Travel Guide: Cologne To Paris Via Eurostar

Taking the Eurostar from Cologne to Paris is a quick and convenient way to travel between the two cities. With Thalys now merged with Eurostar, travellers can go directly from city centre to city centre in as little as 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Eurostar trains offer modern, comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage. Passengers can bring two bags and one piece of hand luggage for no extra charge and there are no weight limits, though you must be able to carry your luggage safely. Onboard, there is free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drinks available for purchase.

Travellers can board the Eurostar at Cologne's main station, located in the heart of the city next to the cathedral and the Rhine river. Upon arrival in Paris, the train will pull into the historic Paris Gare du Nord station, conveniently situated in the city centre.

Getting to the station in Cologne

Cologne's main train station, Köln Hbf, is located in the heart of the city, next to the famous Cologne Cathedral. The station is easily accessible by public transport, with connections to the U-Bahn (metro), bus, and tram lines.

If you are travelling to the station by U-Bahn, there are two stops that are directly linked to the station: Breslauer Platz and Dom/Hbf. U-Bahn lines 16 and 18 call at both stations, while line 5 only calls at Dom/Hbf.

If you are arriving by bus or tram, you can use one of the several bus and tram lines that service the station.

For those travelling to the station by car, there are several parking facilities around Cologne Central Station. The Hauptbahnhof/Breslauer Platz car park is located next to the station and is open 24/7.

Cyclists can make use of the bicycle parking spaces on Breslauer Platz, which are free of charge.

Onboard experience

Travelling with Eurostar is simple, affordable, and relaxing. You can bring two bags and one piece of hand luggage for no extra charge, and there are no weight limits. However, you should ensure that you can carry all items of luggage safely.

Eurostar trains come with free and fast onboard Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected throughout your journey. You'll also find power sockets at your seat, so you can keep your devices charged while you relax.

If you get hungry during the trip, the Eurostar Café offers a range of hot and cold drinks, as well as sweet and savoury snacks. If you're travelling in Premium, you can enjoy delicious meals served right at your seat.

Eurostar trains offer a generous luggage allowance, allowing you to take up to two pieces of luggage and one small daypack.

The onboard experience can be enhanced by choosing a higher travel class. The "Comfort" option provides more space to work or relax, while the "Premium" class offers exclusive lounges, priority ticket gates, and an onboard fine-dining experience.

With Eurostar, you can travel from Cologne to Paris in comfort and style, making the most of your time onboard.

Arriving at Paris Gare du Nord

Paris Gare du Nord is conveniently located in the heart of the city, in the 10th arrondissement. The station is just a short stroll from top attractions, including Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur. It is also close to Gare de l'Est, which is about a 10-minute walk away.

The station is served by several urban transport lines, including the Paris Métro, RER trains, and local buses. It is easily accessible by train, Métro, bus, and car.

Departure Guide for Travel to London

When leaving for London, your luggage and passport will be checked before you board. It is recommended that you arrive at the station at the time stated on your ticket to ensure a smooth and stress-free departure.

Ticket Gates

Using the escalator opposite platform 17, head to the Eurostar ticket gates on the first-floor balcony overlooking the main concourse. Scan the barcode on your paper ticket or on your mobile device. Make sure everyone travelling with you scans their ticket individually to avoid losing your assigned seat.

Your passport will be checked twice—first by French authorities and then by the UK Border Force. If you have a biometric passport, you may be able to use the e-gates.

There is also a security check for you and your luggage. There are no weight restrictions as long as you can safely lift and carry your luggage. If you have a pacemaker, inform the security team before going through the metal detector, and be prepared to show your medical device ID card.

Eurostar Departure Lounge

The Eurostar departure lounge offers free Wi-Fi for 20 minutes, a coffee shop, a chocolate shop, toilets with baby-changing facilities, and a Premier Lounge for Eurostar Premier travellers and Carte Blanche holders. The Premier Lounge offers comfortable seating, spacious meeting areas, cocktail and smoothie bars, snacks, drinks, newspapers, and magazines. Power sockets are also available.

Boarding

Boarding is usually announced around 30 minutes before departure. Trains to London typically depart from platforms 3, 4, 5, and 6, though platform 6 can also be used for arrivals.

Station Details and Facilities

Paris Gare du Nord offers various facilities, including cafés, newsagents, a gift shop, and a range of restaurants. There are also Eurostar self-service ticket machines on the first-floor balcony and ticket machines for public transport and connecting trains on the main concourse and underground level -1. Toilets with baby-changing facilities, left luggage lockers, and a lost property office are also available.

Connections in Paris

If you need to reach other regions in France, you can take the high-speed TGV train from Paris Gare du Nord to other main connecting stations in the city.

How to Use Public Transport in Paris

The Paris Métro is the quickest and easiest way to travel around the city, offering excellent value. Your Eurostar ticket does not include travel on the Métro or RER, so you will need to purchase separate tickets.

To reach other stations in Paris, follow the signs to the Métro and purchase a "t+" ticket, which allows connections between Métro and RER trains in central Paris. Children under 4 travel for free, and children under 10 get a 50% discount.

Taking a Taxi

The taxi rank is near the Eurostar arrivals area. Head to the concourse at the front of the train and take the exit on the right to find the line of taxis.

Luggage allowance

When travelling from Cologne to Paris via Eurostar, you can bring two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage for no extra charge. There are no weight limits, but you must be able to carry all items of luggage safely and store them in the dedicated luggage areas.

Your allowance includes two items of luggage (maximum 75 x 53 x 30 cm) and one item of hand luggage. Any excess luggage must be transported in a case no longer than two metres and may incur a charge.

All luggage must be labelled, and you are responsible for ensuring your bags are fully closed and watched carefully.

If you are travelling with children, they can bring one piece of luggage and one piece of hand luggage.

If you are travelling in Eurostar Premier, you can bring three pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage.

Ticket prices

The Eurostar website offers a rewards programme called Club Eurostar, which allows passengers to collect points for discounted or free tickets.

Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus tickets can be exchanged free of charge up to one hour before the original departure time. If the new ticket is more expensive, passengers will have to pay the difference. If the new ticket is cheaper, the difference will not be refunded. Tickets exchanged less than seven days before departure become non-refundable. A refund is available up to seven days before travel for a fee of €25/£25 per person per leg of the trip, or €50/£50 per person for a full refund of a return ticket.

Eurostar Premier tickets can be exchanged or refunded up to two days after travel. If the new ticket is more expensive, passengers will have to pay the difference. If the new ticket is cheaper, a refund of the difference will not be provided.

Eurostar also offers a boarding guarantee, which allows passengers to board any other available train on their day of departure at no extra charge if their plans change.

For Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus bookings made over the phone or at the station, a service fee of €14 per transaction is applied. Eurostar Premier travellers are exempt from this fee.

Children under four can travel for free on an adult's lap in Eurostar Standard, Plus, and Premier. For children aged four to 11, ticket prices are approximately 30-50% cheaper in Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus during off-peak travel periods, and 30% cheaper during peak travel periods. The exchange and refund conditions for children's tickets are the same as for adults.

Frequently asked questions