London to Paris is one of Europe's most traveled routes, and uniquely, the Eurostar high-speed rail is a serious alternative to flying. However, flying remains popular — it can be faster door-to-door from certain London neighborhoods, and budget fares on easyJet from Gatwick can be extremely competitive. The flight itself is barely 75 minutes in the air. British Airways and Air France dominate the full-service market from Heathrow, with multiple daily departures each.
The choice between flying and taking Eurostar largely comes down to your departure point, luggage, and the fare difference on the day. For central London to central Paris, Eurostar (2h 15m, St Pancras to Gare du Nord) is often faster when you factor in airport check-in times. Flying makes more sense from areas closer to Gatwick or Stansted, or when you find a significantly cheaper airfare. Paris has excellent public transport connections from both CDG and Orly.
| Airline | Type | Direct? | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | ✈️ Full Service | ✅ Yes | 1h 15m | £80–220 |
| Air France | ✈️ Full Service | ✅ Yes | 1h 20m | £90–240 |
| easyJet | 💰 Budget | ✅ Yes | 1h 20m | £40–120 |
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Eurostar (2h 15m) is often faster door-to-door from central London, as it departs from St Pancras and arrives at Gare du Nord in the heart of Paris. Flying requires 90 minutes at the airport plus a 45-minute transfer from CDG. Eurostar wins on total journey time for most central London residents.
Orly (ORY) is closer to central Paris (30–40 minutes) than CDG (45–60 minutes by RER B). However, CDG has more flights and better long-haul connections. Orly is served mainly by domestic and budget European flights.
EasyJet regularly offers sub-£50 one-way fares from Gatwick to CDG or Orly on off-peak dates. However, Eurostar promotional fares can also be very competitive. Always compare both when planning your trip.
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