Train service
Eurostar
Eurostar is an international high-speed rail operator connecting the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
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The only train between London and Paris is the Eurostar. It goes direct from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord, no changes required. The journey takes around 2 hours 16 minutes, and there are typically around 16 departures a day, with more on peak days.
This guide covers tickets, classes, what to bring, and what to expect at check-in. If you are travelling with an Interrail or Eurail pass, read the pass reservations section before you book. The fee rules are different from standard tickets, and the spaces fill up.
The route
Eurostar is the only passenger train connecting the UK and mainland Europe. The train travels through the Channel Tunnel, crossing beneath the sea between Folkestone and Coquelles near Calais. The tunnel section takes around 20 minutes. Total distance from London to Paris by this route is approximately 495 km.
There is no overnight train on this route. There are no alternative train routes that compete with Eurostar on time or simplicity.
Departure station: London St Pancras International
Arrival station: Paris Gare du Nord
Both stations are in the centre of their cities. No airport transfer needed.
Tickets and fares
Booking window
Tickets typically go on sale 6 to 9 months before departure. Book early. The cheapest advance fares sell out well before departure on popular dates, and prices rise steadily as the train fills. During school holidays, summer weekends, and bank holiday periods, even off-peak trains can be expensive if you leave it late.
Midweek travel, particularly Tuesday to Thursday, tends to be cheaper than Friday afternoons, Monday mornings, or weekends.
Fares and pricing
Advance Standard fares can start from around £35 one-way. What you actually pay depends on the date, time, and how early you book. On busy summer weekends or bank holidays, the same Standard class can cost three or four times that.
Flexible fares cost more but can be exchanged with no fee up to one hour before departure. You pay any fare difference if the new train is more expensive.
Travel classes
| Class | What is included | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free WiFi, power outlet at seat, café-bar onboard | Lowest fares; refundable 7+ days before for £25 fee |
| Eurostar Plus | Everything in Standard, plus extra-wide seats and a meal served at your seat (London routes only) | Better for longer journeys or if you want to eat properly |
| Eurostar Premier | Extra-wide seats, complimentary meal and drinks, lounge access at both stations, priority boarding, full refund/exchange flexibility | For business travel or a more relaxed experience |
Luggage: Standard and Eurostar Plus allow two pieces of luggage (up to 85 cm tallest dimension) plus one small daypack or handbag. Eurostar Premier allows three pieces plus one small bag. There is no hold baggage. Everything comes into the passenger cabin with you.
Tip on refunds: Standard and Eurostar Plus can be refunded up to 7 days before travel for a fee of £25 or €25. Exchange with no fee is available up to one hour before departure. Eurostar Premier can be refunded or exchanged with no fee up to 48 hours after the original departure.
Booking channels
Book on the Eurostar website or app. Direct booking avoids any booking fees and gives access to the full fare range.
Authorised resellers including Trainline, Rail Europe, and Omio also sell Eurostar tickets, which is useful if you are combining Eurostar with onward European train connections.
Avoid booking in person at a station unless you have no other option. A booking fee applies at the ticket office that you avoid by booking online.
Rail pass reservations
If you hold an Interrail or Eurail pass, you can travel on Eurostar, but you still need a paid seat reservation on top of the pass. The reservation is not optional and is not included in the pass cost.
Only an Interrail Global Pass or Eurail Global Pass is valid on Eurostar London routes. One Country Passes, regional passes, and passes that cover only France or only the UK cannot be used. If you have a One Country Pass, you would need a point-to-point ticket from the border onward.
Reservation fees for London to Paris:
| Class | Interrail / Eurail fee |
|---|---|
| Eurostar Standard | €35 |
| Eurostar Plus | €40 |
These fees are charged in EUR, regardless of where you are departing from. Passholder places on Eurostar are limited. Book your reservation as soon as your travel dates are set.
Reservations can be made on the Eurostar website or app. Select “I have a rail pass” at the booking stage. You cannot travel in Eurostar Premier with an Interrail or Eurail pass.
Documents and requirements
Passport
A valid passport is required. EU and EEA national ID cards are not accepted on Eurostar routes to and from London. If you have only a national ID card, you will be denied boarding.
Check that your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip.
ETA for EU citizens entering the UK
Since 2 April 2025, citizens of most EU countries need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. An ETA is not a visa. It is a pre-authorisation linked to your passport, applied for online before travel.
Apply at least a few days before your journey. Without an ETA, EU citizens can be refused entry at the UK border.
UK citizens travelling to France do not need a visa for short stays, but should check the current Schengen entry requirements for their trip.
Advance passenger information
Eurostar requires your passport details before you can retrieve your ticket. When you access your booking on the Eurostar website, you will be prompted to enter your passport number, nationality, and date of birth for each passenger. Have passports to hand when you do this.
Checking in at St Pancras
This is not a standard train boarding. At St Pancras, you go through UK passport control and a security scan before you are allowed onto the platform. The process is similar to departing from an airport, and it takes time.
Arrive at least 60 minutes before departure. During busy periods, 90 minutes is safer. If you have a lot of luggage, are travelling with children, or need accessibility assistance, allow more time.
The ticket gates close 30 minutes before departure. If you arrive after the gates close, you will not board. Eurostar will not hold the train.
The sequence at St Pancras:
- Scan your ticket at the Eurostar check-in gates
- UK passport control (separate queues for UK/Irish passport holders and all other nationalities)
- Security screening, standard airport-style (liquids rules apply, laptops out of bags)
- Wait in the Eurostar departure lounge until your train is called
Eurostar Premier passengers have access to the Premier Lounge on both the departure and return legs.
