UK to France by high-speed train...

Travel to France the civilised stress-free way, by high-speed train.  Take Eurostar from London to Lille or Paris, then a 186 mph TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) through the French countryside with a glass of red wine in hand to Avignon, Marseille, Nice, Nîmes, Montpellier, Perpignan, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Rennes or Nantes...  Or save time, taking a late afternoon Eurostar to Paris then a couchette on the overnight Train Bleu from Paris to Cannes, Antibes or Nice.  It's comfortable and affordable:  London to to Lyon or Bordeaux from £109 return, London to Nice, Marseille or Perpignan from £119 return.  Unlike a flight, that's city centre to city centre, with no baggage fees, no airport taxes, significantly less impact on the environment and infants go free.  Bring your own bottle of wine if you like, there are no rules against that on the rails!

Train times, fares & how to buy tickets...

London to Paris & Disneyland Paris

Other UK towns & cities to Paris   Versailles

London to Avignon, Marseille, Toulon, Cannes, St Tropez, Nice, Monte-Carlo

London to Nîmes, Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne, Perpignan

London to Biarritz, Lourdes & Tarbes

London to Lyon

London to Bordeaux

London to Strasbourg

London to Limoges, Brive, Cahors, Toulouse

London to Le Mans, Angers, Rennes & Nantes

London to Normandy

London to Mont St Michel

London to Calais, Lille, Boulogne, Etaples, Amiens & Northern France

London to Bourg St Maurice, Chamonix & the French Alps (Ski Trains page)

London to Corsica

London to anywhere else in France

What are French TGV trains like?

What are French overnight couchette trains like?

Train travel within France, a beginner's guide

International trains from Paris to other European cities

International trains from other European cities to Paris

Also on this page...

About changing trains in Lille

How to buy train tickets to & within France

Hotels & accommodation in France   

Send your luggage in advance   

Car hire in France   

Holidays & tours to France by train   

Short breaks to France by train   

The Train Bleu restaurant at Paris Gare de Lyon

Information on other pages...

How to change stations in Paris by metro or taxi  

Buying UK train tickets to connect with Eurostar

European train travel general information

Train seat numbering plans

Ski holidays in the French Alps by train

Luggage arrangements on trains

Left luggage facilities in Paris

Taking your bike

Taking your dog

Taking your car - motorail

People with disabilities

What's Eurostar like?

Sponsored links...

Useful country information

London to Paris

	Booking tips: - This form connects to www.eurostar.com with print-at-home tickets & no booking fees. - To book an inward journey starting in Paris, click here. - St Pancras is Eurostar's London station.  You can book through tickets to Paris starting in 130 UK towns & cities, or buy a special connecting ticket from any UK station. - Booking opens 120 days before departure. - For journeys beyond Paris, it can be better to book at www.raileurope.co.uk, see the section relevant to your final destination for advice.  - Business Premier & Leisure Select = 1st class, drinks & meals included.  Standard = 2nd class. - Tips on choosing a specific seat - Buying connecting train tickets within the UK A Eurostar at St Pancras in London.  More information about Eurostar. Eurostar first class.  Tips for choosing your seat. Eurostar standard class.  Only cars 5 & 14 have power sockets for laptops.  Cars 1 & 18 are family-friendly with baby-changing rooms. Tips for choosing your seat.

Introducing Eurostar:  See the London to Paris page...

Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train from London to Paris via the Channel Tunnel, taking just 2 hours 15 minutes at up to 300km/h (186 mph).  In London, Eurostar leaves every hour or two from the beautifully-restored St Pancras station, and in Paris it arrives at the equally historic Gare du Nord in the city centre.  From central London to central Paris, Eurostar is faster than flying as well as more comfortable, more convenient and more reliable.  Typically, 95% of Eurostar trains run on time or within 15 minutes, against just 63-68% of flights on the same routes.  So it's not surprising that Eurostar has now captured over 70% of the London-Paris market from the airlines.  See the London to Paris by Eurostar page for more information, including the three classes of accommodation on board, check-in procedures, luggage arrangements, food & drink, and tips for choosing the best seats.

Eurostar times, fares & online tickets:  www.eurostar.com

Eurostar fares work like airline fares, so book in advance for the cheapest seats.  Fares start at £39 one-way or £69 return 2nd class, £107 one-way or £189 return 1st class (limited availability, no refunds, no changes to travel plans).  Some Eurostars stop at Ebbsfleet & Ashford in Kent, many call at Lille in Northern France, a few call at Calais Fréthun station a few kilometres outside Calais.  If you're only going from London to Paris, you should buy tickets online at www.eurostar.com with print-at-home tickets, or you can collect them from the e-ticket machines at the station, or they can be sent to any UK, French or Belgian address.  You can book by phone, calling Eurostar on 08432 186 186 (+44 1233 617575 from outside the UK).  Eurostar bookings open 120 days before departure.  If you are going beyond Paris, it can be better to book the whole journey at www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com as explained below.  Tips on choosing a specific Eurostar seat.

Other UK towns & cities to Paris

London to Disneyland Paris

Take Eurostar & TGV to the South of France...

London to Nice by train from £62...

Option 1, changing at Lille:  The most relaxing way from London to the South of France is to take Eurostar to Lille and make a simple same-station change of train onto a 186 mph high-speed TGV to Avignon, Marseille, St Raphael, Cannes, Antibes or Nice.  This avoids the need to cross Paris.

Option 2, changing trains & stations in Paris:  Alternatively, you can take Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, take the metro or a taxi to the Gare de Lyon, then take a high-speed TGV train to Avignon, Marseille, Cannes, Nice or Monte Carlo.  Crossing Paris isn't as easy as a simple same-station change at Lille, but there's a wider choice of departures and you'll often find cheaper prices available this way.  And why not stop off in Paris for a while, or have lunch at the remarkable Train Bleu station restaurant at the Gare de Lyon (or at least visit the bar)?  Most trains from Paris to Marseille, Nice & Monte Carlo (and a few from Lille) are now operated by impressive double-deck TGV Duplex.  Make sure you book an upper deck seat for the best views along the scenic Rhône Valley and even more scenic Côte d'Azur!

