The vaulted train shed at Paris Gare du Nord, where Eurostar services from London arrive.
Photo: Diliff / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)London to Paris by Train
An international route between United Kingdom and France.
Reviewed by Eurotraintrip on 2026-07-30
- Duration
- 2h 15m – 2h 40m
- Price from
- 39 GBP
- Distance
- 344 km
- Operators
- Eurostar
- Frequency
- Around 15-18 direct trains per day, fewer on Saturdays
Compare and book London–Paris tickets
Check pricesWhat makes London to Paris different
- Since October 2025, London-bound Eurostar passengers leaving via St Pancras for Paris are the ones affected by the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) - a one-off biometric fingerprint and photo capture for non-EU passport holders - because both UK exit and French/Schengen entry checks happen at St Pancras before boarding. Eurostar expanded to 49 pre-registration kiosks and increased e-gates from 8 to 11 at St Pancras to handle it.
- St Pancras International's Barlow train shed, completed in 1868, was the largest single-span roof in the world when it opened; the Eurostar departure platform beneath it also holds what's billed as the longest Champagne bar in Europe, running the length of the platform.
- Because both UK exit and French/Schengen entry checks happen in London before departure, arriving passengers at Gare du Nord walk straight off the train with no further passport or customs check - the mirror of the checks Paris-bound-from-London travelers clear before boarding.
London station
Departs from London St Pancras International in Camden - look for Paul Day's 30-foot bronze 'The Meeting Place' statue and the statue of poet Sir John Betjeman (whose 1960s campaign saved the station from demolition) on the upper concourse before heading to the separate Eurostar departure area, with its own check-in, security and passport control.
Paris station
Arrives at Paris Gare du Nord in the 10th arrondissement, Europe's busiest railway station overall - since border checks were already cleared in London, arriving passengers exit straight onto the concourse; the immediate station surroundings (Boulevard de Magenta side especially) have a reputation for pickpocketing, so keep bags zipped and front-facing until clear of the forecourt.
Train vs. other options
Flying London-Paris takes about 1h15m in the air, but once transfers to Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton or City (30-60 minutes from central London depending on the airport) plus check-in and security are added, door-to-door time is often longer than the roughly 2h15m St Pancras-to-Gare du Nord train - and the Eurostar drops you in central Paris rather than an airport you then still need to get out of.
Booking tips
- Eurostar releases new fares roughly 6 months ahead - the cheapest Standard tickets from London go on sale then and sell out fastest for Friday evening and Sunday afternoon departures, the two busiest outbound slots.
- Since the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks began rolling out at St Pancras in October 2025, first-time non-UK/non-EU passport holders should budget extra time for the one-off fingerprint and photo registration at the pre-registration kiosks before boarding.
- Book Standard class well ahead rather than Standard Premier/Business Premier if price matters most - the gap between advance and last-minute Standard fares is large.
Good to know: Because passport control for both countries now happens in London, delays cluster at the St Pancras end: Eurostar's guidance moved from a 30-minute minimum to recommending 60-90 minutes after the EES rollout in late 2025, especially on Friday evenings, Sundays and around French/UK school holidays - check-in itself still closes 30 minutes before departure.
While you're in Paris
The Eiffel Tower, seen from the Palais de Chaillot across the Seine.
Photo: Andyxox / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)Between the Louvre's endless galleries, Montmartre's hilltop streets and a market culture that runs from grand covered halls to a single cheese stall, Paris is built for slow mornings and long lunches as much as headline sights.
Full Paris travel guide →Frequently asked questions
How long is the Eurostar from London to Paris?
The fastest direct trains take around 2 hours 15 minutes through the Channel Tunnel. Services with different stopping patterns can take up to about 2 hours 40 minutes.
How early should I arrive at St Pancras for the London-Paris Eurostar?
Arrive 60-90 minutes before departure - since late 2025 this covers UK exit checks, French/Schengen entry checks, EU Entry/Exit System biometric registration for non-EU passport holders, and security screening, all done in London before check-in closes 30 minutes ahead of departure.
Do I need to go through passport control again when I arrive in Paris?
No - because both UK and French/Schengen checks happen at St Pancras before boarding, you walk straight off the train at Gare du Nord with no further border check.