Travel from Paris to London by Train: All You Need to Know


 

Because of their very convenient proximity to one another, London and Paris are often done as a combination vacation destination (ha!).

Getting between them is relatively easy, since both cities have airports that are used as transportation hubs for the rest of Europe. In addition to air travel, ground transportation between them is an option to.

Here is everything you need to know in order to make this trip a goodie.

Paris to London

France and England lie on the westernmost end of Europe, separated by just a small section of ocean known as “the strait”. The distance of the strait between the two countries is just 33 kilometers. The distance between Paris and London, however, is just over 450 kilometers.

While moving between these two places may be seemingly effortless, one must keep in mind that Paris and London are two of the continents most visited cities, so cost of travel is very much dependable on the season at hand.

London – by Aron Van de Pol – Unsplash

Traveling from Paris to London in July, for example, is going to be considerably more expensive than in December, because London’s July weather is considered to most desirable time of year.

On the contrary, if you were to travel from London to Paris around Christmas time, tickets wouldn’t be very cheap as Pairs one of the most desirable places this time of year thanks to their milder winters.

If you’re in it to save money, then timing is everything. But let’s look at your various travel options before we go any further.

Paris – by giovanni sciacca – Unsplash

Transportation Options

Airplane

Contrary to popular belief, air travel is not the most efficient way to get from Paris to London.

The flight time between the cities is anywhere between an hour to an hour forty five, depending on the carrier and the speed at which they are able to travel. This is merely the in motion travel time, and one still needs to add the journey to & from each airport, as well as waiting time in the terminals.

Paris has three airports from which flights to London can depart. Depending on the one you purchase, you might have to set aside an additional hour or more just to get yourself to the right one.

London – by Heidi Fin – Unsplash

In the same breath, London has six airports in which flights from Paris can arrive. So while you may be visiting London central, you could land in one of the outlying ports and still have to make the journey into the center thereafter.

That being said, one really can find some unbelievable deals on flights between these two capital cities. Flights as low as €30 are not unusual, which is a fraction of what ground transportation will cost you.

Train

The best mode of ground transpiration between London and Paris is undoubtably train travel via the Eurostar.

These high speed trains aren’t the cheapest way to move between the countries, but they remain far more hassle free and efficient than by air. The Eurostar trains can get you from the center of either city to the next in just over two hours.

In addition to this, the Eurostar train requires little to no check in time prior to departure. Unlike airports, you can arrive a minute before the train is scheduled to depart if you’d like, and jump on so long as you have a valid ticket.

London – by Tomas Anton Escobar – Unsplash

While this kind of arrival is possible, it is not recommended. Give yourself at least fifteen minutes at the station to get your baggage in order as you may be subject to random security checks on the platform.

The trains depart in Paris from Gare du Nord station. They will arrive at St. Pancras Station in London’s city center — a station used in the filming of one of the Harry Potter films!

Something I’ve learnt when it comes to the Eurostar is that you want to purchase your tickets as well in advance as you can. Buying last minute is always a traumatic experience for your bank account; this service is known to skyrocket prices just before departures.

Bus

Traveling from Paris to London by bus is the most affordable mode of transport available.

Coach travel is available both by day and by night from Paris’ city center. Because of the duration of the journey, overnight busses are the most popular option, as you essentially go to sleep on the bus in Paris and wake up in London (or close to it).

Depending on the routes the busses choose to take, your journey can be anywhere from 7.5 hours to 9.5 hours total. Some make use of the ferry to get across the strait, while others use the tunnels.

London – by Jeremy Downes – Unsplash

Booking in advance is great for bus travel too. I’ve seen tickets going for as little as €15, and these prices rarely get hiked up as the journey draws closer. Booking in advance is simple to ensure you get a spot, as most journeys sell out a few days before departure.

Bus travel is a wonderful option for anyone traveling on a tight budget, and with time to spare.

Drive

If you’re not in a rush, and might like to enjoy the countrysides of both counties en route between the capitals, then a drive from Paris to London could be just the thing.

Renting a car in France is relatively simple, and you’ll be allowed to take it between the countries with the necessary paperwork. Just be sure to state your journey to the rental company in question.

London – by Luke Stackpoole – Unsplash


A non-stop drive between Paris and London will take just under six hours. If you’re making this journey, however, I recommended taking one’s time and stopping off as all of the sites and monuments en route that you might never get a chance to see otherwise.

Give yourself about a nine hour window in which to complete your journey; allowing ample time for stops, meals, photo opportunities and detours.

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.