Is there a high-speed train from London to France?

Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train linking London with Paris, Lille & Brussels via the Channel Tunnel at up to 300km/h (186 mph). It's been running since 1994.



Yes, the Eurostar is the exclusive high-speed passenger train service that connects London directly to France. Departing from London St Pancras International, the train travels through the Channel Tunnel at speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph). The most popular route is the direct service to Paris Gare du Nord, which takes approximately 2 hours and 16 minutes at its fastest. Eurostar also operates direct services to Lille (about 1 hour and 22 minutes) and seasonal routes to the French Alps and the South of France (Marseille). In 2026, the service is a preferred alternative to flying due to its "city-center to city-center" convenience and more generous luggage allowance. Travelers should note that despite being a train, you must go through both UK and French border controls before boarding in London, so arriving 60–90 minutes early is essential. It remains a marvel of modern engineering, bridging the gap between the UK and mainland Europe in record time.

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At the top speed of 320 km/h (200 mi/h), the high-speed Eurostar train covers the London to Paris distance of 344 km (214 mi) in a bit over two hours and races through one of the most famous underwater tunnels in the world, the Channel Tunnel.

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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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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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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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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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On Eurostar there's no weight limit for your luggage, but you must be able to carry and lift your bags safely on your own, as there is no porter service at the station and our teams are unfortunately unable to help with luggage. Each bag can be up to 85cm long at its widest point and should be clearly labelled.

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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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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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City center to city center, rail is much faster. However, it is generally more 2x more expensive than flying when you don't consider that additional costs of getting to to and from airports. London to Paris takes 2.5 hours by train.

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Items containing incapacitating substances such as gas guns, tear gas sprays, mace, CS gas, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable. Any quantity of inflammable substances, including empty canisters e.g. petrol, methylated spirits, paint thinners.

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By 2018, 11 million journeys per year were being made – but two years later the pandemic struck and Eurostar came perilously close to closure. With demand shrinking by 95 per cent, the company struggled to stay afloat, in part due to a spider's web of governance that made it hard to access emergency funding.

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From 07 June 2023 and until the end of the year, our direct trains between London and Disneyland® Paris will not run. We'll be reviewing our plans for 2024 during the course of 2023.

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London St Pancras Station | Train Stations | Eurostar.

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