Option 3, direct Eurostar trains from London to Provence on Summer Saturdays:  This year, not only is there a long-established summer Saturdays direct Eurostar from London to Avignon (Saturdays 7 July to 1 September, leaving London at 07:17, see the timetable below), they have added an service from London to Lyon, Avignon & Aix-en-Provence leaving London at 07:17 on Saturdays from 4 May to 29 June 2013, see details on the Eurostar website.

What's the journey from London to Nice like?

Settle back into your TGV seat and watch the scenery glide past with a glass of red to hand.  As far as Lyon, the TGV passes rich green farmlands and picturesque French villages with pretty churches.  South of Lyon, the TGV flies at ground level along the Rhône Valley, crossing and re-crossing the River Rhône on dramatic viaducts high above the valley floor, passing more pretty villages and the occasional hilltop chateau, then through the hills of Provence to reach Marseille.  Watch out for a huge viaduct over the Rhône just before Avignon, with views of the famous Palais des Papes in the distance to the left - though if you can spot anyone dancing sur le pont d'Avignon you have better eyesight than me!  You'll see the Alpine foothills in the distance to the left, and catch a glimpse of Marseille harbour with its Chateau d'If of Count of Monte Cristo fame to the right before arriving at Marseille St Charles station.  If you're bound for Cannes, Nice or Monte Carlo, the scenery along the Côte d'Azur is wonderful, as the train runs along the coast past yacht-filled harbours, beaches, rocky inlets and millionaires' villas.  Take a bottle of your favourite wine with you (there are no rules against this on the rails), put your feet up and enjoy the ride...

Or take the overnight Train Bleu couchette train from Paris to Nice & the Côte d'Azur...

This takes little more time out of your day than flying.  Take the 15:31 Eurostar to Paris Nord, then a time-effective Intercités de Nuit couchette train with comfortable air-conditioned couchettes (simple sleeping berths with lightweight sleeping-bag, pillow, mineral water provided, 6 or 4 berths per compartment) overnight from Paris Austerlitz to Cannes, Antibes, Nice or Monte Carlo arriving in time for breakfast.  Travelling this way may also save a hotel bill, too.  This option is also shown in the timetables below.  In 1st class couchettes you have the option of booking a whole compartment for sole or dual occupancy for an extra charge.

How to buy tickets    What is Eurostar like?    What are TGVs like?     What are Intercités de Nuit couchette trains like?

Please check the notes...

* Exact Eurostar times vary, so check for your date of travel when you book.

** The Train Bleu overnight train arrives/departs Paris Gare d'Austerlitz, not the Gare de Lyon.

***  Summer Saturdays direct Eurostar London-Avignon, with no need to change in Lille, fares from £71 one-way or £109 return 2nd class, £140 one-way or £249 return in 1st class.  Runs on Saturdays from 6 July to 7 September 2013.  Arrives/departs Avignon Centre station, not Avignon TGV station.  60 minute check-in.  Buy tickets at www.eurostar.com.  Eurostar have now added a service from London to Lyon, Avignon & Aix-en-Provence leaving London on Saturdays from 4 May to 29 June 2013. See details on the Eurostar website.

Note A:  Runs daily except 24, 31 December.  By Eurostar London-Paris & the famous Train Bleu Intercités de Nuit couchette train between Paris & the South of France, with 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats.

Note B:  Runs on Fridays & Saturdays only until 31 March 2013, then every day.

Note C:  Runs daily until 30 March, also 22 April to 5 May, Sat & Sun 11 May to 8 June.

Note D:  Only runs on Saturdays & Sundays until 31 March 2013.  Runs every day from 1 April 2013 onwards.

Note E:  Until 31 March 2013, only runs as far as Toulon.  From 1 April 2013, runs every day between Paris, Toulon & St Raphael. Extends to Cannes, Antibes & Nice only on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays.

Note F:  Only runs on Fridays, and doesn't run at all before 5 April.

a = departs from Paris Gare d'Austerlitz, not the Gare de Lyon.

c = Avignon Centre station in the town centre, not Avignon TGV station.

f = arrives/departs at Lille Flandres station, an easy 500m walk from Lille Europe Eurostar/TGV station.

h = extended to Toulon on Fridays only.

m = change at Marseille.

n = change at Nice.

t = only calls at Toulon from 1 April 2013 onwards.

v = Connection only runs from 1 April 2013 onwards, no connection before then. Change at Nice.

x = change at Aix en Provence.

w = Only runs until 31 March 2013.  No service after that.

y = Direct TGV from Nice to Lille Flandres.  Starts from Marseille rather than Nice on certain dates, check online for your date of travel.

Avignon TGV station is 3 miles from Avignon city centre.  A shuttle bus (navette) links Avignon TGV with the post office (la Poste) in the city centre.  The bus runs every 20 minutes from around 05:45 to 22:35 Monday-Saturday, 06:15 to 22:35 on Sundays, journey time 10-15 minutes, fare around €1.30.  It's easy to find the bus, just walk out of the TGV station by the main northern exit, walk ahead and to the left.  There's a ticket office for the shuttle bus across the bus bay.  You can confirm bus times at www.tcra.fr (click horaires et plans then Les lignes de bus... then look for Les navettes).  A new rail link is under construction from Avignon TGV station to Avignon centre station, from December 2013 shuttle trains will run every 15 minutes.

Aix en Provence TGV station is 10 miles from Aix city centre.

St Tropez:  For St Tropez, travel by train to St Raphael.  Buses leave St Raphael bus station (right next to the railway station) for St Tropez every hour or two, journey time 90 minutes, fare just €2.  See www.varlib.fr for bus times - click Horaires then look for bus 7601.  You will need to buy a ticket on the bus.  Be warned that traffic into St Tropez in high summer can be a nightmare, with major delays.

