Disneyland Paris is the ultimate dream destination of thousands of Europeans. Every year, many British families plan a trip to this dreamy theme park for an unforgettable, nostalgic retreat. If you are, you may be wondering how to get to Disneyland Paris from the UK. This is the first step in planning your holiday. As a UK citizen, you will have numerous options to travel to the iconic destination. You can fly, take the train, or even drive to the theme park.
Most UK travellers take the Eurostar from London and connect at Lille. It is one of the simplest, most convenient options to travel from the UK to Disneyland Paris. It takes you from central London to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, the station directly outside Disneyland Paris. Flying can be useful for travellers who live far from London, while driving gives families more flexibility with luggage and stops along the way. So, if you are planning a Disneyland Paris holiday Packages but aren’t sure which mode of transport is right for you, this guide is for you.
How Far is Disneyland Paris From the UK?
Many people mistakenly think Disneyland Paris is located in Paris. The theme park is located in Marne-la-Vallée, around 32 km east of central Paris. For visitors travelling from the UK, the Channel separates you from France, so your journey will involve crossing the Channel by train, flying, or driving through the Channel Tunnel or on a ferry.
The transport option you choose will significantly affect your travel experience. A family travelling from London for a short weekend may prefer the train, whereas a family travelling from northern England with lots of luggage may find flying or driving more convenient.
Option 1: Travelling to Disneyland Paris by Train
One of the most popular options to travel for a Disneyland Paris holiday is by train. This is the easiest way to travel from the UK to Disneyland Paris for most travellers. Eurostar services depart from London St Pancras International. It currently connects with a French high-speed train at Lille Europe for Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy. Eurostar does not currently operate a direct London–Disneyland Paris service, so you should expect a change in Lille or travel via Paris.
London to Disneyland Paris Through Eurostar
The typical route is:
London St Pancras → Lille Europe → Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy
The exact journey time on Eurostar depends on the connection. The fastest journey takes around 2 hours and 59 minutes. The London–Lille Eurostar journey takes around 1 hour 22 minutes, followed by a TGV journey to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy.
One of the main reasons why most travellers choose Eurostar is that it takes you very close to the theme park. From the station, Disneyland Paris is only a couple of minutes away on foot.
Travelling Via Paris
Another option is to take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. From there, you can use Paris’s local transport network to reach Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy. The RER A goes towards Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, with the station located immediately beside the Disneyland Paris resort. From central Paris, the journey is roughly 35–40 minutes depending on your starting station.
Train advantages
- City-centre departure from London
- No airport transfer after arriving in France
- Generous luggage allowance compared with many budget airlines
- Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy is right beside the parks
- Comfortable option for families
Train disadvantages
- Connections are required
- Prices can increase around school holidays
- Less convenient if you live far from London
- You still need to complete UK–EU travel documentation and border checks
Option 2: Flying to Disneyland Paris
Flying to Disneyland Paris is another option for UK travellers. However, keep in mind that there are no direct flights to the resort itself. When considering the Closest Airport to Disneyland Paris, you will need to land at one of the nearby Paris airports and continue your journey from there. Flying can make sense if you live outside London or find a particularly good flight deal from your local airport.
Three major Paris-area airports serve Disneyland Paris:
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- Paris Orly (ORY)
- Paris Beauvais (BVA)
Flying to Charles de Gaulle Airport
Charles de Gaulle Airport is not only one of Paris’s primary international airports, but also the closest airport to Disneyland Paris. As a result, most air travellers arrive here. You can continue your journey by public transport, private transfer, taxi, or hire a car.
Disneyland Paris also provides luggage-transfer options from Charles de Gaulle for eligible travellers. You also won’t need to travel to London for a flight to this airport, as other regional airports also offer this option.
Other airport options include Paris Orly and Beauvais Airport.
Flight advantages
- More departure airports around the UK
- Potentially competitive fares
- Useful for travellers far from London
- Can work well with a hire car or private transfer
Flight disadvantages
- Airport check-in and security add time
- Luggage fees can increase the price
- You need a transfer after landing
- Budget airports may be far from Disneyland Paris
- Flight delays can affect your park arrival time
Option 3: Driving to Disneyland Paris
You can also drive for your Disneyland Paris holiday. Families who want to take plenty of luggage or combine Disneyland Paris with a wider European road trip often opt for this option. Disneyland Paris says travellers can cross the Channel by LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais or by a P&O ferry from Dover to Calais. From Calais, the drive to Disneyland Paris takes about 3.5 hours.
Driving Via LeShuttle
LeShuttle carries vehicles through the Channel Tunnel between Folkestone and Calais. The crossing takes about 35 minutes, after which you continue by road through France. Disneyland Paris estimates the drive from Calais to the resort at around 3.5 hours.
Driving Via Ferry
Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Dover to Calais. The ferry crossing takes around 1.5 hours, followed by the drive to Disneyland Paris.
Driving advantages
- Take as much luggage as your vehicle allows
- No airline baggage restrictions
- Flexible stops
- Convenient for families with young children
- Useful if visiting other French destinations
- No need to arrange an airport transfer
Driving disadvantages
- Fuel costs
- Channel crossing costs
- French motorway tolls
- Parking costs
- Long driving time
- Driver fatigue
Summing Up
UK travellers have numerous options to travel to Disneyland Paris. Most travellers choose the train because it is the most convenient option. However, there is no universal winner. You’ll need to decide based on your requirements and expectations. Contact Zippy Holidays now to discuss which option best suits your Disneyland Paris holiday.
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