Traveling from London to Paris on the Eurostar is the fastest and most relaxing way to make the journey.

One of the reasons I decided to move to England was to enjoy easier access to Europe’s amazing sights and culture. I’ve used Eurostar to head to Paris and Bruges and it couldn’t be easier.

Traveling from London to Paris via the Eurostar is the most relaxing way to visit the City of Light.

From London St Pancras station to the Paris Gare du Nord is a quick 2 hours + journey. About as long as watching a movie! Time to relax, have a bite to eat and get ready to flirt in French~

Can you think of an easier way to travel right into the heart of Paris? No worrying about catching a flight or picking up a rental car. Who needs airports!

For other alternative routes to travel to France other than Eurostar, here’s my recommendations.

Traveling from London to Paris on the Eurostar

With up to 20 trips per day between the two capitols, it’s easy to book a time and fare that fits your schedule and budget. Due to lessening demand, there aren’t as many trains per day but hopefully that will change as travel returns to more normal levels.

Check fares and departures here: Eurostar

To balance budget and convenience I booked a train leaving London about noon which arrived in Paris about 3 PM.  By taking a later train, I avoided rush hour on the Underground and had plenty of time to mooch around the shops at the station. Make sure you allow plenty of time to get to St. Pancras station.

London St. Pancras International was built in 1868 and is now the main station for routes to Europe including Paris, Brussels and the Netherlands. If you have time, do go up to the second floor and look around. There’s a swanky bar, hotel and artwork such as The Meeting Place; a 30 ft high, 20 ton statue evoking the romance of two lovers meeting at the station!

Why not book a hotel near St. Pancras station for stress free connections?

You can buy snacks and drinks on the train, but it’s easy to grab your own food to go at the M&S (Marks & Spencers) in the station. You’ll find a full selection of bars and restaurants on the lower concourse of the station as well.

Look out for the Eurostar check in point and try to arrive at least an hour ahead of your departure time to go through customs and security. You’ll need to show your passport, ticket and any testing or entry requirement documents. The Eurostar website has all the details of what you’ll need before boarding.

London to Paris on the Eurostar Train

• Eurostar trains leave from St. Pancras International rail station in central London
• The high speed railway connects London to Paris, Brussels, Avignon, Lille, Lyon and Marseille
• Eurostar may stop at Ebbsfleet and Ashford International train stations between London and the tunnel
• Trains travel at speeds up to 200 mph
• The journey from London to Paris is approximately 2 hrs 30 minutes
• The Channel tunnel is 31.4 miles long and was completed in 1994
• London to Paris train cost: fares start at $75. round trip

Eurostar Check In

• Signage makes it easy to check in for the Eurostar train and boarding is similar to most trains with some exceptions
• You’ll go through a quick customs check by French authorities
• Carryon luggage is scanned on a belt similar to airports
• Once through the check in point you’ll walk out to your numbered carriage (on your ticket), board and find your seat.

I was very pleasantly surprised to see how clean and comfortable our train was; it turns our we were on one of the newer trains.

• There’s onboard Wifi available, which we couldn’t get to work, but hopefully you won’t have that problem.
• Paris is one hour ahead of London, so keep that in mind for arrival.
• Trains travel up to 186 mph but you’re not aware of the speed, the ride is very smooth.

My hopes for pretty countryside both on the English side and once we got through the Chunnel were dashed. The journey is fairly flat and uninteresting from your window and it’s hard to even differentiate between the two countries.

Once you enter the tunnel you’ll be under the English Channel –  for about 20 minutes. Once you’re through the tunnel you’re in France! Expect to pass through the French countryside for another hour before reaching the outskirts of Paris.

Arriving in Paris by Eurostar can be a bit anti-climatic; but before you know it you’ll be arriving at Gare du Nord station.

Once you arrive, you’ll just step off the train and walk out as you’ve already gone through customs in England. On my most recent trip I heard an overhead notification on Eurostar that customs is now in place as the UK has left the EU but I saw no sign of customs on arrival at Gare du Nord.

Book a hotel near the Gare du Nord station or at your Paris destination.

I’d recommend taking a taxi from the station unless you’re ready to jump on the Metro or a bus to your hotel.  Our hotel near Rue Cler recommended using either G7 or Alfa taxi.  Taxi is the same in English and French! To hail a taxi simply walk out of the station, turn right and join the line at the taxi rank at the side of the station. If you get off the train quickly, you’ll have the advantage!

I’d highly recommend Eurostar for your London to Paris trip. I don’t think you can ask more than a smooth, quick comfortable journey!  Here’s my favorite  neighborhood for a perfect introduction to Paris and walking distance to The Eiffel Tower.