Juan les Pins, Villefranche sur Mer, Beaulieu sur Mer:  These all have railway stations on the Cannes-Nice-Monaco main line, served by hourly local trains, but long-distance trains don't stop there.  So for Juan les Pins, travel to Antibes and switch to a local train there, journey time 5 minutes.  For Villefranche and Beaulieu, travel to Nice and change to a local train there.

There are many other trains between Paris, Avignon, Aix & Marseille, only a small selection is shown here.

Please check train times for your date of travel using www.raileurope.co.uk or www.voyages-sncf.com, times may vary on  certain dates.

How to buy train tickets from London to anywhere in France...

The cheapest and easiest way to buy train tickets from London to France is online, with three websites to choose from:  www.raileurope.co.uk, www.eurostar.com & www.voyages-sncf.com.  The pros & cons of each website are explained here, with step-by-step booking instructions.  It's a good idea to try two or three options to compare prices.  You can also buy tickets by phone, although a booking fee is charged.  If you live in the USA, Canada, Australia or NZ, click here.

  Option 1, buy tickets online at www.raileurope.co.uk...

If you live in the UK, the best way to buy train tickets to or within France is arguably www.raileurope.co.uk, French Railways UK subsidiary.  Their website can sell you a ticket from London, Ebbsfleet or Ashford to anywhere in France by Eurostar, TGV, overnight couchette train or any other French train, with all the cheap deals available and no booking fee if you use a debit card & collect tickets at the station.  In fact, it can sell you a ticket for any train journey within France, and for most direct international trains to or from France.  It's backed by a UK call centre if you need any help or after-sale service.

Booking tips...

• Tickets can be collected at St Pancras or any French station free of charge, or sent to any UK address for a £2.25 fee.

• Use a debit card if you can as there's no fee, but they charge a 2.5% fee for credit cards.  Only UK-issued credit cards are accepted, if you don't live in the UK, see one of the other options listed below.

• Children under 4 free, no ticket required.  Children means 4 & over, but under 12.

• French train reservations open 90 days before departure, you can't book before this.  Eurostar opens 120 days ahead, but I strongly recommend waiting and buying all your tickets together so you can confirm onward times and prices before buying a non-refundable, non-changeable Eurostar ticket.  The 90 days is often squeezed to 60 days or less in the few weeks after the European-wide timetable changes in mid-June & mid-December, and engineering work can also mean that trains don't open as early as they should on some dates, especially overnight trains.  Tip:  Booking in fact usually opens 92 days ahead, but Rail Europe have set their 'Email me when booking opens' message to appear 90 days out, regardless.  So if you're trying to nab a cheap ticket the moment booking opens, you may find you can book 48 hours earlier at www.loco2.com or www.tgv-europe.com.  Hotel accommodation can be booked before booking your trains risk-free if you use a site such as www.booking.com with free cancellation.

• Split the journey!  First, try booking the easy way, from London to your French destination all in one go, for example London to Nice.  By all means stick with the easy way if you're a nervous booker, but it's often cheaper and better to split the journey.  So if you don't see any cheap fares, or if you want to stop off in Lille or Paris, make a note of the trains you need, then try booking your trip as two separate journeys:  First book from Paris or Lille to your final destination & back, click 'continue shopping', then book the Eurostar from London to Paris or Lille & back.  Why do you need to split the journey?  Allow at least 60 minutes outward, 90 minutes on the return if you are changing trains & stations in Paris, or at least 25 minutes outward, 40 minutes on the return if you are changing trains in Lille (This allows for the 30 minute Eurostar check-in on the return journey).

• If you're starting your journey north of London, buy your tickets from London to France at www.raileurope.co.uk, then buy a UK train ticket to London using the booking form & advice here.  Alternatively, book a special 'through ticket' from 130 UK towns & cities to Paris or Lille using www.eurostar.com, then book the onward train from Paris or Lille to your French destination at www.raileurope.co.uk.

• If you're booking an Intercités de Nuit overnight train, always book a couchette so you can sleep, a seat is a false economy.  If you want sole or dual occupancy of a whole 4-berth 1st class couchette compartment, the 'espace privatif' (private area) deal can't be booked with Rail Europe, only direct with French Railways at www.voyages-sncf.com - select 1st class before running the enquiry, then select any fare and you'll see this as an extra-charge option.

• On the confirmation page, if you click 'show itinerary details' it will show the exact coach number & berth or seat number that you've been given.  TGV seat numbering plans.  Couchette numbering plans.

• Tickets are sent from Rail Europe's office in Kent and normally arrive in a few days.  If you need help, call Rail Europe's UK call centre on 0844 848 5 848, lines open 09:00-19:00 Mondays-Fridays, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays.

• Seating choice:  Rail Europe only offers a choice of aisle or window.  If you want the upper deck of a TGV Duplex (and I recommend a top deck seat), book at www.loco2.com or www.voyages-sncf.com instead.  www.voyages-sncf.com also allows you to request a table for 4 (described as club 4 or family), or in 1st class, a table for 2 (dual face to face). 

• Journeys via Lille not Paris:  www.raileurope.co.uk should show options via both routes.  However, if you specifically want to go via Lille and have trouble finding one on www.raileurope.co.uk, use www.voyages-sncf.com as this has a 'via' box, also a 'direct services only' box so you can ask for direct trains (remember to un-tick this for routes where there's no direct train!).

  Option 2, buy tickets online at www.eurostar.com...

Advantages:  www.eurostar.com sells through tickets to major cities in France from London & from 130 other UK towns & cities, and is very simple to use.  It can sometimes be the cheapest option, but not always, so check other options too.  There are no booking fees, just a small fee if you use a credit card.  Tickets can be printed at home or collected at the stations, or can be sent free of charge to any UK or French address.  It accepts overseas credit cards as well as UK cards.  www.eurostar.com allows you to choose a specific seat on Eurostar if you like, other sites don't.

