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What you need to know about the train journey from London to Paris
- Eurostar is currently the only train operator on this route.
- The fastest journeys take around 2 hours and 16 minutes.
- On this route, trains depart from London St Pancras International station.
- Trains from London arrive at Paris Gare du Nord station.
- Ever fancied travelling underwater? Eurostar trains from London to Paris run through the Channel Tunnel under the English Channel.
- This route runs city centre to city centre – when you arrive in the heart of Paris, you can pick up your bags and start exploring straight away!
- There are around 16 trains per day on this route.
- Trains run throughout the day, from early in the morning until late.
- We recommend booking in advance to grab the cheapest tickets; prices depend on the travel date, travel class and how far in advance you book.
- There are 3 travel classes on board Eurostar trains: Eurostar Standard, Eurostar Plus and Eurostar Premier.
- Onboard services include free WiFi, plug sockets and a large luggage allowance (with no liquids limits!).
- You need a valid passport to travel from London to Paris as you’ll be entering the EU from the UK.
- There will be border control checks at London St Pancras before you board the train. Make sure you leave at least an hour before your scheduled departure time.
- All passengers must fill out Advance Passenger Information (API) before boarding.
London to Paris by train
It takes an average of 2h 21m to travel from London to Paris by train, over a distance of around 212 miles (342 km). There are normally 16 trains per day travelling from London to Paris and tickets for this journey start from £51 when you book in advance.
FAQs about the train journey from London to Paris
Want to know more about your journey from London to Paris? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
What is the quickest journey time between London and Paris by train?
Are there direct trains from London to Paris?
What's the distance between London and Paris by train?
Who runs the trains from London to Paris?
Can you travel from London to Paris without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Paris from London?
What time is the first train from London to Paris?
What time is the last train from London to Paris?
How often do trains go from London to Paris?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from London to Paris?
Is there a return trip from London to Paris?
Eurostar trains from London to Paris
Eurostar is the exclusive high-speed train service that links London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and the rest of Europe at speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h). Eurostar also runs trains on more routes between France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. All Eurostar trains have modern, comfortable facilities, plenty of room for luggage, and onboard food and beverage car. There are three comfort classes on offer – Eurostar Standard, Eurostar Plus (equivalent to Premium Economy, with light refreshments served), and Eurostar Premier (equivalent to First or Business Class, with flexible travel options, priority boarding, lounge access and delicious food and drink included).
Eurostar classes from London to Paris
Compare the different travel classes offered by Eurostar when travelling from London to Paris.
Eurostar Standard
In Eurostar Standard, you'll find comfortable seats, free WiFi and a large selection of drinks and snacks for sale in the onboard café-bar.
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Catering at your seat
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
Eurostar Plus
As well as all the facilities you'll find in Eurostar Standard, in Eurostar Plus you'll also get a light meal served at your seat for trips to and from London. Though you won't get a meal at your seat for trips solely in Europe, you'll get to sit back and relax in comfier seats.
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- Complimentary meal at seat (1)
- Catering at your seat
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
- (1) A meal at your seat is only provided on trains travelling to or from the United Kingdom.
Eurostar Premier
Eurostar Premier gives you the freedom to travel in your own time, with same-day boarding guaranteed and Eurostar's exclusive lounges (where available) where you can relax before your trip. In Eurostar Premier, you'll also benefit from complete comfort, including a free meal and free drinks at your seat.
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Catering at your seat
- Gourmet menu (1)
- Lounge access
- (1) A gourmet hot meal is exclusive to trains to and from the United Kingdom; on trains in Europe, you'll have a cold meal served at your seat.
Onboard services on Eurostar
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from London to Paris.
Although there's no weight limit for your luggage on Eurostar trains, you must be able to carry your bags safely by yourself.
Each bag must be clearly labelled and must be no longer than 85 cm (for trains to and from the United Kingdom) or no larger than 75 x 53 x 30 cm (for trains in Europe).
Are you travelling to or from the United Kingdom? In Eurostar Standard, choose from a wide selection of drinks and snacks at the Eurostar Café, the onboard café-bar in the middle of the train. Cards and cash (Euros or pounds) are accepted. If you're travelling in Eurostar Plus, a light meal and a drink will be served at your seat.
Travel in Eurostar Premier and you'll be treated to a gourmet meal, as well as a continuous drinks service throughout your journey.
For all other Eurostar trains (red trains, formerly Thalys), head to the bar car and choose from a wide range of hot and cold drinks as well as sweet and savoury snacks.
In Eurostar Premier on European routes, you'll get a free meal served directly to your seat.
Eurostar doesn't have an onboard entertainment portal. However, there is free WiFi available, as well as UK and EU plug sockets at your seat so you can charge your devices while travelling.
Children under 4 can travel free on Eurostar trains, as long as they're sitting on an accompanying adult's lap. Alternatively, buying a child ticket guarantees them their own seat.
You'll find changing tables on all Eurostar trains, as well as family-oriented seating (4 seats facing one another) where available.
