Brighton to Paris by train: Thameslink and the Eurostar

About Brighton to Paris by train: Thameslink and the Eurostar

By the ULTIMATE Brighton Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

From Brighton, Thameslink runs direct to London St Pancras International in about 1 hour 20 minutes (National Rail). From there the Eurostar goes direct to Paris Gare du Nord in 2 hours 16 minutes, in Eurostar’s words, under the Channel through the tunnel. Passport and security checks are done at St Pancras before you board.

Brighton has always looked across the water to France. Today you can have breakfast on the seafront and dinner in Paris, by train all the way.

Brighton to St Pancras

Thameslink trains run direct from Brighton to London St Pancras International, by way of Gatwick Airport and London Bridge, in about 1 hour 16 to 1 hour 22 minutes on the National Rail journey planner. You arrive in the same building as the Eurostar.

Leave plenty of time at St Pancras: the check-in time is on your Eurostar ticket.

St Pancras International

The Eurostar leaves from St Pancras International, beneath its great Victorian train shed. Passport and security checks take place before you board, so allow time: the check-in time is printed on your ticket.

Under the Channel to Paris

Eurostar runs direct from London to Paris Gare du Nord in 2 hours 16 minutes, city centre to city centre, under the Channel through the tunnel. Eurostar Standard has its best fares; Eurostar Plus has larger reclining seats and a light meal and drinks at your seat on routes to and from London. Book on eurostar.com: the earlier you book, the more choice you have.

Or by sea from Newhaven

For a slower crossing, DFDS sails from Newhaven, about 35 minutes from Brighton by train, to Dieppe in Normandy, a crossing of about four hours in its own words; see our East of Brighton guide.

Our advice: take an early Thameslink train, and keep an hour in hand at St Pancras for the checks.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Brighton to Paris by train: Thameslink and the Eurostar before you go.