On the other hand, www.eurostar.com is limited in what it can book, as it only sells direct tickets from the UK to the most popular French cities without stopovers.  It won't book overnight trains, only daytime trains.  www.raileurope.co.uk & www.voyages-sncf.com can book tickets to anywhere in France, can book overnight trains, can sell tickets for journeys within France, and can be used to book journeys with stopovers.  www.eurostar.com only sells the special combined Eurostar+TGV fares, www.raileurope.co.uk or www.voyages-sncf.com can sell separate Eurostar tickets and French tickets which can work out cheaper.

Booking tips...

• Reservations open 90 days before departure.  You can't book until reservations open!

• Tickets can be printed at home or sent to any UK or French address or you can choose to pick them up at St Pancras station in London by entering your booking reference & credit card into the self service e-ticket machines.

• Look closely to see whether the journeys it offers you involve a simple change at Lille or a change of trains and stations in Paris, as the site offers both options.  A same-station change at Lille is much easier than crossing Paris.  Unfortunately, there's no way to force it to offer journeys via Lille.

• Starting your journey north of London?  www.eurostar.com can book 'through tickets' starting in 130 UK towns & cities.  However, consider using www.eurostar.com to book the first leg, from 130 UK towns & cities to Paris or Lille, then booking the second leg from Paris or Lille to your French destination at www.raileurope.co.uk, as this allows you to book to any French destination, using any type of train, and often results in the cheapest prices.

  Option 3, buy tickets by phone or in person...

You can buy train tickets to France by phone, although a small fee is charged for phone bookings.  Simply call Rail Europe on 0844 848 5 848 (lines open 09:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, £8 booking fee), or call an agency such as Ffestiniog Travel on 01766 772050 (8% booking fee).  Rail Europe have a travel centre for personal callers at 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU, open 10:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-17:00 Saturdays.  Alternatively, there is a Trainseurope desk at St Pancras International, located in the National Rail travel centre under platforms 1-4, open 10:00-17:00 every day of the week (ironically, Eurostar's own ticket office at St Pancras cannot sell tickets beyond Paris!).  For more information about how to buy European train tickets, see the How to buy European train tickets page.

Option 4, tailor-made travel & hotel arrangements from www.railbookers.com...

A hassle-free option is to get a reliable specialist agency such as Railbookers to arrange your whole trip, with train bookings, hotels and transfers all sorted with one phone call.  Just tell them when and where you want to go, and they'll create the best rail holiday or tour for you.  UK residents can call www.railbookers.com on 020 3327 0761.  US & Canadian residents can call them toll-free on 1-800-408-3280 or see website.  Australian residents can call their Sydney office toll-free on 1300 971 526 or see www.railbookers.com.au.  New Zealand residents call toll-free on 0800 002 034 or see website.  They get very positive reviews and take good care of their guests.

  Option 5, buy online at www.loco2.com (for anyone from any country)

www.loco2.com is a new company, aiming to make train booking easier.  Booking usually opens 92 days ahead.  They connect to the same data as raileurope.co.uk, so offer the correct European prices, but they accept credit cards from any country so can be used wherever you live, as long as you get a print-at-home or collect-at-station delivery option, which you usually do for journeys within or starting in France, or involving Eurostar and onward connections from Paris.

  Option 6, buy online at www.tgv-europe.com (for anyone from any country)

Anyone from any country worldwide can buy tickets direct from French Railways at www.voyages-sncf.com.  This shows all the cheapest prices, currently has no fees, and offers a full range of seating options.  Tickets are in many cases print-at-home or can be collected at French stations.  They will send tickets to any country worldwide except the USA.  There are some Machiavellian redirections to various Rail Europes, but these (and how to get around them) are explained when you click on any tgv-europe.com link on this page.

• How far ahead can you book?  French trains usually open for booking 92 days before departure, you cannot book before bookings open.  Eurostar bookings open 120 days ahead, but I strongly recommend waiting and buying all your tickets at the same time so you can double-check the timings of the onward French trains before booking the Eurostar.  Hotel accommodation can be booked before booking your trains risk-free if you use a site such as www.booking.com with free cancellation.

• If you live in the UK, it may be better use www.raileurope.co.uk as shown above, so you can buy your Eurostar & onward train tickets together in one place without relying on post from France.  Prices are (or should be) the same as www.voyages-sncf.com, and it's backed by a UK call centre.  On the other hand, there are no credit card or postage fees at www.voyages-sncf.com and prices are in euros so it's a fraction cheaper as you may get a better exchange rate from your bank.  www.voyages-sncf.com has a 'via' box, useful for forcing it to show journeys via Lille rather than via Paris, it has a 'direct services only' box to force it to only find direct trains, and they offer a full range of seating options so you can select a top deck table for two on a double-decker TGV Duplex for example, whereas with Rail Europe you don't get a seating choice.  And if you're trying to nab a cheap fare as soon as booking opens 3 months ahead, bookings usually open 92 days ahead on tgv-europe.com but only 90 days ahead on raileurope.co.uk.  But it's your call!

• To book at www.voyages-sncf.com, first ask it for train times from London to your chosen French destination.  Remember to un-tick the 'direct services only' box!  If you only want services with an easy change at Lille and no need to change trains and stations in Paris, click 'More criteria' and type 'Lille' in the 'via' box.

• To buy your tickets, one option is to select one of the London to France journeys you can see in the search results and book it at www.voyages-sncf.com.  There are two drawbacks to doing this.  First, you won't get a print-at-home or collect-at-station delivery option for a journey starting in London, only tickets sent free by post.  They won't send to the USA, which rules out US customers, and as it's only normal (non-insured) international post it might not be the safest option if you live in (say) Australia, Canada or Asia.  Second, the system is not good at mixing and matching fare types, so if the cheapest fare for (say) Paris-Marseille is a semi-flexible one, it will match this with a similar but unnecessarily-expensive semi-flexible London-Paris Eurostar ticket when a far cheaper inflexible fare is in fact available for this leg.

