Focus keyword: `paris to london`
Post type: `post`
How to Get from Paris to London: All Options (2026)
Paris to London is one of the most travelled city pairs in Europe, and the Eurostar has made the train the dominant choice for good reason — it is faster city centre to city centre than flying once you account for airport transfers. But there are situations where a flight or bus makes more sense. Here’s how to make the call.
By Mara Vale for Eurly
Last updated: 2026-04-25
Quick answer
Take the Eurostar in almost every case. Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras in 2h15. City centre to city centre. No airport friction. The standard train fare is competitive with budget flights once you include airport transfers.
Fly only if you find a significantly cheaper fare and are already at (or near) CDG or Orly with no luggage to check.
Take the bus if budget is the absolute priority and 8+ hours of travel time is acceptable.
Option 1: Eurostar train
Route: Paris Gare du Nord → London St Pancras International
Journey time: 2h15–2h30
Frequency: 12–18 departures daily
Price range: €45–€200+ one way (book at eurostar.com)
The Eurostar is the right choice for almost everyone travelling between Paris and London. The reasons:
City centre arrivals. Gare du Nord is in the 10th arrondissement, about 5 metro stops from central Paris. St Pancras International is in King’s Cross, one of the best-connected rail hubs in London. Neither requires an airport-style transfer.
No airport security. Eurostar does have passport control and Eurostar-specific security, but the process is faster and less unpredictable than airport security.
Consistent journey time. The Eurostar takes 2h15 regardless of headwinds. A flight’s 1 hour becomes 4+ hours door to door when you include CDG/Orly transfers and airport time.
Booking tips:
- The cheapest Eurostar fares (€45–65 one way) require booking weeks or months ahead
- Standard fares run €80–120 one way with more flexibility
- Check both eurostar.com and trainline.com for comparison
- Flexible tickets allow date changes for a fee; cheapest fares are non-refundable
- Luggage: two suitcases + one carry-on included, no weight restrictions stated
Passport control note: the Eurostar crosses the UK border, so passport control applies at both ends. EU/Schengen citizens need a valid passport (or ID card for some nationalities). UK citizens need a passport for France. Allow 30 minutes before departure for check-in and border formalities.
Option 2: Flying
The Paris–London air route is served by multiple carriers, but the maths rarely works out in the flight’s favour for city-to-city travel.
Paris airports: CDG (45–60 min from central Paris via RER B) or Orly (30–45 min via Orly Val + RER C)
London airports: Heathrow (45–60 min by Elizabeth line), Gatwick (30 min by Gatwick Express), Stansted or Luton (45–75 min by coach or train)
The door-to-door reality:
- CDG check-in arrival: 90 min before departure
- CDG → central Paris: 50 min by RER B
- Flight: 1h15
- Heathrow → central London: 50 min (Elizabeth line, £10.80)
- Total door-to-door: 4.5–5.5 hours
When flying makes sense: Stansted and Luton flights from budget carriers can be very cheap (£20–40 one way), but the airport transfer times add 45–75 minutes each way and the experience is more stressful. If you have no luggage to check and the fare is genuinely low (£25 or under after all fees), it can make financial sense. At £60+ with bags, the Eurostar is more convenient at similar or lower total cost.
Option 3: Bus (FlixBus, Eurolines)
Journey time: 8–9 hours (including Channel crossing via Eurotunnel or ferry)
Price: €15–35 one way
Departure: Paris Bercy or Gallieni (Bagnolet)
The bus crosses the Channel either on the Eurotunnel freight train or via ferry at Calais-Dover. It is the cheapest option and the longest. Best suited for travellers with genuine budget constraints and no time pressure.
The Eurostar vs flight comparison
| Eurostar | Flight (CDG–Heathrow) | |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time (door-to-door) | ~3.5 hours | ~5 hours |
| Cheapest available fare | €45 | £20 (+ transfers = £35+) |
| Mid-range fare | €80–100 | £60–80 (+ transfers = £80–100) |
| Luggage | 2 bags + carry-on, no fee | Often checked bag fees |
| Central arrival | Yes (Gare du Nord → St Pancras) | No (airport → city) |
| Carbon footprint | Low | Higher |
For most Paris–London travellers, the Eurostar is faster, more comfortable, and comparably priced when all costs are included.
Related guides
- London travel guide — first-timer hub for London
- Paris to London route guide — dedicated route comparison page
- Paris airport to city guide — CDG and Orly access
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