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City breaksChecked Nov 2026

London to Paris: Eurostar vs Flying

Paris is the classic city break from London, and it's the route where the train most clearly beats the plane. Here's every way to get there, with honest door-to-door times and costs.

By the Embark Routes team

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Quick answer

4 ways compared · checked Nov 2026
  1. Eurostar from St Pancras to Gare du Nord4–4½h££Best for most
    Book Eurostar
  2. Fly to Paris CDG or Orly, then the train5–6h£Cheapest
    Compare flights
  3. Coach from London Victoria9–11h£
    See how
~2h 16m Eurostar, St Pancras to Gare du Nord~1h 15m Flight time to Paris CDG or Orly~4–4½h Door to door by Eurostar from central London
Hotels in ParisAll 4 options compared

The short answer

For most people the Eurostar is the best way: about 2h 16m from St Pancras straight into Paris Gare du Nord, with no airport transfer at either end, so it's roughly 4 to 4½ hours door to door from central London. Flying takes about 1h 15m in the air but usually 5 to 6 hours door to door once you add the airport, security and the train into Paris. Flights can be cheaper at short notice, so compare both for your dates.

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Eurostar from St Pancras to Gare du Nord4–4½h££Most trips, city centre to city centre
Fly to Paris CDG or Orly, then the train5–6h£Living near an airport, last-minute deals
Coach from London Victoria9–11h£The lowest fares, overnight travel
Drive via Le Shuttle or the Dover ferry6–7h££Families, groups and lots of luggage

Plan your trip to Paris

Add your airport, dates and group once. Every booking link below then opens with them filled in.

✈️ Search flights to Paris🏨 Hotels in Paris

Set your dates and every booking link on this page fills them in for you.

⚡ FastestEurostar from St Pancras to Gare du Nord4–4½h door to door · ££💰 CheapestFly to Paris CDG or Orly5–6h door to door · £🌱 Flight-freeEurostar from St Pancras to Gare du Nord4–4½h door to door · ££

Trip essentials

A few things that make the journey smoother, whichever way you go.

Eurostar check-in

Eurostar asks Standard and Plus passengers to arrive at St Pancras 75 minutes before departure, and the gate closes 30 minutes before the train leaves. French passport checks happen in London, so you walk straight off the train in Paris.

New EU border checks

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) records British travellers' fingerprints and a photo the first time you enter. Allow a little extra time on your first trip, at St Pancras or at the airport.

Luggage

On Eurostar Standard you can take two large bags up to 85cm long plus a small hand item, with no weight limit and no extra charge. Low-cost airlines often charge for cabin bags and hold luggage, so add that when you compare prices.

Getting around Paris

From either airport into Paris you need the Paris Region–Airports ticket (€14), valid on the RER B from CDG and on metro line 14 or Orlyval from Orly. In the city, the metro is the quickest way around.

Every way to get there

From London to Paris, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Eurostar from St Pancras to Gare du Nord

Best for most
Door to door4–4½h
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips, city centre to city centre
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to Paris Gare du NordMost trains take about 2h 16m, and some up to about 2h 35m. Trains run every hour or two from early morning to evening. Arrive 75 minutes before departure.
  2. Arrive in the centreGare du Nord is in central Paris, with metro lines 4 and 5 and the RER B, D and E right under the station. There are no passport checks on arrival.
Book Eurostar: London → ParisTrain times: London → Paris

Eurostar sale fares start from around £39 one way on some trains, but typical fares are more like £60–£150, and last-minute tickets on busy trains can cost well over £200. Fares open up to about 11 months ahead, so booking early pays.

2

Fly to Paris CDG or Orly, then the train

Cheapest
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost£
Best forLiving near an airport, last-minute deals
  1. London to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY)About 1h 15m in the air. British Airways and Air France fly from Heathrow, easyJet flies from several London airports including Gatwick and Luton, and Vueling flies Gatwick to Orly. Check current schedules for your airport.
  2. CDG: RER B into ParisAbout 35 minutes to Gare du Nord or Châtelet on the RER B, with the €14 Paris Region–Airports ticket. Taxis charge a fixed fare into Paris, depending on which bank of the Seine you're going to.
  3. Orly: metro line 14 into ParisMetro line 14 now runs from Orly into central Paris in about 25–30 minutes, with the same €14 ticket.
Find LHR–CDG flightsExpediaAviasalesFind LGW–CDG flightsExpediaAviasalesTrain times: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport → Paris Gare du Nord

Flights can undercut the Eurostar, especially at short notice, but add bag fees and the cost and time of getting to the airport before you decide.

