London to Paris is about 260 miles (419 km) by road and 213 miles in a straight line. The drive takes around 4 hr 39 min. The distance is the same in reverse, from Paris to London.
What This Distance Means for Your Trip
At 260 miles, this is a driving distance rather than a flying one — and a train or bus is often an option too. A scheduled flight would cover only about 213 miles in the air, and once you factor in getting to the airport, checking in and clearing security, that airport time alone cancels out anything saved aloft. For a trip this length, driving is almost always the practical choice.
Want the full side-by-side on time, cost and hassle? See our drive-or-fly breakdown for London to Paris.
How we calculate these figures
Straight-line distance uses the great-circle (haversine) formula between each city's centre coordinates. Road distance applies a circuity factor of roughly 1.2–1.4× to reflect that roads are not straight. Driving time assumes typical blended speeds for a trip of this length, and flight time is the great-circle distance at about 875 km/h cruise plus around 30 minutes for taxi, climb, descent and approach. The door-to-door air estimate adds about three hours for airport access, check-in, security and boarding. Real figures vary with your exact route, traffic, weather, aircraft and connections.
London to Paris is Europe's most-travelled international city pair — connected by the Channel Tunnel in two distinct ways. Eurostar takes 2 hours 15 minutes centre-to-centre, while Eurotunnel lets you drive your car through the 35-minute tunnel crossing, then drive on through France.
The Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord is the benchmark for city-centre to city-centre speed in Europe, beating flying door-to-door once airport time is counted. Driving via Eurotunnel at Folkestone–Coquelles adds flexibility for the French countryside.
Stops Along the Way
The Eurotunnel terminal in England — load your car for the 35-minute tunnel crossing to Coquelles, France.
Once in France, the autoroute south toward Paris passes the charming port towns of Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer for a quick detour.
Meeting someone from Paris? Find the exact halfway point between London and Paris so neither of you drives the whole way — or plan evenly-spaced rest and fuel stops along the route.
Tips for This Trip
Eurostar is the gold standard
For most trips without a car, Eurostar is unbeatable — 2h15m from central London to central Paris, with no airport queues.
Eurotunnel is the best car option
Eurotunnel's Le Shuttle service runs every 30 minutes — no booking required for last-minute crossings, and you stay in your car during the 35-minute tunnel.
Paris requires a Crit'Air sticker to drive in the city
Since 2019, driving in central Paris requires a Crit'Air vignette (environmental sticker). Order it online before your trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Paris from London?
Paris is about 210 miles (338 km) from London in a straight line (across the Channel). Via road and the Channel Tunnel, the distance is around 285 miles (460 km) from central London to central Paris.
How long does the Eurostar take from London to Paris?
The Eurostar takes approximately 2 hours 15 minutes from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord — one of the fastest international city-to-city links in the world, and faster door-to-door than flying once airport time is included.
Is it better to take the Eurostar or fly from London to Paris?
The Eurostar is almost always better for this route. It takes 2h15m centre-to-centre versus 3–4 hours door-to-door for flying (once airports, security, and transfers are counted). It's more comfortable, has no luggage restrictions, and arrives in central Paris.
Can I drive from London to Paris?
Yes — Eurotunnel's Le Shuttle loads your car at Folkestone and crosses to Coquelles, France in 35 minutes. The drive from central London to central Paris via Eurotunnel takes about 5–6 hours total, including the tunnel crossing.
How long is the drive from London to Paris?
Driving from London to Paris takes approximately 4 hr 39 min in normal conditions, covering about 260 miles. Traffic, weather, and rest stops will affect your actual time.
How many miles is it from London to Paris?
It is about 260 miles by road from London to Paris, and approximately 213 miles as the crow flies.
Is the distance the same from Paris to London?
Yes — the distance from Paris to London is the same: about 260 miles by road and around 4 hr 39 min of driving. Whether you search "London to Paris" or "Paris to London", the distance and drive time are identical.