• A better way to buy tickets is to split the journey, noting down the trains that you want from the tgv-europe.com search results, then booking the London to Lille or Paris train at www.eurostar.com (with print-at-home tickets or ticket collection in London, and with the option to book not just from London but from 130 other UK towns & cities) then booking the onwards French train from Lille or Paris at www.voyages-sncf.com, with print-at-home tickets or collection at any staffed French station.  An added bonus is that Eurostar.com allows you to select your exact seats on Eurostar, see tips on choosing the best seats.  I recommend buying tickets this way because of the cheaper pricing and more reliable print-at-home ticket delivery options, even though it's a bit more legwork.

• To avoid the pitfalls when buying tickets at www.voyages-sncf.com, see this advice & step-by-step instructions.

  If you live in the USA...

• First the good news.  If you live in the USA or Canada, you can easily buy tickets for Eurostar and any French train online at www.raileurope.com (USA) or www.raileurope.ca (Canada).  This is Rail Europe Inc, a US-based subsidiary of French Railways, not to be confused with Rail Europe 4A, which is a separate subsidiary selling to Australia, Africa, Asia and South America based in Paris, or Rail Europe Ltd which is another subsidiary based in the UK.

• Now the bad news.  www.raileurope.com & www.raileurope.ca have been known to suppress the cheapest fares for the US market, and they add booking fees on top.  As I write this, a quick price comparison shows www.raileurope.com charging $130 from Paris to Marseille (for example) when French Railways own websites are showing only €44.90 (about $64) for exactly the same date and train.

• So how should you book?  To book journeys between London and anywhere in France in either direction, I suggest first checking www.loco2.com.  This is in plain English, accepts US credit cards and usually offers print-at-home or collect-at-station delivery.  They won't mail tickets to the USA as they are UK based, in fact they link to the UK Rail Europe's data (which means European prices, converted into £).  The advantage is that at www.loco2.com you can book both the Eurostar & French trains together painlessly as one easy transaction, but at the true European price, give or take the minor cost of conversion into pounds.

• Alternatively, you can book a UK-France journey in two stages direct with the relevant train operators.  A bit more fiddly, of course, but you'll then pay the actual French Railways price in euros, the absolute cheapest option:  First book your Eurostar from London to Paris (or vice versa) direct with Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.  Then book your onward train tickets within France at www.voyages-sncf.com.  You can use www.voyages-sncf.com by simply selecting 'Antarctic' as your country of residence and making sure you are offered print-at-home or ticket collection at station option.

• Tailor-made tours by train:  Alternatively, a hassle-free option is to get a reliable specialist agency such as Railbookers to arrange your whole trip, with train bookings, hotels and transfers all sorted with one phone call.  Just tell them when and where you want to go, and they'll create the best rail holiday for you.  In the USA & Canada, call toll-free 1-800-408-3280 or see website.

     If you live in Australia, Canada, Asia, Africa, South America...

• If you live in Australia or NZ, Asia or Africa, you can buy tickets at www.raileurope-world.com.  You may get a print-at-home ticket, or they will send tickets to any country worldwide except the USA for a small fee.

• Prices at www.raileurope-world.com are the same as on tgv-europe.com, at least according to every test booking I've done so far, give or take a small fee, so it's fine to buy here, avoiding the need to overcome any redirection or payment problems you might have at tgv-europe.com.  You're buying from Rail Europe 4A, the 4A stands for Australia, Africa, Asia and South America, it's a subsidiary of French Railways based in Paris with offices in Australia, India, Singapore and a few other countries.  They should not be confused with Rail Europe Inc based in the USA, which is a different company (although still a French Railways subsidiary) with different policies.

• Alternatively, you can try booking journeys between London and anywhere in France in either direction at www.loco2.com.  This is in plain English, accepts credit cards from any country and usually offers print-at-home or collect-at-station delivery.  They won't mail tickets overseas as they are UK based.

• Finally, of course, you can always book a UK-France journey in two stages direct with the relevant train operators.  More fiddly, perhaps, but you now get the actual French Railways price in euros, the absolute cheapest option:  First book your Eurostar from London to Paris (or vice versa) direct with Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.  Then book your onward train tickets within France at www.voyages-sncf.com.  You can use www.voyages-sncf.com by simply selecting 'Antarctic' as your country of residence and making sure you are offered print-at-home or ticket collection at station option.

• Tailor-made tours by train:  Alternatively, a hassle-free option is to get a reliable specialist agency such as Railbookers to arrange your whole trip, with train bookings, hotels and transfers all sorted with one phone call.  Just tell them when and where you want to go, and they'll create the best rail holiday for you.  In Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526 or see www.railbookers.com.au, in New Zealand call toll-free 0800 002 034 or see website.

 Sponsored links...

London to Nîmes, Montpellier, Perpignan

Easily the most stress-free way to travel from London to the south of France is to take a Eurostar to Lille and make a simple same-station change of train onto a 186 mph high-speed TGV direct to Nîmes, Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne or Perpignan, with no need to cross Paris.  South of Lyon, the TGV runs along the Rhône Valley, crossing and re-crossing the River Rhône, flying at ground level through the hills of Provence over some breathtaking viaducts, passing pretty French villages and the occasional chateau.  If you're bound for Sète, Narbonne or Perpignan, watch out for your first sight of the Mediterranean coast, and for the flamingos on the various étangs (lakes) which the train passes or crosses on a causeway.  Alternatively, you can take a late afternoon Eurostar to Paris, change trains & stations in Paris, then take a time-effective overnight Intercités de Nuit couchette train to Narbonne or Perpignan.  This takes no more time out of your day than flying!

How to read these timetables  Each column is a service, and you read downwards.  There's a change of trains at each of the grey bars.

How to buy tickets     About changing trains in Lille    What is Eurostar like?     What are TGVs like?     What are Intercités de Nuit couchette trains like?

Note A:  By 16:22 Eurostar to Paris, arriving Paris Nord 19:47.  Cross Paris by métro.  Then take the overnight Intercités de Nuit couchette train leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:53 with 2nd class 6-berth & 1st class 4-berth couchettes for Narbonne and Perpignan.  Does not run on 24 or 31 December.

