Paris to London by Train: How to Get the Eurostar and Why It’s Faster and Better Than Flying
Seine River - right by Le Marais
It takes 15-20 minutes to reach Gare du Nord from here, whether by car or public transport.
Taking the train from Paris to London? It's the easiest, quickest and most enjoyable way to get between these two iconic cities. Skip the stress of the airport and enjoy a smooth, scenic journey with the Eurostar.
Having travelled this route before and my family has countless times, where they’ve had their fair share of airport nightmares - endless queues, long waits, and frantic transfers - I can confidently say that the Eurostar is far more stress-free. The beauty of it? It's so simple. You’re in the heart of Paris and London, with no need for long transfers, long queues, or the headache of checking in at the airport.
Booking is a breeze, and with a bit of forward planning, you’ll be zooming through the French countryside before you know it, all while leaving a smaller environmental footprint compared to flying. So, forget the hassle of the airport, and enjoy the ease and comfort of Eurostar for your next cross-channel adventure.
How to Get There: London to Paris by Train
To travel from Paris to London by train, you’ll hop on the Eurostar, a high-speed train that connects Paris Gare du Nord with London St Pancras International. The best part? It takes just 2 hours and 17 minutes, meaning you’re travelling directly from one city centre to the other without the usual airport chaos. If you’ve ever spent hours dealing with airport queues (trust me, it’s a real pain!), you’ll appreciate how seamless and stress-free this is. No transfers, no waiting around in crowded terminals—just a quick, comfortable ride straight to your destination.
Gare du Nord in Paris is super central, located in the 10th arrondissement, and easy to reach via Metro (Lines 4, 5, or 7), or just a short 10-minute taxi ride. If you're feeling adventurous, take a 30-minute stroll from the Louvre—perfect for soaking in a little more of the Parisian charm.
When you arrive in London, St Pancras International couldn’t be more conveniently located. With easy connections to the London Underground (Circle, Piccadilly, and Northern lines), buses, and taxis, you’ll be in the heart of the city in no time. Or, if you prefer, a quick 10-minute walk will get you to many of London’s iconic spots.
Both stations are right in the thick of things, making your journey between Paris and London as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
Booking Your Eurostar Tickets
Booking your Eurostar tickets is easy peasy and you can do it directly through their website. Fares for standard class start at £52 one-way or £78 return, which is pretty great considering the time and hassle you’ll save. If you’re after a bit of luxury, first-class tickets (Eurostar Plus) start at £115 one-way or £199 return – and let’s be honest, that extra comfort is totally worth it for a smooth, relaxing ride.
The best is to book your tickets as early as possible. The earlier you grab your tickets, the cheaper they’ll be, with options available up to 11 months ahead. Just a heads-up though - if you’re booking way in advance, some trains might not show up yet, especially if there’s track work planning. Don’t worry though - just check back in a little later when the full schedule is updated.
Why the Eurostar Beats Flying
If you’ve ever battled your way through Paris airports, you know exactly what I’m talking about – the chaos, the endless queues. My family has certainly had our fair share of nightmares, from waiting up to 1-2 hours just to get in and out of the airport. Add another 1-1.5 hours to get there from the city centre, and you’re looking at a few hours of stress. And let’s not even get started on the security lines – they can take forever!
Now, here’s where Eurostar really shines.
No airport hassle: With Eurostar, it’s city centre to city centre, so you can skip the usual airport madness. No long queues, no transfers, just a smooth, straightforward journey.
On-time reliability: Eurostar trains are impressively punctual, with 90%-95% arriving on time or within 15 minutes, compared to the rather hit-or-miss 65%-70% for short-haul flights.
Comfortable and fast: The Eurostar is way more comfortable than flying, giving you space to stretch out and actually enjoy the ride (yes, it’s possible!).
Get work done or just unwind: With that extra space, you can work, relax, or even catch up on your favourite podcast – it’s a much more productive and pleasant experience compared to being cramped on a plane.
Final Thoughts
Taking the Eurostar from Paris to London is honestly the easiest and least stressful way to travel between these two iconic cities. Forget the airport queues, the long waits, and the usual stress. The Eurostar gets you from city centre to city centre in no time, and the ride itself is far more comfortable. It’s honestly a no-brainer if you want a smooth, relaxed journey.
Plus, it’s a far more mindful way to travel - no rushing around, more time to unwind, and the chance to enjoy the ride with your friends or family. And, let’s not forget, it’s a far greener choice, too. Trains emit significantly less CO2 than flights, making it the more sustainable option for your travels. So next time you're planning your trip, skip the airport madness and take the train. Trust me, you’ll love it!