🚆 London to Paris: train, plane and bus prices in 2026

From London to Paris, you can get there in two hours or nine. The choice between train, plane, bus, and car comes down to price and how much time you have. The Eurostar train covers the route in 2 h 16 min (as of 09/2026, official Eurostar website), while the bus takes almost nine hours and costs several times less.

We've put together five options with prices for September 2026 and honest catches. Below are travel times and ticket prices for each option.

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Five ways to get from London to Paris

💡 In short:

Eurostar gets you there fastest: 2 h 16 min from central London to central Paris.
The bus is the cheapest option: tickets from 33 €.
Prices and travel times: as of 09/2026, checked against the Eurostar schedule and FlixBus routes.

Option	Travel time	Ticket from
Eurostar	2 h 16 min	39 £ (eurostar.com)
Plane	just over an hour in the air	often similar to the train
Bus	almost nine hours	33 € (flixbus.com)
Car	35 min in the tunnel	69 £ (leshuttle.com)
BlaBlaCar	depends on driver dates	cheaper than the bus

Eurostar: fast train from center to center

The Eurostar train travels from London to Paris in 2 h 16 min and arrives at Gare du Nord. A one-way ticket costs from 39 £ (as of 09/2026, Eurostar fares). Trains depart almost every hour, and it's best to book the return ticket together with the outbound journey.

You don't need an airport or a transfer: St Pancras station is in central London, and Gare du Nord is in central Paris. Arrive at the station early, because passport control and security screening take time. Luggage is easiest here: two suitcases and carry-on are included in the fare.

The catch is real too. Tickets get more expensive in the weeks before the date, and prices spike during holidays. If you know your dates, book early and check train schedules and tickets. Morning departures are usually cheaper than evening ones.

Passengers at St Pancras station by a Eurostar train

Who it's for: those who value their time and are heading to central Paris.
Not for: those looking for the lowest price in high season.

Plane: faster in the air, longer on the ground

easyJet, British Airways, Air France, and Vueling fly from London to Paris. You'll spend just over an hour in the air. Add the trip to the airport, security, and baggage claim, and the time advantage melts away.

Carriers fly from Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton to Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais. Beauvais Airport is far from Paris, and you need a separate bus to get there. So choose a flight to the airport closest to your hotel, not the cheapest one.

With low-cost carriers, carry-on baggage is limited, and a checked suitcase costs extra. The lowest price in search rarely stays the lowest at checkout. You can conveniently compare flights and dates through Kiwi.com flight search.

Who it's for: those flying onward through Europe or living near the airport.
Not for: those whose hotel is in central Paris.

Bus: the cheapest way

The bus takes almost nine hours from London to Paris (as of 09/2026, FlixBus bus schedule). Tickets start at €33, making this the most budget-friendly option. Departure is from Victoria Coach Station in London.

For part of the journey, the bus crosses the English Channel on a ferry or in a freight shuttle. The crossing depends on the weather, so don't plan a tight connection. The bus has Wi-Fi and power outlets, but sleeping in a seat for nine hours is uncomfortable.

Victoria Coach Station facade with signage

On the plus side, you'll see the scenery and save on the ticket. FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus operate the routes.

Who it's for: students and those in no hurry.
Not for: those with only one day in Paris.

Car and the Channel Tunnel

By car, the route from London to Paris is about 460 km on the map. There's no direct road under the strait, so the car is carried on a shuttle or a ferry. The LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais takes 35 minutes (as of 09/2026, LeShuttle schedule), with departures around the clock.

Eurostar train at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel

© Billy69150 (voir les conditions d'utilisation / see licensing below) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Billy69150 (voir les conditions d'utilisation / see licensing below), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A shuttle ticket for a car with passengers starts at £69 one way (as of 09/2026, LeShuttle fares). The ferry from Dover to Calais takes longer and is often cheaper. Add fuel and French toll roads to the price.

In France, you drive on the right, and toll sections require a card or transponder. If you don't have your own car, compare car rental options in advance.

Who it's for: families and groups traveling onward through Europe.
Not for: those traveling light who don't want to drive in a foreign country.

Ridesharing with BlaBlaCar

If your dates are flexible, look for a ride on BlaBlaCar. Drivers post London-Paris trips themselves, and you book a seat and split the fuel costs. It works out cheaper than the train, and sometimes cheaper than the bus.

You can see the driver's profile, reviews, and meeting point in advance. The trip takes roughly the same time as driving. The catch is predictability: on weekday mornings and evenings, there are few available rides.

Who it's for: those not tied to a strict schedule.
Not for: those traveling with large luggage or children.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

What's faster from London to Paris: train or plane?

In the air, the plane is faster than the Eurostar train. But add the trip to the airport, security, and baggage claim, and the train often arrives sooner. If you live near Heathrow or Gatwick, the plane has the edge.

How much does a Eurostar ticket from London to Paris cost?

The lowest fare starts at £39 one way (as of 09/2026, current Eurostar prices). The price rises as the train fills up, so a month before your date the ticket is cheaper.

What's cheaper: bus or BlaBlaCar?

The bus is more predictable: FlixBus sells tickets for different dates. BlaBlaCar can be even cheaper, but it all depends on rides available for your date. If your dates are fixed, take the bus; if they're flexible, check rideshares.

Can you get from London to Paris in your own car?

Yes, via the Channel Tunnel or on a ferry. The ferry takes longer than the LeShuttle. Factor in fuel, the crossing ticket, and French toll roads. This option is convenient if you're traveling onward through Europe with a lot of luggage.

Can you see Paris from London in one day?

Yes, if you take the Eurostar. An early train gets you to Paris by morning, and the last one leaves back in the evening. You'll have almost the whole day to explore the center. You can't do this by bus: it takes almost nine hours one way.

London-Paris route on the map: below is the route from London to Paris, which can be traveled by car or by train.

In short: what to book

The bottom line is simple. Need speed: take Eurostar. Need to save money: look at the bus or BlaBlaCar. Traveling onward through Europe with luggage: drive via LeShuttle.

If you're short on time, check the Eurostar schedule and prices for your date: train tickets. For a road trip, compare car rentals in advance.

From London to Paris: what is cheaper and faster in 2026