Note B:  By overnight Intercités de Nuit couchette train to Paris Gare d'Austerlitz, with 2nd class 6-berth and 1st class 4-berth couchettes, arriving 07:22.  Cross Paris by métro.  The Eurostar leaves Paris Gare du Nord at 09:13.  Does not run on 24 or 31 December.

c = Change trains at Montpellier.

f  = Lille Flandres station, not Lille Europe.  It's an easy 500m 6-minute walk between stations.

m = extended to start in Perpignan, Narbonne & Béziers on Mondays only.

n = change trains at Narbonne.

p = extended to Narbonne & Perpignan on Fridays & Sundays only.

Eurostar times may vary, so check times when you buy tickets.   There are many other journey possibilities changing trains and stations in Paris.

Please check train times for your date of travel using www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com, as times vary on  certain dates.

How to buy tickets...

Click here for advice on how to buy tickets.  Remember it is often cheaper to split the booking into London-Paris and Paris-onwards.

There are two options:  You can travel by Eurostar to Paris, change trains and stations, then take either a daytime TGV or an overnight couchette train from Paris to Biarritz or Lourdes.  Or you can take Eurostar to Lille and travel by direct TGV from Lille to Bordeaux, with (usually) another change there.  This avoids the need to change trains and stations in Paris.  Times via Paris (which has the most frequent departures) are shown below.  You can check train times for either route at www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com.

How to read these timetables...  Each column is a service you can take.  You read downwards, changing trains where you come to the grey bar.

How to buy tickets    What is Eurostar like?    What are TGVs like?   What are Intercités de Nuit couchette trains like?

*  By Intercités de Nuit couchette train with 1st class 4-berth and 2nd class 6-berth couchettes, and reclining seats.  Not 24, 31 December.  It runs daily at certain times of year.  It now runs via Toulouse.

a = the sleeper train arrives/departs Paris Gare d'Austerlitz, not Paris Gare Montparnasse.

d = change trains at Dax. 

e = the exact time of the Eurostar connection varies by day of the week, so check when booking.

Please check train times for your date of travel using www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com, as times vary on certain dates.

How to buy tickets...

Click here for advice on how to buy tickets.  Remember it is often cheaper to split the booking into London-Paris and Paris-onwards.

On board the TGV...

TGV 2nd class (left) & 1st class (right).  The interior is designed by Christian Lacroix, with power sockets at all seats.  On the TGV Atlantique route from Paris to Brittany, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Lourdes, Tarbes & the Spanish border, one 1st class car has a conventional open plan layout, the other two have a unique layout with bays of two seats facing across a table one side of the aisle, and semi-compartments of 4 seats around a table on the other, as pictured above.  Very civilised! 1st class photo courtesy of Rafal Tomasik.

London to Lyon by train from £61 one-way or £109 return...

The easiest and most painless way to travel from London to Lyon is to take Eurostar to Lille and make a simple same-station interchange in Lille onto a direct TGV to Lyon, with no need to change trains and stations in Paris.  Relax over a glass or two as you swish past the French countryside, the green hills just north of Lyon are especially pretty.  It's almost as fast as flying, but far more enjoyable with no airport security queues in sight.  Services with one easy change at Lille are shown in the timetables below.

Alternatively, you can take Eurostar all the way to Paris, change trains and stations in Paris, and take a TGV from Paris to Lyon.  Although not as simple as the route via Lille, going via Paris offers an almost hourly departure from London, and cheap fares seem more plentiful this way.  You can also (of course) stop off in Paris.  Train times via Paris are not shown below, but there are hourly Eurostars from London to Paris Gare du Nord (journey 2 hours 40 minutes) and hourly TGVs from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon (journey 2 hours).  Almost all Paris-Lyon TGVs and a few Lille-Lyon services are now impressive double-deck TGV Duplex.  If you want to go via Paris, just check times using either www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com.

How to read these timetables   Each column is a service, and you read downwards.  There's a change of trains at each of the grey bars.

How to buy tickets    About changing trains in Lille    What is Eurostar like?    What are TGVs like?

Please check train times for your date of travel using www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com, as times vary on  certain dates.

How to buy tickets...

Click here for advice on how to buy tickets. 

Remember it is often cheaper to split the journey, first booking from London to Lille or Paris & back, then booking from Paris or Lille to Lyon & back.  Why is this?

TGV 1st class, refurbished.  Panorama photo...		TGV 2nd class, refurbished.  Panorama photo.

London to Bordeaux by train from £61 one-way or £109 return...

The easiest and most painless way to travel from London to Bordeaux is to take Eurostar to Lille and make a simple same-station interchange in Lille onto a direct TGV to Bordeaux, with no need to change trains and stations in Paris.  Relax over a glass or two as you swish past the French countryside.  However, although this avoids the need to change trains and stations in Paris, there are only a few options each day, as shown below.  Via Paris, there are hourly Eurostars to Paris Gare du Nord (in 2 hours 20 minutes) and hourly TGVs from Paris Gare Montparnasse to Bordeaux (3 hours) - the train times via Paris aren't shown here, but you can easily check them using the online timetable at www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com.

How to read these timetables   Each column is a service, and you read downwards.  There's a change of trains at each of the grey bars.

f = Arrives/departs Lille Flandres station, an easy 500m 6-minute walk from Lille Europe Eurostar/TGV station.

How to buy tickets    About changing trains in Lille    What is Eurostar like?    What are TGVs like?

Please check train times for your date of travel using www.raileurope.co.uk (UK residents) or www.tgv-europe.com (anyone), as times vary on  certain dates.

Only journeys via Lille are shown here.  There are many other journey opportunities changing trains and stations in Paris, check times and prices at www.raileurope.co.uk.

How to buy tickets...

Click here for advice on how to buy tickets

Remember it is often cheaper to split the journey, first booking from London to Lille or Paris & back, then booking from Paris or Lille to Bordeaux & back.  Why is this?

