How to Get From London, England, to Paris, France, by Train
Travelers leaving London via Eurostar will find themselves in Paris’ city center. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images )
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Make the most of your European vacation by traveling from London to Paris, and vice versa, via a two-hour train ride on the Eurostar line. Trains reach 186 mph and spend 20 minutes in the famed Chunnel, an underwater tunnel that passes through the English Channel connecting France with England. The Chunnel measures 31 miles long, including 23 miles underwater, and reaches an average depth of 150 feet beneath the seabed. The London end of the Chunnel begins at St. Pancras International Station, while Paris’ Gare de Nord serves as France’s official Chunnel station.
Step 1
Study Eurostar’s online schedule. Determine when you want to travel to London or Paris.
Step 2
Remember the train offers two sets of schedules, broken down from early July to early December and early December to early July. Eurostar typically offers hourly departures Monday through Saturday in both directions, from approximately 5:45 a.m. until about 8 p.m. On Sundays, trains run less frequently, beginПing around 8 a.m. Although most trains run nonstop, some lines make stops in Ashford and Dartford, England.
Step 3
Save by booking early online at eurostar.com or by phone at 1-800-EUROSTAR. You can also use an authorized booking company such as Rail Europe (raileurope.com).
Step 4
Purchase your ticket in person at the train station at a booking agent window or via a touch-screen kiosk.
Step 5
Book your ticket as either a one-way or round-trip journey.
Step 6
Choose between three classes: Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier. While Standard offers virtually no perks, Standard Premier and Business Premier offer meal service at your seat, power sockets, recliПing seats and free magazines. Standard travelers have access to the train’s snack bar and buffet.
Step 7
Decide between fully flexible, semiflexible and nonflexible booking options. Nonflexible does not permit exchanges or refunds. Semiflexible allows exchanges and partial refunds up to two months prior to travel, but charges a fee. Fully flexible permits exchanges and refunds up to two months prior to travel without charging a fee.
Allow yourself at least 45 minutes for check-in. Business Premier travelers require only 20 minutes.
Adhere to the rules by limiting yourself to two pieces of luggage and one carry-on. Load your bags onto the train, placing your larger bags in designated areas near the train door entrance. Carry-on bags typically fit in compartments above the seats.