute. Booking in advance will save you a bundle, as there are usually specials running for round-trip tickets (otherwise known as “return tickets”) in the £45-60 range (€50-70). One-way tickets are often significantly more expensive than you’d think they would be for a train trip. However, the Eurostar treats one-way trips the same way airlines do and prices them accordingly. They are offering more one-way ticket specials these days (sometimes as low as £50/€60), most often for people who book well in advance, so it’s worth checking.

Taking the Bus Through the Chunnel

For some budget travelers, the Eurostar train fares are a little high; especially if you’re traveling without a set schedule and can’t plan far enough in advance to take advantage of cheap Eurostar specials. Among the cheaper alternatives to the Eurostar that still include a trip through the Channel Tunnel, taking the bus is the most budget-friendly option. What you gain in savings by taking the bus, however, you lose in speed.

There is one option for a bus you can take through the Chunnel to get from London to Paris (or vice versa), and it’s a big coach company with a network of lines crisscrossing pretty much all of Europe – Eurolines. The trip will take roughly 9-10 hours one-way. It’s definitely a time investment that’s only going to be appealing if your finances are more limited than your schedule.

Eurolines operates seven coaches every single day from London to Paris. It leaves London’s Victoria Coach Station and ends at the Eurolines station in Paris near the Gallieni Metro stop. But only four of the departures from London travel to Paris via the Channel Tunnel; the rest load buses onto ferries and travel on top of the water. To go by Chunnel, you’ve got to leave London at either 08:00, 10:00, 14:00, or 22:30. This can change, so be sure to check which trips go through the Channel Tunnel before you book. One-way Eurolines fares generally range from £14-25 (€16-30) in the “Funfare” category (the cheapest tickets). Round-trip tickets are just two one-way purchases (so no discounts on a return trip).

Driving Through the Chunnel

If your trip includes lots of off-beat destinations and back roads in both England and France, that probably means you’ve picked up a rental car somewhere along the way. Generally speaking, driving a car into Paris is best avoided if you can. However, an itinerary that’s heavy on rural France and not so much on cities makes a car a good option. And you can take your car from one country to the other via the Channel Tunnel.

When I picture driving through a tunnel, I picture powering my own vehicle down a long stretch of paved road through a dark tunnel, always watching for that pinprick of light signaling the exit on the other end. That’s not what happens when you drive through the Channel Tunnel. Instead, you drive your car into what’s called the “Eurotunnel Shuttle,” – which is a train. Cars take up about half the train, parked end to end. Also, you can either stay in your car during the trip or get out and walk through the train. But don’t stray far – the trip only lasts 35 minutes.

There are 10 Eurotunnel Shuttles per day to get your car from one side of the Chunnel to the other. They run every two hours starting at 06:00 (there’s a break from the midnight train until the next 06:00 train). The cost of taking your car through the Channel Tunnel can be as low as £53 (€62) for a one-way trip. Also, there are often special discounts on short trips (round-trip tickets when you return 2-5 days later, for instance).

What’s it like traveling through the Chunnel?

As mentioned above, you can’t drive your car through the Channel Tunnel as if it were any other long tunnel. So, you might be wondering what the experience of riding the Eurotunnel Shuttle or the Eurostar train through the Chunnel is like. If you’re dreaming of train cars with big windows that let you look out on water surrounding you on all sides, you’re going to be seriously disappointed.

The trains that speed through the Chunnel are well-lit inside; however, you won’t see anything but blackness outside until you’ve come out from under the water. Of course, since the trip itself is only about a half-hour, it’s not like you’d have the time to really relax and watch fish overhead or something.

Peter is the editor of France Travel Blog. He has traveled to France many times and is ready to share the knowledge in this travel guide for France.

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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!

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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

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

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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.

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Your Complete Guide to Traveling from London to Paris on the Chunnel

Table of Contents

Planning a trip from London to Paris on the Chunnel ? The adventure of a lifetime awaits! This underwater journey via the Eurotunnel connects two of Europe’s most illustrious cities, offering a unique travel experience steeped in culture, history, and scenic beauty.

Experience the thrill and beauty of the journey from London to Paris on the Chunnel, your premier link between two historic capitals. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about this unique travel experience.

A Dive into the Chunnel Experience

What’s in a name: the chunnel.

The word ‘Chunnel’ is a portmanteau of the words ‘Channel’ and ‘Tunnel’. It’s essentially the Channel Tunnel, a 50.45-kilometre undersea rail tunnel linking Folkestone in Kent, UK with Coquelles near Calais in northern France. Interesting, right?

The Journey Begins: From London to the Chunnel

Embarking on a journey from London to Paris on the Chunnel begins with a short trip to either St Pancras International or Ashford International station. From there, high-speed Eurostar trains will whisk you away to your Parisian adventure.

The Engineering Marvel: The Chunnel Construction

Building the Chunnel was no small feat. It’s not every day engineers dig a tunnel beneath the sea! The project took over six years to complete, from 1988 to 1994, at a cost of around £4.65 billion.

Speeding Through the Depths: On Board the Chunnel

A glimpse inside: the eurostar trains.

Eurostar trains are the primary operators for passenger services through the Chunnel. These trains boast plush seats, onboard catering, and even Wi-Fi for your journey from London to Paris.

Journey Duration: London to Paris on the Chunnel

The average travel time from London to Paris on the Chunnel is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, but of course, this can vary slightly depending on the specific train and the time of day.

Disembarking in Paris: The Arrival Experience

Stepping into paris: gare du nord.

After your underwater voyage, you’ll arrive at Paris’s Gare du Nord, one of the busiest railway stations in Europe. From there, the city of love and lights is at your fingertips!

Exploring Paris: Post-Chunnel Adventure

Once in Paris, the opportunities for exploration are virtually endless. From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, there’s no shortage of sights to see and experiences to embrace.

How often do trains run from London to Paris on the Chunnel?

Trains run up to 15 times per day, giving travellers plenty of flexibility for their journey.

Is there a night train on the Chunnel from London to Paris?

No, there isn’t. The last train typically departs around 8:00 PM, and the service resumes early in the morning.

Are pets allowed on the Chunnel?

Yes, pets are allowed on the Chunnel, but there are certain conditions that need to be met, including vaccination requirements and booking a pet-friendly cabin.

What amenities are available on board the Eurostar trains?

Amenities include comfortable seating, a bar-buffet car, Wi-Fi, and power sockets at each seat.

Is it possible to drive through the Chunnel?

No, it isn’t. However, the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle service allows you to take your car on a train that travels through the Chunnel.

What’s the baggage allowance for Chunnel passengers?

Passengers are generally allowed two large items of luggage plus one piece of hand luggage.

Can you eat on the Chunnel train?

Absolutely! There’s a buffet car available on the train where you can buy snacks, meals, and drinks during your journey from London to Paris on the Chunnel. What happens if I miss my Chunnel train?

What class options are available on the Eurostar train?

The Eurostar offers three classes: Standard, Standard Premier, and Business Premier. The level of comfort and service increases with each class, with Business Premier offering gourmet meals and access to exclusive lounges.

Are the Eurostar trains accessible for passengers with disabilities?

Yes, they are. Eurostar trains are designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities, and assistance is available at the stations if needed.

What happens if I miss my Chunnel train?

If you miss your train, it’s usually possible to exchange your ticket for a later one, but this often involves an exchange fee.

Do I need to check in before my journey from London to Paris on the Chunnel?

Yes, passengers are required to check in at least 30 minutes before departure for standard and standard premier tickets, and 10 minutes before for business premier tickets.