London to Strasbourg by train from £61 one-way or £109 return

There are two options:  You can travel by Eurostar to Paris, walk over to the nearby Gare de l'Est and take a high-speed TGV from Paris to Strasbourg (this is the fastest route with the most departures and probably the cheapest fares).  Or there are a couple of services a day with one same-station change at Lille, slightly slower but avoiding a 10 minute walk in Paris if you have very heavy luggage or mobility problems.  Train times for both routes are shown here.  You can check train times at www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com.

How to read these timetables   Each column is a service, and you read downwards.  There's a change of trains at each of the grey bars.

f = Arrives at Lille Flandres station, an easy 500m 6-minute walk from Lille Europe Eurostar/TGV station.

Please check train times for your date of travel using www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com, as times vary on certain dates.

How to buy tickets    What is Eurostar like?    What are TGVs like?

New designer interiors...  The new TGV trains from Paris to Strasbourg, Nancy, Metz & Reims feature chic new interiors by designer Christian Lacroix.  Left:  1st class.  Right:  2nd class.  Watch the video - inside a Christian Lacroix TGV

How to buy tickets...

Click here for advice on how to buy tickets

Remember it is often cheaper to split the journey, first booking from London to Lille or Paris & back, then booking from Paris or Lille to Lyon & back.  Why is this?

Option 1, by Eurostar & TGV with one easy change at Lille...

This is the easiest option, as you make just one simple change of train at Lille.  There's no need to change trains and stations in Paris.

London ► Toulouse

• Travel from London to Lille by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:58 (10:14 on Sundays), arriving Lille Europe at 13:26 (12:54 on Sundays).  In Lille, it's an easy same-station change of train.

• Travel from Lille to Toulouse by direct high-speed TGV, leaving Lille Europe at 14:53 and arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 22:14.

• Fares start at at £68 one-way or £119 return 2nd class, £139 one-way or £239 return 1st class.  How to buy tickets

Toulouse ► London

• Travel from Toulouse to Lille by direct high-speed TGV, leaving Toulouse Matabiau at 09:48 arriving Lille Flandres at 17:07.  In Lille, it's an easy 500m 6-minute walk from Lille Flandres to Lille Europe.

• Travel from Lille to London by Eurostar, leaving Lille Europe at 18:35 (20:30 on Saturdays) arriving London 19:03 (21:06 on Saturdays).  On Saturdays, there's time for dinner in Lille, perhaps at the Irish pub on Lille Europe station.  Remember the 30-minute Eurostar check-in.

Option 2, by Eurostar & TGV or Téoz train, changing trains & stations in Paris...

This means changing trains and stations in Paris, but there is a wider choice of departures, and often more cheap fares available.  Trains from Paris Austerlitz via Limoges and Brive are conventional 125mph trains using the classic Paris-Toulouse route, most now composed of stylish and comfortable 'Téoz' carriages, see the photos below.  The trains from Paris Montparnasse to Toulouse are 186mph TGV trains, using the high speed line the long way round via Bordeaux.

How to read these timetables  Each column is a service you can take.  You read downwards, changing trains where you come to the grey bar.

How to buy tickets    What is Eurostar like?    What are TGVs like?    What are French overnight trains like?

*  By Eurostar London-Lille & direct TGV between Lille, Limoges & Brive.  Northbound, arrives London 16:03 on Saturdays, not 14:03.  Saves crossing Paris, so a good option!

**  By Intercités de Nuit couchette train between Paris & Toulouse, with 2nd class 6-berth couchettes, 1st class 4-berth couchettes, reclining seats.  Southbound, you leave London 17:31 on Saturdays.

*** Runs two hours later on Sunday mornings.

e = Eurostar connection varies on certain dates or days of the week. 

g = Eurostar connection leaves London 14:01 on Saturdays.

Trains marked TGV are 186mph TGV trains.  Trains running via Limoges are 125mph Téoz trains, see photos below.

Please check train times for your date of travel using www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com, as times may vary on  certain dates.

On board a Téoz from Paris to Limoges, Brive & Toulouse...

Téoz:  Although merely 125mph trains, not TGVs, most Paris-Limoges-Brive-Toulouse trains now use stylish air-conditioned Téoz coaches like this, with a unique interior design.  1st class seats have power-recline and are fitted with power-points for laptops/mobiles.  There's a small children's play area in 2nd class, & baby-changing room.  There is usually a bar or refreshment trolley service.  Above centre:  1st class.  Above right: 2nd class.  Watch the video.  Seating plan.

How to buy tickets...

Click here for advice on how to buy tickets

Remember it is often cheaper to split the journey, first booking from London to Paris & back, then booking from Paris to Limoges, Brive or Toulouse & back.  Why is this?

The best way to reach Brittany is by taking a Eurostar to Lille and making one easy change of train in Lille onto a direct TGV to Brittany.  This avoids the need to change trains and stations in Paris.  There are a couple of good services daily, and these are shown below.  There are other services available too - use www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com to find them if you don't see a service that suits you in the timetable below.

You can also travel by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, change trains and stations in Paris, then take a TGV from Paris Gare Montparnasse  to Le Mans, Angers, Nantes, and Rennes.  This is less convenient, but there are a wider choice of departures and sometimes cheaper fares.  The 'via Paris' option is not shown here, but you can easily check times via Paris using the journey planner at www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com.

How to read these timetables...  Each column is a service you can take.  You read downwards, changing trains where you come to the grey bar.

What is Eurostar like?    What are TGVs like?    About changing trains at Lille

* = runs Monday-Thursday. Does not run on Fridays.

Fri = Runs on Fridays only.

f = departs from Lille Flandres station, an easy 500m 6-minute walk from Lille Europe Eurostar/TGV station.

Please check train times for your date of travel using www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com, as times may vary on  certain dates.

How to buy tickets...

Click here for advice on how to buy tickets

Remember it is often cheaper to split the journey, first booking from London to Paris or Lille & back, then booking from Paris or Lille to Nantes, Rennes, etc. & back.  Why is this?

A great way to go:  Brittany Ferries' excellent ship, the Bretagne waiting to sail overnight from Portsmouth to France...

