Just arrived in Paris? Already missing home? It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to travel back to the U.K. for a weekend. Whether you are homesick or planning a trip home for Christmas, it’s a good idea to go about reserving your tickets early. Mômji employs hundreds of Brits each year in babysitting and teaching roles and we have worked out the best ways to get to London from Paris.
Eurostar – travel fast and efficiently under the channel
The most obvious option by far is to take the Eurostar. Although it can be incredibly pricey when booked last minute, up to €323 for a weekend return booked in the preceding week, there’s no denying its efficiency. Leaving from the heart of Paris at the Gare du Nord and arriving directly into the heart of London at St Pancras International in under 4 hours, it’s easy and quick. What’s more, the carriages are spacious and comfortable and check in time is only an hour before departure.
There’s way to battle the prices too. If booked when tickets are first available for the month of travel, a return can cost under €80, so it is best to book as soon as you have your dates sorted. If you’ve left it late, there is an option to save money for you too. EuroSnap is a website that sells last-minute tickets at a price that is a steal as the clock counts down. The only negative is that you can only pick to travel AM or PM on a given day, Eurostar allocating you an exact train nearer the time.
The Bus – Might be a squish, but your bank account won’t mind!
Looking to save money? Then taking a bus is the best option for you. For a mere €30 when booked in advance, just over €40 when last minute, you can get from the centre of Paris to the centre of London. Bercy is the hub for buses in Paris, located by the Seine in the 12th arrondissement, and London Victoria Coach Station is where you’ll end up in London.
The downside, is the length of the journey. Travelling on the bus can take anywhere from 7 to 15 hours and that’s without any unexpected traffic How to combat this? Take an overnight bus. There are plenty leaving after 9pm in the evening so, if you’re a strong sleeper, you don’t even lose any time!
Fly – Is it really worth if for such a short distance?
Taking a plane could be seen as the middle ground between flying and taking the bus. That’s to say that a last-minute return can be bought for under €100 if you’re flexible with timing and the overall travel time will likely take a little longer than the Eurostar.
On paper, the flight time is just over an hour, making it the quickest option. However, if you’re in the centre of Paris or London, you have to factor in the hour commute to Charles De Gaulles and the journey to the centre from the airport once in the U.K. too. That, along with check in and bag collection time often adds up to longer than a Eurostar trip but sure, flying has its merits.
The EuroTunnel – go all the way in your own car!
Most likely, if you’re a student, this isn’t the option for you. However, on the off chance you do have your own car in France and are comfortable financially, this could be a good trip for you. Crossing the channel in your car via EuroTunnel will cost you an arm and a leg, over €300 if reserved last minute and €170 if booked in advance. However, it allows you to travel in the comfort of your own car and will plenty crossings a day, provides greater flexibility.
Driving to the Calais terminal from Paris will take you around 3 hours and then another 2 hours to London on the other side. It’s pricey and quite long, but if you’re up for the drive, then why not!
If you have just arrived in France and are struggling to settle in to your new life, Mômji can help you feel more at ease! We employ hundreds of foreign speakers each year into our babysitting and teaching jobs, offering flexibly part-time jobs and a social, international community too. Why don’t you come join the team! APPLY NOW