Can I bring my bicycle on the Chunnel?

Yes, you can, but there are specific rules and costs associated with transporting bicycles. It’s recommended to check these details with Eurostar ahead of your travel date.

How much does a ticket for the journey from London to Paris on the Chunnel cost?

Ticket prices for the journey from London to Paris on the Chunnel can vary greatly based on a few factors, including the time of year, how far in advance you book, and the class of service you choose. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from £50 to £300 one way. Always check the Eurostar website or a reputable ticket booking site for the most current fares and deals.

The journey from London to Paris on the Chunnel offers an experience like no other, blending remarkable engineering, comfort, and speed. It’s more than just a mode of transport—it’s a unique adventure that links two vibrant cities rich in history and culture.

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I traveled on the famed Eurostar between London and Paris and saw how European high-speed rail blows America's out of the water

• Eurostar connects London with mainland Europe with a fleet of high-speed trains that utilize the Channel Tunnel.
• Trains reach a top speed of 186 miles per hour and offer three classes of service. 
• The journey time between London and Paris is a mere two hours and 16 minutes.

As a train enthusiast, Eurostar has always been near the top of my list of rail services to take.

From its London terminus, travelers can be in European capitals such as Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam in just a matter of hours.

Making these journeys possible is the Channel Tunnel, affectionately known as the "Chunnel," that connects the UK with mainland Europe.

Without it, travelers looking to cross the English Channel would have to fly or take a boat.

During a recent trip to the UK, I finally took Eurostar between London to Paris. Here's what it was like.

I arrived at London's St. Pancras International Station at around 7 a.m. for the 8:01 a.m. train to Paris. France had just opened to the UK a few days prior and the excitement was palpable.

St. Pancras International is one of the many rail stations that serve London and is known primarily for Eurostar trains to mainland Europe.

On the upper level, a thick and clear glass wall separates the platforms from the rest of the station. For all intents and purposes, those platforms might as well have been in France considering the only way for passengers to access them would be by going through French passport control.

On the main level, it wasn't hard to find the Eurostar check-in area and I was surprised to see so few people lining up.

My tickets were emailed to me — with Apple Wallet functionality — but I still got paper copies from one of the many self-serve kiosks available.

With my ticket, passport, and vaccination card in hand, I made my way to departures. But there was one more thing I needed to do, fill out a sworn statement attesting to my ability to travel to France as a vaccinated traveler.

Once done, I could move on to the next phase: the security checkpoint. I was only halfway through the process and this was the first time I had to go through security to take a train.

Next came UK Border Police who would be checking my documents as I left the country.

Finally, the French Border Police inspected my documents at passport control. The question "are you vaccinated?" replaced "what is the purpose of your visit?" and with the stamp of a passport, I was on my way.

For all intents and purposes, I was in France. This part of France, however, was a packed waiting room in the middle of London.

Business class passengers receive access to a private lounge. But standard and standard premier passengers only have chairs, a duty-free store, and a few shops to entertain during the wait.

Boarding began around 20 minutes before departure. There was no reason to rush onto the train as all seats were pre-assigned; though, some still felt the need to be first.

My train to France was operated by a Siemens British Rail Class 374 high-speed train. It spans more than 1,000 feet in length.

A total of 16 cars comprised the train with business premier class, standard premier class, and standard class.

I walked what felt like a half-mile to get to my coach but that was strategic as the closer to the front of the train I was, the closer I'd be to the exit in Paris. For this leg, I was riding in standard premier class, the Eurostar version of premium economy.

A porter was waiting to check tickets at the door to my coach. I climbed onboard and was immediately impressed with the train.

A literal red carpet covered the floor into the coach complete with sliding glass automatic doors. I had never seen anything like this in the US.

Seats in the cabin were arranged in a 1-2 configuration compared to the 2-2 configuration in standard class and 1-1 configuration of business class.

I arrived at my seat, 65, and settled in for the quick journey to France.

I chose the table seat because I love the aesthetic of paired seats surrounding a table on a train.

Seats in this cabin came with power outlets, storage slots, and personal reading lights. They also recline for additional comfort.

The coach was moderately full with a surprising number of small children traveling with families.

We pulled out of the station at exactly 8:01 a.m. for the two-hour and 16-minute journey to Paris. Amtrak's Acela can't even go from New York to Washington, DC that quickly.

I knew this wasn't going to be the average train ride when I heard one of the conductors say "good morning, dear passengers" over the public announcement system.

Most of the first 15 minutes were spent in tunnels underneath London but I could feel the train's acceleration. The top speed on this run is 186 miles per hour.

Soon enough, we were blazing across the English countryside bound for Dover, where we'd enter the Chunnel.

Train managers were introduced by name over the PA. "It is our pleasure to assist you in any way we can," one said.

Free WiFi was available on the train and worked perfectly all the way to Paris, even in the tunnel.

Surprisingly, there wasn't much in terms of a view from where I was sitting. Amtrak might actually have the advantage here.

Read More: I took Amtrak for the first time since it started filling trains to capacity and it's still my favorite way to travel the Northeast

A meal was included in the price of my standard premier ticket, and attendants came around to serve breakfast just before we entered the Chunnel.

Breakfast consisted of a croissant, bread roll, yogurt, water, and a selection of coffee and tea.

Everything was tasty and there were no complaints from me on that front. It wasn't much of an offering but this train ride is only scheduled for two hours and 16 minutes.

The biggest disappointment, however, was the crud on the cutlery and cups. They clearly hadn't been washed properly and it turned me off from using them.

I couldn't believe the speed at which we were traveling. It wasn't even 25 minutes into the ride that we were halfway to Dover.

We approached the Chunnel and the views of the countryside quickly changed. Large fencing surrounded the tracks as we slowed down on our approach to the tunnel.

Then, with no warning, the view went black and we were heading to a depth of 75 meters. I don't know why but I expected the tunnel to be illuminated throughout.

The WiFi was still working wonderfully as I finished my movie as attendants offered refills of tea and coffee. There's not much in terms of entertainment options besides the WiFi but that's par for the course on trains.

I walked around the train and discovered the cafe car, known as the Cafe Metropole.

The selection was quite extensive and I thought the prices were reasonable.

We emerged from the Chunnel in Calais, France in under 30 minutes. And to be honest, I didn't feel the least bit nervous about the crossing.

The side of the Chunnel was similarly well-fortified.

Around an hour and 15 minutes remained until arriving in Paris. The views of the French countryside were markedly better than those of the English.

I knew we were getting close to Paris when I started seeing Air France planes taking off from Charles de Gaulle Airport.

We pulled into Paris' Gare du Nord exactly on time with a journey time of two hours and 16 minutes.

After alighting in Paris, we were free to walk right into the station as if we were getting off of a commuter train. Some passengers had their bags checked by customs but the majority walked right into Paris.

I personally couldn't believe how quick the journey was and that I was in Paris after only two hours of traveling. It felt like a different world from London.

The ride back was similarly smooth and enjoyable. The same customs and security checks were performed at Gare du Nord, except in reverse.

This time, however, I was seated in standard class. Seats in the cabin are arranged in a 2-2 configuration and I once again chose the table seat.

Eurostar's seat map does say where the windows are to avoid getting a windowless seat but I clearly misread the map. It was no issue, however, as I could still see out of the expansive window above the table.

Seats are also assigned for this cabin and non-table seats have their own tray tables. There's no meal service whatsoever so the only option is Cafe Metropole.

Back once more through the Chunnel, we arrived back in London at St. Pancras International on time. I was admittedly jealous we don't have these types of trains anywhere in the US.

