London to Nice by train

How to take a thrilling high speed rail journey from London to Nice

There are currently two* options for making the journey by high speed trains from London to Nice:

1: travelling via Paris can be a cheaper option, but you will need to make the transfer across the French capital between the Gare Du Nord, which is where the Eurostar will arrive, and the Gare De Lyon, the departure station of the TGV train.

2: Or if you make the connection in Lille, you can make the transfer within Lille Europe station, but you will also now have to make a second connection in Marseille (the direct Lille to Nice trains are no longer available).

*When the direct London to Marseille resumes operating in the summer of 2022, taking that train and making the one connection in Marseille is the best option for a London to Cannes rail journey.

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Routes

Option 1: travelling via Paris

Travel Information

The Eurostar will arrive in Paris at the Gare Du Nord, but the TGV train on to Antibes will depart from the Gare De Lyon.

This guide explains how to make the transfer between the two stations by RER train.
The London to Cannes tickets do not include the transfer across Paris.

When making a booking, check the connection time between the arrival at Gare Du Nord and the departure from Gare De Lyon.
Most of the journeys have a connection time of between 1hr and 1hr 30mins - which should ensure that you won't be making the transfer across Paris against the clock!

Though currently, if you depart by the 08:01 departure from London, you will have nearly three hours to make the transfer, time enough for a lunch in the fabulous Le Train Bleu restaurant within the Gare De Lyon, or in brasserie by the station.
(This is the connection with an end-to-end-journey time of around 10hr 45mins).

Current timetable:
Mon - Thurs = 1 x connection
Friday = 3 x connections
Sat/Sun = 2 x connections per day

Usual timetable, pre-pandemic:
Mon - Thurs = 4 x connections
Friday = 5 x connections
Saturday = 4 x connections

Tickets

Book Early And Save: Yes

Online bookings open: 90 days ahead

The very cheapest tickets tend to sell out particularly quickly on this route - they're more likely to be available if you can travel on a Tuesday - Thursday, or are happy to set off from London early in the morning.

The price below is for a one way fare, if you're booking a return ticket, it's likely you will be offered a cheaper price in each direction.

The cheapest tickets for this London to Nice via Paris journey by train are particularly good value - they cost the same as London to Marseille journeys despite the additional distance!

A big plus of booking the Eurostar direct on Eurostar.com is that you can access a 'Manage Your Booking' facility - which enables you to change the seat that you will have been initially assigned when making a booking.
Click on the 'train details' for more information.

The different types of ticket summarised

Also worth knowing is that when travelling by Eurostar you can choose between three classes of service, and this also impacts on the exchanges and refunds of what Eurostar refers to as 'Flexible tickets'

If you book Standard or Standard Premier tickets, you can exchange them if need be, to an alternative departure on your booked route; but if you want to transfer your ticket to a new departure less than 7 days before your travel date, you will need to pay an admin fee of £30 for Standard Class tickets, £40 for Standard Premier tickets PLUS the price difference with the new ticket you will be booking.
What's new, in response to the pandemic, is that these £30/40 charges aren't applied if you want to transfer to an alternative departure more than seven days before your travel date.

Business Premier tickets are less restrictive, in response to the pandemic they can now be refunded and they can be exchanged to alternative departures without paying the admin fee, or the price difference.

Eurostar's full ticket terms and conditions are here

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Eurostar from £68

Eurostar Guide

In addition to direct journeys by Eurostar trains, the Eurostar website also sells

  • 'Any station in Belgium' tickets; the key feature of these tickets is that they live up to their name, so how distant your Belgian destination is and the journey time doesn't impact on the ticket price.
  • Journeys to SOME major cities in France not served directly by Eurostar– including Avignon, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nice, Nantes and Rennes.
  • Journeys to destinations in Germany that are served by direct ICE and Thalys trains from Bruxelles, including these cities; Aachen, Cologne/Koeln, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt (Main).

Eurostar also sells seat reservations to users of Eurail and InterRail passes without booking fees.

