For trips to Europe, the train can be a compelling alternative to flying, with Eurostar whisking you from city centre to city centre. But which is better depends on the journey and what matters to you. This guide compares Eurostar and flying to Europe, weighing up time, cost, convenience and more. The right choice varies by destination and priorities, so consider the factors below for your particular trip.
What Eurostar offers
Eurostar is a high-speed train service connecting the UK with cities in Europe, running from a central London station to destinations on the continent. Its big appeal is travelling from city centre to city centre, avoiding the journeys to and from out-of-town airports. For the destinations it serves, it offers a fast, comfortable alternative to flying. Understanding what Eurostar is and where it goes is the starting point for deciding whether it suits your trip better than a flight for a given European city.
The time comparison
While a flight's airborne time may be shorter, the fair comparison is the whole door-to-door journey. Flying involves getting to the airport, arriving early, security, the flight, and travelling from the destination airport to the city. Eurostar's city-centre to city-centre service, with a quicker check-in, can make the total journey time competitive or even faster for some destinations. Comparing the complete journey time, not just the time in the air, often shows the train in a better light than a simple flight-time comparison would suggest.
The cost comparison
Cost varies and depends on when you book and the route. Flights, especially with budget airlines, can have very low headline fares, though extras like baggage and getting to the airport add up. Eurostar fares vary too, cheaper when booked ahead and dearer at peak times. Our guide on how to find cheap flights covers keeping flight costs down. Comparing the true total cost of each, including extras and the journeys to and from airports, gives a fairer picture than the headline fare alone.
Convenience and airport hassle
A major advantage of the train is avoiding much of the hassle of flying: no long trek to an out-of-town airport, less time spent before departure, and a generally calmer experience. Eurostar still has check-in and security, but it is typically quicker than at an airport. For travellers who dislike the stress and waiting of airports, this convenience is a strong draw. Weighing how much you value avoiding airport hassle helps you decide whether the train's smoother experience outweighs other considerations for your trip.
Comfort and experience
Many people find train travel more comfortable and pleasant than flying, with more space to move, the ability to walk around freely, no seatbelt-sign restrictions for long periods, and scenery to enjoy. The experience itself can feel more relaxed and even part of the holiday. For those who find flying cramped or stressful, the comfort of the train is appealing. Considering how much the comfort and experience of the journey matter to you is part of choosing between the relaxed train and the quicker time in the air.
Luggage
Luggage is often easier by train, with generous allowances and no need to pay for or check hold bags or worry about strict weight limits and liquids rules in the same way as flying. You keep your bags with you. This can be more convenient and avoid baggage fees. Our guide on hold luggage weight limits and fees covers the flying side. If you travel with more luggage, or want to avoid baggage charges and restrictions, the train's easier approach to bags is a point in its favour.
Environmental impact
For environmentally conscious travellers, the train generally has a lower carbon footprint than flying for the same journey, making it the greener choice. If reducing the environmental impact of your travel matters to you, this can be a significant factor in favour of Eurostar over a flight. While not everyone prioritises this, it is an increasingly relevant consideration. Weighing the environmental difference, alongside the practical factors, helps travellers who care about sustainability decide between the train and the plane for their European trip.
Destinations covered
A key practical point is that Eurostar serves a limited set of destinations directly, so for cities it reaches it is a strong option, but for others you would need onward connections or a flight. Flying serves far more destinations across Europe directly. Considering whether the train goes where you want to, or whether flying is simply more practical for your destination, is often the deciding factor. The train shines for the cities it directly serves, while flying offers far wider reach across the continent.
Which to choose
The best choice depends on your destination, budget and priorities. For a city Eurostar serves directly, where you value comfort, convenience and a lower carbon footprint, the train is often excellent. For destinations it does not reach, or when a budget flight is much cheaper and time is critical, flying may win. Our guide on ferries to Europe covers another option. Weighing these factors for your specific trip, rather than assuming one is always better, leads you to the right choice between train and plane.
Booking tips for the train
As with flights, Eurostar fares are usually cheaper when booked in advance and more expensive at peak times and last minute, so booking early for popular dates helps you secure a good price. Being flexible on times can also save money. Comparing the train fare against the true total cost of flying, including getting to and from airports, gives the fairest comparison. Booking your train tickets ahead and at off-peak times, rather than leaving it late, is the key to making the train competitive on price as well as convenience. Sign up for fare alerts or check prices over time, as the cheapest tickets sell quickly and prices tend to rise as the date approaches and seats fill.
Comfort, families and accessibility
For families and those who value space, the train can be more relaxing, with room to move, no seatbelt-sign restrictions for long stretches, and the ability to walk about, which suits children and longer attention spans poorly served by a cramped seat. Facilities and accessibility vary, so check what is available for your needs. Considering how the comfort and freedom of the train suit your travelling group, particularly families or anyone who finds flying stressful, is part of weighing it against the plane, alongside the practical questions of cost, time and where you are heading.
In short
Eurostar versus flying depends on your trip. For cities it serves directly, the train offers city-centre to city-centre convenience, competitive door-to-door times, comfort, easier luggage and a lower carbon footprint, with less airport hassle. Flying reaches far more destinations and can be cheaper on budget fares, though extras and airport journeys add up. Compare the true total cost and time, including the journeys to and from airports, and weigh comfort, luggage and convenience. Book the train early for the best fares, and choose the option that best suits your particular European destination and travelling group. For the cities Eurostar serves, the train is often the more relaxed and convenient choice.
Find more travel advice in our Flights & Getting There guides.