In this post, I want to highlight the best way to travel from London to Paris. There are many options to travel from London to Paris, but it depends on your situation and what you feel would be the best option for you. This post will clarify all the routes, and I will pick the best way overall.

To start, London and Paris are only about 215 miles apart. Because they are pretty close, there are a ton of options to consider, but for most, it’s going to come down to speed and costs. You’ll see in this post that there will be two options that stand out, one that is an option and one other that I would not recommend at all.

While doing research, it’s safe to say that taking the train from London to Paris is the best option and there are a couple of reasons why. Because London and Paris are pretty close together, it makes sense that a train would be better than taking a plane. The Eurostar is highspeed, and without extensive security checks, it’s easy to see why it’s better than going to an airport.

Oh, and on top of that, it’s also cheaper! The Eurostar is the only train service that offers highspeed direct service, and the cost can range from around $75 to $120. Prices can be higher if booking in a different class or last minute.

From point to point, it only takes 2 hours and 16 minutes. I think the best part of the train service is that it leaves from downtown London (St. Pancras Station) to downtown Paris (Gare du Nord). No stopping at airports and taking a long metro or taxi into the city. And it’s still quicker than taking a plane because of the allotted time you would need to get to and from the airport.

Eurostar

There are options when booking like any train, including first-class, business class, and second class. There are over 15 trains per day, usually giving you a lot of options throughout the day. My recommendation is to book in advance as those will be the cheapest tickets. Summer tends to see more substantial traffic and prices.

Price: Range from $75 to $120 on average (can be much higher if short notice)

Yes, I would recommend taking the train from London to Paris. It’s not the cheapest option, as we will see in this post, but it’s the best option for what you get. You get to leave from downtown London and arrive in downtown Paris all under 3 hours. For travelers who want to make the most out of their travels, this option makes the most sense.

1st Recommended

A list of things that will make your train travels better!

If you have time to kill or prefer flying, then taking a plane from London to Paris is the second-best option. The time is quicker by air like I posted in the basic info, to travel to and from the airport will eat up any gains you get from the air. And although it may be cheaper or the same price to book by air, you’ll end up probably paying more due to baggage fees, etc.

There are about 16 to 23 nonstop flights a day from London to Paris, according to Google, costing around $120 on average. That’s not too bad considering the flight time is only 1 hour 10 minutes, but the connections alone will push your total time over 3 hours. Given that you to check your bags and take the metro or the train into the city center, it just seems like more work than taking the train.

Taking a flight is not a bad option, especially if you’re staying around airports, and you want a quick alternative from the train. But given that on a train you can get up, the food is less expensive than an airport and wifi that usually works I would opt for the train over a flight.

EasyJet

AirFrance

British Airways

Vueling

There are four major airlines service from London to Paris. All are about the same price, so it will come down to your preferences and schedule. Some flights leave from London Gatwick while others depart from London Luton or London Heathrow.

Use websites like Google Flights, Momondo, or Skyscanner to look at prices and schedule. Usually, I book with the airline directly on their website.

Price: Around $120 on average

Yes, I think taking a flight is a good option. Still, it would be my second option if for some reason, the train was not available or if I happen to be staying around the airports. European airports are usually pretty efficient, but the problem is that they can be far from city centers. And you’re going to waste time and money commuting to and from the airports.

2nd Recommended

A list of things that will make your flight travels better!

It is possible to drive from London to Paris with a car although I wouldn’t recommend it unless you plan on using a car in France. There are two options you can take. One is the EuroTunnel, while the other is taking a ferry from Dover to Calais. The EuroTunnel is the fastest option you can take and is the same tunnel that the Eurostar takes. The ferry from Dover to Calais is slower at 90 minutes.

First of all, it’s about 6 hours of total time to get to Paris. On top of that is, you do have to go through passport control and will have to stop. Then you have to wait for the train using the Eurotunnel or take the 90-minute ferry. For those that want to explore France by car and leaving London, this may be the best option to consider. But for the average tourist taking a car seems like a burden, especially since trains in France are fast and reliable.

Also, the costs are somewhat high, if not more than just taking a train. First, the rental car will be pricey, depending on how many days you’re traveling for, car size, and timing. There are also a lot of tolls and high gas prices while in France.

Sixt

Avis

Enterprise

Europcar

Hertz

You have all the big names in rental cars in and around London. Prices will vary a lot depending on car size and length of car rental.

Price: Range from $35 to $200 per day on average (can be much higher if short notice)

For your average tourists, this is not something I would do. You are driving in Europe, especially from London, where the steering wheel is on the left side. Beyond that, there are high fees, gas prices, tolls, and a general risk of driving a rental car. But if you do plan on doing your own thing in Paris and France beyond then, perhaps this is the best option for you.

3rd Recommended

A list of things that will make your car travels better!

Taking a bus is by far the cheapest way to get from London to Paris. But it’s also probably the worst way to travel. All buses leave from London Victoria Station, and arrive in Paris at stations, including Bercy Seine, Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Massy, Ibis Clichy, and Paris Nord. Different companies offering different stops, so make sure to check before you book.

The travel time from London to Paris by bus is around 9 hours. Remember that there will be at least one stop, and you’ll have to ride through the EuroTunnel, which will take up time. Sometimes there is a stop in Brussels, but I would not recommend doing this even if it saves you a little bit.

Onboard, there are toilets, and the ride is generally comfortable. However, you’re wasting a lot of time-saving around $50, which to me, is not worth it. You have to factor in the food that you will need to buy on your journey, and the time you will be wasting when you could be exploring Paris.

BlaBlaBus

Alianza

Flixbus

Eurolines

Several bus companies offer services. Eurolines maybe the best because they do offer wifi on board depending on the ticket you bought.

Price: Range from $15 to $40 on average

I would not recommend taking the bus at all. Yes, it is much cheaper, but you’re going to be wasting a whole day traveling from London to Paris. Sure to some, every bit of saving counts, but you could be in Paris enjoying your time, mainly if you have limited time. I honestly don’t think it’s a good idea to save some $50 and take a bus that will be uncomfortable after a whole day of travel. Take the train in this case!

Not Recommended

A list of things that will make your bus travels better!

These two iconic cities are well connected, and there are plenty of options depending on your budget and how fast you want to arrive. For me the clear winner is by train and is my 1st recommended.

I also have a link to What to Wear in London and What to Wear in Paris if you need style help. These posts are for now only for me, but in the future, I may add for women.