Trainline from €78

Trainline Guide

Oui.SNCF from €78

Oui.SNCF Guide

SNCF is the national rail operator in France and not so long ago it recently simplified both the range of tickets and the term and conditions of using them.
Therefore the cheapest tickets also become more flexible too.

Other improvements included a simple integration of travelling with bicycles and rail pass users being able to book reservations for national journeys, without paying booking fees.

Though a legacy of when SNCF sold international tickets under the Rail Europe branding is that OuiSNCF is available in multiple translations with the offerings on the site then tailored to international visitors to France.
However, some of the site's features, including the integration of mobility assistance into the booking path, are only available on the French language version.

Something else to look out for is that simplest way of travelling with tickets is to use the SNCF 'My Travel' phone app, so it's therefore often a good idea to book on the OuiSNCF mobile service.

Journey Features

High Speed

Good to Know

As a consequence of the Covid-19 crisis Eurostar will be operating a particularly limited timetable for the time being - further information is available on Eurostar.com

Note that London is in a different time zone to mainland Europe, it is one hour behind - so when looking at a timetable the journey will look as though it's an hour longer.

When the usual timetable is operating;
The majority of trains have a journey time of 2hr 16mins and these trains are non-stop between London and Paris.
All departures from London after 14:30 are non-stop to Paris.

Depart from London before 14:30 some trains will call at either Ebbsfleet or Ashford International stations.
However as the trains only call at these stations to pick up passengers - these station calls are not included on the departure boards at St Pancras International or usually announced on the train.

At St Pancras International:

Eurostar requests that holders of Standard Class And Standard Premier tickets check-in a minimum of 30mins BEFORE departure, though this increased to 45mins on weekends and holidays.
If you have a Business Premier ticket, Eurostar recommends that you only have to check-in 10 mins before departure.

Our guide to taking a Eurostar from London is here.

The crossing of the River Medway - seen from the right of the train The crossing of the River Medway - seen from the right of the train
The Queen Elizabeth II road bridge seen from the right of the train The Queen Elizabeth II road bridge seen from the right of the train
From the high speed line between the tunnel and Lille From the high speed line between the tunnel and Lille

It's not a scenic journey, but it is a journey with SIX distinct phases and highlights:

1: For most of the first 8 mins of the journey the trains use tunnels to exit London (Stratford International station is located between the tunnels).

2: Then from the right of the train, there are views of the River Thames marshes and of the Queen Elizabeth II road bridge.

3: The third tunnel that the train will pass through is the tunnel under the River Thames.

4: Shortly after Ebbsfleet International station (can only be seen from the right of the train) is the scenic highlight of the journey - the crossing of the River Medway.

5: The train will slow down as it approaches The Channel Tunnel.
Announcements are no longer made that the train is about to enter the tunnel.
The journey through the tunnel will take around 22 mins.

6: There is little of note to be seen from the high speed lines in France.

Journey Features

Scenic - YesHigh Speed (partial)Coastal views

Good to Know

Final Destination: Nice
All trains also call at: Toulon, St Raphael-Valescure,
Cannes and Antibes
(These trains no longer call at Les Arc-Draguignan)

Note that these trains depart from the Gare De Lyon in Paris.

The trains which are usually scheduled to depart from Paris at:
11:24 (not Saturdays) and (19:18 on Fridays) are the fastest trains TGV InOui services of the day.
They are the only TGV InOui trains, which still take the direct route and do not call in Marseille.

The other departures now call at Marseille-St Charles station - where they will reverse direction.

Between Marseille and Toulon Between Marseille and Toulon
Between St Raphael and Cannes Between St Raphael and Cannes
Between St Raphael and Cannes Between St Raphael and Cannes
Between Cannes and Antibes Between Cannes and Antibes

This is a journey of contrasts, between Paris and the Marseille suburbs, the train will travel on the high speed line.

After Marseille the train will slow down, but this gives more of an opportunity to take in the scenery

If your reserved seat is on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel) once the train has passed through the Marseille area, there are some fabulous views of the Cote d'Azur.

Particularly between Marseille and Toulon and from St Raphael to Antibes.

