The Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord is one of the easiest ways to arrive in Paris. In about 2 hours 15 to 2 hours 20 minutes, you travel from the centre of one capital to the centre of the other, with no airport security queues on arrival. But Gare du Nord is the busiest railway station in Europe by passenger numbers, and first-time visitors often find the exit and the taxi situation confusing. This guide explains what happens when you're arriving in Paris on the Eurostar, where to meet your chauffeur at Gare du Nord, and the best way to continue to your hotel, Disneyland Paris or CDG Airport.
Before you arrive: border checks happen in London
One of the best things about the Eurostar is that French border control takes place at St Pancras before you board, under the juxtaposed controls system. That means when you arrive in Paris, you simply step off the train and walk into the station — there's no passport queue at Gare du Nord.
If you're not a citizen of the EU, you may be registered in the EU Entry/Exit System during the check in London, with fingerprints and a photo on your first trip. Eurostar builds these checks into its usual 45 to 90-minute check-in window, but allow extra time on your first trip.
Arriving at Gare du Nord
Eurostar trains arrive at dedicated platforms on the main concourse of Gare du Nord. As you walk down the platform with your luggage, you'll reach the end of the platform and the main hall, where crowds from suburban, regional and international trains mix. It's busy, noisy and full of signs in French, but the layout is simple once you know where you're going.
Where to meet your chauffeur
With a pre-booked chauffeur, your driver tracks the live arrival time of your train, including delays. They wait at the end of your Eurostar platform with a name sign [confirm Luxberri's standard meeting point], so you see them as soon as you step off the platform. From there, the driver takes your luggage and walks you to the car, parked in an authorised pickup area close to the station. You don't need to search for an exit, a rank or a pickup zone.
The taxi rank alternative
Gare du Nord has an official taxi rank outside the station. It works, but:
- Queues can be long, especially when two or three Eurostar trains arrive close together, on Friday evenings, and at the start of school holidays.
- Taxis are metered for journeys within Paris, so traffic adds to the cost.
- Vehicle size is unpredictable: families with large suitcases may need two cars.
A word of caution: unofficial drivers sometimes approach travellers inside the station offering rides. Always use the official taxi rank, a licensed ride-hailing app, or a pre-booked chauffeur.
The metro and RER
Gare du Nord is a major hub for metro lines 4 and 5 and RER B, D and E. Public transport is cheap and efficient, but the station's corridors are long and crowded, and many routes involve stairs. With heavy luggage or children, a door-to-door car is far simpler.
Where people go next — and how long it takes
- Central Paris hotels: 10 to 30 minutes by car, depending on the arrondissement and traffic.
- The 8th arrondissement and Champs-Élysées: about 15 to 25 minutes.
- Disneyland Paris: about 45 minutes by car, much easier than changing to the RER A with children and bags.
- CDG Airport: about 35 to 45 minutes for an onward flight.
- Orly Airport: about 40 to 60 minutes.
- Straight to a day trip: Reims (about 1h30), Giverny (about 1h15) or Normandy — your driver collects you from the train and you start your trip immediately.
Departing on the Eurostar
For your return journey, Eurostar asks passengers to arrive well before departure for check-in, security and passport control — generally 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the departure. Book a chauffeur pickup at your hotel with enough margin for Paris traffic, especially on weekday mornings and Friday afternoons.
Tips for a smooth Eurostar arrival
- Share your train number and coach number when booking your chauffeur.
- Keep your phone on for a WhatsApp message from the driver.
- Stay at the end of the platform if you don't see your driver immediately.
- Keep valuables close in the busy station.
- Check Luxberri's deals page for current fixed prices on station and airport transfers.
Connecting to other trains in Paris
Many Eurostar travellers are continuing their journey across France or Europe. Paris has several major stations, and they aren't connected to each other by a single line:
- Gare de l'Est is a five-minute walk from Gare du Nord, for TGV trains to Reims, Strasbourg and Germany.
- Gare de Lyon serves the south of France, the Alps, Switzerland and Italy; it's about 20 to 30 minutes by car.
- Gare Montparnasse serves Brittany, Bordeaux and the southwest; about 25 to 35 minutes by car.
- Gare Saint-Lazare serves Normandy; about 15 to 20 minutes by car.
If your connection is tight, a pre-booked chauffeur waiting at the platform is far faster than queuing for a taxi, and you won't need to drag luggage through the metro. Allow at least 90 minutes between your Eurostar arrival and your next departure from another station.
Arriving in the evening
Late Eurostar arrivals are common, especially on Fridays and Sundays. In the evening, the area around Gare du Nord is busy, and taxi queues can be long when several trains arrive together. Having a driver waiting with your name means you're on your way within minutes. If you're travelling with children or arriving after a long day of meetings in London, this is often worth more than the price difference.
Business travellers between London and Paris
For business travellers, the Eurostar plus a chauffeur is often the most productive combination: work on the train, then take calls in a quiet car on the way to your meeting. A driver can wait during meetings and take you back to Gare du Nord for the return train the same evening. For regular travellers, a recurring booking keeps the same routine every trip.
More questions
Can I go straight from Gare du Nord to Disneyland Paris?
Yes, about 45 minutes by private car.
Can I be picked up for my return Eurostar?
Yes, pickups run from any Paris address.
