Eurostar London to Paris: journey time, timetable and tickets

Dreaming of a romantic weekend in Paris, or heading to the French capital for a business trip? One fast and convenient way to get there from London is by Eurostar train.

In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know about taking the Eurostar from London to Paris. This includes journey times, timetable, prices and how to get hold of cheap Eurostar tickets.

We’ll even throw in a handy tip for your holiday spending. You can spend in EUR in Paris for less using the Wise international debit card. This clever multi-currency card automatically converts GBP to EUR at the mid-market rate, for just a tiny fee¹¹. If you already have EUR in your Wise account, it’s free.

But more on that later. For now, let’s get back to the Eurostar London to Paris.

How long does the Eurostar take from London to Paris?

The Eurostar is a high-speed train, so it’s pretty quick. The average journey time from London to Paris clocks in at just 2 hours and 16 minutes¹.

However, it can sometimes take a little longer. Eurostar advises that it can potentially take up to 2 hours and 37 minutes¹ to travel between the two capital cities.

Eurostar London to Paris - timetable and rail route

The rail route from London to Paris starts at London St Pancras International, the main hub for Eurostar in the UK. It then goes through the Channel Tunnel before arriving at Paris Gare Du Nord, one of the main train stations in Paris.

It’s a direct train, with no stops along the way. The route is around 212 miles (342 kilometres) in total².

The Eurostar from London to Paris runs every hour or so, from around 6am to 8pm³. There are trains every day of the week, all year round except for Christmas Day⁴.

Can I get to Disneyland Paris on the Eurostar?

You can get the Eurostar from London to Disneyland Paris, but direct trains don’t run every day. There are also options to travel with a change in Brussels Midi or Lille Europe. Here are the average journey times⁵:

• Direct - 2 hours, 21 minutes
• Change at Brussels Midi - 4 hours, 53 minutes
• Change at Lille Europe - 3 hours, 4 minutes.

The direct service from London St Pancras to Disneyland Paris will stop running from 7th June 2023 until the end of that year.

Eurostar London to Paris prices

Now, let’s take a look at how much it costs to take the Eurostar from London to Paris:

	One way⁶	Return⁷
Standard fare	From £52	From £78
Standard Premier	From £115	From £199
Business Premier	From £276	From £490

Is it cheaper to fly to Paris or take Eurostar?

It is possible to fly to Paris for less than the cheapest Eurostar fare. For comparison, the cheapest price for the Eurostar is £52 one way, or £78 return. Flights from London to Paris can be found for as little as £29⁸. However, you may have to pay extra for your baggage, so the Eurostar could still work out cheaper.

The flight time is also quicker at 1 hour 20 minutes⁸. But if you factor in time spent queuing in security and getting to the airport a couple of hours before your flight, it may not be the quickest option overall.

How to buy Eurostar tickets

It’s easy to buy your Eurostar tickets online. You can go directly to the Eurostar website or app, or use another train ticket website such as Trainline.com. Accepted payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Apple Pay⁹.

It’s best to book your Eurostar tickets in advance, as it tends to get more expensive closer to the travel date. However, if you need to travel at short notice, you can potentially pick up your tickets at the station. Tickets are likely to be more expensive though, and admin fees may apply. Plus, cash isn’t accepted at London St Pancras, so you’ll need to have a debit or credit card handy.

You can also enquire about buying your Eurostar tickets over the phone, although a service fee of £10 may apply. Call the Eurostar customer services team on +44 (0)3432 186 186 to find out more¹⁰.

Tips for getting cheap Eurostar tickets

With Eurostar, it tends to be cheaper the further in advance you book. You’ll also get a better deal overall if you book a return trip, as each leg of the journey becomes cheaper.

Eurostar tickets also tend to be cheaper for journeys taken between midday on Monday and midnight Thursday⁴. So if you can be flexible with your travel dates, you could save money by travelling mid-week rather than at the weekend. Check this detailed guide on how to get cheap Eurostar tickets.

You can find the lowest Eurostar fares here.

Holiday spending sorted with the Wise international card

Got your train tickets booked? The next step is to find the most convenient and cost-effective way to spend during your trip to Paris.

Open a free Wise multi-currency account online and you can get your own international debit card. This contactless card is ideal for dining, shopping, hotels, ATM withdrawals and much more, and it works in around 175 countries worldwide.

It automatically converts your pounds to euros whenever you tap and spend, at the mid-market rate. There’s just a small fee for the conversion¹¹, or it’s free if you already have EUR in your Wise account.

So, there’s no need to interrupt your trip by queuing at the Bureau de Change, or having to carry cash around with you. All the spending power you need is right there in your wallet. And you’ll have the peace of mind that you’re getting a fair exchange rate.

Whether you’re shopping up a storm on the Champs-Élysées or booking a romantic restaurant by the Seine, Wise has your holiday spending sorted.

Join Wise today

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.

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And that’s pretty much it - everything you need to know about taking the Eurostar from London to Paris. We’ve covered journey times, timetables, prices and how to buy your tickets, plus a couple of tips on getting cheaper tickets.

All that’s left to do is book your tickets and plan the rest of your trip to Paris - have a great time!

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Sources used:

1. Eurostar - London to Paris
2. The Trainline - London to Paris
3. Eurostar - London to Paris Search
4. The Man in Seat 61 - Eurostar London to Paris Guide
5. Eurostar - London to Disneyland Paris Search
6. Eurostar - London to Paris One Way Search
7. Eurostar - London to Paris Return Search
8. Skyscanner - London to Paris flights
9. Eurostar Help - Payment Methods
10. Eurostar - Contact Us
11. Wise Terms of Use & Wise Pricing

Sources last checked on date: 11-Oct-2022