All of the images were captured from the right of the train

This is a journey on which it is worth choosing Upper Deck seats and departing from Paris sufficiently early, so that you can really appreciate the final couple of hours of the trip.

Option 2: travelling via Lille and Avignon

Travel Information

If you want to make a London to Nice train journey and avoid travelling via Paris then an option is to make comparatively straightforward connections between trains in both Lille and Avignon.

The positive of taking this combination of trains is the avoidance of having to make the transfer across Paris from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon.
In particular Avignon TGV is an exceptionally easy station in which to change trains.

The transfer times between trains will be 35 mins in Lille and 1hr in Avignon, which will typically allow the connections to be relatively uncomplicated - if the trains are on schedule you won't be rushing through an unfamiliar station against the clock, and neither will you be hanging around awaiting departure.

Though the potential negative is that those transfer times won't allow much contingency in the unlikely event of delayed trains.
Completing the end-to-end journey in a single day is dependent on making that 35 min connection in Lille.

1 x connection per day

Tickets

Book Early And Save: Yes

Online bookings open: 90 days ahead

This journey tends to be (much) more expensive than travelling via Paris or Lyon.

Eurostar ticket terms summary

If you book Standard or Standard Premier tickets, you can exchange them if need be, to an alternative departure on your booked route; but if you want to transfer your ticket to a new departure less than 7 days before your travel date, you will need to pay an admin fee of £30 for Standard Class tickets, £40 for Standard Premier tickets PLUS the price difference with the new ticket you will be booking.
What's new, in response to the pandemic, is that these £30/40 charges aren't applied if you want to transfer to an alternative departure more than seven days before your travel date.

Business Premier tickets are less restrictive, in response to the pandemic they can now be refunded and they can be exchanged to alternative departures without paying the admin fee, or the price difference.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trainline *

Trainline Guide

Oui.SNCF *

Oui.SNCF Guide

SNCF is the national rail operator in France and not so long ago it recently simplified both the range of tickets and the term and conditions of using them.
Therefore the cheapest tickets also become more flexible too.

Other improvements included a simple integration of travelling with bicycles and rail pass users being able to book reservations for national journeys, without paying booking fees.

Though a legacy of when SNCF sold international tickets under the Rail Europe branding is that OuiSNCF is available in multiple translations with the offerings on the site then tailored to international visitors to France.
However, some of the site's features, including the integration of mobility assistance into the booking path, are only available on the French language version.

Something else to look out for is that simplest way of travelling with tickets is to use the SNCF 'My Travel' phone app, so it's therefore often a good idea to book on the OuiSNCF mobile service.

Journey Features

High Speed

Good to Know

As a consequence of the Covid-19 crisis Eurostar will be operating a particularly limited timetable for the time being - further information is available on Eurostar.com

Final Destination: Bruxelles-Mid or Amsterdam or Marne La Vallée

Some trains also call at: Ebbsfleet International (07:04 on Mon-Fri; 09:12 and 13:15 daily) or Ashford International (07:28 on Mon-Sat and 18:28 on Sunday) these station calls have been suspended until further notice

Note that London is in a different time zone to mainland Europe, it is one hour behind - so when looking at a timetable the journey will look as though it's an hour longer.

Virtually all of the departures between London and Lille will be by the e320trains.

At St Pancras

Eurostar REQUESTS that holders of Standard Class And Standard Premier tickets check-in a minimum of 30mins before departure, and 45mins before departure on weekends and holidays.

If you have a Business Premier ticket, Eurostar recommends that you only have to check-in 10 mins before departure.

Our guide to taking a Eurostar from London is here.

The trains only call at Ebbsfleet or Ashford International stations to pick up passengers, so these station calls are not included on the departure boards at St Pancras International or announced on the train.

The Queen Elizabeth II road bridge seen from the right of the train The Queen Elizabeth II road bridge seen from the right of the train
Crossing The Medway Viaduct Crossing The Medway Viaduct
On the high speed line in France On the high speed line in France

It's not a scenic journey, but it is a journey with six distinct phases and highlights:

1: For most of the first 8 mins of the journey the trains use tunnels to exit London (Stratford International station is located between the tunnels).