America might very well be unstoppable if we had these trains connecting our largest cities as fast as they do in Europe.

Read More: I went aboard Amtrak's new long-distance trains aiming to transform America's languishing rail network, and now I want to take a cross-country train trip

There were no passport checks but passengers did have to walk through a customs channel. And just like that, I was back in London.

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SlowStrollTravel.com

More travel for less money

Guide to traveling from London to Paris via the Chunnel

By Diane Bishop

Eurostar trains connect southern England with northern France via the English Channel tunnel (affectionately known as the Chunnel). With top speeds of 186 mph, the train begins its descent into the sea from the shore of Darby, England. From there it plunges into the depths of the English Channel and emerges like one of Jules Verne’s metal-clad sea monsters onto the sands of Calais, France.

Our adventure begins around 9 a.m. at the St. Pancras International train station in London. We have one rolling suitcase and one backpack each, for a combined weight of 78 lbs. What we don’t have is my purse, which I realize as soon as our Uber drives away. I begin screaming, “My purse! My purse! I don’t have my purse!” When this doesn’t make it magically reappear on my neck we come up with a plan. I know it is back at our flat. We have arrived early for our train, but there is no way we can go back and pick up my purse and get back to the station before it takes off.

We head to the Eurostar ticket station and get in line. My mind races. What if we can’t book a ride for today? Our friend in Paris left the keys for her flat with a neighbor. What if we can’t get in touch her to let her neighbor know? Sacre bleu! What if we have to try to communicate directly with the neighbor who speaks only French?

I wonder if the sound of my heart thumping loudly in my chest is disturbing the people around me but, being British, they politely seem not to notice. Eurostar’s customer service rep is calm and reassuring. He can book us on the afternoon train. The change of tickets with upgrade to First Class (all that’s left) only comes to an additional 30 pounds per ticket. We ask if there is a place we can store our luggage while we make our run back and forth. He says there is, but adds in a low voice that it would be safer for us to hold on to our luggage.

Slow Stroll Travel Tip #1:

Don’t store your luggage at St. Pancras International.

Slow Stroll Travel Tip #2:

Don’t book your transportation at a time that requires you to travel during rush hour. Alternatively, take a form of transportation such as Uber that has a preset price based on distance, not time. Our Uber cost to the station cost 10 pounds less than in the cab.

We retrieve my purse, which was hiding in plain site on the kitchen table, and slog through traffic back to the station. We thank the cabbie, grab our 187 lbs. of luggage and head into the station.

We get a bite at a grab-and-go sandwich bar while I make panicked calls and send frantic emails to our friend with the Paris apartment we will be house-sitting. When she calls back she is the voice of calm and reason and tells us she will let her neighbor know about our late arrival; it is not a problem. Taking a big breath, I feel my shoulders drop down from my earlobes. Finally, we can take a breath and look around.

St. Pancras International is a wonder of Victorian Gothic architecture. Upon its opening in 1868, the station boasted the largest enclosed space in the world and in important gateway into London. Its design of wrought iron ribs rising 100 ft. high has been copied across the world, including at Grand Central Station in New York. In 1874 it made history when the first Pullman with a restaurant and sleeping accommodations pulled out of the station. Until then, passengers had to bring their own food. In the 20th century it survived being bombed in World War I and World War II.

Today it is a small city unto itself with 150,000 visitors daily arriving by train, bus, and the Tube. The station has restaurants, 45 retail shops, artwork, an occasional concert (John Legend and Ed Sheehan have performed here) and a piano for anyone who wants to pound out a song. Those in a celebratory mood can unwind over oysters and a Grande Marque vintage at the world’s largest champagne bar. Weary travelers can check into the luxurious St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.

Harry Potter fans will recognize the Neo-Gothic façade on its exterior: Harry and Ron flew past St. Pancras in the Weasley’s Ford Anglia. The hotel is featured in numerous other films including “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “Batman Begins,” “Shirley Valentine” and “The Secret Garden.”

Slow Stroll Travel Tip #3:

St. Pancras has free WIFI and vegan options.

Next we haul our 229 lbs. of luggage to Eurostar security, which is similar to U.S. airport security with the exception that we don’t have to take off our shoes and there are no liquid limitations.

Slow Stroll Travel Tip #4:

You can carry more luggage on trains than planes. Eurostar allows two pieces of luggage plus a handbag or laptop. Plus, there are no weight restrictions on the luggage.

The Eurostar waiting area is spacious and much quieter. We grab a seat between a hair-cutting station (20 pounds for your choice of 25 different haircuts) and a long computer charging bar filled with travellers. Toward the back is a grab-and-go sandwich shop, an ATM, a bar, a duty-free shop (remember, we are headed to another country), and, perhaps most importantly, toilets.

We would think back on those glorious commodes wistfully when we learned that there was one bathroom on every other car on the train and, incredibly, every bathroom door was permanently stuck in the open position. Harv fiddled with one door for a while before making his way to the water closet two cars down, only to find a man fiddling with that door. Unable to close the door, the man shrugged, went in, and did his business.

Slow Stroll Travel Tip #5:

Don’t count on the train having usable bathrooms.

ALL ABOARD FOR ADVENTURE

Although I am not claustrophobic, the idea of riding a train underwater left me feeling a bit anxious. I made a point of not knowing how far under and for how long until I was safely in France. Once I had solid ground under me again I learned that the underwater portion of the journey lasts about 31 miles, with the train slowing down to 100 mph during that stretch for safety reasons. Once it re-emerges, the train speeds back up to 186 mph.

Two hours and 15 minutes after boarding the train, we arrive at the Gare du Nord train station in Paris. It is time to grab our 237 lbs. of luggage and say Bonjour to Paris.

The Gare du Nord is the busiest train station in Europe. Unlike St. Pancras International, this station is utilitarian. There are only a few restaurants, very little seating, and the surrounding neighborhood can be sketchy. It does have a Tourist Information Center with free city maps and comprehensive mass transit options.

Slow Stroll Travel Tip #6:

At Gare du Nord  grab your free city map, head straight to your next destination, and bid the train station au revoir!

You might also enjoy reading about our tour of a beautiful Paris neighborhood here , visit a classic film lovers’ Paris bookstore here , or find a step-by-step guide to making European travel insanely affordable here . And remember to subscribe to our newsletter via the sign-up box on this page for insider tips, pictures and recipes. Thank you for visiting! We are glad you are here! Happy travels!

Slow Stroll Travel is a better way to see the world. We show you how to travel more and spend less. Like our Facebook page  to find out where we are in the world.

Reader Interactions

October 4, 2018 at 4:50 pm

You make it all sound so fun and easy…..because the way you’re doing it, it is! Thanks for all the wonderful tips.

October 8, 2018 at 12:29 pm

Hi, Ann, It is fun and easy, with an occasional crazy minute thrown in. : )

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Getting from London to Paris: How to travel with comfort, convenience & confidence

With Paris just 214 miles from London —that’s only 40 miles further than Liverpool—it’s too close to miss out on if you’re already planning a trip to the capital city. It’s a perfect pairing; the liveliness and bustle of London town, followed by the romance and culture of Paris.

Here are some useful tips on getting from London to Paris, including the fastest and most convenient transport options, money-saving tips, and other hassle-free day trip ideas. We guarantee you’ll be traveling with comfort, convenience, and confidence.

Taking the Chunnel from London to Paris

The Channel Tunnel, or Chunnel for short, is the longest underwater tunnel in the world, with the deepest part sitting 246 feet below sea level. The 31.5-mile-long tunnel runs from South Ken t to Northern France and is one of the most popular routes to get to Paris from London.

