Is the Eurostar better than flying London to Paris?

For city-centre trips the Eurostar is usually faster and more comfortable — 2h 15m St Pancras to Gare du Nord, from £45, no baggage fees, 30-minute check-in. Flying wins if you need a suburban London airport like Luton or are connecting through CDG to long-haul.

What is the cheapest month to fly London to Paris?

January, February and November are cheapest — fares from £29 one-way. June–August sees summer peaks; December spikes for Christmas markets. Avoid French public holidays (14 July Bastille Day, 1 May, 15 August).

Cheap Flights London to Paris (LON→CDG) — Compare Airlines & Prices

Q: How long is a direct flight from London to Paris?

Direct flights take 1h 15m to 1h 25m airport-to-airport. Factor in check-in, security and transfers and the total journey is 3h 30m–4h — which is why many travellers prefer the 2h 15m Eurostar from St Pancras to Gare du Nord.

Q: Which Paris airport is best?

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the main international hub — best for long-haul connections, RER B train to central Paris 35m. Orly (ORY) is closer to central Paris (14km south) — use Orlyval + RER B. Beauvais (BVA) is 85km north — served only by Ryanair, bus to Paris is 1h 15m.

Insight

When to book for the cheapest London–Paris flights

🚄

Compare Eurostar first

2h 15m St Pancras to Gare du Nord, from £45. Often wins on total journey time vs flying.

📅

Book 4–6 weeks ahead

Heavy business traffic. Last-minute Fri/Mon peaks can exceed £250 one-way.

🎨

Avoid Fashion Week

Early March and late September — hotels and flights spike for Paris Fashion Week.

Lowest fares

Cheapest flights London to Paris

Lowest one-way fares from across all London airports. Hand luggage only — add cabin or hold bag for +£8–£30.

Airline	Departure	Duration	Cabin	Price
easyJet	LGW 06:45 → CDG	1h 20m	Economy	£29
Ryanair	STN 07:10 → BVA	1h 15m	Economy	£19
Vueling	LGW 12:15 → ORY	1h 20m	Economy	£49
British Airways	LHR T5 14:40 → CDG	1h 15m	Euro Traveller	£55
Air France	LHR T4 17:30 → CDG	1h 20m	Economy	£69

Find more cheap fares →

All airlines on this route

Who flies London to Paris?

Airline	Airports	Duration	Cabin	From	Baggage
Ryanair	STN → BVA (Beauvais)	1h 15m	Economy	£19	Small bag free, cabin +£10
easyJet	LGW, LTN → CDG / ORY	1h 20m	Economy	£29	Small bag free, cabin +£8
Vueling	LGW → ORY	1h 20m	Economy / Optima	£49	Cabin bag included
British Airways	LHR (T5), LCY, LGW → CDG	1h 15m	Euro Traveller / Club Europe	£55	Cabin bag included
Air France	LHR (T4), LCY → CDG	1h 20m	Economy / Business	£69	Cabin bag included

Four mainstream airlines plus Ryanair to Beauvais. 40+ daily departures across London airports — the thickest European route from the UK. London City (LCY) is the fastest airport for Canary Wharf / City commuters.

Price calendar — 12 months

Best time to fly — 12-month heatmap

Cheapest months in green, peak in red. Prices are one-way, cheapest available fare.

Jan

£29

Feb

£32

Mar

£89

Apr

£58

May

£62

Jun

£95

Jul

£125

Aug

£118

Sep

£92

Oct

£52

Nov

£35

Dec

£89

🟢 Cheap (£29–£42) 🟡 Average (£42–£85) 🔴 Peak (£85+). March and September peak with Fashion Week. December peaks for Christmas markets.

Flight vs train

Alternative routes to Paris

🚄 Eurostar (often the winner)

St Pancras to Gare du Nord: 2h 15m city-to-city, no baggage fees, 30-min check-in. Walk out into central Paris.

from £45

London → Beauvais (BVA)

Ryanair from STN. Beauvais is 85km north of Paris — shuttle bus to Porte Maillot 1h 15m, €16.

from £19

London → Lille + TGV

Eurostar direct to Lille, then 1h TGV to Paris. Occasionally cheaper than direct Eurostar.

from £45

Frequently Asked Questions

London to Paris FAQs

How long is a direct flight from London to Paris? +

Direct flights take 1h 15m–1h 25m airport to airport. Factor in 90-minute check-in + 60-minute arrival buffer + airport transfers both ends and the total journey is 3h 30m–4h. That's why many travellers prefer the 2h 15m Eurostar from St Pancras to Gare du Nord.

Is the Eurostar better than flying? +

For central London to central Paris, yes — usually. Eurostar is 2h 15m door-to-door, from £45, no baggage fees, arrives at Gare du Nord in the 10th arrondissement. Flying wins if you need a suburban London airport (Luton, Stansted) or are connecting through CDG to long-haul.

Which Paris airport is best? +

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the main international hub — RER B train to Gare du Nord takes 35 min, €11.80. Orly (ORY) is closer to central Paris (14km south) — Orlyval + RER B takes 35 min, €14.50. Beauvais (BVA) is 85km north — Ryanair-only, shuttle bus to Porte Maillot is 1h 15m, €16 — factor this time in when comparing prices.

What's the cheapest month to fly? +

January, February and November are cheapest — fares from £29 one-way. Avoid June–August (peak summer), Fashion Week (early March, late September), French public holidays (14 July Bastille Day, 1 May, 15 August) and Christmas markets (December) when prices can triple.

Do I need a visa to visit France? +

UK passport holders can visit France (Schengen Area) visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. ETIAS authorisation will apply once live — check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france. Your passport must be valid for 3 months beyond your departure date.

Can I fly business class London to Paris? +

Yes — British Airways Club Europe (LHR/LCY–CDG) and Air France Business (LHR–CDG) operate from around £229 one-way. Both include lounge access at Heathrow T5/T3 and CDG terminals, plus priority boarding and a blocked middle seat. Not really worth it for a 75-minute flight unless you're using the lounges or earning tier points.

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