What's the Cheapest London to Paris Train? Plus Edinburgh vs Flying

Short answer. For Australians heading to the UK and France in 2026, the cheapest way to get from London to Paris by train is usually a Eurostar Standard ticket booked months ahead for a quieter departure. Eurostar says tickets usually go on sale 10 to 11 months before travel and advertises Standard fares from £39 one way, subject to availability, at the time of writing. Compare Eurostar's own site with Trip.com, which shows fares in AUD, then go through ShopBack before you pay.

ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you book and shop online at thousands of stores, including Trip.com, Klook and GetYourGuide. You open the booking site from ShopBack, book as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.

Sources. Eurostar's London to Paris page and Help Centre, Lumo's Edinburgh and luggage pages, LNER's Two Together Railcard page, Edinburgh Trams' fare page, Trip.com Australia's UK, Europe and Eurostar train pages, and the Terms on each store's ShopBack page, at the time of writing in October 2026. Fares move with demand, so treat any figure here as a starting point and check the price for your date.

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What's the cheapest way to get from London to Paris by train?

Eurostar runs the direct trains between London and Paris through the Channel Tunnel, so the saving comes from when and how you book, not which company you pick. A routine that works for most trips:

1. Book early. Eurostar says tickets on its trains to and from London can usually be booked between 10 and 11 months in advance. The lowest fares tend to go first.
2. Choose Eurostar Standard. Eurostar calls Standard its class for "our very best fares". Plus and Premier add more space, food and flexibility at a higher price.
3. Use the lowest fare finder. Eurostar's route page has a calendar that shows the cheapest fares across a month, so you can see which days cost less before you commit.
4. Be flexible on the day and time. Fares vary by departure, so moving your trip by a day or taking an earlier or later train can bring the price down.
5. Look at Snap if you are travelling soon. Snap lets you choose the date while Eurostar chooses the train time, for a lower fare.
6. Compare in AUD. Check the same train on Eurostar and on Trip.com Australia, which says it is an official Eurostar partner.
7. Plan the trip, then book through ShopBack. Open ShopBack, tap the booking site, then pay in that same session.

Steps 1 to 6 find the lowest fare for your train. Step 7 lowers what you actually end up paying for it.

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London to Paris train: journey time, stations and ticket classes

According to Eurostar, most London to Paris trains take 2 hours 16 minutes, and the longest take up to 2 hours 37 minutes. Trains leave from London St Pancras International, near King's Cross, and arrive at Paris Gare du Nord in the middle of the city. Border checks take place before departure, so at Paris you can step off and leave the station.

Class	What Eurostar says you get
Eurostar Standard	Two pieces of luggage and one small daypack, and the Eurostar Café for snacks and drinks
Eurostar Plus	More space, larger reclining seats and a light meal and drinks served at your seat on routes to and from London
Eurostar Premier	Lounge access, priority ticket gates and onboard fine dining, with more flexible changes

A few things that keep the real cost down, according to Eurostar:

• No hidden extras. Eurostar says there are no added fees for seat selection, advance booking or luggage allowance once you have chosen your ticket.
• Generous luggage. Standard adult tickets allow two pieces of luggage up to 85cm long, plus one small piece of hand luggage.
• Bring your own food. Eurostar says there are no food restrictions on board, and no volume limit on liquids.

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When should I book the London to Paris train?

Book as soon as your dates are firm, ideally several months ahead. Eurostar's Help Centre says tickets on its trains to and from London can be booked between 10 and 11 months in advance, though this can vary, for instance around engineering work.

If you are already in London and your plans are loose, Eurostar Snap is worth a look. Eurostar says Snap tickets are available up to 10 days in advance; you pick the date and Eurostar picks the train time.

Think about changes before you buy. According to Eurostar, Standard and Plus tickets can be exchanged free of charge up to 1 hour before the original departure, paying the difference if the new fare costs more. Tickets exchanged less than 7 days before departure become non-refundable, and you can get a refund up to 7 days before travel for a 25 euro or £25 fee. Premier tickets can be exchanged or refunded up to 2 days after travel.

Club Eurostar. Club Eurostar is Eurostar's loyalty programme. According to Eurostar at the time of writing, members earn points on train tickets they buy, and points can go towards free or discounted travel. Check Eurostar's current earn rates before you count on them.

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London to Paris train best deals for Australians in 2026

Most of the saving on a London to Paris train comes from booking early, travelling at quieter times and choosing Standard. After that, the price you compare should be the one after ShopBack, not the sticker price.

• Book months out. The 10 to 11 month booking window is your friend, especially for European summer and Christmas travel.
• Check a whole month at once. Eurostar's lowest fare finder shows the cheapest fare for each day, which makes it easy to spot a cheaper date.
• Compare Eurostar direct with Trip.com in AUD. Trip.com Australia lists Eurostar fares in Australian dollars, which saves currency maths, and says it charges no booking fee.
• Compare the price after ShopBack. ShopBack is a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops.