Eurostar trains from London to Paris

The journey on the Eurostar train through the Chunnel takes slightly over 2 hours from London’s St. Pancras International Station to Gare du Nord station in Paris, with a train departing every hour or so between 5:40 a.m. to 8:01 p.m. every day.

Starting from €30-60 (USD 33-67) for the Standard tickets, you can enjoy comfortable seats with plenty of legroom, free WiFi, and charging sockets to set you up for a stress-free journey to Paris. Upgrade to the Standard Premier (€110- €140) or Business Premier tickets (€280- €300) to get hot meals and apértifs included, as well as extra perks like free cancelation and exclusive lounge access.

Tips for taking the Eurostar from London to Paris

• Tickets can be booked up to 180 days before your travel date so book in advance on the Eurostar website to snag the cheapest tickets. Last-minute tickets can be up to 10 times more expensive.
• Use a rail pass. Both the Eurail Global Pass and Interrail Global Pass are accepted.
• Get to St. Pancras International Station at least 45 mins earlier to allow time for passport checks.
• You can bring your own food on the Eurostar so don’t forget to pack the snacks.

Driving the Chunnel on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle

If you’re driving to Paris, you can also bring your own car (and pets!) through the Chunnel on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle —a railway shuttle that allows you to ferry your personal vehicles under the English Channel. Stay in your car throughout the short 35-minute train ride, or get out and stretch your legs in the air-conditioned cabins.

Flights from London to Paris

Flying is technically the fastest way to get from London to Paris, with a travel time of only 1 to 1.5 hours. However, factoring in security checks and travel time to the airport, the journey can come out to 3 hours.

If you fly budget, return tickets can be as low as €60-90 (USD 67-100), while full-service airlines cost a little bit more, starting at around €100 (USD 112).

Book at least a week in advance to avoid expensive tickets—that go up to two times more!—and compare flight timings and prices before you go.

Overnight buses from London to Paris

On a budget? Tough it out and travel by overnight bus from London to Paris. Priced between only €20-30 (USD 22-33), the 8 to 10-hour bus journey is perfect for catching some shut-eye while saving on a night at a hotel. Catch the bus from Victoria Coach Station between 8:00-11:30 p.m. and reach Gare de Bercy Seine in Paris between 6:30-8:30 a.m.

Most buses are air-conditioned with reclining seats, free WiFi access, and power sockets, so you can enjoy a good night’s rest. There are over 15 buses that run daily across multiple operators, so pick your own ride on sites BlaBlaCar or FlixBus .

What’s the best way to get from London to Paris?

Depending on your budget, travel plans, and priorities, traveling by train, plane or bus are all great options you can take. If you book early, the Eurostar train via the Chunnel is probably the best option, balancing time and comfort at a reasonably affordable price. If you’re lucky, you might also be able to snag cheap flight tickets, though traveling by plane is probably best reserved for those who are staying near the airport. But if you’re young and nimble and budget is your main priority, you can’t beat the cost savings with an overnight bus.

Day trips from London to Paris

If Paris is on your ‘must-hit’ list but your itinerary is packed, fret not, you can cover lots of ground with a day trip from London.

A luxurious day in Paris with lunch at the Eiffel Tower

Explore Paris in absolute comfort and enjoy lunch on top of the Eiffel Tower —it doesn’t get any better than that. This luxury London to Paris day tour includes a cruise of the Seine River and a panoramic coach tour of Paris’ main attractions, including the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées .

For just under €350 (USD 392) per adult, admission to most sights and return Eurostar tickets are included. Upgrade to a First Class round trip for €500 (USD 560) per adult and you won’t even have to worry about breakfast or dinner.

A self-guided day tour of Paris

This full-day tour covers all of the city’s most beloved landmarks, at your own pace. The tour includes Eurostar tickets, a Seine River cruise, and even shopping vouchers at Galeries Lafayette . A guide is always on standby should you have any quick questions or need tips.

From €220 (USD 246) per adult, you get the flexibility of having control over the parts of your trip that truly matter, with everything else taken care of for you.

A small group day tour with champagne lunch on the Seine

On this full-day group tour , you can wine, dine and dance across the Seine River, enjoying the gorgeous views of the Parisian waterfront as you dig into a three-course champagne lunch cruise. You’ll also visit and learn about the history of the city’s most iconic landmarks as your Expert Tour Guide brings you around the city. From €660 (USD 739) per adult includes roundtrip Standard Premier tickets on the Eurostar, plus admission to both the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum .

More like this:

• 12 hotels in Paris with the best Eiffel Tower views
• 9 best arrondissements to stay in Paris for any kind of traveler
• The 9 most fascinating bookstores in Paris

Savvy Travel Advice

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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The Channel Tunnel

What is the chunnel.

The Channel Tunnel (often called the 'Chunnel' for short) is an undersea tunnel linking southern England and northern France. It is operated by the company Getlink, who also run a railway shuttle (Le Shuttle) between Folkestone and Calais, carrying passengers in cars, vans and other vehicles.

Eurostar is a totally separate company and is Getlink’s biggest customer, running high-speed passenger services through the Channel Tunnel between London and a number of other European cities on the continent, including Paris, Brussels, Lille, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

The Chunnel actually comprises three tunnels: two rail tunnels, used for freight and passenger trains, and a service tunnel.

Everything you need to know about the Channel Tunnel

How long is the Channel Tunnel?

The Channel Tunnel is 31.5 miles long or 50.45 km. That's the equivalent of 169 Eiffel Towers stacked on top of each other.

23.5 miles (37.9 km) of the Channel Tunnel is under the English Channel, making it the world's longest undersea tunnel.

What year did the Channel Tunnel open?

The idea of a tunnel under the Channel was first proposed in 1802 but construction wasn't started until 1988. It was completed in 1993, and Eurostar services started in November 1994.

What does the Eurotunnel look like underwater?

This may be a disappointing answer, but you can't actually see the sea from the Eurostar. When you go through the tunnel and look out of the window, all you can see is your reflection in the glass because it's quite dark outside. You can catch glimpses of the walls of the tunnel, of course, which are made of reinforced concrete.

Where is the Channel Tunnel?

The Channel Tunnel runs between Calais in northern France and Folkestone in south Kent. Vehicle traffic for Le Shuttle gets on in Calais and gets off in Folkestone. Calais is about three hour's drive from Paris and Folkestone is about an hour and a half's drive from London.

Our passenger-only Eurostar trains leave from St Pancras International station in London and go directly to the centre of Paris, Brussels and other Eurostar destinations in Europe.

How deep is the Channel Tunnel?

At its deepest, the tunnel is 75 metres (246 feet) below the sea level. That's the same as 107 baguettes balancing on top of each other.

The English Channel is much deeper than the tunnel, with its deepest point measuring 175 meters (574 feet) below sea level.

How was the Channel Tunnel built?

The Channel Tunnel is made of three separate tunnels running parallel to each other. One train tunnel running south (UK to France), one train tunnel running north (France to UK) and one service tunnel. All three tunnels were drilled below the seabed and link Folkestone in Kent to Coquelles in Pas-de-Calais.

However, the idea of connecting the UK and France by tunnel is much older than people think – dating back to the early 1800s when its supporters included Napoleon Bonaparte.

Work on experimental tunnels started back in 1880 at Abbot’s Cliff near Folkestone, Kent. Many of the workers used hand tools, but a state-of-the-art boring machine was also used. Work was eventually abandoned until construction on the tunnel as we now know it began again in 1988.