On board
All Eurostar trains have free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and a café-bar serving hot and cold food and drinks throughout the journey. Seating is comfortable with reasonable legroom in Standard. Baby-changing facilities are in all toilets.
Eurostar Plus passengers on London routes receive a meal at their seat. Eurostar Premier passengers receive a complimentary menu and drinks. In Standard and Eurostar Plus, you can also bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks on board.
Accessibility
Eurostar trains have wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets. Contact Eurostar before travel if you need assistance with boarding, luggage, or mobility. Staff can meet you on the platform and help with the process.
Pets and bicycles
Guide dogs travel on all Eurostar services. Other pets require specific permission, so check Eurostar’s current policy before you travel.
Folding bicycles are allowed if stored in a bag that meets Eurostar’s size requirements. Non-folding bikes are not accepted on most services and require a dedicated booking. Confirm before you buy your ticket.
Arriving at Paris Gare du Nord
Gare du Nord is one of the busiest stations in Europe. It can feel overwhelming on arrival, particularly if you are not familiar with it. Head for the metro or RER exits as soon as you leave the Eurostar arrival hall.
For central Paris: Metro lines 4 and 5 serve Gare du Nord. RER B connects to Chatelet-Les Halles and Saint-Michel in under 10 minutes. Most central Paris hotels are within 20 to 30 minutes by metro.
For Disneyland Paris: Take RER B or metro to Chatelet-Les Halles, then transfer to RER A eastbound toward Marne-la-Vallee/Chessy. That is the Disneyland Paris station. The full journey from Gare du Nord is around 45 minutes to an hour, including the change at Chatelet. A shuttle bus service also runs from outside the station if you prefer.
Onward train connections: Gare du Nord is the departure point for Eurostar services to Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne. Check the departures board if you have a same-day connection.
Luggage storage is available inside the station if you want to explore Paris before checking in.
First and last trains
The first Eurostar from London to Paris typically leaves around 05:40 on weekdays and around 06:18 on weekends. The last departure is usually between 19:30 and 20:30 depending on the day.
Timetables vary by season and day. Check the Eurostar website or app for your exact departure time before making fixed plans at either end.
Alternative routes
If Eurostar is disrupted or fully sold out, the only practical alternative is to combine a train from London to Dover with a ferry to Calais and then a train from Calais Ville to Paris. This typically takes 5 to 7 hours in good conditions, requires three separate bookings, and depends on ferry schedules that do not align with train times.
There is no overnight train between London and Paris. There is no bus or ferry-only route that is competitive in journey time.
If Eurostar cancels your train, check the website for rebooking options and compensation. Standard disruption policies apply.
Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Operator | Eurostar |
| Route | London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord |
| Journey time | Around 2 hours 16 minutes |
| Daily departures | Around 16 (more on peak days) |
| First departure (weekdays) | Around 05:40 |
| Last departure | Around 19:30 to 20:30 depending on day |
| Advance fares from | Around £35 one-way Standard |
| Interrail/Eurail passholder fee | €35 Standard, €40 Eurostar Plus (Global Pass required) |
| Check-in | Arrive at least 60 minutes before departure; ticket gates close 30 min before |
| Documents | Valid passport; EU citizens need an ETA for UK entry |
| Luggage | Carry-on only; 2 bags + 1 small bag (Standard and Plus) |
| Booking window | Typically 6 to 9 months in advance |
Fares, timetables, reservation fees, and document requirements can change. Check the Eurostar website for your specific journey before booking.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the London to Paris Eurostar take?
The Eurostar takes around 2 hours 16 minutes from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord. It is a direct service with no changes. There are typically around 16 departures a day, with more on busy travel days.
When should I book London to Paris Eurostar tickets, and how much do they cost?
Tickets go on sale 6 to 9 months before departure. Advance Standard fares can start from around £35 one-way, but prices rise as the train fills and can be significantly higher on peak dates. Book as early as possible, especially for summer weekends, school holidays, and bank holiday periods. Midweek travel tends to be cheaper than Fridays or Mondays.
Do EU citizens need a visa or ETA to travel from Paris to London by Eurostar?
No visa is needed for EU citizens for short stays in the UK, but since 2 April 2025, most EU citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. An ETA is not a visa. It is a pre-authorisation linked to your passport that you apply for online before travel. Apply at least a few days before your journey. Without one, EU citizens can be refused entry at the UK border.
How early should I arrive for the Eurostar at London St Pancras?
Arrive at least 60 minutes before departure, and allow 90 minutes during busy periods. The ticket gates close 30 minutes before departure. If you miss that, you will not board. At St Pancras you go through UK passport control and a security scan (similar to an airport) before reaching the platform, so the process takes longer than a standard train departure.
Can I use an Interrail or Eurail pass on the London to Paris Eurostar?
Yes, but you also need a paid seat reservation on top of the pass. Only an Interrail Global Pass or Eurail Global Pass is valid on Eurostar London routes. One Country Passes do not qualify. Reservation fees are €35 for Standard and €40 for Eurostar Plus. Passholder spaces are limited, so book your reservation as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
How much luggage can I bring on the Eurostar?
In Standard and Eurostar Plus, you can bring two pieces of luggage (up to 85 cm on the tallest side) plus one small daypack or handbag. Eurostar Premier allows three pieces plus one small bag. There is no hold baggage. Everything travels in the passenger cabin with you. You can also bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks on board.
