Exactly How To Take The Train from Paris to London: A Step-By-Step Guide

Thinking about taking the train from Paris to London? I did it for the second time this fall and can’t recommend it enough. It’s an incredibly easy and lovely way to get to see two amazing cities in Europe (plus there’s just something about train travel, you know?).

The whole journey takes just over 2 hours on the Eurostar bullet train, and you clear customs in Paris, which means you arrive in London ready to go. No long immigration lines, no TSA checking the size of your bag, no stress. Just a valid passport and you’re good to go.

I’ve traveled between these two cities multiple ways over the years, and after comparing flights, buses, and trains, the Eurostar wins every time for convenience and comfort.

Here’s everything you need (with photos!) to know to book your trip and navigate the process as smoothly as possible.

Taking the Train from Paris to London Quick Guide

Why Take the Train from Paris to London

The Eurostar is a high speed train that’s direct to London and genuinely the best way to travel between these two cities. While budget airlines might look cheaper at first glance, once you factor in baggage fees, airport transfers, and the time spent getting through security, the train wins on both cost and convenience.

Plus, there’s just something so easy and romantic about train travel that flying can’t match without a business-class ticket (which is obviously way more expensive, unless you know how to book them on points! I offer free consultations here).

You can walk around, the seats are comfortable, and you arrive right in the heart of both cities instead of 45 minutes outside at some airport.

Wondering what you should do in Paris before you head to London? Check out my guide to 50+ of my favorite things to do in Paris.

Before we dive into my full guide, if you want to stay up to date on tips and tricks for booking luxury travel on an affordable budget, feel free to sign up for my free email list!

How Much Does The Bullet Train From Paris to London Cost? A Tip To Save Money 

Eurostar pricing works based on supply, demand, and timing. Book early and you can snag train tickets for under €50. Wait until the last minute and you might pay €200+ for the same seat.

I recommend booking 2-3 months in advance for the best prices. The Eurostar releases tickets about 6 months out, and prices only go up as the departure date approaches (especially during peak travel times).

You can book here on Omio or directly through the Eurostar website. The interface is straightforward and you can easily compare different departure times and ticket classes.

The 3 Eurostar Ticket Classes

There are three main ticket classes, and honestly, standard class is perfectly fine for most travelers and what I’d recommend:

Eurostar Standard: This is your basic economy ticket. You get comfortable seats with power outlets, but no meal included. For a 2-hour journey, you really don’t need more than this and you can buy a sandwich at the station.

Eurostar Plus: The middle tier gives you a roomier seat, light meal served at your seat, and access to the Eurostar lounges. The light meal is basically an airplane meal.

Eurostar Premier: Business class with the most legroom, a full meal (including drinks), lounge access, and flexibility to change your ticket. Unless you’re traveling for work or treating yourself, skip it.

I always book Eurostar standard class and I’ve never felt like I was missing out. The journey is short enough that the upgrade isn’t necessary (save your money for Paris wine and London theater tickets instead!).

Luggage on The Train From Paris to London

Another beautiful perk of train travel is the expanded luggage allowance at no extra charge. Seriously, nothing makes me more annoyed than when tsa makes you measure your bag. 

Depending on what fare class you purchase you get 2-3 bags (plus a backpack) and no limit on liquids. 

You want to head to Hall 2, which is the dedicated Eurostar departure area.

Take the escalator upstairs and you’ll find the check-in area. Check-in opens about 1 hour before departure and closes 30 minutes before. 

Security and Customs

With Eurostar, you clear both French exit control and UK entry control in Paris. This means when you arrive in London, you literally just walk off the train and into the city. No immigration lines, no waiting. It’s wonderfully simple.

You’ll go through three checkpoints:

1. Bag security: Similar to airport security. You’ll pull your laptop out but there’s no limit on liquids (hello, full-size shampoo!).
2. French exit control: They scan your passport and give you a stamp or you go through a machine.
3. UK entry control: British immigration officers then check your passport and waive you through.

The passport scanning machines can be a bit glitchy, so be patient. Sometimes they need to scan your passport multiple times before it works. If the machine gives you trouble, don’t panic, just wait for an officer to help.

⚠️ Important! Make sure you have your passport. I know that sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many EU citizens forget that the UK requires a passport now post-Brexit. No ID cards allowed.

What to Do After Check-In (Food & Drink Tips)

Once you’re through security and customs, you’re in the departure lounge with about 30-45 minutes to kill before boarding.

There are several cafés and snack options in the departure area. 

I usually grab a coffee and a croissant to enjoy before boarding. The prices are airport-level expensive (what isn’t in a train station?), but the quality is decent.

If you have access to the Eurostar lounge (included with Eurostar Plus and Premier tickets), you’ll find complimentary snacks, drinks, and WiFi. It’s a nice perk if you have it, but not worth upgrading just for lounge access on such a short journey.

What to Expect on Board the Eurostar Train From Paris to London

Boarding usually starts about 20 minutes before departure. Find your car number on your ticket and head to the corresponding platform area.