Frequently asked questions

Thinking of hopping on Eurostar for your next European adventure? Got a couple of need-to-know questions before you book your trip? Here we’ve answered a selection of the most frequently asked questions from our customers.

Who can travel through the Channel Tunnel?

Foot passengers can travel with Eurostar, between our UK stations London St Pancras International and our stations on the continent . People who want to travel with their own vehicle or on a coach can use the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle between Folkestone and Calais. Before travelling with either Eurostar or Eurotunnel you will need to go through security, border and ticket checks before going through the Tunnel.

How much did it cost to build the Channel Tunnel?

It took just under six years and 13,000 workers to build the Channel Tunnel. The total cost came at an eye-watering £4.65 billion which would be the equivalent of £12 billion in today's money.

Why travel with Eurostar rather than drive?

• Avoid the stress of driving, with direct high-speed journeys to top destinations, from city centre to city centre.
• Great value fares with no additional costs like fuel, road tolls and parking.
• Simple connections with other rail services in Europe, allowing you to go beyond our direct destinations on a single booking.
• Travel in style on our comfortable trains, including our new, state-of-the art trains with wi-fi.

How fast does the Eurostar go?

The Eurostar travels through the Channel Tunnel at a speed of 100 miles per hour (160kph) although when the train is outside the tunnel it reaches speed of 186 miles per hour (300 kph).

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Taking the Eurostar from London to Paris is quick, easy and enjoyable. Journey from one world-famous capital city to another in just 2hrs 16 mins.

London to Brussels trains

From comic books to Dutch masters, art nouveau style to ultra-modern, delicious chocolate truffles, hearty ales, Brussels is a city of curious contrasts.

London to Amsterdam trains

With its canals, cobblestone quays and buzzing art scene. Amsterdam is the perfect city for a weekend of culture.

The Man in Seat 61

By train & ferry from

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, the ferry alternatives to eurostar, why go by train & ferry .

High-speed Eurostar trains link London & Paris in just 2h20 from £52 one-way or £78 return.  But you can still travel from London to Paris by train-ferry-train, and there are several reasons why you might want to:

You want to re-create the classic train & ferry experience, via the White Cliffs of Dover.

You want to avoid the Channel Tunnel, for example due to claustrophobia - although you'll find the Channel Tunnel is a complete anti-climax, it's just 20 short minutes out of a 2¼ hour Eurostar journey and feels like any other railway tunnel, just a bit longer.

You need to travel at short notice, when Eurostar is expensive or fully-booked or there's some sort of problem with the Tunnel.

First a reality check

London to Paris takes around 11 hours by train-ferry-train, Eurostar takes just 2h15.

Train & ferry usually costs more than Eurostar, we're talking £97 one-way in total, when Eurostar starts at £52 if you book a few months in advance.  Only at short notice, when Eurostar fares rise like air fares to as much as £200 will train & ferry be cheaper.

The railway stations at Dover Western Docks and Calais Maritime closed when Eurostar started in 1994, so you can no longer simply walk off the train and onto the ferry as you used to.  The journey now involves a taxi or long walk between the station and the ferry terminal in Dover and a bus or taxi in Calais, so a train-ferry-train journey that took only 7 or 8 hours in the 1930s (or for that matter, the 1980s) takes 11 hours today.  Watch the video guide .

You need to buy separate tickets for the British train, ferry & French train, because London to Paris through tickets ceased to exist in 2007.

If you are travelling to Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Eastern Europe or Scandinavia, and want an alternative to Eurostar avoiding the Channel Tunnel, I strongly recommend the vastly superior integrated train-ferry-train service from London Liverpool Street via Harwich and Hoek van Holland, with trains arriving directly at the ferry terminals and integrated ticketing, see the London to Amsterdam Rail & Sail page for details .

But on the plus side

You get to travel across Kent on a more scenic and historic route at a slower pace, assuming you choose one of the two classic routes from Victoria or Charing Cross to Dover;

You get to sail across the English Channel with the White Cliffs of Dover disappearing astern, with restaurants and bars available on board;

You don't have to go through the Channel Tunnel if that's a big issue for you;

The trains & ferries offer a 'walk up, buy a ticket and hop on' service, with no reservation or advance booking necessary, so the cost can be less than Eurostar if you need to travel at short notice.  It doesn't all need to be booked in advance like Eurostar!

Which route to choose?

Dover-Calais :   The traditional & fastest option, with the shortest sea crossing, via the traditional White Cliffs of Dover.  Unfortunately (and incredibly), only 3 sailings a day currently accept foot passengers.  Click for details .

Newhaven-Dieppe :   Also a traditional rail-sea-rail route, in fact a more direct one between London & Paris.  However, with a longer sea crossing, Newhaven-Dieppe always played second-fiddle to Dover-Calais.  These days, it can be cheaper than via Dover, all sailings take foot passengers and the station-ferry transfers are a lot easier, too.  Click for details .

Portsmouth to Caen :  The comfortable overnight 'sleeper' option.  Leave London Waterloo at 18:30, sleep in a comfortable en suite cabin on an overnight ferry 22:45-06:45, then take a train to Paris St Lazare next morning arriving around 11:05.  Click for details .

Portsmouth to St Malo :  A more leisurely and luxurious overnight 'sleeper' option.

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London to Paris via Dover-Calais

The route via Dover-Calais is the traditional one with the shortest sea crossing.

Below is an example timetable, using the classic train route from London Charing Cross to Dover, P&O ferries from Dover to Calais (the only company that carries foot passengers at all), and the classic route from Calais to Paris via Boulogne & Amiens.

Unfortunately, only designated P&O ferry sailings now take foot passengers and you need to allow plenty of time for lengthy station-port transfers plus P&O's ridiculous 90-minute ferry check-in for foot passengers.  So the journey now takes around 11 hours, when it only took 7 or 8 hours in the 1930s.

I compiled the timetable below around the handful of sailings shown as carrying foot passengers at the time I wrote this, but P&O occasionally switch these sailings around, so first check foot passenger sailing times at www.poferries.com for your specific date, then work out connecting train times in Britain and in France, as explained below .

c = change at Amiens

How to read these timetables .   No UK trains run on these routes on 25 or 26 December.   Watch the video guide .

How to check times for your date of travel

Step 1, start by checking French train times from Calais to Paris as this is the least frequent part of the journey, using www.thetrainline.com .

Step 2, then work backwards, looking for a ferry at www.poferries.com which carries foot passengers and which arrives at Calais ferry terminal at least 90 minutes before the train leaves Calais Ville, preferably 2 hours.

Step 3, now look for a London to Dover train at www.thetrainline.com which arrives at Dover Priory at least 2 hours before the ferry sails. 

Unlike the integrated pre-Eurostar train+ferry services, this is not an organised service where ferries are held if trains run late, but completely separate trains and ferry.  If you have important connections in Paris, bear this in mind and take an earlier train from London.

Step 1, London to Dover by train

Which route to choose?   There are three routes from London to Dover to choose from, two classic and one high-speed: 

(1)  The classic South Eastern Railway route from London Charing Cross via Tonbridge & Folkestone, every hour, journey around 1h50.

(2)  The classic London, Chatham & Dover Railway route from London Victoria via Chatham & Canterbury, every half hour, journey around 1h55.

(3)  The modern high-speed route leaving from London St Pancras, direct trains every hour, journey time 1h08.

You can check UK train times & fares for all these routes at www.nationalrail.co.uk or at any train operator website such as tfw.wales .  In the timetable above I show the classic Charing Cross to Dover route via Tonbridge.

