Eurostar
Eurostar is London's high-speed international rail service through the Channel Tunnel — Class 374 Velaro e320 trains running from St Pancras International to Paris in 2h 16m, Brussels in 1h 53m and Amsterdam in 3h 52m.
About Eurostar
Operated by Eurostar Group (formed in 2023 from the merger of Eurostar and Thalys), services run at 300–320 km/h on HS1 in Britain and on LGV Nord and HSL-Zuid on the continent. St Pancras International is the only London terminus.
Eurostar requires airport-style check-in (60 minutes before for Standard, 45 minutes for Premier/Business Premier) and UK/Schengen passport controls — both done at St Pancras before boarding.
Eurostar is fully integrated with onward European rail via Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam (TGV, ICE, NS Intercity Direct) and from 2026 faces new open-access competition (Evolyn, Virgin) on the cross-Channel market.
Key Eurostar routes
- London St Pancras → Paris Gare du Nord320 km/h Velaro, 2h 16m fastest, up to 17 daily
- London St Pancras → Brussels-Midi1h 53m fastest, up to 10 daily
- London St Pancras → Amsterdam Centraal3h 52m direct via Rotterdam (Eurostar Red)
- London St Pancras → Disneyland ParisSeasonal direct to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy
Major destinations
- Paris Gare du Nord
- Brussels-Midi
- Amsterdam Centraal
- Rotterdam Centraal
- Lille Europe
- Disneyland Paris (Marne-la-Vallée)
FAQs about Eurostar
How long is Eurostar London to Paris?
Fastest London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord is 2 hours 16 minutes on a Class 374 Velaro e320, with up to 17 daily departures. Most services are 2h 16m–2h 30m.
Do I need a passport for Eurostar?
Yes — Eurostar crosses an international border. UK and Schengen passport checks are done at St Pancras before boarding. Most travellers need a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond return date; from 2026 the EU's EES biometric system is also in force.
Where does Eurostar arrive in London?
All Eurostar trains arrive at and depart from London St Pancras International — platforms 5–10. Direct interchange with Thameslink, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and the Elizabeth line (Farringdon, 2 min).