There are two ways to reach Normandy, for example St Malo, Caen, St Lo, Arramanches, Cherbourg, or Le Havre.  You can travel by Eurostar and connecting trains via Paris, or you cross the Channel by ferry with Brittany Ferries or new operator LD Lines.  Caen makes a good base for visiting the D-Day beaches, although you can't get to the beaches by train, you'll need to use buses or a hire car.

By Eurostar...

Travelling by Eurostar and connecting trains will take about 6-7 hours and involves a change of trains and stations in Paris.  Fares start at £99 return 2nd class (£109 return to Cherbourg), £219 return 1st class (£229 to Cherbourg), booked in advance. Check fares and book online at www.raileurope.co.uk (see the advice above) or call them on 0844 848 5 848.

By ferry...

To go by ferry, you take a train from London (Waterloo) or your local station to Poole, Southampton or Portsmouth, then a taxi from the station to the port, then you cross the English Channel by ferry to Normandy.  First, check out the ferry routes, times and prices, using the Seat61 Ferry Shop or the operators' own websites, for example www.brittany-ferries.co.uk or www.ldlines.co.uk.  Routes include Portsmouth-St Malo, Portsmouth-Caen (Ouistreham), Portsmouth-Le Havre & Poole-Cherbourg.  Many of the ferries run overnight with comfortable cabins, allowing you to spend a full day at work on one day, sail overnight and arrive in Normandy for breakfast next morning.  Then check UK train times and fares from your local station to Portsmouth, Southampton or Poole using www.nationalrail.co.uk.  Remember to allow plenty of time to connect between train and ferry, at least 60-90 minutes, preferably more.  If taking a ferry from Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port, remember the station you want is Portsmouth & Southsea, not Portsmouth Harbour, taking a taxi to the ferry terminal.

Visiting the D-day beaches...

Bayeux makes a good base, as many of the tours depart from there, and it's easily reached by train from either Cherbourg, Paris or Caen (and don't forget to visit the Bayeux tapestry, showing a much earlier battle from 1066!).  Try these links for private or group tours of the D-Day beaches:  www.overlordtour.com, www.guided-normandy-tours.com, www.normandybattletours.com, www.dday-guide.com, www.ddaybattletours.com, www.firstnormandybattlefieldtours.com.  Feedback would be very welcome...

London ► Calais & Lille by Eurostar...

Regular Eurostars link London with Lille (Lille Europe station, an easy 500m walk from Lille city centre) and a few Eurostars call at Calais Fréthun, a couple of miles outside the town of Calais itself.  Go to www.eurostar.com to check times, fares and to book online.  The other way to reach Calais is by train and ferry via Dover, see the London to Paris by train and ferry page.

London ► Boulogne, Etaples, Le Touquet, Amiens & Northern France...

The easiest way to reach any of these places is to take Eurostar from London to either Calais Fréthun (though only a few Eurostars call here) or Lille (served by regular Eurostars throughout the day), and change there onto a French regional train.  The good news is that the online system at www.raileurope.co.uk (in English for UK users, tickets sent to any UK address) or www.tgv-europe.com (in several languages, tickets sent to any European address) can book both the Eurostar and the regional French train.  The not-so-good news is that neither of these websites is very good at identifying journey opportunities.  So the best way to check train times and buy tickets is this:

• Go to the German Railways all-Europe online timetable, http://bahn.hafas.de.  The English button is top right.  This system is excellent at identifying journey opportunities, even ones which involve several changes of train.  You can rely on the Germans!

• Enter 'London' and your final destination, for example 'Boulogne', 'Amiens', 'St Quentin', Le Touquet or 'Etaples', whatever...

• Find a journey option that looks suitable for you, and make a note of the trains.  Some suggested journeys will involve a change at Lille (often involving an easy 500m walk between Lille Europe station where the Eurostar arrives and Lille Flandres station), some a change at Calais-Fréthun and occasionally even a change in Paris (via Paris is admittedly a long way round, but it can sometimes be a better bet).

• Now go to at www.raileurope.co.uk (in English for UK users, tickets sent to any UK address) or www.tgv-europe.com (in several languages, tickets sent to any European address), and first book the Eurostar from London to Calais Fréthun or Lille & back.

• Still at www.raileurope.co.uk or www.tgv-europe.com, click 'add another ticket' and book the regional train from Calais Fréthun or Lille to your final destination and back.

The train & ferry alternative...

Alternatively, you can travel from London to Calais, Boulogne, Etaples or Amiens by ordinary domestic train to Dover and ferry to Calais, see the London to Paris by train and ferry page for details.

French Alps ski resort connections... Dark blue line = stations served by Eurostar ski train & Rail Europe Snow Train Light blue lines = bus or taxi transfers from rail stations.

There are three ways to reach the French Alps by train, getting your holiday off to a good start stress-free:

1. Eurostar ski train every winter Saturday, London to the French Alps, click here for details

A direct Eurostar runs from London to the French Alps every Saturday from late December to April.  It leaves London & Ashford in the morning and arrives early evening at Moutiers, Aime & Bourg St Maurice in the French Alps, see the map opposite for the resorts it serves.  This is the easiest and most civilised way to reach the Alps from London during the skiing season, and its available both to independent travellers and as part of many skiing holidays.  There's also an overnight Eurostar on Friday nights, although without any sleeping berths!  See the Ski by Train page for details.

2. Eurostar & Lyria ski train every winter Saturday from London to Chamonix-Mont Blanc, click here for details...

There's a new Eurostar & Lyria ski train linking London with Swiss ski resorts every winter Saturday which also has a connection at Martigny for Chamonix, see the ski by train page for details.

3. Daily scheduled trains to the Alps, all-year round...

Alternatively, you can take regular, scheduled trains running daily, year-round to destinations all over the French Alps.  You can travel by day, taking Eurostar to Paris, crossing Paris by Metro, then a high-speed TGV to the Alps, or overnight, taking Eurostar to Paris, crossing Paris by Metro, then taking an overnight train with couchettes.  Here are the 2012-2013 times:

How to read these timetables  Each column is a service you can take.  You read downwards, changing trains where you come to the grey bar.