The high-speed trains from London St Pancras to Dover Priory are significantly faster, but are more expensive & less scenic.  They use the modern high-speed line opened in 2007.  The scenery is much nicer along the two classic 19th century lines.

Historical note:   If you're trying to recreate the classic 'boat train' experience, you should take one of the two classic 19th century railway routes, the South Eastern Railway from Charing Cross to Dover via Tonbridge, Ashford & Folkestone or the London, Chatham & Dover Railway via Chatham, Faversham & Canterbury.  Pre-1994, the non-stop 'boat trains' would have left from Victoria, but between Bromley & Orpington they usually switched to the line via Tonbridge & Ashford used by trains out of Charing Cross, known as Boat Train Route 1.

If you use the classic route from Charing Cross to Dover as shown in the timetable above , you'll cross the bridge over the River Beult between Staplehurst & Headcorn where Charles Dickens' boat train from Folkestone to London came to grief in 1865 .  There are in fact 3 such bridges between Headcorn & Staplehurst, the River Beult A, B & C bridges.  The accident happened on the 'A' bridge closest to Staplehurst.

How much does the train cost?

London-Dover by classic route costs £48.30 Anytime one-way, £96.60 Anytime 1 month return.

Or if travelling at weekends or after 09:30 weekdays: £33.40 Super-Off-Peak one-way or £46.60 Off-Peak one month return.

What train should you take?

To reach Paris the same day, you'll need to leave London fairly early and build your timings around the relatively infrequent French trains between Calais & Paris, see the example timetable above to visualise how train, ferry and train fit together and work out train, ferry & train timings for your specific date as explained here .  If you're only travelling as far as Calais or Boulogne or somewhere like Etaples, no problem as long as you leave by lunchtime or so, as London-Dover trains run every half hour, ferries sail to Calais every hour or two, and French local trains link Calais and Boulogne at least every hour.

How to buy tickets

No reservation is necessary or possible for London-Dover trains, tickets cannot sell out and the fare is the same whenever you buy your ticket.  Just turn up and buy a train ticket to Dover on the day at the station.

Step 2, transfer from station to port in Dover

Allow at least 2 hours in Dover between your train arrival and planned ferry departure, preferably more, as it's a 5-10 minute taxi ride to the ferry terminal and there's now a whopping 90-minute check-in for the ferry.  They may reduce this to 60 minutes post-pandemic, so check with P&O.

When you arrive at Dover Priory station, take a taxi or walk to Dover Eastern Docks where the P&O ships leave.  There are usually plenty of taxis waiting outside the station, a taxi to Dover Eastern Docks costs £7-£8.  Walking takes 25-35 minutes.  There's no bus between station and port, P&O stopped their shuttle bus back in 2014.

Step 3, Dover to Calais by ferry

P&O Ferries sail from Dover Eastern Docks to Calais roughly every hour, crossing time 1h40, though they often leave with a 10-20 minute delay.  P&O are the only operator on this route who accept foot passengers, others don't - and currently, only a limited sailings take foot passengers.  All ferries are now conventional ships, there are no longer any hovercraft or SeaCats.

How much does the ferry cost?

A Dover-Calais foot passenger ticket costs £30 each way if you buy a Saver fare online at www.poferries.com .

You should buy your ferry ticket online at www.poferries.com .  You can no longer buy in person at the port (can you believe that?!).

Step 4, transfer from port to station in Calais

Take the transfer bus from the ferry to the port terminal building.

The ferry will arrive at one of the many berths at Calais Maritime ferry terminal.  Passengers are shuttled from the ferry to the terminal building by P&O courtesy bus.

Make sure you allow at least 90 minutes in Calais between the ferry arrival and the departure of the train to Paris, preferably more.

Take the free bus from the terminal building to Calais town centre & Calais Ville station.

The best way from the ferry terminal building to Calais town centre or Calais Ville station is using the free Balad’in bus.  This runs every 22 minutes in the morning, every 11 minutes in the afternoon, on Mondays-Saturdays only.  On Sundays, use a taxi or walk.

Or take a taxi

You can take a taxi, although you may need to ask staff inside the terminal to call one for you as there may be none waiting.  Journey time 15 minutes, but you may have to wait for a taxi to be sent.

It's possible to walk into town, there is pavement all the way, but it's a long and unattractive walk now that a new terminal building has opened even further out of town.  It takes 49 minutes to walk the 3.8 km from the new ferry terminal to Calais Ville station, a little less to the town centre.  See map showing walking route .

Historical note:   Until 1994 there was a station called Calais Maritime at the ferry terminal.  The station building is still there, I believe, closer to the actual ferry berths than the modern terminal building shown below.  Until 1994 you could just walk off the ferry, through customs, and onto a train to Paris.  The tracks are long gone, and it requires two buses to get you to a train at Calais's town centre station, Calais Ville.

Step 5, Calais to Paris by train

Every 2-4 hours, a modern air-conditioned TER regional train runs from Calais Ville to Boulogne Ville, Etaples, Amiens & Paris Gare du Nord .  2nd class only.  You can check times at either www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com .

There are relatively few trains between Calais & Paris, so it is usually the timings of these few trains which (working backwards) determines which ferry you need to take from Dover and therefore which train you need to take from London, see the example timetable above and see how to work out times for your specific date .

The Calais-Boulogne-Amiens-Paris line is the classic 'boat train' route and it's also the cheapest route, although you'll find other Calais-Paris options via Lille or Hazebrouck using TGV high-speed trains which require reservation and can be relatively expensive if not booked in advance.

How much does the French train cost? 

Calais to Paris costs €43.60 one-way.  This is the fixed-price tarif normal , you can just turn up and buy a ticket at this price on the day.

How to check train times & buy tickets:

You can check French train times & fares and buy tickets online at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (a bit more fiddly).  To specify a journey via the classic route through Boulogne and Amiens, use www.thetrainline.com , enter Calais Ville as your starting station, look for the via link and enter Amiens as a via station.  The TER trains on the route via Boulogne & Amiens don't need to be reserved, indeed seat reservation is neither necessary nor possible, so you can always just turn up, buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.  They cannot 'sell out'.

Watch the video

London to paris via newhaven -dieppe, london to paris for £97 one-way, even for immediate departure.

The slower Newhaven-Dieppe route has always played second fiddle to the faster Dover-Calais route shown above , but these days it's worth considering because it's significantly cheaper, and the train-ferry transfer in Newhaven is much easier than in Dover.  This is also the ideal route if you live in Brighton, as there are direct trains from Brighton to Newhaven Town every half hour, taking 30 minutes.

This is an example timetable , DFDS tweak sailing times throughout the year.  So use this as a guide.  To find times for your date of travel, first check ferry times at www.dfds.com , then find suitable UK connecting trains arriving at Newhaven at least 1h30 before the ferry sails using www.nationalrail.co.uk .  Then find a suitable French connecting train leaving at least 1 hour after arrival using www.sncf-connect.com or www.thetrainline.com .

* = On Saturday mornings, depart Dieppe 07:00, change Rouen, arrive Paris 09:23.

e = change trains at Lewes.   b = change at Brighton.  c = change at East Croydon & Brighton.   An underlined time means change trains. 

In Newhaven , get off at Newhaven Town station and walk 300m to the ferry terminal, see walking route .  You check in any large bags and get them back at Dieppe.

In Dieppe , there are taxis or (1 May- 30 September) there's a shuttle bus costing €2.50, or it's a 30-minute 2.4 km walk, see walking route .

