Can you take a train from the UK to Europe?

Yes. Eurostar high-speed trains run through the Channel Tunnel from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord in 2 hours 20 minutes, Brussels Midi in 2 hours, and Amsterdam Centraal in 3 hours 52 minutes.

How long is the train from London to Paris?

The Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes through the Channel Tunnel.

Is Eurostar the only train from the UK to Europe?

Currently yes — Eurostar is the only passenger rail service through the Channel Tunnel connecting the UK to continental Europe, serving Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam directly.

Route guide · From Paris

Trains from Paris

By WoW Train · Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

Paris has six main-line stations, and the one you leave from depends on where you are going. Trains to the north and the UK leave from Gare du Nord, trains to the east and Switzerland from Gare de l'Est, and trains to the south-east and Spain from Gare de Lyon. This guide lists the main direct trains from Paris, with the station, indicative journey time and the operator you will actually use.

The main trains from Paris

Paris → London

~2h 20m Direct · Eurostar Gare du Nord → St Pancras

Paris → Brussels

~1h 20m–1h 30m Direct · Eurostar Gare du Nord → Brussels-Midi

Paris → Amsterdam

~3h 20m Direct · Eurostar Gare du Nord → Amsterdam Centraal

Paris → Lyon

~2h Direct · TGV INOUI / Ouigo Gare de Lyon → Lyon Part-Dieu

Paris → Bordeaux

~2h 05m–2h 15m Direct · TGV INOUI / Ouigo Montparnasse → Bordeaux Saint-Jean

Paris → Nice

~5h 30m–6h Direct · TGV INOUI Gare de Lyon → Nice-Ville

Paris → Barcelona

~6h 30m–7h Direct · high-speed Gare de Lyon → Barcelona Sants

Paris → Geneva

~3h Direct · TGV Lyria Gare de Lyon → Geneva Cornavin

Paris → Zürich

~4h Direct · TGV Lyria Gare de Lyon → Zürich HB

Paris → Basel

~3h Direct · TGV Gare de l'Est → Basel SBB

Paris → Frankfurt

~4h Direct · ICE / TGV Gare de l'Est → Frankfurt Hbf

Which Paris station do you need?

Gare du Nord — Eurostar to London, Brussels and Amsterdam, plus trains to northern France.
Gare de l'Est — Strasbourg, Basel, Frankfurt and other trains to eastern France and Germany.
Gare de Lyon — Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Geneva, Zürich and Barcelona, plus trains to Italy.
Gare Montparnasse — Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes and the Atlantic coast.
Gare d'Austerlitz — Intercités services to the south-west and some night trains.
Gare Saint-Lazare — Normandy, including Rouen and Le Havre.

Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est are next to each other, and Gare de Lyon, Montparnasse and Austerlitz are connected by Metro and RER. Always check which station your ticket names before you leave.

Booking tips for trains from Paris

Book early for the cheapest fares. Saver tickets are tied to a specific train and sell out first.
Compare SNCF and low-cost Ouigo on Lyon, Bordeaux and other main lines; the cheaper one changes by date.
Use a discount card if you qualify; SNCF youth and senior cards can reduce many fares by around 30%.
For Eurostar, arrive in good time, particularly for London, because passport and security checks happen before boarding.

Starting in London instead? See trains from London, or browse every route.