Currently, only certain Eurostar trains running between London and Brussels can transport fully assembled bikes - contact Eurostar for more information. You can, however, take a foldable bike on board Eurostar trains to and from the UK provided that it's no more than 85 cm long and it fits in a protective bag that covers the whole bicycle. Folded bikes are treated as standard luggage.
For all other Eurostar trains in Europe, a limited number of non-foldable bikes can be brought on board, provided that the wheels are taken off and the whole bicycle is stored in a suitable cover (max. size 135 x 85 x 30 cm). Foldable bicycles are also allowed and count towards standard luggage limits.
The rules around travelling with your pets depend on whether you're travelling across the Channel or not, so check before you travel:
Eurostar trains to and from the United Kingdom:
- Pets are not permitted on board.
- Guide dogs and assistance dogs can travel, but they must be accompanied by their owner. You must also reserve a ticket for your assistance dog at least 48 hours before travel, by filling out Eurostar's contact form.
Trains in the rest of Europe:
- Small dogs and other pets weighing less than 6 kg can travel for free. They must travel in a cage or carrier (max. dimensions 45 x 30 x 25 cm).
- If your dog is larger than this, you must buy them a dog ticket (generally the price is fixed at €30, around £26), and the dog must travel on your lap or on the ground, on a lead and with a muzzle.
- Guide dogs and assistance dogs, whatever their size, travel for free.
If you need help getting on or off the train, you should contact Eurostar directly before your trip. To use Eurostar's special assistance program, fill in the contact form at least 48 hours before your journey so that the team can help you.
If you're travelling to/from the United Kingdom:
- Arrive at least one hour before your train's scheduled departure time, then head to the Eurostar Assist desk or ask a member of staff.
- If you have a wheelchair, you must reserve a wheelchair space in either Eurostar Plus or Eurostar Premier - you'll only pay for a Eurostar Standard ticket. Someone can travel with you at a discounted rate.
If you're travelling on red trains in the rest of Europe:
- Wheelchair users travel in Eurostar Premier on routes in Europe.
- Wheelchairs can be transported as long as they're no bigger than 70 cm long and 120 cm high. The wheelchair's turning circle must be no larger than 150 cm in diameter. The combined weight of the wheelchair, passenger and any luggage must not exceed 300 kg.
- Please note that combustion engine-powered wheelchairs are not permitted on board. However, electric wheelchairs are allowed.
Specific restrictions for trains to/from the United Kingdom:
Liquids:
- There's no restriction on liquids. However, there are restrictions on alcohol: you can take 4 bottles/cans of beer or 1 bottle of wine per person to enjoy on the journey, but large bottles of spirits are not permitted. If you're travelling with large quantities of alcohol, you should contact a courier service.
Sports equipment:
- You can travel with a golf bag as long as it's no larger than 120 x 35 x 35 cm.
- You can bring tents or other shelters if they're stored in bags or cases less than 85 cm long.
- Camping gas or butane bottles are not permitted on board.
- Camping utensils or tools such as pocket knives and Swiss army knives are permitted provided the blades are less than 75 mm long. Folding knives where the blade locks into place are prohibited.
- You can bring bats, snooker or pool cues and darts on board if they're stored in a protective case.
Cheap train tickets from London to Paris
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from London to Paris by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
How many bags are allowed in the different Eurostar classes?
Standard/Plus
- 2 pieces of luggage up to 85cm long for rucksacks, suitcases, golf clubs or ski equipment
- 1 hand luggage, e.g. handbag, laptop bag or briefcase
Premier
- 3 pieces of luggage up to 85cm long for rucksacks, suitcases, golf clubs or ski equipment
- 1 hand luggage, e.g. handbag, laptop bag or briefcase
Children (for all classes)
- 1 piece of luggage up to 85cm long
- 1 hand luggage, e.g. backpack or laptop bag
Everything you need to know about London St Pancras station
How to get to London St Pancras International
London St. Pancras International station is conveniently located in central London in the King’s Cross area and can be easily reached by National Rail, London Underground, bus services and car.
King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station is served by 6 Tube lines, including Victoria (blue line), Northern (black line), Metropolitan (purple line), Circle (yellow line) & Hammersmith and City (pink line).
If you’re travelling by train, you can get to London St Pancras from Euston, Victoria, and Paddington stations in around half an hour.
If you’re driving to St Pancras International, you’ll find a Click and Park car park at the station – it has 315 spaces and is always open, with staff on hand 24/7. If you’re cycling to the station, there are plenty of cycle spaces where you can store your bike too.
How far ahead of time do you need to arrive?
Where are Eurostar check-in gates?
How does Eurostar check-in work?
What’s on offer at London St Pancras International?
Which facilities are in the Eurostar Departure Lounge?
Which facilities are in the Premier Lounge?
Arriving at Paris Gare du Nord station from London
Your Eurostar train from London to Paris will arrive right in the heart of the French capital at Paris Gare du Nord station.
Paris Gare du Nord is one of the main train stations in Paris, so it’s got all the amenities you could need. If you fancy a quick coffee before making your way into the city, there are plenty of food and drink outlets. There are also shops, a pharmacy and toilets (though you may have to pay to use the toilet in many French train stations, so it’s worth going on the train before you leave!).
