3 ways to get from Paris to London
Getting there can be half the fun.


These days, getting from Paris to London is easier than ever, whether you want to zip across the English Channel or take the scenic route. Choosing the best way just depends on your budget, how much time you have, and whether or not you want to make stops along the way. Below, we’ve outlined three great ways to travel from Paris to London to help you plan the most efficient—and fun—trip.
Paris to London by train…

The fastest way to get from Paris to London is on the Eurostar bullet train, which takes approximately two hours and 20 minutes and costs between $120 and $370 depending on whether you buy Standard, Standard Premier, or Business Premier class. Eurostar trains, which travel at speeds of up to 186 miles per hour, are modern and comfortable, with plenty of room for luggage and onboard food and beverage options based on class.
Direct trains depart from Paris Gare du Nord every four hours and arrive at St. Pancras International Station in London. If you want the best view of the Eiffel Tower as you’re leaving Paris, select a seat on the left side of the train.
Paris to London by bus or car…

The most affordable way to get from Paris to London is by bus, which costs between $17 and $35. It’s a time commitment, though—the ride is over nine hours. FlixBus offers service from Gallieni station in Paris to Victoria Coach station in Westminster five times daily.
If you’d rather drive yourself, there are two ways to do so. You can take your car on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle train, which runs through the Channel Tunnel (a.k.a. the Chunnel) from Coquelles to Folkestone, for around $90 one way. Or you can take the Dover-Calais car ferry for $225. Driving via the Chunnel takes just under five hours from start to finish, while the ferry route is a bit longer at around 6.5 hours.
The perk of driving yourself, of course, is that you can stop wherever you want along the way. On the French side of the Channel, top attractions along A26 and A1 from Paris to Calais include the Astérix Park theme park and the Vieux-Lille neighborhood in Lille. Other worthy detours range from the historic Château de Chantilly to the La Coupole Centre D'histoire bunker complex from World War II. On the English side from Dover to London off A2, you can visit Canterbury for its 11th-century cathedral, the historic Leeds Castle and moat near Maidenstone, and Greenwich on the outskirts of London to see the Greenwich meridian line in person.
Paris to London by plane…

According to Skyscanner, more than 1,000 direct flights depart from Paris for London each week, but prices vary depending on the time of year. During the high season (June to August), tickets are typically the most expensive, peaking around $85 one way or $182 round trip. By contrast, the colder months of January and February yield prices as low as $32 one way or $115 round trip.
Flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to London Heathrow (LHR) are only 10 minutes longer than to London Gatwick (LGW), so fly into whichever airport is most convenient for you. Heathrow is the larger of the two and is better connected to Central London, while Gatwick tends to be less busy.
Getting from the airport to your accommodations in London is equally simple. At Heathrow, the airport train, called the Heathrow Express, is the fastest and most stress-free option, whisking you to Paddington Station in just 15 minutes. It runs every 15 minutes and costs $26.35 if you buy tickets at the airport, but you can save up to 75 percent by booking in advance online or via the app. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express offers non-stop service to Victoria station every 15 minutes and costs just $19.50; the journey takes about 30 minutes.
Of course, taxis and ride share services are also available, but expect to pay between $58 and $84 for the latter. A much more affordable choice is the bus—National Express and easyBus run 24/7 and cost as little as $9 if booked in advance.