2:  Then from the right of the train, there are views of the River Thames marshes and of the Queen Elizabeth II road bridge.

3: The third tunnel that the train will pass through is the tunnel under the River Thames.

4:  Shortly after Ebbsfleet International station (can only be seen from the right of the train) is the scenic highlight of the journey - the crossing of the River Medway.

5:  The train will slow down as it approaches The Channel Tunnel.
Announcements are no longer made that the train is about to enter the tunnel.
The journey through the tunnel will take around 22 mins.

6: There is little of note to be seen from the high speed line in France.

Journey Features

High Speed

Good to Know

Final Destination: Marseille

Aside from the 30 min detour to serve Lyon station, these trains spend the entire journey on a high speed line, but it is primarily the speed that gives this journey its wow factor.

It's not a particularly scenic train ride, so having something to watch or read with you is recommended.

Train 3

Journey Features

High Speed (partial)

Good to Know

Final Destination: Nice Ville

This train also calls at: St Raphael, Cannes and Antibes

This train will reverse direction on departure from Marseille.

If this journey was being taken earlier in the day, there would be wonderfully scenic coastal views to be enjoyed, but this train will travel along the Cote D'Azur after dusk.

Option 3: travelling via Marseille (summer only)

Travel Information

On up to four days per week between the first Monday in Monday and mid September, Eurostar typically operates a direct train from London to Marseille, but it was suspended during the summers of 2020 and 2021, though hopefully it will return in 2022!

(currently not available)

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: up to 4 months ahead of the travel date

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trainline *

Trainline Guide

Journey Features

High Speed

Good to Know

Final Destination: Marseille St-Charles

In this direction you will pass through passport control in London - you won't have to leave the train in order to pass through passport control in Lille.

Note that London is in a different time zone to mainland Europe, it is one hour behind - so when looking at a timetable the journey will look as though it's an hour longer.

Eurostar requests that holders of Standard Class And Standard Premier tickets check-in a minimum of 30mins before departure, and 45mins before departure on weekends and holidays.
If you have a Business Premier ticket, Eurostar recommends that you only have to check-in 10 mins before departure

The view of the QE II Briidge over The Thames The view of the QE II Briidge over The Thames
Crossing The Medway Viaduct Crossing The Medway Viaduct
Between Paris and Lyon Between Paris and Lyon
Between Avignon and Marseille on the right Between Avignon and Marseille on the right

It's not a scenic journey, but it is a journey with distinct phases and highlights:

1: For most of the first 8 mins of the journey the trains use tunnels to exit London (Stratford International station is located between the tunnels).

2: Then from the right of the train, there are views of the River Thames marshes and of the Queen Elizabeth II road bridge.

3: The third tunnel that the train will pass through is the tunnel under the River Thames.

4: Shortly after Ebbsfleet International station (can only be seen from the right of the train) is the scenic highlight of the journey - the crossing of the River Medway.

5: The train will slow down as it approaches The Channel Tunnel.
Announcements are no longer made that the train is about to enter the tunnel.
The journey through the tunnel will take around 22 mins.

6: There is little of note to be seen from the high speed lines in France, though the journey south of Paris is more varied than that to the north.

It's the speed which gives this journey its wow factor.

Journey Features

Scenic - YesCoastal views

Good to Know

Between Marseille and Nice the French national operator SNCF provides a mix of TGV InOui trains and TER services

There is little difference in journey time between the two services, as there is no high speed line between these towns.
The TER trains are around 5 - 10 mins slower because they call at more stations.

Though there are fewer trains operated by SNCF between Marseille and Nice than you might expect.

The sea views as the train nears Toulon The sea views as the train nears Toulon
From the left between St Raphael and Cannes From the left between St Raphael and Cannes
The views of the Cote d'Azur can be fabulous The views of the Cote d'Azur can be fabulous

If your reserved seat is on the right, when facing the direction of travel, you'll be able to enjoy some of the best sea views, that can be experienced on an European train journey.

The best of these views are when the train nears Toulon and then between St Raphael and Antibes.

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