Since all the passport checks are done before leaving the UK, you can step off the train and start exploring the city straight away. Not far from the platform, you’ll find Métro and RER trains to whisk you to Paris’ top museums and galleries.
From the quaint cobbled streets and independent boutiques along the Canal St Martin to the hip new foodie hangouts across the 10th arrondissement, this is an area packed with Parisian flavour you don’t want to miss!
Using public transport in Paris
Taking the Métro in Paris
Paris Métro is the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to travel around the city. If you want to skip the queues at Gare du Nord, you can buy your Métro ticket at the Eurostar Café on board the Eurostar. It can get really busy at Gare du Nord’s metro station, so it’s worth planning ahead.
Metro tickets (also known as T+ tickets) allow connections between Métro and RER trains in central Paris and will take you to all the main stations in Paris where you can catch a connecting TGV high-speed train to other French cities. T+ tickets are also valid on RATP buses and trams. Each T+ ticket is valid for a single journey.
Did you know? Children under 4 can travel for free on the metro, RER, bus, and tramway services, provided they sit on your lap and don’t occupy a seat. Children under 10 get 50% off the ticket price.
Taking a taxi in Paris
If you want to get a taxi, you can find a taxi rank near Eurostar arrivals at Paris Gare du Nord station. Just head to the concourse at the front of the train, then take the exit on the right where you'll see the line of taxis.
Going through the Channel Tunnel
Does the train from London to Paris go underwater?
Yes. Trains from London to Paris do go underwater. In fact, the Channel Tunnel (or “Chunnel” if you prefer its nickname) is just over 31 miles in length and is the longest continuous underwater tunnel in the world. At a maximum speed of 100 mph in the Chunnel, it takes a Eurostar train around 35 minutes to travel this underwater stretch between London and Paris.
How long is the Chunnel from London to Paris?
The Channel Tunnel is 31.3 miles (50.56 km) in length and it takes a Eurostar train approximately 35 minutes to travel its full length. In total, the fastest journey time from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord is currently 2 hours and 16 minutes.
Discover Paris
Boasting fascinating architecture, delicious cuisine and monument-lined boulevards, Paris is always a great idea! To help inspire your trip to the French capital, here are some ideas for things to do in Paris:
Explore Europe by train with an Interrail Pass
After visiting Paris, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With an Interrail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
You can use an Interrail Pass if you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country (this includes UK citizens). If you’re not a European citizen or someone legally resident in Europe, such as an American or Canadian citizen, you can use a Eurail Pass instead.
Tips and tricks from our Trainline team
We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.
Travelling from London to Paris in Eurostar Standard Class, July 2023
Catching the train at London St Pancras station
All Eurostar trains depart from London St Pancras station – not to be confused with King’s Cross station next door (the two stations share a Tube stop). Once you’re at St Pancras, look out for signs towards the Eurostar departures area, which is situated in the middle of the station.
I was heading to Paris after work and arrived around an hour before my train’s scheduled departure time of 7:01 pm. The ticket gates close 30 minutes before departure, so it’s important to arrive in plenty of time – Eurostar recommends arriving 90 minutes before your train leaves.
I scanned my ticket at the automatic ticket gates. I then had to go through security (similar to airport luggage checks, though there are no liquids limits here) and passport control before reaching the Eurostar departures lounge. There are shops in the waiting area as well as some seating, though often there aren’t enough seats for everyone, so be prepared to stand around for a little while before your train.
Around half an hour before departure, our platform was announced, and everyone headed to get seated. It’s a long train so boarding can take a little while, but there’s no need to worry. Everyone has allocated seats on their tickets, so it was easy to find our places and get settled in. There’s plenty of luggage storage at the ends of each carriage and overhead too, though it’s important to stick to the luggage size limits so there’s enough room for everyone.
Travelling in Eurostar Standard Class
I love travelling with Eurostar. The trains have everything you need, even in Standard Class. Plug sockets (both UK and European) at your seat, free WiFi, a café bar (Café Métropole)... What more could you want? I have always wondered what it’s like in Standard Premier, though – you get light refreshments served at your seat throughout the journey, so it feels like it would add a little touch of luxury... Perhaps next time!
I’m always surprised by how it takes so little time to get to France from London – in half an hour, we reached the Channel Tunnel, and an hour into the journey we were already in Calais! After this, it takes around an hour and a quarter to reach the City of Light.
Arriving at Paris Gare du Nord
After just 2 hours and 16 minutes, we pulled into Paris Gare du Nord at 10:17 pm – watch out for the one-hour time difference across the Channel! This is one of Paris’ main stations, so it’s well-connected to other places across the city.
Overall, the journey from London to Paris was fast and fuss-free. It was easy to board the train even with a large suitcase, and I was glad not to have to worry about weight or liquid restrictions for my luggage. I’d recommend travelling from London to Paris by Eurostar to anyone, whether you’re going for a short weekend break or a longer trip.
About Kristina
Kristina, a Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between London and Paris.