Important :  As with the Calais timetable, I wont keep this page 100% updated with every minor ferry sailing time change.  So use it as a guide,  check ferry times at www.dfds.com then find suitable connecting trains at www.nationalrail.co.uk for the UK side and at www.sncf-connect.com for the French side.

How much does it cost?

• Buy your London-Newhaven train ticket at the station on the day, no reservation necessary or possible, it cannot sell out.  You can check prices at www.nationalrail.co.uk or at any train operator website such as tfw.wales .
• Buy your ferry ticket online at www.dfds.com or at the port.  There are almost always places available.
• Buy your Dieppe-Paris train ticket at the station, no reservation necessary, it cannot sell out, or save a few euros by pre-booking online at  www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (a bit more fiddly, but no fee).

London to Paris via Portsmouth - Caen

A luxurious london-paris 'sleeper' option.

This is the overnight 'sleeper' option, where you leave central London early evening, have a decent night's sleep in a comfortable cabin with en suite shower & toilet on the overnight ferry, and arrive in Paris by train next morning.  A time-effective and comfortable alternative to Eurostar if you need one.

The Man in Seat 61 says "Brittany Ferries ships are comfortable, luxurious even, with cosy cabins, bars & restaurants.  Sailing out of Portsmouth past the naval dockyard and the historic HMS Victory and HMS warrior is always a treat."  

London & Portsmouth ► Caen & Paris

Step 1, travel from London to Portsmouth by train, leaving around 18:30.

You'll usually find a train leaving London Waterloo at 18:30 arriving Portsmouth & Southsea around 20:06.

London-Portsmouth trains run every half hour, check ferry times first, then use www.nationalrail.co.uk or any train operator website such as tfw.wales to find a train which arrives in Portsmouth & Southsea at least 2 hours before the ferry sails.

Transfer from Portsmouth & Southsea station to Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port by bus or taxi, remembering the 60-minute ferry check-in.  A taxi takes 10 minutes and costs around £11.  City buses run regularly, check times, bus numbers & bus stops at www.firstbus.co.uk .

Step 2, sail from Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries , usually sailing around 22:45 every day & arriving at Caen at 06:45.

This route is normally operated by the 35,592-ton Mont St Michel and the 27,542-ton Normandie, with restaurants, bars & cosy cabins, all with toilet & shower.  These large & steady ships mean a smooth crossing.

Sailing times vary, so check them at www.brittany-ferries.co.uk before booking any trains.  On some dates the ship sails at 21:30, so you'll need to leave London earlier, around 17:00.

The ferry arrives at Ouistreham, 17 km from Caen.  Transfer to Caen station by bus or taxi:

A taxi takes 20 minutes & costs around €30 during the day (07:00-19:00) or €40 at night.  There are usually taxis waiting outside the terminal for ship arrivals, but if there are no taxis, the tourist information desk can call a taxi for you.

Buses are run by TWISTO, www.twisto.fr .  The bus route is 12EX (or bus 12 on a few departures), buses leave from a stop called Ouistreham Port located 500m from the ferry terminal and go directly to Caen Gare SNCF, journey time 31-38 minutes by bus 12EX, 57 minutes by bus 12, fare around €1.60.

Step 3, travel from Caen to Paris by train, arriving around 11:04.

Allow at least 2h between ferry arrival and train departure.  You'll usually find a train leaving Caen around 09:06 arriving Paris St Lazare around 11:04, but times vary so check them at www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com .

Paris & Caen ► Portsmouth & London

Step 1, travel from Paris to Caen by train, leaving Paris around 17:59.

When the ferry sails at 23:00, you'll usually find a train leaving Paris St Lazare around 17:59 arriving Caen around 20:02, but times vary so check them at www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com .

Always check ferry times first, then look up a train which gives you around 2½ hours between train arrival & ferry sailing time, this includes the 60-minute ferry check-in.

Transfer from Caen station to the ferry terminal at Ouistreham by bus or taxi. 

A taxi takes 20 minutes & costs around €30 during the day (07:00-19:00) or €40 at night (after 19:00) for the 17 km.  There will be plenty of taxis waiting outside the station.

Buses are run by TWISTO, check times at www.twisto.fr .  The bus route is 12EX, the fare is around €1.80, you pay in cash on the bus or can use the TWISTO app.  Buses leave from outside Caen Gare SNCF.  Get off the bus at the Ouistreham Port stop located 500m from the ferry terminal, journey time 31 minutes.  However, the last bus leaves Caen Gare SNCF at around 20:00-20:10, so you'll need to take an earlier train if you want to use the bus, one usually leaves Paris St Lazare around 17:09.

Tip:   There are two route 12s from Caen, one run by NOMAD, the other run by TWISTO, you want the one run by TWISTO.  That comes in two flavours, express & regular, the express is (obviously) faster, but both go to Ouistreham Port.

Step 2, sail from Caen to Portsmouth overnight with Brittany Ferries , usually sailing at 23:00 and arriving at 06:45.

Sailing times vary, so check them at www.brittany-ferries.co.uk before booking any trains.  You'll find an overnight ferry most nights of the year, although not every night in winter.  This route is normally operated by the Mont St Michel and the Normandie, with restaurants, bars & cosy cabins, all with toilet & shower.

Step 3, travel from Portsmouth to London by train arriving around 09:55.

Transfer from Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port to Portsmouth & Southsea station by bus or taxi.  A taxi takes 10 minutes & costs around £11.  City buses run regularly, check times, bus numbers & bus stops at www.firstbus.co.uk .

Assuming the ferry arrives at 06:45 on your date, you can easily make a train around 08:20 arriving London Waterloo around 09:55 - trains run regularly, at least every half hour.  Check train times at www.nationalrail.co.uk .

The journey in pictures

Step 1, take a train from London to Portsmouth.   Trains run regularly from London Waterloo to Portsmouth & Southsea.

The trains are air-conditioned & carpeted.

It's a 10-minute taxi ride from Portsmouth & Southsea station (above left) to Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port (above right).

Step 2, take a ferry from Portsmouth to Caen .  Check in at the Brittany Ferries desk and board the overnight ferry to Caen, sleeping in a private en suite cabin. Above, the luxurious Normandie at Portsmouth.

A cosy cabin with shower & toilet on the Portsmouth to Caen ferry.  Courtesy of @AscotPhill .

Sailing out of Portsmouth is lovely, past the naval docks with historic ships HMS Victory and HMS Warrior visible, then past the town and Spinnaker Tower.  This photo was taken from an inwards ferry arriving in Portsmouth at dawn.

Step 3, take a train from Caen to Paris .  This is a double-deck TER Train Nomad at Paris St Lazare.  See St Lazare station guide .  Courtesy of Nicholas A Milligan.

London to Paris via Portsmouth - St Malo

A more leisurely london-paris 'sleeper' option.

Although Portsmouth-Caen is the faster & cheaper overnight 'sleeper' option, you might prefer the Portsmouth-St Malo route for a more leisurely journey with more sleep and a lovely dinner aboard ship, in effect a mini-cruise.  It also allows a stopover in pretty St Malo.

The Man in Seat 61 says "Going Portsmouth-St Malo takes longer than going Portsmouth-Caen, but it's a treat - the ships used on this route are the wonderful Bretagne, a true cruise ferry, and the Amorique, with a few sailings operated by the luxurious Pont Aven.  With an earlier evening departure from Portsmouth  you get to experience sailing past the naval dockyard, HMS Victory & HMS Warrior and the Spinnaker Tower, as dinner is served on board in the elegant restaurant.  Retire to your en suite cabin, as good as any hotel room, and wake up in France..."