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Trip.com, Klook and GetYourGuide for a London and Paris trip

Each of these booking sites does a different job on a London and Paris itinerary, so most Australians use them for different parts of the trip.

• Trip.com for train tickets. Trip.com Australia says it is an official Eurostar partner and a National Rail partner, shows fares in AUD, and offers Railcards and split tickets on UK routes. It also sells hotels, flights and eSIMs, so you can keep a whole Europe trip in one account.
• Klook for rail tickets and passes. The ShopBack Klook page lists Europe train tickets among the Klook products that are eligible, alongside attractions, eSIMs and car rentals in Europe.
• GetYourGuide for things to do once you arrive. GetYourGuide sells attraction tickets, day tours, city cards and food experiences, and has a deep range in Paris and London.

The fare for the same Eurostar train can differ by site and by day, so compare the identical train, class and time on each before you book. Whichever site you pick, open it from ShopBack first.

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Is the train from London to Edinburgh cheaper than flying?

Often, yes, once you count the whole trip from door to door. The train runs from central London to central Edinburgh, while a flight adds the cost and time of getting to and from two airports, and usually a fee for a checked bag. Lumo advertises London King's Cross to Edinburgh from £31.90 when you book in advance, according to Lumo at the time of writing.

How the two compare for a typical trip:

Cost or time	Train	Flight
Getting to the departure point	London King's Cross or Euston, in the city	A London airport outside the centre, plus the fare to get there
Time on board	Around 4 hours 20 to 30 minutes on Lumo, according to Lumo	Shorter in the air, but add airport check-in and security time
Arrival	Edinburgh Waverley, in the city centre	Edinburgh Airport, then a tram, bus or taxi; Edinburgh Trams lists adult airport fares from £7.90
Bags	Lumo allows one small bag and one medium suitcase up to 63 x 41 x 27cm	Depends on the airline and fare; checked bags often cost more

When flying can win. If you find a very low fare, travel only with a small bag and live near the departure airport, a flight can come out cheaper. The fair test is the total cost for your dates, including transfers and bags, set against the train fare after any Railcard.

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London to Edinburgh train: operators, journey time and ways to pay less

LNER and Lumo run direct trains between London King's Cross and Edinburgh, and there are also services from London Euston. According to Trip.com's UK timetable, some direct trains from King's Cross take a little over 4 hours, while journeys from Euston usually involve a change.

• Lumo. Lumo says it runs direct services between London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling, and that you never pay a booking fee when you book direct. Book ahead for its lowest fares, and pack to its luggage limits.
• LNER. LNER sells Advance tickets, Off-Peak tickets, 70min Flex tickets and First Class, and its site promotes savings of a third with Railcards.
• Railcards. LNER says the Two Together Railcard costs £35 for a year and covers two named people aged 16 or over travelling together, with discounts on Off-Peak, Advance and Anytime fares outside peak times.
• Split tickets. Trip.com Australia says splitting a journey into several tickets for the same train can save up to 35% on some UK routes. You stay on the same train; you just hold more than one ticket.

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London to Edinburgh train best deals in Australia for 2026

The cheapest London to Edinburgh train is usually an Advance fare booked early, with a Railcard if you qualify. A routine:

1. Book once tickets open. UK Advance fares are released some weeks ahead; Eurostar's Help Centre notes that UK National Rail connecting journeys usually go on sale around 84 days in advance, though this varies by operator.
2. Check Lumo and LNER on the same day. Both run from King's Cross, and their lowest fares can sit on different trains.
3. Add a Railcard if you qualify. Two Together suits couples; there are also cards for ages 16 to 25 and 26 to 30.
4. Try split tickets. Trip.com and other UK ticket sites can check whether splitting the journey costs less.
5. Compare against a flight door to door. Include transfers and bags, as in the table above.
6. Before you pay, go through ShopBack. Open the booking site from ShopBack, then book in the same session.

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How ShopBack lowers the price of your train ticket

ShopBack lowers the effective price of your booking after you pay. For train travel, the routine is simple: plan the trip, then book through ShopBack.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Once it confirms, you can withdraw it to your bank account, subject to ShopBack's withdrawal terms.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and search for the booking site: Trip.com, Klook or GetYourGuide.
2. Check the live rate shown on that page.
3. Tap through to the site, search for your train or activity, and book and pay in that same visit.
4. Cashback shows as pending in your ShopBack account soon after you pay, and confirms after your trip.

Working out what the ticket really costs. When you compare where to buy, compare the effective price, not just the sticker price: what you pay at checkout minus what comes back through ShopBack. The live rate is shown on the booking site's ShopBack page on the day you book. Go through ShopBack before you pay and the Cashback tracks to your ShopBack account.