3

Coach from London Victoria

Door to door9–11h
£ Cost£
Best forThe lowest fares, overnight travel
  1. Coach: London Victoria to ParisAround 8 to 10 hours with operators such as FlixBus, crossing the Channel by ferry or the tunnel, with day and overnight departures.
  2. Into the centreCoaches usually stop on the edge of central Paris, for example at Bercy or Gallieni, both on the metro. Check your ticket for the exact stop.
Coach options: London Victoria → Paris

Fares can be very low if you book early, but it's a long day or night.

4

Drive via Le Shuttle or the Dover ferry

Door to door6–7h
£ Cost££
Best forFamilies, groups and lots of luggage
  1. Cross the ChannelLe Shuttle takes 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais and you stay with your car. Ferries from Dover to Calais take about 1h 30m. Allow time for check-in and border checks.
  2. Calais to ParisAbout 3 hours on the motorway, mostly the A26 and A1, with tolls.
Le Shuttle crossingsCar hire on ExpediaLocalrentPlan the drive

Parking in central Paris is expensive and traffic is heavy. Many people park at their hotel or on the edge of the city and use the metro. Check whether you need a Crit'Air clean-air sticker for your car before you go.

Where to stay

Find your perfect stay in Paris

Hotels, guesthouses and apartments in Paris with live prices for your dates. The best-value rooms go first, so it pays to look early.

  • ✓Reviews from real guests who booked
  • ✓Filter for free cancellation and stay flexible
  • ✓24/7 customer service by phone
🎁Late Escape Deals: 15% or more off selected stays until 7 January 2027
See hotels in Paris on Booking.com Compare on Expedia

💡 Tip: tick “Free cancellation” in the filters. You can book now and change your mind later on those rooms.

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Plan the rest of your trip

Things to do in Paris Airport transfer Car hire

Where to stay and easy day trips

Paris has fast trains in every direction, so it's easy to add a day out.

Your base

Paris

Stay in the Marais, Saint-Germain or around the Opéra to walk to most sights. Hotels near Gare du Nord are handy for the Eurostar home, and the 11th and 12th arrondissements are often better value.

Hotels in Paris Expedia
About 40 min by RER C

Versailles

The palace and gardens make a full day out. Book palace tickets ahead and go early, as queues build quickly.

Hotels in Versailles Expedia
About 40 min by RER A

Disneyland Paris

The RER A runs from central Paris to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, right outside the park gates.

Hotels in Disneyland Paris Expedia
About 45 min by TGV

Reims

The champagne capital, with a Gothic cathedral and cellar tours a short walk from the station.

Hotels in Reims Expedia

Local tip: Most metro journeys are quicker than a taxi in central Paris. Buy tickets in the Bonjour RATP app or at station machines.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

Is the train or plane faster from London to Paris?

From central London the Eurostar is usually faster door to door, about 4 to 4½ hours against 5 to 6 hours by plane. The flight itself is shorter, but you add the trip to the airport, security and the train into Paris. The Eurostar takes you straight into Gare du Nord.

How long is the Eurostar from London to Paris?

Most trains take about 2h 16m from St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, and some up to about 2h 35m.

How early should I get to St Pancras for the Eurostar?

Eurostar asks Standard and Plus passengers to arrive 75 minutes before departure. The gate closes 30 minutes before the train leaves.

What's the cheapest way to get from London to Paris?

The coach is usually cheapest but takes 8 to 10 hours. Early-booked Eurostar sale fares and low-cost flights can both be cheap too; for flights, add bag fees and the trip to the airport before comparing.

How much luggage can I take on the Eurostar?

In Standard, two large bags up to 85cm long plus one small hand item, with no weight limit. Label each bag with your name.

How do I get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to central Paris?

Take the RER B to Gare du Nord or Châtelet, about 35 minutes, with the €14 Paris Region–Airports ticket. Taxis charge a fixed fare into Paris.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Nov 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes the order we show options in: how we choose.