London & Portsmouth ► St Malo & Paris

Step 1, travel from London to Portsmouth by train, leaving around 16:30.

You'll usually find a train leaving London Waterloo at 16:30 arriving Portsmouth & Southsea around 18:03.

Transfer from Portsmouth & Southsea station to Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port, remembering the 60-minute ferry check-in.  A taxi takes 10 minutes and costs around £10.  City buses run regularly, check times, bus numbers & bus stops at www.firstbus.co.uk .

Step 2, sail from Portsmouth to St Malo by overnight cruise ferry , usually sailing around 20:15 every day arriving at St Malo at 08:00.

The ferry has an excellent restaurant for dinner and cosy en suite cabins, check times and buy ferry tickets at www.brittany-ferries.co.uk .

In St Malo, the station is a short taxi or bus ride or a 2.2km 29-minute walk from the ferry terminal.  Ask about taxis on board.

Step 3, travel from St Malo to Paris by train, arriving around 15:00.

You may have time for breakfast in the pretty city of St Malo before taking a train to Paris Montparnasse , leaving late morning and arriving around 15:00.  Times vary, I'd allow a minimum of 1½ hours between ferry arrival and train departure.  Some trains are direct, some involve a change, so check times and buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in £ or €, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (a bit more fiddly, in €, no fee).

Paris & St Malo ► Portsmouth & London

Start by checking ferry times.  There's an overnight ferry on certain dates, only an afternoon/evening daytime ferry on others, so check times at www.brittany-ferries.co.uk .  Check Caen-Portsmouth sailings too, this can be a better route on some dates.

Then work out a train from Paris to connect using www.thetrainline.com with at least 2½ hours between train arrival and ferry departure.

Then work out train times from Portsmouth & Southsea to London at www.nationalrail.co.uk .  As tickets are not train-specific and can be bought on the day, you can reckon on leaving Portsmouth & Southsea by train 60-90 minutes after the scheduled ferry arrival time.

European Rail Timetable

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).

H otels in London, Paris & France

Hotels near the gare du nord & other paris stations.

If you need to stay over in Paris between trains, here are some hotels that are both close to the station and get good reviews:

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 '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 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 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).

Hotels for that romantic break

Backpacker hostels.

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Getting from London to Paris: How to travel with comfort, convenience & confidence

With Paris just 214 miles from London —that’s only 40 miles further than Liverpool—it’s too close to miss out on if you’re already planning a trip to the capital city. It’s a perfect pairing; the liveliness and bustle of London town, followed by the romance and culture of Paris.

Here are some useful tips on getting from London to Paris, including the fastest and most convenient transport options, money-saving tips, and other hassle-free day trip ideas. We guarantee you’ll be traveling with comfort, convenience, and confidence.

Taking the Chunnel from London to Paris

The Channel Tunnel, or Chunnel for short, is the longest underwater tunnel in the world, with the deepest part sitting 246 feet below sea level. The 31.5-mile-long tunnel runs from South Ken t to Northern France and is one of the most popular routes to get to Paris from London.

Eurostar trains from London to Paris

The journey on the Eurostar train through the Chunnel takes slightly over 2 hours from London’s St. Pancras International Station to Gare du Nord station in Paris, with a train departing every hour or so between 5:40 a.m. to 8:01 p.m. every day.

Starting from €30-60 (USD 33-67) for the Standard tickets, you can enjoy comfortable seats with plenty of legroom, free WiFi, and charging sockets to set you up for a stress-free journey to Paris. Upgrade to the Standard Premier (€110- €140) or Business Premier tickets (€280- €300) to get hot meals and apértifs included, as well as extra perks like free cancelation and exclusive lounge access.

Tips for taking the Eurostar from London to Paris

• Tickets can be booked up to 180 days before your travel date so book in advance on the Eurostar website to snag the cheapest tickets. Last-minute tickets can be up to 10 times more expensive.
• Use a rail pass. Both the Eurail Global Pass and Interrail Global Pass are accepted.
• Get to St. Pancras International Station at least 45 mins earlier to allow time for passport checks.
• You can bring your own food on the Eurostar so don’t forget to pack the snacks.

Driving the Chunnel on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle

If you’re driving to Paris, you can also bring your own car (and pets!) through the Chunnel on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle —a railway shuttle that allows you to ferry your personal vehicles under the English Channel. Stay in your car throughout the short 35-minute train ride, or get out and stretch your legs in the air-conditioned cabins.

Flights from London to Paris

Flying is technically the fastest way to get from London to Paris, with a travel time of only 1 to 1.5 hours. However, factoring in security checks and travel time to the airport, the journey can come out to 3 hours.

If you fly budget, return tickets can be as low as €60-90 (USD 67-100), while full-service airlines cost a little bit more, starting at around €100 (USD 112).

Book at least a week in advance to avoid expensive tickets—that go up to two times more!—and compare flight timings and prices before you go.

Overnight buses from London to Paris

On a budget? Tough it out and travel by overnight bus from London to Paris. Priced between only €20-30 (USD 22-33), the 8 to 10-hour bus journey is perfect for catching some shut-eye while saving on a night at a hotel. Catch the bus from Victoria Coach Station between 8:00-11:30 p.m. and reach Gare de Bercy Seine in Paris between 6:30-8:30 a.m.

Most buses are air-conditioned with reclining seats, free WiFi access, and power sockets, so you can enjoy a good night’s rest. There are over 15 buses that run daily across multiple operators, so pick your own ride on sites BlaBlaCar or FlixBus .

What’s the best way to get from London to Paris?

Depending on your budget, travel plans, and priorities, traveling by train, plane or bus are all great options you can take. If you book early, the Eurostar train via the Chunnel is probably the best option, balancing time and comfort at a reasonably affordable price. If you’re lucky, you might also be able to snag cheap flight tickets, though traveling by plane is probably best reserved for those who are staying near the airport. But if you’re young and nimble and budget is your main priority, you can’t beat the cost savings with an overnight bus.

Day trips from London to Paris

If Paris is on your ‘must-hit’ list but your itinerary is packed, fret not, you can cover lots of ground with a day trip from London.

A luxurious day in Paris with lunch at the Eiffel Tower

Explore Paris in absolute comfort and enjoy lunch on top of the Eiffel Tower —it doesn’t get any better than that. This luxury London to Paris day tour includes a cruise of the Seine River and a panoramic coach tour of Paris’ main attractions, including the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées .

For just under €350 (USD 392) per adult, admission to most sights and return Eurostar tickets are included. Upgrade to a First Class round trip for €500 (USD 560) per adult and you won’t even have to worry about breakfast or dinner.

A self-guided day tour of Paris

This full-day tour covers all of the city’s most beloved landmarks, at your own pace. The tour includes Eurostar tickets, a Seine River cruise, and even shopping vouchers at Galeries Lafayette . A guide is always on standby should you have any quick questions or need tips.

From €220 (USD 246) per adult, you get the flexibility of having control over the parts of your trip that truly matter, with everything else taken care of for you.

A small group day tour with champagne lunch on the Seine

On this full-day group tour , you can wine, dine and dance across the Seine River, enjoying the gorgeous views of the Parisian waterfront as you dig into a three-course champagne lunch cruise. You’ll also visit and learn about the history of the city’s most iconic landmarks as your Expert Tour Guide brings you around the city. From €660 (USD 739) per adult includes roundtrip Standard Premier tickets on the Eurostar, plus admission to both the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum .

More like this:

• 12 hotels in Paris with the best Eiffel Tower views
• 9 best arrondissements to stay in Paris for any kind of traveler
• The 9 most fascinating bookstores in Paris