Photo: Sergii Figurnyi/Shutterstock

You Can Take an Underwater Train Journey by Riding the Eurostar Between London and Paris

London Paris Train Travel
by Morgane Croissant Aug 24, 2023

Eurostar is not any old railway company. Since its beginnings in 1994, the train operator has been transporting passenger under the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel (the world’s longest undersea tunnel), linking Britain with continental Europe is a fast, easy, and incredibly innovative way. Today, Eurostar’s high-speed trains can take you between London and Brussels in two hours, or between London and Amsterdam in around four hours. Of course, you can also take a Eurostar train from London to Paris — it’s direct, non-stop, and can be very cheap if you book early.



Is there a non-stop train from London to Paris?

The Eurostar is a non-stop, direct, high-speed train that travels between London St. Pancras station and Paris Gare du Nord station. In the past, the Eurostar between London and Paris made two stops in England before entering the Channel tunnel (in Ebbsfleet and Ashford), and one stop in France (in Calais) before reaching Paris. It is not the case any longer.

How long is the train journey between London to Paris with Eurostar?

The journey by Eurostar between London and Paris is between two hours and 16 minutes and two hours and 37 minutes. According to the Eurostar website, most trains on this route make the journey in two hours and 16 minutes.

At what time does the London to Paris train depart every day?

There are trains traveling between London and Paris every hour of every day, from early in the morning to early evening. With such frequent departures, it’s easy to take a spontaneous jaunt across the English Channel!

Is there really an underwater train between London and Paris?

All the Eurostar trains that link London to cities in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands go through the Channel Tunnel, the world’s longest undersea tunnel. The Channel Tunnel runs 246 feet below the English Channel for 31.5 miles.

How much does it cost to take the train from London to Paris?

The cheapest fare to travel by Eurostar train between London and Paris is $68. The fare varies according to demand on the dates of travel so booking early is the best way to get the lowest price.

The cost of a ticket also varies according to the class of service you opt for. There are three classes of service on Eurostar trains: Standard, Standard Premier, and Business Premier, with Standard being the cheapest and Business Premier the most expensive. (Note that the price of a ticket from London to Paris in Business Premier is always the same: $433.)

The differences between the three classes of service on board Eurostar trains are:

  • Standard: Passengers are allowed two pieces of luggage and one hand luggage.
  • Standard Premier: Passengers are allowed two pieces of luggage and one hand luggage. They also enjoy a spacious seat and a cold, light meal and drinks served at their seat.
  • Business Premier: Passengers are allowed three pieces of luggage and one hand luggage. They also enjoy a spacious seat, hot meals served with champagne at their seat, and access to lounges in the London St. Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the train from London to Paris?

Eurostar train from London to Paris

Photo: username/Shutterstock

Prices vary dramatically for both flights and trains between London and Paris according to the demand on your dates of travel. It may be cheaper to fly one day, and cheaper to take the train the next.

It is important to also compare the price of getting to/from the airports with the price of getting to/from the train stations. The stations of London St. Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord are both located in the city center and don’t require long and expensive taxi/ride-hailing services or suburban trains/buses.

Financial considerations aside, traveling in an underwater tunnel and at top speeds of 186 miles per hour on land, is a much more unique experience than flying.

Is it faster to fly or take the train from London to Paris?

Taking the train between London and Paris means that you travel from city center to city center, rather than from and to an airport outside of the city. That means that if you’re staying in the center of London or Paris, taking the train is generally faster. If you’re staying outside of the city, in an area close to one of the airports, you might be better off flying. It all depends on your location.

Note that flying between London and Paris requires that you arrive at the airport at least two hours early. If you ride the Eurostar between the two cities, you’ll also need to arrive early to check in and go through security and passport control, i.e. between 120 minutes (two hours) and 90 minutes (1.5 hours).

Where can I buy tickets for the train between London and Paris?

Visit the Eurostar website to purchase your train ticket between London and Paris. Bookings are available 180 days in advance, so you can plan your trip early and get the best price possible for your train journey.

Can you take food on Eurostar?

Passengers on Eurostar trains are allowed to take food and drinks with them. However, know that there is a café on board the train serving sandwiches, light snacks, and beverages. Also, Standard Premier and Business premier passengers are served a meal and beverages at their seat, all of which are included in the price of their ticket.

Is the Eurostar journey between Paris and London scenic?

The train journey between London and Paris is not scenic. The train goes through the unremarkable and sometimes dreary suburbs of London and Paris and through the Channel Tunnel which, contrary to what some may think, isn’t transparent and does not allow for underwater views. The only somewhat pleasant section of this train ride is the segment in northern France, but even that isn’t exceptional.

Is a day trip to London from Paris worth it?

No, neither London nor Paris are cities that can be appreciated in a quick one-day visit, whether you travel by train or fly. A day trip to London from Paris, or to Paris from London, will be a waste of a day. Plan to stay four or five days in each to see the highlights and get a feel for these two immense cities.

Does the train from London to Paris go to Disneyland Paris?

There used to be a regular and direct Eurostar train traveling between London and Marne-la Vallée – Chessy (the train station that’s located across from the entrance to Disneyland Paris), but it is not the case any longer. That said, it is possible to ride the Eurostar from London, make a connection in Lille, France, or Brussels, Belgium, and then take the French high-speed train (TGV) from Lille or Brussels to Marne-la Vallée – Chessy.

You can book this one-connection journey from London to Marne-la Vallée – Chessy/Disneyland Paris directly on the Eurostar website.

Where to stay in London and Paris to be near the train stations

If you’re looking for an rental instead of a hotel, consult Matador’s selection of the best Airbnbs in London’s trendiest neighborhoods and in Paris’ top arrondissements. If it’s a place to stay near Disneyland Paris you’re looking for, Matador’s got you covered too with a list of Airbnbs that are affordable and just minutes from the parks.

We hope you love the hotels we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Hotels in London near St. Pancras Station

Hotels in Paris near Gare du Nord

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