How Long from London to Paris?
Compare all ways to travel: fly (1 hours 15 minutes), ferry (1 hours 30 minutes), train (2 hours 15 minutes), drive (5 hours), bus (8 hours)
Time Comparison
The Eurostar wins this one. 2h 15m city center to city center beats flying when you factor in airport faff.
Flight
LHR → CDG
1h 15m
CDG → LHR
1h 20m
Distance
213 mi
Time Zone Diff
+1h
One of the shortest international flights. Factor in 2+ hours of airport time on each end.
Arrival Time Planner
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Drive
Eurotunnel (Folkestone → Calais → A26/A1)
5hDrive onto the train at Folkestone, emerge in France 35 minutes later. Then motorway to Paris.
Dover–Calais Ferry + A26/A1
6h90-minute ferry crossing with views of the White Cliffs. Cheaper but slower than the Tunnel.
Fuel Cost Estimator
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Train
Duration
2h 15m
Frequency
Up to 18 departures daily
Price Range
£50–£300
Eurostar
St Pancras to Gare du Nord, city center to city center. The smart choice — faster than flying when you count airport time.
Bus
Duration
8h
Frequency
Multiple daily
Price Range
£20–£60
FlixBus / National Express
Includes Eurotunnel or ferry crossing. Overnight services available.
Ferry / Boat
Duration
1h 30m
Frequency
Every 30–60 minutes
Price Range
£30–£80 (foot passenger)
P&O Ferries / DFDS (Dover–Calais)
Foot passengers welcome. 90-minute crossing, then 2.5h train from Calais to Paris.
Should You Fly or Drive?
✈️ Fly if...
- • You're traveling solo (no car rental savings to split)
- • Time is more valuable than money
- • The drive is 6+ hours
- • You don't need a car at your destination
🚗 Drive if...
- • You have 2+ passengers (split gas costs)
- • You need a car at your destination
- • You have lots of luggage
- • The journey itself is part of the fun
That Travel Time Is Equivalent To...
- ✈️ Flight: Watching 1 movie · Listening to 21 songs
- 🚗 Drive: 7 podcast episodes · 5 audiobook chapters
- 🚂 Train: Reading 5 chapters of a novel · 5 email replies