Can you get from London to Paris without flying?

Take a train from London to Paris Go direct from city centre to city centre in just 2hrs 16mins. And whether you're going for work or play, we'll get you there feeling relaxed and rested. Read on to discover why taking Eurostar from London to Paris is the only way to travel.



Yes, getting from London to Paris without flying is exceptionally easy and is often the preferred choice for experienced travelers. The most popular and efficient method is the Eurostar high-speed train, which travels from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord in just 2 hours and 16 minutes. The train travels through the Channel Tunnel at speeds of up to 300 km/h, delivering you directly into the heart of Paris without the need for airport transfers. For those on a tighter budget, long-distance coaches (like FlixBus or BlaBlaCar Bus) operate daily, taking about 7 to 9 hours; these buses either drive onto the Eurotunnel shuttle or use a ferry from Dover to Calais. For a more leisurely and traditional experience, you can take a "Train-Ferry-Train" combination via Newhaven and Dieppe. In 2026, the Eurostar remains the "king" of this route because it bypasses the 3-1-1 liquids rule, offers a much higher luggage allowance than budget airlines, and allows you to arrive in Paris with zero baggage carousel wait. While more daily flights are being added to the route, the center-to-center speed of the train makes it the most sustainable and time-efficient option available.

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Unless you book well in advance, the cost of traveling to Paris on the Eurostar is more expensive than flying.

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Eurostar trains are for foot passengers only, so are ideal if you don't need or want a vehicle for your trip. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle carries freight and all forms of vehicle, including cars, motorbikes, campervans, caravans, coaches and lorries.

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It depends which trains and what times you are looking at - Eurostar is very expensive in times of high demand because the cheap tickets get snapped up but can be relatively affordable if you choose less popular times.

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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.

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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). All Eurostar trains have modern, comfortable facilities, plenty of room for luggage, and onboard food and beverage car.

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Do you need your passport to go from London to Paris? Yes, you need your passport to go from London to Paris or vice versa. You will go through immigration. This goes for EU residents too, as due to Brexit the UK is no longer in the EU.

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By train from the UK to France The fastest route is to take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International Railway Station to either Lille Europe (1 hour 22 mins) or to Gare du Nord in the French capital Paris (2 hours 16 mins). Both these stations are hubs to onward travel throughout France.

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Getting to Paris by train Train fares are usually more expensive than plane tickets and the train takes longer Therefore, we recommend taking a plane to Paris, but this alternative is perfect for those who don't like to fly. You can check out the schedules and fares on TGV's official website: TGV Europe.

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Dover - Calais ferry tickets start at around €36 for foot passengers and at about €80 for passengers who travel with a vehicle. On the other hand, prices for the Eurotunnel start at over €100 for a one-way drive to France from the UK. Conclusion: the ferry from the UK to France is usually cheaper than the Eurotunnel.

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You and your pets stay in your vehicle throughout the journey - sit back and relax, it only takes 35 minutes to cross.

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What's the quickest way to drive to France? The quickest way to cross the channel is using Eurotunnel, which takes around 35 minutes compared to the 90-minute crossing of the quickest cross-Channel ferry from Dover to Calais.

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But then, why has the Eurostar train company decided to stop the famous service, coveted by many British people? The company points out financial issues caused by the covid-19 pandemic and new logistics related to Brexit.

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Make it midweek Savvy travellers know that the cheapest Eurostar tickets are usually for trains on Tuesday and Wednesday. It isn't only the fare that's a bargain, the hotels are too.

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Can I take food on board? Absolutely. You can bring your own food on European and London routes. And unlike in the sky, we won't restrict you with stifling rules on liquids.

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The cheapest tickets we've found for trains from London to Paris are US$61.76. If you book 30 days in advance, tickets will cost around US$107, while the price is around US$136 if you book 7 days in advance.

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Well, they're not called high-speed trains for nothing. They can reach a top speed of 300 kilometres per hour (that's 186 miles per hour) on high-speed lines in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.

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