London to Paris is the most popular international city pair in Europe — and for good reason. At just 344 km as the crow flies, it's close enough to do in a day, yet far enough to feel like a proper trip abroad. Here's every way to get there.
By Eurostar (Train) — The Best Option
The Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel is the gold standard for London–Paris. Journey time: 2h 15m from St Pancras International to Gare du Nord. It's faster than flying once you factor in airport check-in and security, and CO₂ emissions are roughly 90% lower than flying.
Trains run up to 18 times per day. Book 3–4 months in advance for the best fares — standard tickets start around £40 each way.
By Plane
Multiple airlines (British Airways, Air France, easyJet) fly the route from Heathrow, Gatwick, and City Airport. Flight time is just 1h 20m, but with 2–3 hours at each airport you're looking at a 5–6 hour door-to-door journey total. CO₂ per passenger: roughly 55 kg.
By Car + Le Shuttle
Drive from London to Folkestone, load your car onto the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (35-minute crossing), then drive to Paris — approximately 460 km total. Allow 6–8 hours depending on traffic.
By Ferry
DFDS and P&O run Dover–Calais crossings (90 minutes) and Dover–Dunkirk (2 hours). The sea crossing adds charm but time — factor 7–9 hours total for car travel.
CO₂ Comparison
Train: ~6 kg · Car (solo): ~80 kg · Coach: ~14 kg · Flight: ~55 kg. The train wins by a wide margin on emissions — making it both the fastest and greenest choice for this route.