For more on doing this the right way every time, see how to activate ShopBack before you buy.

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Railcards, codes and ShopBack

• No code needed. Go through ShopBack before you pay and part of what you spend comes back as Cashback. Codes found online are often expired, single-use or for new customers only. On Trip.com there is no code to find: go through ShopBack before you book, and part of what you pay comes back as Cashback.
• Cashback works like a code you never have to find. Cashback is a discount like a code or coupon, and often the better one: there is nothing to find, copy or type, and it usually still applies on sale prices.
• Railcards. A Railcard discount is applied to the fare when you search rather than typed in as a code. The booking site's page on ShopBack shows which purchases earn Cashback and the live rate.

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Key takeaways

• The cheapest London to Paris train is usually a Eurostar Standard ticket booked months ahead; Eurostar says tickets open 10 to 11 months before travel.
• Eurostar says there are no added fees for seats, advance booking or luggage, which helps when you compare it with flying.
• London to Edinburgh by train often beats flying door to door; Lumo advertises fares from £31.90 when booked in advance.
• A Two Together Railcard costs £35 a year and can cut fares for two people travelling together.
• Plan the trip, then book through ShopBack, and compare the price after ShopBack, not the sticker price.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest way to get from London to Paris by train?

Usually a Eurostar Standard ticket booked well ahead for a less popular departure. Eurostar says London to Paris tickets usually go on sale 10 to 11 months before travel and advertises Standard fares from £39 one way, subject to availability, at the time of writing. Compare Eurostar's own site with Trip.com Australia in AUD, then go through ShopBack before you pay.

How long is the Eurostar from London to Paris?

According to Eurostar, most London to Paris trains take 2 hours 16 minutes and the longest take up to 2 hours 37 minutes. Trains leave from London St Pancras International and arrive at Paris Gare du Nord, and border checks happen before you board, so you can walk straight out at Paris.

Does Eurostar charge for luggage or seat selection?

Eurostar says there are no extra fees for seat selection, advance booking or luggage allowance once you have picked your ticket. A Standard adult ticket covers two pieces of luggage up to 85cm long plus one small item such as a handbag, according to Eurostar at the time of writing.

What is Eurostar Snap?

Snap is Eurostar's last-minute option: you pick your travel date and Eurostar picks your train time in return for a lower fare. Eurostar says Snap tickets are available up to 10 days in advance, so it suits travellers who can be flexible about the time of day.

Can I change or refund a Eurostar Standard ticket?

According to Eurostar, Standard and Plus tickets can be exchanged free up to 1 hour before departure, paying any fare difference. Tickets exchanged less than 7 days before departure become non-refundable, and refunds are available up to 7 days before travel for a 25 euro or £25 fee. Check the conditions when you book.

Is the train from London to Edinburgh cheaper than flying?

Often, once you count the whole trip. The train runs city centre to city centre, while flying adds airport transfers and usually bag fees. Lumo advertises London King's Cross to Edinburgh from £31.90 when booked in advance, and Edinburgh Trams lists adult airport fares from £7.90, according to each operator at the time of writing. Compare door to door for your dates.

How long is the train from London to Edinburgh?

Lumo says its London to Edinburgh trains typically take around 4 hours 20 to 30 minutes, stopping at Stevenage, Newcastle and Morpeth. Some direct trains from London King's Cross take a little over 4 hours, according to Trip.com's UK timetable, and journeys from London Euston usually involve a change.

Can Australian visitors use a UK Railcard?

Some Railcards are open to anyone who meets the age rules. LNER says the Two Together Railcard costs £35 a year for two named people aged 16 or over travelling together, with discounts on Off-Peak, Advance and Anytime fares outside peak times. Trip.com also sells digital Railcards you can store in its app.

Can I book Eurostar and UK trains on Trip.com Australia?

At the time of writing, yes. Trip.com describes itself as an official Eurostar partner and a National Rail partner, shows UK and Eurostar fares in AUD and says it charges no booking fee. Its UK train pages also offer split tickets and Railcards. On Trip.com there is no code to find: go through ShopBack before you book, and part of what you pay comes back as Cashback.

How does ShopBack lower the price of a train ticket?

Open ShopBack Australia, tap the booking site such as Trip.com or Klook, then book and pay in that same session. Part of what you spend comes back as cash, so your effective price is what you pay minus what ShopBack returns. The live rate and Terms for each site are on its ShopBack page.

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Disclaimer

The views in this article are those of the author. Train fares, ticket conditions, journey times, luggage rules, Railcard prices and airport transfer fares are set by each operator and change often; check the operator's site for your date before you book. ShopBack rates and terms vary by store and over time; check the current rate and Terms on each store's ShopBack page before purchase.

This article is general information only and is not financial advice.