Trains sometimes leave a minute or two early, so be at your seat 10-15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. They announce boarding, but don’t assume you have until the exact departure time to get settled.

Seats and Comfort

The seats in standard class are honestly super comfortable. You get a decent amount of legroom (more than most economy flights), a pull-down tray table, and power outlets at every seat (both UK and EU plugs available).

Seats are arranged in both airline-style rows and tables of four facing each other. You may also want to book a seat facing forward in you get motion sick like I do 😊🤢

WiFi and Entertainment

Alright, the WiFi on the Eurostar is unreliable at best. It cuts in and out, especially when you’re in the tunnel under the Channel.

Download your movies, shows, or work before you board. Don’t count on streaming anything during the journey. I learned this the hard way and spent 2 hours staring out the window instead of catching up on emails (which, honestly, wasn’t the worst thing).

There’s no built-in entertainment system, so bring your own devices.

Food and Drinks

There’s a café car on the Eurostar train where you can buy snacks, sandwiches, coffee, wine, and beer. The selection is pretty standard train food (nothing special, but fine if you’re hungry).

Prices are what you’d expect on a train. A sandwich runs about €8-10, coffee around €3-4.

If you booked Eurostar Plus or Premier, your light meal gets delivered to your seat. In Plus, it’s usually a sandwich, snack, and drink. In Premier, you get a full meal with wine.

I usually just buy a sandwich before boarding and bring a water bottle. The journey is short enough that you don’t really need multiple meals unless you’re particularly hungry.

Going Underwater In The Channel Tunnel

Yes, the Eurostar bullet train goes underwater. About 30 minutes into the journey, you’ll enter the Channel Tunnel which is pretty awesome. 

The tunnel portion lasts about 20 minutes. You can’t see anything out the windows obviously, but it’s pretty cool knowing you’re traveling under the English Channel! The Eurostar actually holds the record for the fastest train journey between the two cities at just over 2 hours.

Arriving at London St Pancras International

The train pulls into Pancras International station in central London.

You literally just get off the train and walk into London. No immigration lines, no baggage claim, no nothing. If you only have carry-on luggage (which most people do on the Eurostar), you’re out of the station in 5 minutes.

St Pancras is beautifully located in King’s Cross, right in the heart of London. From here you can:

• Take the Tube (Underground) from King’s Cross St Pancras station to anywhere in London
• Catch a taxi or Uber right outside
• Walk to many central London hotels if they’re nearby

The station itself is gorgeous, by the way. It’s a restored Victorian train station with soaring iron and glass architecture. If you have a few minutes, it’s worth looking around (there’s also a champagne and caviar bar if you want to celebrate your arrival properly).

Where to Stay in London for Every Traveler

Okay, I’ll be honest. Hotels in London can be expensive and tiny (and sometimes in basements), so it’s worth it to know what’s worth it, right?  Here are my top picks depending on what kind of trip you’re on.

Honeymoon Luxury: Raffles London at The OWO

If you want the full luxury experience in London, Raffles at The OWO is it. Prices are high, but there’s a reason

It’s the kind of hotel where everything just feels seamless from the moment you check in and the spa is genuinely exceptional (if you’re someone who loves a good spa day, this place delivers). It’s a splurge, obviously, but if you’re celebrating or just want to treat yourself to something truly memorable in London, this is the one.

Affordable Luxury: Montcalm Royal London House

This is my top pick for affordable luxury. Budget around $350 per night on average, though you can sometimes find better deals if you book ahead.

The location is great for exploring Shoreditch and the City, and the rooftop bar is genuinely worth checking out. It hits that perfect sweet spot of feeling elevated without costing a fortune.

Family hotel in London: Park Plaza London Riverbank

Traveling with kids in London? The Park Plaza London Riverbank is a really solid choice. Budget around $350 per night on average.

It’s clean, well-located, and walkable to a bunch of major tourist spots (which is a big deal when you’ve got little ones and the last thing you want is to spend your whole day navigating the Tube). 

Some of the room setups have a more apartment-like feel, which genuinely helps when you’re traveling as a family. It’s a reliable, no-nonsense base that won’t disappoint.

Best Hotel in London to Book on Points: Andaz London Liverpool Street

First, I genuinely love the Andaz chain, especially in Mexico City. If you use points and miles, the Andaz London Liverpool Street is one of the best sweet spots in all of London. You can book a standard room for around 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night, which is genuinely hard to beat for a London stay.

Booking it is pretty straightforward. 

• Set up a Hyatt account if you don’t already have one. 
• If you’re sitting on Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can transfer them to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio through the Chase portal, so 21,000 Chase points becomes 21,000 Hyatt points. I have a free guide to how to do this here. 
• From there, just search for the Andaz on Hyatt’s website or app and select “Use Points” to lock in your stay.

This is one of my favorite ways to experience London without spending hundreds of dollars a night in cash. The Chase to Hyatt transfer is one of the most versatile moves in the points game, and this hotel is a perfect use of points.