Taking the Eurostar From Paris to London With Kids: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re planning a family trip to Paris and dream about visiting London too, this is your sign to do it! There’s no easier way to travel between these two cities than by taking the Eurostar train.

We traveled from Paris to London this summer as a family of 5 and I have to say, it was the easiest travel day of our entire trip! We left from Gare du Nord Station in Paris and in just over 2 hours we were in Central London ready to explore a new country.

In this post I’ll share everything you need to know about taking the Eurostar with kids, including how to buy tickets, what to expect at the station, and tips to enjoy your ride!

What is the Eurostar?

The Eurostar is a high-speed train that connects many countries in Europe including UK, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and even Switzerland.

Gare du Nord Station in Paris to St Pancras Station in London is just over 2 hours and is one of the most popular routes.

If you want to see other destination options you can find the Eurostar Route Map HERE.

Is the Eurostar Easy with Kids?

Traveling by train is one the easiest and best ways to see Europe when traveling with kids. No getting to the airport hours early, no renting cars and returning them in other countries, and no worries about car seats and booster seats. Everything is just so much simpler.

You are in control of your luggage, so if you only bring carry ons those items stay right with you on the train. If you are bringing large roller bags there is a separate area to store these, but when you get to your destination you have immediate access to your bags. Stollers are allowed although they need to be folded up and stored for the ride. We love our Stokke Yoyo since it folds up small and fits right in the overhead on flights and trains.

The seat configurations are also very family-friendly. If you book tickets in advance, you can get 4 seats together with a table in the middle. This is great for entertaining kids as they can color, play games or easily eat a snack. There’s also baby changing facilities if you are traveling with young children.

Booking Eurostar Tickets for a Family

I would recommend booking tickets directly through the Eurostar website. You want to have easy access to your tickets and be aware of any delays or changes. Don’t forget to download the app before your trip and save your tickets to your phone too as a back up as wifi can be spotty on the train.

If you are flexible with your travel dates, the Eurostar website has a Lowest Fare Finder which is great for finding the best days to travel. You can usually find a good deal on tickets if you can travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Weekends and holidays will always be a little more.

Children under 4 travel for free and without a ticket. But they must sit on an adult’s lap throughout the journey. Fares for children ages 4-11 are discounted with Eurostar Standard or Eurostar Plus fares.

CHECK AVAILABILITY HERE: Book Paris to London Eurostar tickets

Don’t Forget the UK ETA

If you are an American visiting the UK, you will need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA.

Every member of your family needs their own ETA, including children.

As of September 2026, the UK ETA costs £20 per person and is good for two years or until the passport you used to apply expires, whichever comes first.

The ETA is linked electronically to your passport, so you don’t need to print anything to carry with you.

Apply for a UK ETA on the official government website

Although most ETA applications are approved quickly, I wouldn’t wait until the last minute. Do this a few weeks before your trip, especially when traveling with kids.

Also make sure you use the official UK government website or UK ETA app. Third-party websites may charge additional fees.

Do You Need the UK ETA Before Booking Eurostar?

No. You can purchase your Eurostar tickets before receiving your ETA.

You just need to have the correct travel authorization before traveling to the UK. I would apply well in advance so you aren’t worrying about it close to your departure date. You don’t want to forget to do this or you will not be able to enter the UK.

How Early Should You Arrive at Gare du Nord?

This is one of the biggest differences between taking the Eurostar to London and taking many other trains around Europe.

Give yourself plenty of extra time to account for security and passport control for both France and UK. The lines can get very long depending on the time of day you are traveling and if you are traveling on a weekend or holiday.

We arrived at Gare du Nord two hours early for our 11am train. Security and Passport Control lines are unpredictable, so we always allow a little extra time. We also like to get the kids something to eat before the train ride and have time for a restroom stop.

What to Expect at Gare du Nord Before Boarding

We arrived at Gare du Nord about 2 hours early to allow ourselves plenty of time to figure out where we we going and get through security and Passport Control. I think you could get away with getting there 90 minutes early but I wouldn’t cut it too close.

When you enter the train terminal you’re going to head up to Hall 2. Look for the British flag. This is where you will go through security and Passport Control with both France and UK. You will not need to take liquids out of your bag as you do with airports. And adults can bring 2 bags without weight restrictions, but you will need to carry your bags onto the train yourself.

If you did any tax-free shopping in Paris, make sure you also allow time to validate your VAT refund paperwork before leaving France. There are PABLO tax-refund machines at Gare du Nord just after security.

From here you will find a small bakery to grab sandwiches or coffee for your train ride. There are clean restrooms and plenty of seating.

Trains board about 20 minutes before departure. There is no priority boarding for families like on a plane, so keep your kids close as people do move very quickly to board the train.

What the Eurostar Ride Was Like With Our Kids

The train ride from Paris to London went by so fast. We had a small table with our seats so the kids ate some croissants from the bakery and we played a family game of Uno. Having a little bit of downtime is a nice break on a busy trip.

There is a small cafe on board if you need any snacks or drinks for the ride. There are also designated baby changing toilets for young children.

Our kids loved riding the train! And since you already went through Passport Control, once you arrive at St Pancras you are in Central London.

Quick Eurostar With Kids FAQ:

How long is Eurostar Paris to London?

The fastest Eurostar trains take about 2 hours and 17 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras.

Do kids need a UK ETA?

Yes. If you are an American visiting the UK, each member of your family will need a UK ETA, including babies and children. It currently costs £20 per person and is valid for two years or until the linked passport expires.

Can you bring a stroller?

Yes! Strollers are free to bring along and do not count towards your luggage allowance. They will need to be folded and stored for the entire journey.

Can you bring food?

Yes. You can bring your own food and drinks onto the Eurostar, and there are also food options at the station after security.

How early should families arrive?

Eurostar currently recommends arriving 75–90 minutes before departure at Paris Gare du Nord for Standard and Plus passengers. We arrived about two hours early with our kids so we had extra time for security and passport control since we were traveling during the busy summer season.

Do you go through passport control?

Yes. When traveling from Paris to London, you go through border checks before boarding, including French and UK passport control. Once you arrive in London, you can simply get off the train and leave the station.

Can you bring liquids?

Yes. Eurostar does not have airline-style liquid volume limits, so you can bring full-size toiletries and drinks with you. Some restrictions apply so be sure to check the Eurostar website directly if you have any questions.

Is there luggage storage?

Yes. On the train, larger bags go in luggage racks, while smaller bags and backpacks can go on the overhead shelves near your seat. You are responsible for carrying and storing your own luggage.

Would I Take the Eurostar With Kids Again?

Absolutely. Traveling by train is so much easier than dealing with airports with kids.

If you’re already planning a family trip to Paris, I wouldn’t let the idea of getting to London feel overwhelming. The Eurostar made it so easy for us to visit both cities on the same trip.

I’ll be sharing more of our London trip soon, including what we did with the kids, where we stayed and some of our favorite stops.

Keep Planning Your Family Trip